Monday’s Associated Press women’s basketball poll once again showed UConn firmly in control at the top, but the layers beneath continue to shift as December results reshape the national picture.
UConn Remains the Gold Standard
UConn stayed No. 1 after an emphatic road win over USC, extending its unbeaten start and reinforcing its place atop the poll. The Huskies earned 24 of 32 first-place votes and continue to separate themselves with dominant defense and poise away from home.
The program also reached a historic milestone, tying Stanford for the third-most weeks ranked in the AP poll’s 50-year history. At this point in the season, UConn looks like the standard everyone else is chasing.
Texas Applies Pressure at No. 2
Texas remains second and claimed the remaining eight first-place votes. Now firmly established in the SEC, the Longhorns have wasted no time asserting themselves as a national title contender in their new league. Their resume continues to strengthen, and they remain one of the few teams positioned to challenge UConn for the top spot.
South Carolina, UCLA, and LSU stayed slotted behind Texas, forming a clear upper tier that has begun to separate from the rest of the field.
The Next Tier Takes Shape
Michigan checked in at No. 6 with Maryland right behind at No. 7, giving the Big Ten strong representation near the top. Oklahoma moved up to No. 8 after flipping spots with TCU following a rivalry win, while Iowa State rounded out the top 10.
Iowa remained just outside the top 10 at No. 11, underscoring how crowded the upper-middle of the poll has become.
Louisville Headlines the Risers
Louisville delivered the biggest move of the week, climbing six spots to No. 16 after an overtime victory over then-No. 12 North Carolina. The win immediately reshaped the middle of the poll and reintroduced the Cardinals as a team capable of creating postseason noise.
North Carolina dropped six places to No. 18, highlighting how quickly December matchups between ranked teams can shift the landscape.
In and Out of the Poll
Princeton entered the rankings at No. 25, continuing a run of sustained success under Carla Berube. The Tigers have now earned a ranking in four of the past five seasons and have just one loss so far this year.
Oklahoma State fell out of the poll to make room for Princeton’s return.
Conference Breakdown: Depth and Power Across the Country
SEC
The SEC boasts one of the strongest top-heavy profiles in the country. Texas leads the way at No. 2, with South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee all firmly in the mix. The league’s physicality and depth ensure significant internal movement once conference play begins.
Big Ten
The Big Ten continues to showcase impressive depth, placing nine teams in the poll. Michigan and Maryland anchor the league near the top, but the sheer number of ranked teams speaks to the grind awaiting conference contenders.
Big 12
The Big 12 placed three teams in the rankings, led by Iowa State. Oklahoma and TCU remain competitive fixtures, keeping the conference nationally relevant despite fewer ranked teams than the SEC or Big Ten.
ACC
Louisville’s surge provided a boost for the ACC, while North Carolina remains ranked despite its slide. The conference continues to rely on head-to-head results to drive movement.
Big East and Ivy
UConn continues to carry the Big East banner at the very top of the poll, while Princeton represents the Ivy League after earning its way back into the Top 25.
Games of the Week
The second annual Women’s Champions Classic headlines the week ahead, featuring two ranked matchups in New York. Tennessee faces Louisville in the opener, followed by top-ranked UConn squaring off with Iowa. These are the only games this week between ranked opponents.
Women’s AP Top 25 Highlights (Updated December 15, 2025)
Top 10
- UConn
- Texas
- South Carolina
- UCLA
- LSU
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Oklahoma
- TCU
- Iowa State