UConn is back to being UConn. Seriously.
For the first time this entire season, the Huskies have locked down a unanimous No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 women's basketball poll. They didn't just edge out the competition; they swallowed it whole, grabbing all 32 first-place votes. It’s a level of dominance that feels familiar but still manages to be a bit shocking when you look at how chaotic the rest of the landscape is right now.
Last week was a total bloodbath for the top ten. Four of the best teams in the country went down, sending the poll into a blender. While Geno Auriemma's squad cruises through Big East play winning by nearly 47 points a night, everyone else is basically playing musical chairs.
The January Shakeup: Who’s Moving and Why
If you haven’t been watching the SEC lately, you’re missing out on a weekly car crash. Not the bad kind—the high-octane, everything-is-on-fire kind. South Carolina climbed back to No. 2, but they’re looking over their shoulders. Why? Because LSU just reminded everyone why Kim Mulkey has all those rings.
LSU jumped six spots to No. 6 this week. They handed Texas their very first loss of the season in a 70-65 gritty win. Texas didn't just lose the game; they lost their No. 2 ranking, sliding down to No. 4.
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Vanderbilt is the story no one saw coming. Honestly, they’re 17-0. That’s their best start since the 90s. They haven’t been ranked this high—No. 5—since 2002. Shea Ralph has that program playing inspired basketball, led by sophomore sensation Mikayla Blakes.
The Top 10 Reality Check
- UConn (17-0): Unanimous. Unstoppable. Unfair? Maybe.
- South Carolina (17-1): Only one loss on the record. Still the deepest team in the country.
- UCLA (15-1): Quietly efficient and lethal. They moved up a spot because of the Texas collapse.
- Texas (18-1): The loss to LSU hurt, but the Longhorns are still a Final Four threat.
- Vanderbilt (17-0): The last of the undefeated giants alongside UConn and Texas Tech.
- LSU (16-2): The biggest climbers in the top ten.
- Kentucky (16-2): Kenny Brooks has turned this thing around faster than anyone expected.
- Michigan (14-2): Carrying the banner for the Big Ten right now.
- Louisville (16-3): They’ve won nine straight. Jeff Walz has them peaking at the right time.
- TCU (16-1): They finally cracked the top ten after a massive three-spot jump.
Big Ten and SEC: A Two-Conference War
The top 25 women's basketball rankings are currently being eaten alive by two conferences. The SEC has nine teams in the poll. The Big Ten has eight. That means 68% of the ranked teams in America come from just two leagues.
It’s getting crowded. Maryland and Oklahoma both got bounced from the top ten this week after tough losses, falling to 12th and 13th. Meanwhile, the Big 12 is holding onto four spots, and the ACC is struggling with only two. It's a weird year for the ACC, traditionally a powerhouse. Stanford and North Carolina actually fell out of the poll entirely this past Monday.
Think about that. Stanford, a program that’s been ranked for 51 consecutive polls, is now on the outside looking in.
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The Mid-Major (and Ivy) Resistance
It’s not all about the Power Four. Princeton is sitting at No. 22 with a 14-1 record. They’ve become a permanent fixture in these rankings, proving that the Ivy League isn't just for academics anymore.
Then you have Texas Tech. They are 18-0 and ranked No. 17. Why so low for an undefeated team? Strength of schedule. The voters are making them earn it. They have a massive test coming up against Kansas State that will likely determine if they belong in the top ten or if they’re just beneficiaries of a soft early calendar.
What Most People Get Wrong About the NET vs. the AP Poll
You’ll hear fans screaming about the NET rankings (NCAA Evaluation Tool) every time the AP poll drops. They aren't the same. The AP is a bunch of writers giving their "eye test" opinions. The NET is a cold, hard algorithm.
Currently, the NET actually likes UCLA at No. 2 more than South Carolina. It also has Minnesota way up at No. 14, while the AP voters barely have them receiving votes. If you're looking at who will actually get a high seed in March, keep one eye on the NET. The selection committee cares way more about "Quad 1 wins" than where a team sits in a Monday afternoon media poll.
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Major Injuries Altering the Top 25 Women's Basketball Landscape
You can't talk about these rankings without mentioning the health of the stars. Iowa State took a massive hit this week. They were sitting pretty at No. 11, but after three straight losses and a major injury to a key starter, they plummeted nine spots to No. 20.
Basketball is a game of momentum, and Iowa State is currently out of gas.
On the flip side, UConn is getting healthier. Azzi Fudd is back in the mix, and when she’s hitting threes, the floor opens up for Sarah Strong. Strong is playing like the best freshman in the country, and it's not particularly close. She’s the reason UConn looks "scary" again instead of just "good."
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you’re following the top 25 women's basketball circuit, the next few weeks are pivotal. Here is how to navigate the noise:
- Watch the "Game of the Week": No. 4 Texas at No. 3 South Carolina on Thursday is basically a playoff game in January. Texas won the first meeting in November by two points. The winner of this one likely takes the No. 2 spot behind UConn.
- Don't ignore the Big Ten middle-tier: Teams like Nebraska (No. 24) and Illinois (No. 25) are dangerous. They are battle-tested because the conference is so deep this year. They are the types of teams that ruin a high seed's season in the second round of the tournament.
- Monitor the "Undefeateds": Keep a close eye on Texas Tech. If they hit 20-0, the pressure on the AP voters to move them into the top 10 will be immense, regardless of their schedule strength.
- Check the NET daily: If you want to predict the bracket, the NET is your best friend. Look for teams with high NET rankings but low AP rankings—those are your "sleeper" teams for March.
The road to the Final Four is starting to crystallize. UConn looks like the mountain everyone has to climb, but with the SEC and Big Ten beating each other up every night, the rankings are going to keep shifting. Stay tuned, because February is usually when things get even crazier.