Women's College Basketball Rankings: AP Poll Top 25 after thrilling week

Now nearing the midway point in January, conference play is in full swing and the regular season races in each conference are starting to take shape. With that, there has also been a shakeup to the women’s college basketball AP Poll Top 25.

Last week, there were multiple matchups between teams ranked in the Top 10 of the AP Poll. That also means that there were always going to be some shakeups at the top of the poll. It also gives an opportunity for new teams to potentially move up as there seem to be more than a few fully deserving teams this season.

Keeping all of that in mind, here’s a look at how this week’s AP Top 25 Poll shakes out for women’s college basketball:

1. UCLA

The UCLA Bruins kept winning, now into Big Ten play, last week with an 83-49 win over Purdue. That game was highlighted by Lauren Betts, who led the way in scoring with 17 points. She was one of four Bruins in double digits. 

Unfortunately, UCLA has been impacted by the fires in Los Angeles. Northwestern postponed its road trip to play UCLA and USC over safety concerns. Now, the Bruins need to focus on the court amid a time of uncertainty and understandable fear. UCLA’s next scheduled game is a home game against Penn State on January 15th.

2. South Carolina

Last week, South Carolina hosted the two SEC teams from Texas, the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns. It was another pair of double-digit wins, making for an impressive week, especially considering the ranking Texas had in the AP Poll going into the week.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier from here for South Carolina. That’s one of the challenges of playing in the SEC. Their next four games come against teams ranked in the AP Poll and that starts with Alabama and Oklahoma this upcoming week.

3. Notre Dame

Notre Dame got off to a fast start in ACC play and that continued last week with big wins over Wake Forest and Clemson. That makes nine straight wins since the Irish lost two games in a row at the end of November. It has also helped boost their placement in the AP Poll.

The Irish are going to be back in action on Thursday with a touch test. Notre Dame will host a ranked Georgia Tech team that is hoping to announce itself with an upset win there. After that, the Irish will be back in action on Sunday against SMU, looking to avoid a letdown.

4. USC

Much like UCLA, the USC Trojans are dealing with the impact of the fires in Los Angeles. That has, of course, had an emotional impact on the players and staff, especially those who have had their homes threatened. Still, USC added two more wins last week, including against AP Top 10 Maryland.

Next week, the impact of the fires is going to continue. Northwestern won’t be making their trip to California over the fires, and perhaps that’s an understandable choice. It does, however, leave USC with only a road trip to Indiana next week.

5. LSU

LSU remains unbeaten after getting more deeply into SEC play. Last week, that manifested in a thrilling win over Tennessee. An 89-87 finish, this was arguably the first major test of the season. It also saw three Tigers score at least 20 points in the win, with Aneesah Morrow having the star performance, scoring 23 points and snagging 21 rebounds. 

Next week, SEC play will continue for LSU with games against Vanderbilt and Florida. That game against the Gators is going to see the Tigers hit the road. Still, there is some expectation that LSU will continue its unbeaten run. 

6. UConn

Since returning to the Big East, UConn has been the dominant force in the conference. That’s continued this season as well. Last week, the Huskies beat Xavier and Georgetown. Neither was close but the win against Xavier was massive, with UConn winning 81-27 in a conference game.

Next week, UConn will play another pair of Big East games. These ones will come against St. John’s and Seton Hall and, at this point in the season, it will be interesting to see how dominant UConn can continue to be.

7. Texas

Texas dropped its second game of the season against South Carolina on Sunday by 17 points. It was the Longhorns’ first loss since dropping an overtime game to Notre Dame in early December. In the meantime, Texas had won nine games, including games against multiple ranked teams.

Texas will only have one game next week and before the next AP Poll comes out. That’s going to be a road trip to Auburn on Thursday. That should also give the Longhorns plenty of time to bounce back from a tough loss.

8. Maryland

The Maryland Terrapins suffered their first loss of the season last week. Despite that, they were still able to maintain their place in the AP Poll. That’s, likely, in part because the loss came in a close game to USC and because Maryland bounced back with a big win over Wisconsin later in the week.

Maryland will only have one game this upcoming week, with the Terrapins playing Minnesota on Tuesday. That’s their only game before the next AP Poll will drop and should offer the Terrapins a little bit of a rest.

9. Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes are quietly unbeaten now midway through the month of January. Last week, Ohio State continued its dominant effort in Big Ten play, beating a good Michigan team on the road before returning home to beat Oregon.

Next week, Big Ten play continues for the Buckeyes. First, Ohio State has a road trip to take on Wisconsin. Then, over the weekend, Ohio State has another road trip to take on Penn State. It’s a stretch they’re expected to be able to manage well.

10. TCU

TCU is off to an incredibly fast start in Big 12 play. Now 5-0 in conference play, TCU is 17-1 overall and in a good position to battle with Kansas State for the regular season conference title. That included wins over Kansas and Texas Tech last week.

Next week, TCU will host UCF. After that, it’s going to be a tricky matchup against a Utah team that has been ranked in the AP Poll at times throughout the season. A win there could help propel the Horned Frogs forward.

Rest of AP Top 25 Poll

11. Kansas State
12. Kentucky
13. Oklahoma
14. North Carolina
15. Tennessee
16. Duke
17. Georgia Tech
18. California
19. Alabama
20. West Virginia
21. NC State
22. Michigan State
23. Utah
T-24. Minnesota
T-24. Oklahoma State