Where Mizzou Stands in AP Top 25, Coaches Poll Ahead of NCAA Tournament

With the beginning of March Madness just a few days away, here's where the Tigers find themselves in the national rankings.

Mar 13, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Tamar Bates (2) celebrates the foul with guard Tony Perkins (12) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Everyone's favorite time of the year is here, with the beginning of March Madness just days away. The Missouri Tigers will enter the tournament still a ranked team, despite a 1-1 showing at the SEC tournament last week.

The Tigers picked up a round two victory in the conference clash against Mississippi State, but fell pretty easily the day after to the soon-to-be champion of the conference, the Florida Gators. Missouri showed signs of improvement in both games and snapped a three-game losing skid after the win over the Bulldogs.

Against Mississippi State, Tamar Bates and Tony Perkins combined for 45 points to spark the Tiger offense. At moments, it looked like a return to mid-conference play form. At others, the defensive side of the ball crumbled, allowing Mississippi State to stay within reach.

The win should build some confidence heading into March Madness and the loss to the Gators shouldn't do much harm, given their outcome.

However, Missouri does not have an easy matchup in round one ahead of them. They take on the 11-seed Drake Bulldogs, who finished the season with a 30-3 record and a conference title.

The two squads face off in the NCAA tournament at 6:35 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 20 in Wichita, Kansas.

Here's where the Tigers stand in the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll prior to round one of the tournament.

AP Top 25

1. Duke, 31-3, 1463
2. Houston, 30-4, 1394
3. Florida, 30-4, 1370
4. Auburn, 28-5, 1291
5. St. John's, 30-4, 1225
6. Tennessee, 27-7, 1174
7. Alabama, 25-8, 1120
8. Michigan State, 27-6, 1080
9. Texas Tech, 25-8, 926
10. Louisville, 27-7, 809
11. Maryland, 25-8, 764
12. Clemson, 27-6, 746
13. Wisconsin, 26-9, 732
14. Michigan, 25-9, 681
15. Iowa State, 24-9, 641
16. Memphis, 29-5, 636
17. BYU, 24-9, 563
18. Kentucky, 22-11, 511
19. Texas A&M, 22-10, 457
20. Saint Mary's, 28-5, 306
21. Arizona, 22-12, 253
22. Purdue, 22-11, 227
23. Missouri, 22-11, 159
24. Gonzaga, 25-8, 151
25. Oregon, 24-9, 115

Coaches Poll

(Rank, Team, Record, Points)

1. Duke, 31-3, 764
2. Houston, 30-4, 731
3. Florida, 30-4, 715
4. Auburn, 28-5, 672
5. St. John's, 30-4, 643
6. Tennessee, 27-7, 634
7. Michigan State, 27-6, 568
8. Alabama, 25-8, 556
9. Texas Tech, 25-8, 498
10. Wisconsin, 26-9, 445
11. Louisville, 27-7, 426
12. Maryland, 25-8, 401
13. Clemson, 27-6, 378
14. Iowa State, 24-9, 361
15. Michigan, 25-9, 329
16. Memphis, 29-5, 272
17. BYU, 24-9, 235
18. Texas A&M, 22-10, 233
19. Saint Mary's, 28-5, 209
20. Arizona, 22-12, 177
21. Kentucky, 22-11, 164
22. Purdue, 22-11, 154
23. Gonzaga, 25-8, 93
24. Missouri, 22-11, 90
25. Marquette, 23-10, 68

Others receiving votes
Drake 107, Marquette 69, UC San Diego 57, Illinois 55, VCU 28, Creighton 28, Mississippi 13, McNeese St. 4, UConn 4, Colorado St. 4, Kansas 3, High Point 3, UCLA 3, Akron 3.

Schools Dropped Out
No. 25 Illinois

Others receiving votes
Drake 46, UC San Diego 37, Oregon 35, VCU 33, Creighton 33, Illinois 27, Kansas 16, UConn 12, Baylor 7, Colorado State 6, UCLA 3, Ole Miss 2, Vanderbilt 1, North Carolina 1.