NCAA Women’s Power Rankings: Texas Eyes The Top Spot In The SEC Race

The NCAA Women’s Power Rankings saw a major shake-up on Sunday, and the biggest sports story wasn’t just the Super Bowl. While the Philadelphia Eagles dominated Super Bowl LIX, another thrilling matchup happened earlier in the day—Texas pulled off a stunning 66-62 upset over South Carolina. It wasn’t just any win. This was the first time in over three years that the Gamecocks lost a regular-season SEC game, a streak that stretched through two national championships.

The Longhorns, led by head coach Vic Schaefer, put on an impressive performance and broke South Carolina’s 57-game conference winning streak. More than a million people tuned in to watch, showing just how much women’s college basketball has grown in popularity.

For Texas, this was more than just a statement win—it was proof that they are real contenders this season.

SEC Title Race Heats Up: Texas, South Carolina, and LSU Battle for No. 1

With the win, Texas has thrown the SEC standings into chaos. Right now, the Longhorns, South Carolina, and LSU all sit at 10-1 in conference play. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game will be critical.

For Schaefer, this victory was particularly special—it was his first ever win over South Carolina’s legendary coach Dawn Staley in ten attempts. Even more satisfying? The win was a revenge game after South Carolina dominated Texas by 17 points in their last meeting.

Now, the SEC race is wide open. Can Texas keep this momentum going and secure the conference title? Or will South Carolina and LSU reassert their dominance? The next few weeks will be telling.

Power Rankings Shake-Up: Texas Climbs, South Carolina Drops

After their huge win, Texas jumped to No. 3 in ESPN’s latest Power Rankings, while South Carolina slid down to No. 4. UCLA, the last undefeated team in the country, remains No. 1 after a strong win over Ohio State. Meanwhile, Notre Dame jumped to No. 2 after handing Stanford its worst loss in program history—a shocking 49-point blowout.

Read this: Kings vs Bruins Gets Fiery with Kuemper-Swayman Showdown

Other major shifts in the rankings include USC climbing to No. 6 after a dominant win over Ohio State, while Kansas State moved into the top ten despite suffering an upset loss to Oklahoma State.

With major games on the horizon, expect even more movement in the rankings soon.

Key Games This Week That Could Change Everything

The next few days will be packed with major matchups that could completely shake up the rankings again. Here are some games you won’t want to miss:

UCLA vs. USC (Feb. 13): UCLA, still undefeated, faces their biggest test yet against their crosstown rival.
Texas vs. LSU (Feb. 16): With both teams fighting for the top spot in the SEC, this game could decide the conference title.
South Carolina vs. UConn (Feb. 16): After their loss to Texas, South Carolina needs a big win to bounce back.
NC State vs. North Carolina (Feb. 16): A big ACC showdown with major tournament implications.
Duke vs. Notre Dame (Feb. 17): Can Duke pull off an upset against the red-hot Fighting Irish?

With March Madness right around the corner, these games are more important than ever.

Source: NCAA women’s basketball Power Rankings: Will Texas push for top spot in the SEC?

Can Texas Make a Run to the Final Four?

Texas hasn’t reached the Final Four in over 20 years, but this could finally be their year. Their recent performances show they have what it takes to compete with the best, but the question is—can they keep it up?

Read this: McCann vs Thainara: Liverpool Favorite Announces Retirement After Stunning Defeat

A big part of their success will depend on sophomore Madison Booker. In the win over South Carolina, she stepped up when it mattered most, becoming the first Texas player since 2019 to put up 20 points and 10 rebounds against a top-10 opponent. If she continues to play at this level, Texas will be a serious threat in March.

But it’s not just Booker carrying this team. Texas has a well-balanced squad, with Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre providing key contributions in the frontcourt. Their ability to dominate in the paint will be crucial in matchups against teams like LSU and South Carolina.

Texas has proven they can beat the best. Now, they need to stay consistent and finish the job. If they do, they could make a deep run in the tournament—and maybe even bring home a national championship.

NCAA Women’s Power Rankings: Texas Eyes the Top Spot in the SEC Race

Final Thoughts: The Madness is Just Getting Started

As the regular season winds down, the battle for top seeds in the NCAA tournament is more intense than ever. Texas’ upset win over South Carolina has added even more excitement, proving that this year’s tournament is wide open.

With major games ahead and so much at stake, expect more surprises, upsets, and dramatic finishes in the coming weeks. One thing’s for sure—this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in women’s college basketball history.