The release of the latest AP women’s college basketball poll has fans and analysts eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for each ranked team. While the top 10 remained unchanged, a few notable shifts occurred further down the rankings, setting the stage for an exciting season of competition. Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store for these elite squads.
Steady at the Top: Powerhouses Hold Their Ground
The cream of the crop in women’s college hoops continues to dominate, with South Carolina, UConn, USC, and Texas maintaining their iron grip on the top four spots. These perennial contenders boast deep rosters brimming with talent and are poised to make deep runs in the NCAA tournament.
South Carolina Gamecocks (#1, 4-0)
The defending champs show no signs of slowing down, with MiLaysia Fulwiley emerging as a scoring threat alongside Chloe Kitts. Head coach Dawn Staley has her squad firing on all cylinders as they gear up for a showdown with rival Clemson.
UConn Huskies (#2, 3-0)
Legendary coach Geno Auriemma is on the cusp of breaking the all-time D1 wins record, with a massive alumni turnout expected for the potentially historic game against Fairleigh Dickinson. Star guard Paige Bueckers continues to dazzle, leading the Huskies to an unbeaten start.
Rising Stars and Surprise Contenders
Further down the rankings, several programs are making waves with impressive early-season performances. TCU cracked the Top 25 for the first time this year, debuting at #19 after a stunning upset of NC State. The dynamic duo of Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith has the Horned Frogs dreaming of a deep postseason run.
Meanwhile, West Virginia climbed to #13 on the strength of a dominant win over Texas A&M. The Mountaineers have now won 32 straight nonconference home games dating back to 2018-19, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12.
Navigating Adversity: Wolfpack Stumble, Cardinals Regroup
Not every highly-ranked team enjoyed smooth sailing this week. NC State tumbled seven spots to #20 after the aforementioned loss to TCU, a rare setback for a program that had won 24 straight against Top 25 foes. The Wolfpack will look to regroup against Coastal Carolina before embarking on a daunting ACC slate.
We didn’t come out ready to play, and TCU made us pay for it. This is a wake-up call for our team, and we’re going to use it as motivation moving forward.
– NC State head coach Wes Moore
Similarly, Louisville dropped seven rungs to #25 following a narrow overtime loss to Kentucky. The Cardinals are counting on freshman sensation Tajianna Roberts to lead them back to the top of the ACC and secure a high seed come March.
Key Matchups on the Horizon
As the season marches on, several tantalizing clashes loom large for the Top 25. Circle these dates on your calendar:
- Nov 27: #1 South Carolina vs #3 USC (potential national title preview)
- Dec 1: #2 UConn vs #5 UCLA (battle of bluebloods)
- Dec 4: #6 Notre Dame vs #17 Ole Miss (measuring-stick game for upstart Rebels)
The table is set for a thrilling season of women’s college basketball. With powerhouses jockeying for top seeds, rising stars making their mark, and plenty of pivotal matchups on tap, fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action. Buckle up and enjoy the ride as these elite teams chase glory on the hardwood.
