December 18, 1956 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas |
| 2 | San Francisco |
| 3 | North Carolina |
| 4 | SMU |
| 5 | Illinois |
| 6 | Louisville |
| 7 | Kentucky |
| 8 | West Virginia |
| 9 | Saint Louis |
| 10 | Kansas State |
| 11 | Ohio State |
| 12 | Oklahoma State |
| 13 | Duke |
| 14 | Iowa State |
| 15 | St. John's |
| 15 | Oklahoma City |
| 17 | Alabama |
| 18 | Canisius |
| 19 | North Carolina State |
| 20 | Western Kentucky |