University of California, Connecticut passed her first test of the season and remained No. 1 in The Associated Press' Top 25 women's basketball rankings on Monday.
The Huskies received 30 of 32 first-place votes from a panel of national media after defeating the No. 6 seed. Michigan 72-69 Friday Women's Exhibition at the Naismith Hall of Fame.
South Carolina, UCLA And Texas followed by UConn. The trio heads to Las Vegas this week for the Players Era Championship, pitting the Bruins and Longhorns against each other. Gamecocks playing Duke in another game on Wednesday. The championship and repechage games will take place on Thursday.
LSU remained fifth, and Michigan remained in sixth place after a close loss to the defending champions.
Maryland, TCU, Oklahoma And Iowa round out the top 10. The Cyclones finished in the top 10 for the first time this season.
LIFT
Iowa made their biggest jump in the poll this week, jumping eight places to 11th place. 7 Baylor at the WBCA tournament in Florida to remain undefeated. This is the team's best ranking since Caitlin Clark led them to the 2024 NCAA Championship game.
FALLING DOWN
North Carolina StateBaylor, USC And Oklahoma State all dropped out of the poll after losses. The wolf pack was stunned Rhode Island and dropped nine places to 25th place. The Bears dropped eight spots to 15th after the loss to Iowa. The Trojans dropped seven spots to 18th after a two-point loss to Our Lady. The Cowgirls dropped to 24th place after losing at St. John's.
CONFERENCE EXCELLENCE
The Southeastern Conference once again has eight teams in the rankings this week, including three in the top five. Seven Big Ten schools responded to the survey, the Big 12 had five and the Atlantic Coast Conference had four. The Big East has it.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 4 Texas (Wednesday): A top-five showdown in Las Vegas featuring two teams that made it to the Final Four last season. The Bruins have a size advantage. Lauren Betts while the Longhorns have one of the best players in the country on the wing. Madison Booker.
