1953–54 NCAA men's basketball rankings

August 2023 1953 image Indiana La Salle The 1953–54 NCAA men's basketball rankings was made up of two human polls, the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, as well as the Dunkel System math ratings. Legend   Increase in ranking   Decrease in ranking   New to rankings from previous week Italics   Number of first place votes (#–#)   Win–loss record т Tied with team above or below also with this symbol AP Poll 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Final  ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game Random House 625 2009 978-0-345-51392-2 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 9 Feb. 16 Feb. 23 Mar. 2ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game Random House 626 2009 978-0-345-51392-2 Mar. 9 Mar. 23Fullerton, Jr. Hugh Associated Press March 23, 1954 Kentucky Beats Out Tourney Winners in Final Cage Poll https://www.newspapers.com/article/abilene-reporter-news-kentucky-beats-out/137404460/ Abilene Reporter-News New York Abilene, Texas December 25, 2023 Kentucky's unbeaten basketball team, which refrained from tournament competition this year, came out ahead of the two national tournament winners, La Salle and Holy Cross, in the final Associated Press ranking poll of the 1953–54 season today. (post-tournaments) Indiana Kentucky 1953 men Duquesne Dukes Duquesne 1953 men Oklahoma A&M Aggies Oklahoma A&M Kansas La Salle 1953 men NC State Wolfpack NC State 1953 men Kansas State Wildcats Kansas State Illinois 1953 men LSU Tigers LSU Western Kentucky 1953 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota 1953 men Oregon State Beavers Oregon State 1953 men Wyoming Cowboys Wyoming 1953 men Dayton Flyers Dayton 1953 men Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara 1953 men California Golden Bears California 1953 men Saint Louis Billikens Saint Louis 1953 men Holy Cross Crusaders Holy Cross т t 1953 men Oklahoma City Chiefs Oklahoma City т Indiana (3–0) Kentucky (2–0) Duquesne (4–0) Illinois (4–0) u LSU (3–0) u Minnesota (3–0) u Oklahoma A&M (4–1) d NC State (3–1) d 1953 men Fordham Rams Fordham (4–0) npr Western Kentucky (6–0) u Oregon State (6–1) u Oklahoma City (4–0) u Duke (3–1) npr Holy Cross (2–0) u California (3–1) u 1953 men Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame (3–1) npr UCLA (3–0) npr 1953 men Niagara Purple Eagles Niagara (4–1) npr 1953 men Siena Saints Siena (3–1) npr La Salle (3–1) d Kansas (0–2) Kansas State (2–1) Wyoming (4–1) Dayton Santa Clara Saint Louis (4–1) Indiana (6–0) Kentucky (5–0) Duquesne (7–0) Illinois (5–1) Oklahoma A&M (8–1) u Western Kentucky (9–0) u Fordham (6–0) u Minnesota (5–0) d NC State (6–1) d Holy Cross (3–0) u 1953 men Rice Owls Rice (6–0) npr Oregon State (6–1) d UCLA (6–1) u LSU (4–1) d Oklahoma City (5–0) d La Salle (6–1) т tu Dayton (6–1) т npr Wisconsin (5–1) npr Notre Dame (4–1) d Idaho (5–0) т1953 men Vanderbilt Commodores Vanderbilt (5–0) т npr Duke California (5–1) Niagara Siena Kentucky (6–0) u Duquesne (8–0) u Indiana (6–1) d Oregon State (6–1) u Oklahoma A&M (9–1) Minnesota (7–0) u Western Kentucky (9–0) d Illinois (5–1) d NC State (7–1) Fordham (6–0) d Oklahoma City (6–0) u Holy Cross (5–0) d La Salle (7–2) u UCLA (8–1) d 1953 men Seattle Chieftains Seattle (8–1) npr Rice (7–0) d Idaho (5–0) u LSU (5–1) d 1953 men BYU Cougars BYU (8–0) npr Wyoming (6–1) тVanderbilt (5–1) т npr Dayton Wisconsin Notre Dame Kentucky (7–0) Duquesne (11–0) Indiana (7–1) Oklahoma A&M (12–1) u Western Kentucky (12–0) u Minnesota (8–1) Holy Cross (8–0) u Duke (9–3) npr Oklahoma City (8–1) u Oregon State (7–3) d Rice (10–0) u Niagara (8–2) т tnpr 1953 men George Washington Colonials George Washington (6–0) т npr Dayton (9–2) npr Illinois (6–2) d Kansas (4–2) npr Seattle (9–1) d 1953 men Navy Midshipmen Navy (7–2) npr Vanderbilt (7–1) u NC State (9–3) d Fordham La Salle UCLA Idaho LSU BYU Wyoming Kentucky (9–0) Duquesne (13–0) Indiana (9–1) Oklahoma A&M (13–1) Western Kentucky (14–0) Holy Cross (10–0) u George Washington (10–0) u Oklahoma City (9–1) u Duke (12–3) d Minnesota (8–2) d Kansas (6–2) u 1953 men Wichita Shockers Wichita (14–1) npr Niagara (12–1) d Seattle (11–1) u Rice (10–2) d LSU (10–2) npr Dayton (11–2) d 1953 men Colorado State Rams Colorado State (11–1) npr Illinois (8–3) d Idaho (8–3) npr Oregon State Navy Vanderbilt NC State Kentucky (11–0) Duquesne (15–0) Indiana (12–1) Western Kentucky (16–0) u Oklahoma A&M (15–1) d Notre Dame (9–2) npr Oklahoma City (11–1) u Holy Cross (12–1) d Minnesota (9–2) u George Washington (11–1) d Wichita (15–1) LSU (11–2) u Duke (12–4) d 1953 men Maryland Terrapins Maryland (13–4) npr California (14–2) npr Seattle (14–1) d Kansas (8–3) d Niagara (10–3) d La Salle (14–3) npr Illinois (9–4) d Rice Dayton Colorado State Idaho Kentucky (12–0) Duquesne (15–0) Indiana (12–1) Oklahoma A&M (16–1) u Western Kentucky (18–0) Notre Dame (10–2) Holy Cross (13–1) u Minnesota (10–2) u Oklahoma City (11–2) d George Washington (12–1) Seattle (16–1) u La Salle (15–3) u Maryland (13–4) u California (14–2) u LSU (11–2) d Kansas (8–3) т t Wichita (16–2) т d Connecticut (14–0) npr Dayton (14–4) npr Duke (12–4) d Niagara Illinois Kentucky (13–0) Duquesne (17–0) Indiana (12–1) Western Kentucky (19–0) Oklahoma A&M (17–1) d Seattle (20–1) u Notre Dame (10–2) d Duke (13–4) u La Salle (15–3) u Holy Cross (14–1) d George Washington (12–1) d Minnesota (12–2) d Maryland (15–4) Wichita (19–2) u California (16–2) d Oklahoma City (11–4) d LSU (13–2) d Bradley (11–5) npr Kansas (8–3) d 1953 men Louisville Cardinals Louisville (14–5) npr Connecticut Dayton Kentucky (16–0) Duquesne (18–0) Indiana (14–1) Oklahoma A&M (18–1) u Western Kentucky (21–1) d Notre Dame (12–2) u La Salle (17–3) u Seattle (23–1) d Holy Cross (16–1) u George Washington (13–1) u Maryland (17–4) u Minnesota (13–2) Oklahoma City (12–4) u California (16–2) u Duke (14–5) d Navy (14–4) npr LSU (14–2) Wichita (20–3) d NC State (15–5) npr Kansas (9–4) d Bradley Louisville Duquesne (19–0) u Kentucky (18–0) d Indiana (15–2) Western Kentucky (23–1) u Oklahoma A&M (20–2) d Notre Dame (13–2) Seattle (24–1) u George Washington (16–1) u Holy Cross (17–1) Iowa (14–3) npr