AP Poll: Michigan Finishes No. 8 Entering NCAA Tournament

Michigan finished at No. 8 in the final edition of the 2018-19 AP Poll, moving up from No. 10 after a run to the Big Ten Tournament title game.

The Wolverines crushed both Iowa and Minnesota by 20-plus points in the quarterfinals and semifinals, setting up a third date with Michigan State. The Spartans came back in the second half yet again to seize Tom Izzo’s sixth tournament title by a 65-60 decision.

Michigan enters the NCAA Tournament West Regional as a No. 2 seed. They carry a 28-6 (17-6 Big Ten) record, and will face the No. 15 seed Montana Grizzlies (26-8, 16-4 Big Sky). This is the second-straight time the two have faced in the Round of 64, as Michigan scrapped by 61-47 in Wichita last March.

Michigan State moved into the top-5 for the first time this season. The 2-seeded Spartans trail No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 North Carolina and No. 4 Gonzaga.

3-seeded Purdue stayed put at No. 13. Wisconsin (5-seed) moved back a couple spots to No. 21, while Maryland in the “others receiving votes” category.

Here is the complete AP Top 25 (per press release from Syracuse.com)

1. Duke
2. Virginia
3. North Carolina
4. Gonzaga
5. Michigan State
6. Kentucky
7. Tennessee
8. Michigan
9. Texas Tech
10. Florida State
11. Houston
12. LSU
13. Purdue
14. Auburn
15. Buffalo
16. Virginia Tech
17. Kansas
18. Kansas State
19. Wofford
20. Nevada
21. Wisconsin
22. Cincinnati
23. Villanova
24. Iowa State
25. Utah State