The New AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll: Big Moves, Big Wins, and Big Stories
The latest AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll has dropped, and it’s packed with drama, surprises, and some serious shake-ups. If you’re a fan of the game, this week’s rankings are a must-see. Let’s dive into the highlights and reactions from the latest poll.
First up, the TCU Horned Frogs made a massive leap, jumping eight spots to land at No. 9. This comes after their stunning 76-68 victory over the then-No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish last Friday in the Cayman Islands. The Irish, on the other hand, took a tumble, falling seven spots to No. 10. Talk about a game-changer!
Meanwhile, the Duke Blue Devils and Iowa Hawkeyes also made significant moves, each climbing five spots in the rankings. It’s clear that this season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Breaking Down the Top 5
Let’s take a closer look at the top teams in the poll:
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UCLA Bruins (No. 1)
Previous ranking: 1
2024-25 record: 8-0
Stat to know: Kiki Rice was on fire in the championship game of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown, shooting 70% from the field and finishing with 21 points. The Bruins remain undefeated and look unstoppable.
What’s next: Sunday at Washington, 5 p.m., B1G+
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UConn Huskies (No. 2)
Previous ranking: 2
2024-25 record: 6-0
Stat to know: Paige Bueckers continues to dominate, with two 25-plus point games this season, bringing her career total to 25. Only UConn legend Maya Moore has more in the last 25 seasons.
What’s next: Tuesday vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
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South Carolina Gamecocks (No. 3)
Previous ranking: 4
2024-25 record: 7-1
Stat to know: After a tough loss to UCLA, the Gamecocks bounced back in a big way, crushing their next two opponents by a combined 88 points.
What’s next: Thursday vs. Duke, 9 p.m., ESPN
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Texas Longhorns (No. 4)
Previous ranking: 5
2024-25 record: 7-0
Stat to know: The Longhorns lead Division I in scoring margin (42.7) but had to fight hard to edge out West Virginia by five points in their latest game.
What’s next: Thursday at Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN
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LSU Tigers (No. 5)
Previous ranking: 7
2024-25 record: 9-0
Stat to know: Aneesah Morrow is on the brink of history, needing just one more double-double to tie Aliyah Boston for eighth-most in Division I history.
What’s next: Thursday vs. Stanford, 9 p.m., ESPN2
Biggest Movers and Shakers
While the top five teams held strong, the real action was further down the list. The TCU Horned Frogs’ eight-spot jump to No. 9 is the headline-grabber, thanks to their upset over Notre Dame. Sedona Prince’s 20-point, 20-rebound performance was nothing short of legendary, making her the first player to achieve such a feat against an AP top-three opponent since 2018.
On the flip side, Notre Dame’s back-to-back losses to TCU and Utah marked the first time they’ve dropped consecutive games since early 2021. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that started the season with championship aspirations.
Other Notable Rankings
- Duke Blue Devils: Defense is their calling card, and it’s paying off as they climb to No. 8.
- Iowa Hawkeyes: Up five spots to No. 17, with multiple players stepping up in Caitlin Clark’s shadow.
- Michigan State Spartans: Making their debut in the rankings at No. 24 with an 8-0 record.
As the season heats up, all eyes will be on these teams to see who can maintain their momentum and who might falter under the pressure. One thing’s for sure: women’s college basketball is delivering the drama, and we’re here for every second of it.
Originally Written by: Charlie Creme
