The new women's Associated Press Top 25 did not deliver many surprises at the very top, but it did reinforce just how steady the women’s college basketball world has become as the season heads into its holiday pause. Most of the heavy hitters handled business, a few teams made important upward moves, and one long-absent program finally forced its way back into the national conversation.
This was not a chaotic poll. It was a confirmation poll. The teams winning consistently stayed where they were, and the teams building momentum were rewarded for it.
UConn Remains the Standard
There was no debate at No. 1. UConn Huskies stayed on top after a dominant win over Iowa in the Women’s Champions Classic. The Huskies remain unbeaten, and the voters rewarded that with 25 first-place votes. This team continues to look complete on both ends of the floor, and right now, no one has shown they can consistently match UConn’s level.
Texas, South Carolina, UCLA Hold Their Ground
Right behind UConn, Texas Longhorns stayed at No. 2 after another comfortable win. Texas remains one of the few unbeaten teams left and continues to apply pressure at the top of the poll.
South Carolina Gamecocks checked in at No. 3, followed closely by UCLA Bruins at No. 4. Neither team moved, and neither needed to. Both look every bit like Final Four contenders as the calendar flips.
LSU, Michigan, Maryland Round Out the Elite Tier
The next group stayed exactly the same as well. LSU Tigers came in at No. 5 after another lopsided win, while Michigan Wolverines and Maryland Terrapins followed at No. 6 and No. 7.
At this point, these teams have separated themselves from the rest of the field through consistency. No drama, just results.
Traffic in the Middle of the Poll
The middle of the rankings saw the most conversation. Oklahoma Sooners and TCU Horned Frogs landed tied for eighth, while Iowa State Cyclones grabbed the No. 10 spot after a last-second win over Kansas.
One of the biggest movers of the week was Louisville Cardinals, who jumped three spots to No. 13 after routing Tennessee. Louisville has now won six straight games and looks like a team peaking at the right time.
Tennessee paid the price for that loss, sliding down to No. 23.
Texas Tech Breaks Through
The most feel-good story in the poll belongs to Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech entered the Top 25 for the first time since 2012 after upsetting Baylor. It was their first win over a ranked opponent this season and their first victory over Baylor in more than a decade. That one win reshaped their résumé and earned them national recognition.
Baylor, meanwhile, dropped to No. 22 after the loss.
Conference Picture Taking Shape
With Washington falling out of the rankings, both the Big Ten and SEC now boast eight ranked teams. The Big 12 sits next with four, followed by the ACC with three. As conference play approaches, those league-heavy rankings are only going to fuel tougher weekly matchups.
Updated AP Women’s Top 25
- UConn
- Texas
- South Carolina
- UCLA
- LSU
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Oklahoma
- TCU
- Iowa State
- Iowa
- Stanford
- Louisville
- Notre Dame
- Virginia Tech
- Colorado
- Ole Miss
- Florida State
- Arizona
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Baylor
- Tennessee
- NC State
- Texas Tech
The rankings will sit for a bit as teams take a short holiday break, but once conference play begins, movement will come fast. For now, the AP Top 25 offers a clear snapshot of who is delivering, who is rising, and who still has something to prove.