Maryland (20–4) La Salle (18–4) d LSU (15–2) u Duke (16–5) u Wichita (22–3) u Oklahoma City (13–5) d Dayton (20–5) npr Minnesota (14–4) d Colorado State (17–4) npr Navy (15–5) d California NC State Kansas Duquesne (21–0) Kentucky (21–0) Indiana (17–2) Western Kentucky (25–1) Oklahoma A&M (21–2) Notre Dame (16–2) Holy Cross (20–1) u George Washington (18–1) Seattle (24–1) d Duke (19–5) u Maryland (21–5) LSU (17–2) u La Salle (20–4) d Wichita (23–3) u Oklahoma City (14–5) u Dayton (22–5) u Kansas (13–4) npr Colorado State (20–4) u UCLA (18–5) npr Illinois (16–4) тIowa (16–5) т npr Minnesota Navy Kentucky (23–0) u Indiana (18–3) u Western Kentucky (28–1) u Duquesne (22–2) d Notre Dame (19–2) u Oklahoma A&M (21–4) d LSU (19–2) u La Salle (21–4) u George Washington (20–2) d Seattle (26–1) d Duke (21–5) d Wichita (25–3) u Holy Cross (22–2) d Dayton (24–6) u Kansas (15–4) u Iowa (16–5) u Maryland (22–6) d NC State (19–6) npr Connecticut (21–2) npr Louisville (21–6) npr Oklahoma City Colorado State (22–4) UCLA (18–7) Illinois (16–4) Kentucky (24–0) Indiana (19–3) Duquesne (24–2) u Western Kentucky (28–1) d Oklahoma A&M (23–4) u Notre Dame (20–2) d George Washington (23–2) u LSU (20–2) d Holy Cross (23–2) u NC State (24–6) u Seattle (26–1) d La Salle (21–4) d Kansas (16–4) u Maryland (23–7) u Dayton (25–6) d Iowa (17–5) 1953 men Oregon State Beavers Oregon State (18–10) npr Duke (22–6) d Colorado State (22–5) npr Wichita (27–4) d Connecticut Louisville Kentucky (25–0) (71) La Salle (26–4) (33) u Holy Cross (26–2) (15) u Indiana (20–4) (9) d Duquesne (26–3) (1) d Notre Dame (22–3) (3) Bradley (19–13) npr Western Kentucky (29–3) d Penn State (18–6) npr Oklahoma A&M (24–5) (1) d USC (20–11) npr George Washington (23–3) (2) d Iowa (17–5) (2) u LSU (20–5) d Duke (22–6) u Niagara (24–6) (1) npr Seattle (26–2) d Kansas (16–5) d Illinois (17–5) npr Maryland (28–7) d NC State Dayton Oregon State Colorado State Wichita UP Poll All UP polls for this season included 20 teams, with the exception of the final poll (released on March 9, 1954) which included only 10 teams. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Final   Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 9 Feb. 16 Feb. 23 Mar. 2 Mar. 9 Indiana Kentucky 1953 men Duquesne Dukes Duquesne Kansas 1953 men Oklahoma A&M Aggies Oklahoma A&M La Salle 1953 men LSU Tigers LSU 1953 men NC State Wolfpack NC State 1953 men Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota 1953 men California Golden Bears California Illinois 1953 men Kansas State Wildcats Kansas State 1953 men Saint Louis Billikens Saint Louis 1953 men Holy Cross Crusaders Holy Cross 1953 men Oregon State Beavers Oregon State 1953 men Dayton Flyers Dayton 1953 men Wyoming Cowboys Wyoming 1953 men Santa Clara Broncos Santa Clara 1953 men Notre Dame Fighting Irish Notre Dame UCLA Indiana (3–0) Kentucky (2–0) Duquesne (4–0) Illinois (4–0) u LSU (3–0) u Minnesota (3–0) u Oklahoma A&M (4–1) d NC State (3–1) UCLA (3–0) u 1953 men Fordham Rams Fordham (4–0) npr La Salle (3–1) d California (3–1) d Kansas (0–2) d Notre Dame (3–1) u Oregon