Des Moines, Iowa – In a dramatic shake-up of the women’s college basketball rankings, the Iowa Hawkeyes surged to the number two spot, while the Colorado Buffaloes claimed the number three position, just behind top-ranked South Carolina. The latest Associated Press Top 25 poll reflects a tumultuous week in which several top-ranked teams suffered defeats.
The South Carolina Gamecocks, the only remaining unbeaten team at 15-0, dominated Missouri in their lone game of the previous week. They received all 36 first-place votes from the national media panel, solidifying their position as the top-ranked team in the country.
UCLA and Baylor, both previously undefeated, suffered losses that resulted in a drop in their rankings. UCLA slipped from second to fifth, while Baylor plummeted from fourth to 12th after losing to both Kansas and Iowa State. The Cyclones made their entry into the poll at number 24.
An outstanding performance by Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes propelled them to the second spot in the rankings. Clark led Iowa to victory against then-No. 14 Indiana, earning her team the well-deserved recognition. Following closely behind the Hawkeyes are the Colorado Buffaloes and NC State, with the Buffaloes boasting a 15-1 record for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
The USC Trojans made a significant leap to the sixth position after handing UCLA their first loss of the season. Meanwhile, the Kansas State Wildcats also made impressive progress, climbing five spots to land at seventh and achieving their highest ranking since the 2003 preseason poll.
The Stanford Cardinal and UConn Huskies secured the eighth and ninth spots, respectively. UConn’s ascent by four positions allowed them to regain a spot in the top 10 at number nine. Defending champion LSU suffered a setback as their 16-game winning streak came to an end with a loss at Auburn, resulting in a three-spot drop to the tenth position.
In the midst of these rankings shifts, West Virginia dropped out of the poll following their loss to Iowa State.
In related news, Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer is on the verge of an historic achievement, approaching the milestone set by Duke men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski. VanDerveer is just one victory away from tying Krzyzewski’s record for the most wins all-time in college basketball. Currently standing at 1,201 wins, VanDerveer looks forward to the opportunity to attain this milestone in the upcoming game against Oregon.
Furthermore, the Florida State Seminoles displayed outstanding performance last week, securing wins over ranked teams North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Their notable victories propelled them to the 15th spot, climbing from 21 in the rankings.
The latest AP Top 25 poll showcases the competitive nature of women’s college basketball, with unexpected losses reshaping the rankings and inspiring new contenders to rise. As the season progresses, teams will continue to battle it out on the court, vying for recognition and securing their positions in the rankings.