AP Poll - December 23, 1986
Poll 5 of 16 of the 1986-1987 season; Tennessee is No. 1 (unchanged).
| Rank | School | Conference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tennessee | SEC | - |
| 2. | Texas | Southwestern | 1 |
| 3. | Auburn | SEC | 1 |
| 4. | Virginia | ACC | 4 |
| 5. | Louisiana Tech | Independent | 3 |
| 6. | Rutgers | A-10 | 1 |
| 7. | USC | Pac-10 | 1 |
| 8. | Long Beach State | PCAA | 1 |
| 9. | LSU | SEC | 1 |
| 10. | Mississippi | SEC | 1 |
| 11. | Georgia | SEC | 2 |
| 12. | Penn State | A-10 | 1 |
| 13. | Maryland | ACC | 1 |
| 14. | Iowa | Big 10 | 3 |
| 15. | NC State | ACC | 5 |
| 16. | Ohio State | Big 10 | 4 |
| 17. | Vanderbilt | SEC | 2 |
| 18. | Illinois | Big 10 | 3 |
| 19. | James Madison | CAA | 1 |
| 20. | Southern Illinois | Gateway | new |