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