UConn passed its first test of the season Monday to remain No. 1 in the Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 poll.
The Huskies received 30 of 32 first-place votes from a national media panel after beating No. 6 Michigan, 72-69, Friday at the Naismith Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.
South Carolina, UCLA and Texas followed UConn. This trio heads to Las Vegas this week for the Players Era Championship between the Bruins and the Longhorns. The Gamecocks play Duke in the other game on Wednesday. There will be championship and consolation matches on Thursday.
LSU remained in fifth, with Michigan remaining in sixth place after the close loss to the defending champions.
Maryland, TCU, Oklahoma and Iowa State round out the top 10. The Cyclones are in the top 10 for the first time this season.
UPRISING
Iowa made the biggest jump in the poll this week, climbing eight spots to 11th. The Hawkeyes beat the No. 1 at the time. 7 Baylor at the WBCA Showcase in Florida to remain undefeated. This is the team’s highest ranking since Caitlin Clark led them to the 2024 NCAA championship game.
TO FALL
NC State, Baylor, USC and Oklahoma State all fell in the poll after losses. The Wolfpack were stunned by Rhode Island and fell nine spots to 25th. The Bears fell eight spots to 15th after losing to Iowa. The Trojans plunged seven spots to 18th after a two-point loss to Notre Dame. The Cowgirls fell to 24th after a loss at St. John’s.
CONFERENCE SUPREMACY
The Southeast Conference still has eight teams in the rankings this week, including three in the top five. The Big Ten has seven schools in the poll, the Big 12 has five and the Atlantic Coast Conference has four. The Big East has one.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 4 Texas (Wednesday): A top-five showdown in Las Vegas with two teams that reached the Final Four last season. The Bruins have a size advantage with Lauren Betts while the Longhorns have one of the best players in the country in wing Madison Booker.
