AP Poll - November 21, 1988
Preseason poll of the 1988-1989 season; Tennessee starts at No. 1.
| Rank | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tennessee | SEC |
| 2. | Long Beach State | Big West |
| 3. | Texas | Southwestern |
| 4. | Georgia | SEC |
| 5. | Iowa | Big 10 |
| 6. | Louisiana Tech | American South |
| 7. | Auburn | SEC |
| 8. | Stanford | Pac-10 |
| 9. | Mississippi | SEC |
| 10. | Maryland | ACC |
| 11. | Virginia | ACC |
| 12. | Ohio State | Big 10 |
| 13. | Washington | Pac-10 |
| 14. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt |
| 15. | Rutgers | A-10 |
| 16. | NC State | ACC |
| 17. | USC | Pac-10 |
| 18. | St. Joseph's | A-10 |
| 19. | LSU | SEC |
| 20. | San Diego State | Big West |