The latest Women's Associated Press Top 25 poll delivered a shakeup near the top and set the table for a busy week ahead. One loss was enough to reorder the top five; a few teams continued steady climbs, and several ranked matchups on the upcoming schedule ensure this poll will not stay static for long.
Here is where things stand, what changed, and what is coming next for some of the nation’s top teams.
UConn Huskies Still Sets the Pace
UConn remains the unanimous No. 1 at 17-0, continuing to separate itself with consistency on both ends of the floor. The Huskies have avoided the slip-ups that have caught others and now turn their attention back to Big East play.
Next up: UConn hosts Villanova on Thursday, a game where the focus will be maintaining momentum rather than proving anything.
Texas Longhorns Slips, but Gets an Immediate Test
Texas dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 after its first loss of the season at LSU. The poll showed restraint, keeping the Longhorns firmly in the title picture at 18-1. That perspective will be tested almost immediately.
Next up: Texas travels to South Carolina on Thursday in one of the biggest games of the week, with major implications near the top of the rankings.
South Carolina Gamecocks Moves Up, Eyes Statement Win
South Carolina climbed to No. 2 after a strong week and now sits in position to control its own narrative. The Gamecocks have been steady all season and now welcome a chance to make a defining statement.
Next up: South Carolina hosts Texas on Thursday in a matchup that could reshape the top four.
UCLA Bruins Rising and Road-Tested
UCLA continues its climb to No. 3 at 15-1 and now enters the stretch where road games in conference play become the measuring stick.
Next up: The Bruins head to Minnesota on Wednesday, a game that carries more weight than the rankings might suggest.
Vanderbilt Commodores Keeps Answering Every Question
Vanderbilt’s move into the top five has been one of the season’s best stories. Sitting at 17-0, the Commodores have turned early skepticism into respect and now face another SEC road challenge.
Next up: Vanderbilt visits Mississippi State on Thursday, another opportunity to validate its place among the elite.
LSU Tigers Trending Up After Statement Win
LSU made one of the biggest jumps in the poll, climbing to No. 6 after handing Texas its first loss. The Tigers appear to have stabilized after an uneven start to conference play.
Next up: LSU travels to Oklahoma on Sunday in a ranked matchup that could further boost its standing.
Alabama Crimson Tide Joins the Party
Alabama enters the rankings at No. 21 after a strong stretch, including a statement win over Kentucky. The Crimson Tide have built a strong early-season resume and now face the grind of SEC play.
Next up: Alabama heads to Missouri on Monday night, looking to prove its Top 25 stay is more than temporary.
Texas Tech Red Raiders Quietly Undefeated
Texas Tech remains unbeaten at 18-0 and continues to fly slightly under the national radar at No. 17. The Red Raiders have taken care of business and now look to keep that streak intact.
Texas Tech hosts Houston on Tuesday as Big 12 play continues.
Full AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball Rankings
- UConn Huskies (17-0)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (17-1)
- UCLA Bruins (15-1)
- Texas Longhorns (18-1)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (17-0)
- LSU Tigers (16-2)
- Kentucky Wildcats (16-2)
- Michigan Wolverines (14-2)
- Louisville Cardinals (16-3)
- TCU Horned Frogs (16-1)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (14-2)
- Maryland Terrapins (16-2)
- Oklahoma Sooners (14-3)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (15-2)
- Michigan State Spartans (16-1)
- Ole Miss Rebels (16-3)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (18-0)
- Baylor Bears (15-3)
- Iowa State Cyclones (14-3)
- Tennessee Lady Volunteers (12-3)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (16-1)
- Princeton Tigers (14-1)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-4)
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-3)
- Illinois Fighting Illini (14-3)