Although there are many ranking systems on many websites for NCAA basketball, the two which are most respected are the Associated Press poll and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. Different people will have their favorites according to which they believe is the best indication of a team’s current form. The NCAA basketball rankings are very important and provide rankings on a weekly basis throughout the season.

The USA Today Coaches Poll panel is made up of 31 head coaches from Division 1 organizations. All of these coaches are members of the NABC (The National Association of Basketball Coaches). USA Today became involved with the ranking system in 1993 when they joined forces with CNN to take over the rankings for UPI. ESPN joined as another sponsor of the NCAA basketball rankings in 2002. The Coaches Poll originally covered only the top 20 college teams and this was the case from its inception in 1950 right up until 1990. Only then did it change to include the top 25 teams. It has continued to cover 25 ever since.

The second of the NCAA basketball rankings published is probably slightly more highly regarded, although, as I say, this is a matter of opinion. This is Associated Press poll which is also a weekly ranking system of the top 25 Division 1 teams. These rankings are put together by a panel of sports writers from the length and breadth of the nation. The system works on the principle of awarding points to each team. The writers will decide which team they believe deserves the most points and award them a maximum vote of 25. The team which in their opinion is second, will be awarded 24 points. This continues down until the team which impressed them the least receives 1 point. Each of the writers will award the 25 teams points in the same manner and the team with the highest number of points will be ranked number 1.

NCAA basketball rankings by the Associated Press have been compiled since 1948 and cover both the men’s and women’s top 25 teams of division 1. This poll is published every Monday and the ballots are made public. Although the Associated Press poll is highly regarded and watched intensely each week, it has very little bearing on play. The teams invited to play at March Madness, the NCAA basketball tournament, will usually include all the top 25 teams as a matter of course.

There are times when these two ranking systems do not agree on the number one team. Sometimes there is a difference of opinion between the two polls and this has led to national titles being split between two different college teams. Having two NCAA basketball rankings running at the same has often been the cause of dispute and controversy.

By: Robert Grazian