Breaking News: UCLA Top 25 No. 1 Rankings Change Again
The UCLA Bruins are back on top! After a dominant win over USC to claim the Big Ten title, UCLA has climbed its way back to No. 1 in the Associated Press (AP) women’s basketball rankings. It’s been a season of ups and downs, but the Bruins have proven once again that they are one of the strongest teams in the country. With UCLA Top 25 rankings making headlines, the competition for the top spot is fiercer than ever as the postseason approaches.
Earlier this season, UCLA held the No. 1 spot for 12 straight weeks before a tough loss to their city rivals, USC, knocked them down a few spots. But now, they’ve made a powerful comeback. The Bruins received 16 first-place votes from a panel of experts, jumping from fourth place all the way back to the top. This isn’t the first time this season that they’ve climbed their way up like this—before Thanksgiving, they pulled off a similar jump after beating then-No. 1 South Carolina.
Breaking Down the Top Five Teams
Here’s a closer look at the best teams in this week’s rankings:
- UCLA (30-2, 16 first-place votes) – The Bruins bounced back from their earlier loss to USC in a big way, proving why they deserve the top spot. Their depth and ability to dominate on both ends of the court make them a serious championship contender.
- South Carolina (30-3, 9 first-place votes) – The Gamecocks climbed up to second place after a huge SEC tournament win over Texas, who had been No. 1. Their victory over the Longhorns showed why they’re still one of the toughest teams in the nation.
- UConn (30-3, 7 first-place votes) – The Huskies held steady at No. 3 and have a big game ahead against No. 22 Creighton for the Big East title. With a rich history of success, UConn is always a team to watch in March Madness.
- USC (28-3) – Despite beating UCLA twice during the regular season, the Trojans dropped two spots after losing to them in the Big Ten championship game. They’ve still got a strong record and a dangerous lineup heading into the tournament.
- Texas (31-3) – The Longhorns had been at the top before their loss to South Carolina. Now, they’ve fallen to fifth place, but with a solid record, they remain a top contender as the tournament approaches.
A Rare Shake-Up: No. 1 and No. 2 Lose on the Same Day
The fall of Texas and USC on the same day was a rare sight in women’s college basketball. According to Stats Perform, this is only the fourth time since the 1999-2000 season that the top two teams lost on the same day. The last time it happened was back in 2019 when Oregon and Baylor both suffered defeats on November 30.
This season has been full of surprises, and this shake-up is proof that no team is safe at the top. With March Madness just around the corner, fans should get ready for more unexpected upsets and intense battles for the championship.
Biggest Movers in the Rankings
Some teams saw big jumps this week, while others took a hit in the rankings:
- TCU (31-3) – TCU made history, climbing two spots to No. 6. Their Big Ten tournament win over Baylor gave them their highest ranking ever. The last time they won a conference tournament was way back in 2005 when they were still in Conference USA.
- Duke (26-7) – The Blue Devils made a huge leap, jumping four spots to No. 7 after winning their first ACC championship in 12 years. Their victory over NC State proved they are a team on the rise.
- Notre Dame (26-5) – The Fighting Irish slipped to No. 8 after a tough loss in their conference tournament, but they’re still one of the best teams in the country.
- NC State (26-6) – After losing to Duke in the ACC tournament, the Wolfpack dropped to No. 9. They’re still a dangerous team heading into March Madness.
- LSU (28-5) – Rounding out the top 10, the Tigers held their ground despite falling short in the SEC tournament.
Source: UCLA, South Carolina move atop women’s AP Top 25 poll
Newcomers and Surprise Teams
- Mississippi (20-10) – The Rebels made their way back into the rankings at No. 25 after reaching the SEC tournament quarterfinals. They started the season ranked but dropped out after a few struggles. Now, they’re back and looking to make some noise in the tournament.
- UTSA (26-5) – UTSA received a vote in the AP poll for the first time ever! They had an incredible regular season, setting a school record with 26 wins and dominating the American Athletic Conference with a 17-1 record. Led by conference Player of the Year Jordyn Jenkins and head coach Karen Aston, they’re making history.
Unfortunately, Michigan State dropped out of the rankings after struggling late in the season. They’ll need to regroup fast if they want to make a deep postseason run.
Which Conference Rules Women’s Basketball
Here’s a breakdown of how many ranked teams each conference has:
- SEC (Southeastern Conference) – 8 teams ranked
- ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) – 5 teams ranked
- Big 12 Conference – 5 teams ranked
- Big Ten Conference – 4 teams ranked
- Big East Conference – 2 teams ranked
- Summit League – 1 team ranked
The SEC continues to dominate, with the most teams in the rankings. The ACC and Big 12 aren’t far behind, though, showing just how deep women’s college basketball talent runs this season.
What’s Next: Mid-Major Championships and March Madness
With most of the big conference tournaments wrapped up, attention now turns to some of the smaller programs looking to secure their place in March Madness. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Northeast Conference (NEC), and Ivy League will all be deciding their champions this weekend.
With Selection Sunday right around the corner, teams across the country are preparing for the most exciting time of the year—March Madness. The competition has never been fiercer, and with so many talented teams in the mix, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Get ready for the madness—it’s going to be a wild ride!
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