AP Poll - December 5, 1988
Poll 3 of 17 of the 1988-1989 season; Tennessee is No. 1 (unchanged).
| Rank | School | Conference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tennessee | SEC | - |
| 2. | Georgia | SEC | 1 |
| 3. | Louisiana Tech | American South | 1 |
| 4. | Auburn | SEC | 1 |
| 5. | Stanford | Pac-10 | 1 |
| 6. | Mississippi | SEC | 2 |
| 7. | Virginia | ACC | 3 |
| 8. | Texas | Southwestern | 1 |
| 9. | Long Beach State | Big West | 7 |
| 10. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt | 2 |
| 11. | Iowa | Big 10 | 4 |
| 12. | Rutgers | A-10 | 1 |
| 13. | Maryland | ACC | - |
| 14. | Purdue | Big 10 | 2 |
| 15. | San Diego State | Big West | 5 |
| 16. | LSU | SEC | new |
| 17. | USC | Pac-10 | 3 |
| 18. | St. Joseph's | A-10 | 1 |
| 19. | South Carolina | Metro | new |
| 20. | Colorado | Big Eight | new |
| 20. | Illinois State | Gateway | new |
| 20. | Stephen F. Austin | SLC | new |