The latest Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll shows a season that is beginning to take shape. The top tier remains steady, powered by dominant weekly performances, while the middle of the poll continues to move around as conference play shows contenders and pretenders alike.
With major matchups upcoming and conference races tightening up, this week’s rankings provide a look at where the national title picture currently stands.
UConn Sets the Standard at No. 1
At the top, UConn Huskies remain the unanimous No. 1 team in the country at 18-0. Geno Auriemma’s group has been fantastic on both ends of the floor, most recently rolling past Villanova 99-50. The Huskies have now won 34 straight games dating back to last season, a streak that continues to define the national conversation.
UConn’s next challenge comes in a high-profile matchup against Notre Dame, another opportunity to make a statement as conference play intensifies.
Chasing the Huskies: South Carolina and UCLA
Right behind UConn sits the South Carolina Gamecocks at 19-1. Dawn Staley’s team handled Coppin State with ease last week, cruising to a 90-48 road win. The Gamecocks remain the most physical team in the country and are once again a fixture atop the SEC standings.
At No. 3, the UCLA Bruins continue to dominate as a Big Ten program. UCLA improved to 17-1 after a dominant 97-67 win over Maryland, reinforcing its reputation as one of the nation’s most balanced teams. The Bruins have a challenging stretch ahead as Big Ten play ramps up.
Texas, Vanderbilt, and LSU Anchor the Top Six
Texas Longhorns held firm at No. 4 despite a narrow loss to South Carolina earlier in the week. Texas responded by overwhelming Texas A&M 80-35, improving to 19-2 and remaining firmly in the SEC title discussion.
One of the biggest stories in the poll continues to be Vanderbilt Commodores. Ranked No. 5 and sitting at 18-0, Vanderbilt is off to its best start in decades. A road win at Mississippi State last week kept the Commodores unbeaten and set the stage for a massive upcoming showdown at South Carolina.
At No. 6, LSU Lady Tigers improved to 17-2 with a convincing 91-72 win at Oklahoma. LSU remains a dangerous tournament team with depth and scoring punch across the lineup.
Iowa Breaks Into the Top 10
One of the most notable developments this week was Iowa Hawkeyes cracking the top 10 for the first time in two years. Iowa moved up to No. 10 after beating Michigan State 75-68 and now sits at 16-2. The Hawkeyes have found consistency on both ends of the floor and look poised to be a factor in the Big Ten race.
Meanwhile, Michigan Wolverines climbed to No. 7 following an 85-69 win over Illinois, while Louisville and TCU each moved up one spot to Nos. 8 and 9 respectively.
Risers and Fallers Across the Poll
The biggest fall of the week belonged to Kentucky, which dropped four spots to No. 11 after a loss at Mississippi State. On the other end of the spectrum, Duke re-entered the poll at No. 21 after extending its winning streak to 10 games, a remarkable turnaround after an early-season slide.
Princeton also continues to trend upward. The Tigers rose to No. 20, their best ranking since 2015, riding a 13-game winning streak with their only loss coming against Maryland.
Conference Breakdown: SEC Leads the Way
Conference depth remains a defining storyline. The SEC leads the nation with nine ranked teams for the second straight week, underscoring its status as the deepest league in women’s basketball. The Big Ten follows with seven teams in the Top 25, while the Big 12 places five. The ACC has two ranked teams, and both the Big East and Ivy League are represented as well.
Game to Watch This Week
The massive matchup on the upcoming slate is Vanderbilt at South Carolina. With Vanderbilt unbeaten in SEC play and South Carolina protecting its home floor, this game could have major implications for the conference race and the top of the national rankings.
AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball Poll (Week 11)
- UConn Huskies (18-0)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (19-1)
- UCLA Bruins (17-1)
- Texas Longhorns (19-2)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (18-0)
- LSU Lady Tigers (17-2)
- Michigan Wolverines (15-2)
- Louisville Cardinals (18-3)
- TCU Horned Frogs (18-1)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (16-2)
- Kentucky Wildcats (17-3)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (16-2)
- Michigan State Spartans (17-2)
- Baylor Bears (17-3)
- Maryland Terrapins (17-3)
- Oklahoma Sooners (14-4)
- Tennessee Lady Volunteers (13-3)
- Ole Miss Rebels (16-4)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-1)
- Princeton Tigers (15-1)
- Duke Blue Devils (13-6)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (15-4)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (17-3)
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-4)
- Washington Huskies (14-4)
As conference play continues to stay hot, expect more movement throughout the poll. With massive matchups coming up, the next few weeks will go a long way toward defining the true national title contenders.