Indiana is favored to repeat its national title, but it will get challenges from Maryland and UCLA, which are loaded with U.S. national youth team talent and were able to retain their best players. On the other side, pro defections hit Clemson and Virginia hard.
| Rank/Team | 1998 Record | 1998 Postseason |
| 1. Indiana | 23-2-0 | Champion |
| 2. Maryland | 16-8-0 | Semifinals |
| 3. UCLA | 17-4-0 | Round of 16 |
| 4. Clemson | 22-2-0 | Quarterfinals |
| 5. Stanford | 18-5-2 | Runner-Up |
| 6. Virginia | 16-4-3 | Quarterfinals |
| 7. SMU | 15-5-1 | First round |
| 8. Brown | 12-3-2 | First round |
| 9. St. John’s | 16-5-3 | Quarterfinals |
| 10. Connecticut | 17-4-0 | First round |
| 11. Santa Clara | 15-5-2 | Semifinals |
| 12. Saint Louis | 14-5-1 | First round |
| 13. Cal State Fullerton | 14-5-2 | First round |
| 14. Washington | 16-4-0 | First round |
| 15. Creighton | 16-4-2 | Quarterfinals |
| 16. Duke | 18-4-0 | First round |
| 17. South Carolina | 15-4-0 | Round of 16 |
| 18. South Florida | 12-8-2 | First round |
| 19. William & Mary | 15-8-2 | Round of 16 |
| 20. Jacksonville | 19-5-0 | Round of 16 |