AP Poll - February 23, 1986
Poll 14 of 16 of the 1985-1986 season; Texas is No. 1 (unchanged).
| Rank | School | Conference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Texas | Southwestern | - |
| 2. | Georgia | SEC | - |
| 3. | Virginia | ACC | - |
| 4. | USC | Pac-West | 3 |
| 5. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt | 1 |
| 6. | Louisiana Tech | Independent | 1 |
| 7. | Long Beach State | PCAA | 3 |
| 8. | Rutgers | A-10 | - |
| 9. | Auburn | SEC | - |
| 10. | LSU | SEC | - |
| 11. | Ohio State | Big 10 | 1 |
| 12. | Mississippi | SEC | 1 |
| 13. | Iowa | Big 10 | 1 |
| 14. | Tennessee | SEC | 1 |
| 15. | Oklahoma | Big Eight | 1 |
| 16. | Penn State | A-10 | 3 |
| 17. | North Carolina | ACC | - |
| 18. | James Madison | CAA | - |
| 19. | Saint Peter's | MAAC | 1 |
| 20. | Providence | Big East | new |