Purdue Atop Rankings — How Last 10 Preseason No. 1 Teams Performed in March Madness

Those who have listened to Matt Painter long enough understand his mindset entering the 2025-26 college basketball season. Yeah, it's cool to be ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. It's a compliment to the program, the roster, and the staff in place. Ultimately, though, it means nothing when the season tips off in November.

On Monday, Purdue was ranked as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press' preseason poll, edging out Houston, Florida, and UConn for the top spot. It's the first time in program history the Boilermakers will enter the college basketball season atop the AP's Top 25.

Preseason accolades don't automatically translate to postseason success, though. Painter and his team understand that. And, if they didn't, there are plenty of examples from the past 10 years that validate the claim.

The last preseason No. 1 team to win a national championship was North Carolina in the 2008-09 season. That year, the Tar Heels started the year ranked in the top spot and never fell further than No. 5 in the polls.

North Carolina concluded the season with a 34-4 record and defeated Michigan State in the National Championship Game.

How have the preseason No. 1 teams performed in March Madness over the last 10 seasons. There have been some teams that have lived up to the hype, while a few others endured some disastrous seasons.

Last 10 Preseason No. 1 teams in college basketball

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

2024-25

Team: Kansas Jayhawks
Final record: 21-13
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 7 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the first round by No. 10 seed Arkansas

2023-24

Team: Kansas Jayhawks
Final record: 23-11
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 4 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the second round by No. 5 seed Gonzaga

2022-23

Team: North Carolina Tar Heels
Final record: 20-13
NCAA Tournament seed: N/A
NCAA Tournament result: Did not make NCAA Tournament field

2021-22

Team: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Final record: 28-4
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 1 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in Sweet 16 by No. 4 seed Arkansas

2020-21

Team: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Final record: 31-1
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 1 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the National Championship Game by No. 1 seed Baylor

2019-20

Team: Michigan State Spartans
Final record: 22-9
NCAA Tournament seed: N/A
NCAA Tournament result: NCAA Tournament canceled (COVID-19)

2018-19

Team: Kansas Jayhawks
Final record: 26-10
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 4 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the second round by No. 5 seed Auburn

2017-18

Team: Duke Blue Devils
Final record: 29-8
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 2 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the Elite Eight by No. 1 seed Kansas

2016-17

Team: Duke Blue Devils
Final record: 28-9
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 2 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the second round by No. 7 seed South Carolina

2015-16

Team: North Carolina Tar Heels
Final record: 33-7
NCAA Tournament seed: No. 1 seed
NCAA Tournament result: Defeated in the National Championship Game by No. 2 seed Villanova