AP Poll - November 12, 1985
Preseason poll of the 1985-1986 season; Texas starts at No. 1.
| Rank | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Texas | Southwestern |
| 2. | Georgia | SEC |
| 3. | Louisiana-Monroe | SLC |
| 4. | Louisiana Tech | Independent |
| 5. | Old Dominion | Sun Belt |
| 6. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt |
| 7. | USC | Pac-West |
| 8. | Auburn | SEC |
| 9. | Tennessee | SEC |
| 10. | Ohio State | Big 10 |
| 11. | Long Beach State | PCAA |
| 12. | Mississippi | SEC |
| 13. | Penn State | A-10 |
| 14. | Iowa | Big 10 |
| 15. | NC State | ACC |
| 16. | San Diego State | Big West |
| 17. | North Carolina | ACC |
| 18. | Virginia | ACC |
| 19. | LSU | SEC |
| 20. | UNLV | Big West |
| 20. | St. Joseph's | A-10 |