AP Poll - November 12, 1996
Preseason poll of the 1996-1997 season; Stanford starts at No. 1.
| Rank | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Stanford | Pac-10 |
| 2. | Alabama | SEC |
| 3. | Georgia | SEC |
| 4. | Tennessee | SEC |
| 5. | Connecticut | Big East |
| 6. | Iowa | Big 10 |
| 7. | Old Dominion | CAA |
| 8. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt |
| 9. | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| 10. | Virginia | ACC |
| 11. | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| 12. | Kansas | Big 12 |
| 13. | NC State | ACC |
| 14. | Louisiana Tech | Sun Belt |
| 15. | Penn State | Big 10 |
| 16. | Duke | ACC |
| 17. | Colorado | Big 12 |
| 18. | Arkansas | SEC |
| 19. | Texas | Big 12 |
| 20. | Notre Dame | Big East |
| 21. | Florida | SEC |
| 22. | Wisconsin | Big 10 |
| 23. | North Carolina | ACC |
| 24. | Stephen F. Austin | SLC |
| 25. | Auburn | SEC |