State (6–1) 1953 men Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State (3–0) npr Holy Cross (2–0) d Western Kentucky (6–0) т tnpr Saint Louis (4–1) т d Kansas State (2–1) тWyoming (4–1) т d Dayton Santa Clara Indiana (6–0) Kentucky (5–0) Duquesne (7–0) Illinois (5–1) Minnesota (5–0) u Oklahoma A&M (8–1) u NC State (6–1) u UCLA (6–1) u Fordham (6–0) u La Salle (6–1) u Oregon State (6–1) u LSU (4–1) т td California (5–1) т d Western Kentucky (9–0) u Wisconsin (5–1) npr Wyoming (6–1) u 1953 men Rice Owls Rice (6–0) т tnpr Kansas (1–2) т d Holy Cross (3–0) d Notre Dame (4–1) d Ohio State Saint Louis Kansas State Kentucky (6–0) u Indiana (6–1) d Duquesne (8–0) Oregon State (6–1) u Oklahoma A&M (9–1) u Minnesota (7–0) d Illinois (5–1) d NC State (7–1) d Fordham (6–0) 1953 men BYU Cougars BYU (8–0) npr Western Kentucky (9–0) u La Salle (7–2) d LSU (5–1) d UCLA (8–1) т td Rice (7–0) т u Holy Cross (5–0) u Wyoming (6–1) d California (9–1) d Kansas State (5–2) npr 1953 men Navy Midshipmen Navy (6–0) npr Wisconsin Kansas Notre Dame Kentucky (7–0) Indiana (7–1) Duquesne (11–0) Oklahoma A&M (12–1) u Minnesota (8–1) u Holy Cross (8–0) u Western Kentucky (12–0) u Kansas (4–2) npr Illinois (6–2) d Rice (10–0) u Oregon State (7–3) d LSU (6–2) u Duke (9–3) npr 1953 men Niagara Purple Eagles Niagara (8–2) npr UCLA (9–2) d NC State (9–3) т td La Salle (9–3) т d Navy (7–2) u 1953 men Oklahoma City Chiefs Oklahoma City (8–1) npr California (9–1) d Fordham BYU Wyoming Kansas State Kentucky (9–0) Indiana (9–1) Duquesne (13–0) Oklahoma A&M (13–1) Holy Cross (10–0) u Western Kentucky (14–0) u Kansas (6–2) u Minnesota (8–2) d Duke (12–3) т tu California (12–1) т u Niagara (10–2) u LSU (10–2) La Salle (11–3) u Rice (11–1) d Illinois (8–3) d NC State (10–3) Notre Dame (7–2) npr Oklahoma City (9–1) u Wyoming (10–3) npr 1953 men Wichita Shockers Wichita (14–1) тOregon State (8–4) т npr UCLA Navy Kentucky (11–0) Indiana (12–1) Duquesne (15–0) Oklahoma A&M (15–1) Western Kentucky (16–0) u Minnesota (9–2) u California (14–2) u Kansas (8–3) d Notre Dame (9–2) u LSU (11–2) u Duke (12–4) d Oklahoma City (11–1) т tu Holy Cross (12–1) т d Wichita (15–1) u NC State (11–4) u Illinois (9–4) т td Oregon State (10–4) т u Niagara (10–3) d La Salle (14–3) т td Wyoming (13–3) т Kentucky (12–0) Indiana (12–1) Duquesne (15–0) Oklahoma A&M (16–1) Western Kentucky (18–0) Minnesota (10–2) California (14–2) Notre Dame (10–2) u Kansas (8–3) d Holy Cross (13–1) u La Salle (15–3) u LSU (11–2) d Wyoming (14–3) u Duke (12–4) d Iowa (10–3) npr Oklahoma City (11–2) d Oregon State (11–5) d 1953 men Texas Longhorns Texas (9–4) npr Bradley (11–4) npr NC State (12–5) d Wichita Illinois Niagara Kentucky (13–0) Indiana (12–1) Duquesne (17–0) Oklahoma A&M (17–1) Western Kentucky (19–0) Minnesota (12–2) California (16–2) Holy Cross (14–1) u Notre Dame (10–2) d Kansas (8–3) d LSU (13–2) u La Salle (15–3) d Duke (13–4) u Iowa (11–3) т tu NC State (12–5) т u Wyoming (15–4) d Bradley (11–5) u Wichita (19–2) т tnpr 1953 men Louisville Cardinals Louisville (14–5) т npr Illinois (9–4) т npr Oklahoma City Oregon