With January underway, the Associated Press Women’s Basketball Top 25 is starting to take on a clearer shape. Conference play is exposing depth, discipline, and coaching more than raw talent. Below is a refreshed look at the Top 10, using updated 2025–26 records, keeping the focus on team identity and coaches, and noting who each team plays next.
1. UConn Huskies
Record: 15–0
UConn has been steady and professional through the early Big East slate. Geno Auriemma’s group has avoided flat performances and continues to separate itself with defense and execution. This is the program’s best start in several seasons, and the Huskies look comfortable carrying expectations again.
Up next:
Wednesday vs. St. John’s (Big East)
2. Texas Longhorns
Record: 17–0
Texas remains perfect as SEC play intensifies. Vic Schaefer’s team has already shown it can survive close games, including a tight win over Ole Miss, which matters more now than blowouts. The Longhorns are built to handle January basketball.
Up next:
Thursday vs. Auburn (SEC)
3. South Carolina Gamecocks
Record: 15–1
South Carolina continues to win without much noise. Dawn Staley’s teams are rarely flashy in January, but they are consistent, physical, and difficult to speed up. The lone loss to Texas still lingers, but the Gamecocks remain firmly in the title conversation.
Up next:
Thursday at Arkansas (SEC)
4. UCLA Bruins
Record: 14–1
UCLA has been one of the most impressive teams since conference play began. Cori Close’s Bruins have depth, size, and multiple ways to score, and the dominant win over USC made a national statement. The Big Ten grind is coming quickly.
Up next:
Sunday at Nebraska (Big Ten)
5. Oklahoma Sooners
Record: 14–1
Oklahoma has quietly put together one of the nation’s longest winning streaks. The Sooners have looked comfortable in SEC play and has handled business efficiently. The next stretch will say a lot about whether the Sooners can stay in the top tier.
Up next:
Thursday vs. Ole Miss (SEC)
6. Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 15–1
Kentucky has been one of the biggest movers in the poll. After knocking off LSU, the Wildcats backed it up with another conference win and now carry momentum into a challenging stretch. This team has played with confidence and edge all season.
Up next:
Thursday at Alabama (SEC)
7. Vanderbilt Commodores
Record: 15–0
Vanderbilt remains undefeated and continues to turn heads. Shea Ralph’s signature win over LSU pushed the Commodores into the national spotlight. The challenge now is handling expectations while maintaining the same edge.
Up next:
Thursday vs. Missouri (SEC)
8. Maryland Terrapins
Record: 15–1
Maryland responded well after its first loss of the season. Brenda Frese’s team still looks dangerous in the Big Ten and capable of scoring in bunches. Upcoming conference games will help define Maryland’s season.
Up next:
Thursday at Rutgers (Big Ten)
9. Michigan Wolverines
Record: 11–2
Michigan fell slightly after a tough start to Big Ten play, including a loss to Washington. Kim Barnes Arico’s team is still well-positioned, but efficiency will need to improve quickly with conference games stacking up.
Up next:
Monday vs. Minnesota (Big Ten)
10. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 14–3
Louisville has quietly won seven straight since an early December loss and is trending in the right direction. The Cardinals look to become more settled as ACC play deepens and tougher road tests arrive.
Up next:
Thursday at Miami (ACC)
Full AP Women’s Top 25 – January 5, 2026
- UConn (15–0)
- Texas (17–0)
- South Carolina (15–1)
- UCLA (14–1)
- Oklahoma (14–1)
- Kentucky (15–1)
- Vanderbilt (15–0)
- Maryland (15–1)
- Michigan (11–2)
- Louisville (14–3)
- Iowa State (14–1)
- LSU (14–2)
- TCU (14–1)
- Iowa (12–2)
- Michigan State (14–1)
- Baylor (13–3)
- Texas Tech (16–0)
- Ole Miss (14–3)
- Ohio State (13–2)
- Tennessee (10–3)
- USC (10–4)
- North Carolina (13–4)
- Washington (12–2)
- Princeton (13–1)
- Nebraska (13–2)
January always tightens the margins. Road games get harder, scouting gets sharper, and the rankings start to reflect who is truly built for the long haul. The next week should bring even more clarity at the top.