Saoirse Downs
The final update of the season for the men's college basketball rankings saw Auburn remain at No. 1 for the 68th consecutive day, ahead of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, in the NBA Power Rankings, the Thunder topped the 2024-25 season rankings, with the Pacers, Knicks, and Celtics following closely behind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 June 2025 |
| Top-ranked team | Thunder |
| Second-ranked team | Pacers |
| Third-ranked team | Sixers |
| Team with the best body of work | Auburn |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Thunder on top
The Thunder are on top of the NBA Power Rankings, with their young champions status confirmed by their impressive playoff run. They beat the Bucks in the East quarterfinals, the Cavaliers in the East semifinals, and the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, only losing Game 7 to the Thunder in the NBA Finals.
The Thunder's success can be attributed to their talented roster, including top free agent Jaylin Williams, lottery pick Nikola Topić, and draft picks 15 and 24. The team's future looks bright, with a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers.
Looking at their offseason outlook, the Thunder have a lot to be excited about. They have multiple high draft picks and the opportunity to add talented players to their already strong core. Their success in the 2024-25 season has set a high standard for the team, and they will be looking to build on their achievements.
The Thunder's rise to the top of the rankings is even more impressive when considering the strong competition. The Pacers, for example, had a remarkable season, beating the Bucks and the best offense in basketball, Cleveland. The Sixers, despite a disappointing season, fought hard to keep their pick out of the Thunder's hands, showing the determination and potential of the team.
As the Thunder celebrate their success, it's also notable that this offseason marks a significant change for the San Antonio Spurs, with Gregg Popovich stepping down as head coach for the first time since 1997. The Spurs have a lot to work with in the draft, with Victor Wembanyama and the last lottery pick, setting the stage for an intriguing trade.
The Duration of a Basketball Game: Understanding the Timing Rules
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Auburn leads
Despite losing to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Tennessee during the season, Auburn has maintained its number-one spot. Each of these teams is a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn's position at the top of the rankings has been questioned by some readers, especially after their recent losses. However, it has been explained that, despite these setbacks, Auburn still has the best overall performance in the sport and deserves the top ranking.
Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Auburn is not expected to face a comparable team until at least the Sweet 16, where they may face Texas A&M or Michigan, the latter of which recently won the Big Ten Tournament.
Badminton Horse Trials: Cancelled or Still On?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.9 $14.4
Top contenders
The 2024-25 NBA season has come to a close, with the Thunder topping the Power Rankings. The Thunder had an impressive season, beating the Bucks in the East quarterfinals, the Cavaliers in the East semifinals, and the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. They ultimately lost to the Pacers in the NBA Finals Game 7.
The Pacers also had a notable season, making it to the NBA Finals after beating the best offense in basketball, Cleveland, with multiple games to spare.
The Sixers, ranked 25th, did not qualify for the playoffs, finishing 26-56. They now face important decisions regarding their top three players, including Joel Embiid, who has been struggling with injuries, and Paul George, who is 35 years old and has had 15 NBA seasons.
In college basketball, Auburn leads the final Top 25 rankings ahead of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This is despite the Tigers losing three times in a four-game stretch to Duke, Florida, and Texas A&M, who are all top-four seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Where to Watch: USC Men's Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
In a good place
The San Antonio Spurs are also in a good spot. This offseason will be an extraordinary one for them, as they have a high draft slot and the services of last year's Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, for two more years. They also have the final pick of the lottery and a free agent in Chris Paul, giving them the potential to make a big trade.
The Pacers are another team that could be considered "in a good place." They had a strong run, beating the Bucks, the best offense in basketball in Cleveland, and making it to the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the Knicks.
The Knicks themselves could also be considered in this category. While they didn't make it past the Eastern Conference finals, they did beat the Cavaliers and the Bucks, starting the season 10-15 and showing that they have the potential to improve in the coming season.
Basketball Romance: Omar Epps' Age in the Film
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The bubble
In the middle of the pack, "The Bubble" is a tier in the NBA Power Rankings that refers to teams that are not at the top but are also not the worst. These teams are considered "not to be feared", as they didn't play the worst ball in the league, but they still have a lot of work to do to improve.
While The Bubble can indicate a level of mediocrity, it also represents potential. Teams in this tier have the opportunity to rise through the ranks by addressing their weaknesses and capitalising on their strengths. They may have a solid foundation to build upon or a few key players who, with the right support, could elevate the team's performance.
Where to Watch: SEC Basketball Tournament
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Auburn remained No. 1 for the 68th consecutive day, despite losing to Alabama and Tennessee and dropping to 27-4 and 28-5, respectively.
Duke, Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Tennessee.
The Thunder.
Gregg Popovich stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. He is now the president of basketball operations, and Mitch Johnson will manage the team.
The Sixers retained their pick, which is now the third pick. They need another athletic defender with size and have big free-agency decisions to make.