State Texas Indiana (14–1) u Duquesne (18–0) u Kentucky (16–0) d Oklahoma A&M (18–1) Minnesota (13–2) u Western Kentucky (21–1) d California (16–2) Notre Dame (12–2) т tu Holy Cross (16–1) т La Salle (17–3) u Kansas (9–4) d LSU (14–2) d Duke (14–5) 1953 men Seattle Chieftains Seattle (23–1) т tnpr Iowa (12–3) т NC State (15–5) d Colorado State (15–4) т tnpr Oregon State (14–6) т npr Fordham (14–2) npr 1953 men George Washington Colonials George Washington (13–1) npr Wyoming Bradley Wichita Louisville Illinois Duquesne (19–0) u Kentucky (18–0) u Indiana (15–2) d Oklahoma A&M (20–2) Western Kentucky (23–1) u Holy Cross (17–1) u Iowa (14–3) u Notre Dame (13–2) LSU (15–2) u Kansas (12–4) u La Salle (18–4) d Minnesota (14–4) d Duke (16–5) т t California (16–4) т d George Washington (16–1) u Seattle (24–1) d UCLA (13–5) npr Colorado State (17–4) d Wichita (22–3) npr NC State (16–6) d Oregon State Fordham Duquesne (21–0) Indiana (17–2) u Kentucky (21–0) d Oklahoma A&M (21–2) Western Kentucky (25–1) Holy Cross (20–1) Notre Dame (16–2) u LSU (17–2) u Kansas (13–4) u La Salle (20–4) u UCLA (18–5) т tu Illinois (16–4) т npr George Washington (18–1) u Duke (19–5) d Seattle (24–1) u Colorado State (20–4) u Wichita (23–3) u Iowa (16–5) т td Rice (18–3) т npr NC State (16–6) Minnesota California Kentucky (23–0) Indiana (18–3) Duquesne (22–2) d Western Kentucky (28–1) u Oklahoma A&M (21–4) d Notre Dame (19–2) u Kansas (15–4) u Holy Cross (22–2) d LSU (19–2) d La Salle (21–4) Iowa (16–5) u Duke (21–5) u Colorado State (22–4) u Illinois (16–4) d Wichita (25–3) u Seattle (26–1) d NC State (19–6) u Dayton (24–6) т tnpr Minnesota (16–5) т npr Oregon State (18–8) тUCLA (18–7) тMinnesota (15–11) т npr Rice Indiana (19–3) u Kentucky (24–0) d Duquesne (24–2) Oklahoma A&M (23–4) u Notre Dame (20–2) u Western Kentucky (28–1) d Kansas (16–4) LSU (20–2) u Holy Cross (23–2) d Iowa (17–5) u t t t t t t t t t La Salle Duke Colorado State Illinois Wichita Seattle NC State Dayton Minnesota (16–5) Oregon State UCLA Minnesota Dunkel Ratings The Dunkel System college basketball ratings were released throughout the season. The final post-tournament ratings were released in April 1954, with undefeated Kentucky, who did not compete in a post-season tournament, ahead of NIT winner Holy Cross, NIT runner-up Duquesne, and NCAA tournament winner La Salle. Final April 1954April 24, 1954 Bears Rank No. 56 in Dunkel Ratings https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader-1954-dunkel/178568865/ The Springfield News-Leader Kentucky, which drew a top rating of 88.0 [...] In the top ten were Kentucky, first, followed by Holy Cross Duquesne, LaSalle, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Niagara, Western Kentucky and Duke. Other interesting ratings included Cape Girardeau, 198th: Warrensburg, 247th; Pittsburg (Kan.), 269th; Central College, 274th; and Maryville, 284th. Drury College placed 445th. Kentucky - 88.0 Holy Cross Duquesne LaSalle Indiana Iowa Illinois Niagara Western Kentucky Duke References Rankings Category:College men's basketball rankings in the United States