LSU Drops in Women’s College Basketball Poll Amid Major Shakeups

The latest shake-up in women’s college basketball has turned the USA TODAY Sports poll upside down. LSU, once a top contender, just dropped seven spots after back-to-back losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

As the Tigers slide, other teams are also seeing dramatic shifts. It’s honestly one of the wildest weeks in recent memory for women’s college hoops.

The Fall of LSU

LSU’s fall from No. 5 to No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll has everyone talking. The Tigers, previously undefeated and leading the nation in scoring—putting up a wild 106 points per game—ran into trouble fast.

They lost at home to Kentucky, then dropped another on the road at Vanderbilt. Not exactly the start they’d hoped for in SEC play.

Impact on Team Morale and Strategy

This sudden rankings drop stings, no way around it. LSU had been winning games by an average of 55 points, but now they’ve got to regroup and rethink their approach.

The pressure is on for the coach and players to bounce back and claw their way up again.

Other Undefeated Teams Suffer Losses

LSU isn’t alone in this rough patch. Between December 29 and January 4, eight previously undefeated teams took their first loss of the season.

• No. 6 Maryland – Dropped to No. 8
• No. 7 TCU – Fell to No. 10
• No. 10 Iowa State – Moved to No. 13
• No. 24 Alabama – Remained at No. 24
• No. 26 Nebraska – Dropped out of the poll
• Arizona State – Unranked
• Georgia – Unranked

It’s the first time in 27 years that so many teams with a 10-0 or better record lost in such a short timeframe. The rankings are all over the place now, and suddenly, there’s room for new teams to make a move.

New Teams on the Rise

With some teams falling, others are jumping at the chance to climb. Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky all broke into the top 10, now sitting at No. 5, No. 6, and No. 7.

They’ve shown grit and taken full advantage of their rivals’ stumbles.

Top Four Teams Hold Steady

Despite all the chaos, the top four teams haven’t budged. UConn, Texas, South Carolina, and UCLA are still holding strong at the top.

Their consistency is impressive, and honestly, they’re setting the tone for everyone else this season.

Washington and Texas Tech Make Significant Gains

Washington, at 12-0, pulled off the biggest leap—up eight spots from unranked to No. 23. That’s a statement, for sure.

Texas Tech, still undefeated at 15-0, jumped to No. 20. They’re making it clear they belong in the conversation.

Notre Dame’s Struggle

Notre Dame, after two losses to open ACC play, just barely hangs on at No. 25 in the USA TODAY Sports poll.

They’ve got some work to do if they want to avoid dropping out entirely.

Looking Ahead

The recent shake-up in the rankings has set the stage for something truly unpredictable. Some teams are scrambling to reclaim their spots, while others are clinging to their new positions with all they’ve got.

Fans should brace themselves for wild competition and some genuinely thrilling games. Who knows what’s coming next?

If you want more details or just can’t get enough of these poll movements, check out the full article on USA TODAY.