Top 25 Teams’ Journey After Final AP Women’s Poll

The regular season of women’s college basketball has come to a thrilling end, setting the stage for the much-anticipated conference tournaments.

This past weekend saw some unexpected twists, including LSU, North Carolina, and Tennessee falling to unranked teams.

As we gear up for the NCAA tournament, let’s dive into the latest AP Top 25 rankings and what they reveal about the upcoming matchups and standout performances.

Top Performers and Key Statistics

As the regular season concluded, several teams and players delivered remarkable performances that significantly impacted their rankings. Here are some key highlights:

• Texas: With a 29-2 record, Texas has won 22 straight home games, tied for the fourth-longest active streak in Division I.
• USC: JuJu Watkins has averaged 32.0 points in five career games against UCLA, the fifth-highest scoring average against a single opponent by a major conference player since 1999-00.
• UConn: Sunday’s win over Marquette marked UConn’s sixth game with at least 90 points this season.
• South Carolina: The Gamecocks secured their 48th straight home win in conference play with a victory over Kentucky.
• Notre Dame: Achieved their 24th double-digit win of the season with a 72-59 victory over Louisville.
• NC State: Saniya Rivers recorded her seventh double-double this season in a win over SMU.

Texas: A Dominant Force at Home

Texas has been nothing short of dominant this season, boasting a 29-2 record. Their 22 consecutive home wins tie them for the fourth-longest active streak in Division I.

This remarkable consistency at home has been a cornerstone of their success, making them a formidable opponent in the upcoming SEC tournament quarterfinals.

USC’s JuJu Watkins: A Scoring Phenom

USC’s JuJu Watkins has been a standout player, particularly in games against UCLA. Averaging 32.0 points in five career games against the Bruins, Watkins has the fifth-highest scoring average against a single opponent by a major conference player since 1999-00.

Her scoring prowess will be crucial for USC as they head into the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.

UConn’s Offensive Powerhouse

UConn has been an offensive juggernaut this season, with their latest victory over Marquette marking their sixth game with at least 90 points.

This offensive firepower sets them apart from other teams in the Big East, who have combined for only four 90-point games this season.

UConn’s ability to consistently put up high scores makes them a top contender in the Big East tournament quarterfinals.

South Carolina’s Home Court Advantage

South Carolina’s win over Kentucky extended their home winning streak in conference play to 48 games, the longest active streak in Division I. Their last home SEC loss was in 2019 against Mississippi State.

This impressive home court advantage will be a significant factor as they compete in the SEC tournament quarterfinals.

Notre Dame’s Dominant Victories

Notre Dame secured their 24th double-digit win of the season with a 72-59 victory over Louisville. Only UConn has more double-digit wins this season, with 28.

Notre Dame’s ability to win convincingly will be a key asset as they head into the ACC tournament quarterfinals.

Surprising Upsets and Their Impact

This past weekend saw some surprising upsets that have shaken up the rankings and could influence the outcomes of the upcoming tournaments.

Notable among these was Tennessee’s loss to Georgia, which snapped their 53-game winning streak against unranked teams at home.

Tennessee’s Shocking Loss

Tennessee’s loss to Georgia was a major upset, ending their 53-game winning streak against unranked teams at home. According to ESPN Analytics, Georgia had only a 1.7% chance to win the game, making it the second-biggest upset in Division I this season.

This unexpected loss could have significant implications for Tennessee as they prepare for the SEC tournament.

LSU, North Carolina, and Tennessee Fall to Unranked Teams

In addition to Tennessee, both LSU and North Carolina also fell to unranked teams this past weekend.

These surprising defeats could impact their momentum and confidence heading into the conference tournaments. It will be interesting to see how these teams respond to these setbacks.

New Entrants and Notable Exits

The latest AP Top 25 rankings saw some changes, with South Dakota State making their debut and Louisville dropping out. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of college basketball and the importance of consistent performance.

South Dakota State Joins the Rankings

South Dakota State has made an impressive entrance into the AP Top 25 rankings with a 26-3 record. The Jackrabbits have won 16 straight games and 23 of their last 24, with their only loss in that span coming against No. 1 Texas.

Their strong performance positions them as a team to watch in the Summit League tournament quarterfinals.

Louisville Drops Out

Louisville, on the other hand, has dropped out of the rankings following a loss to Notre Dame. This exit underscores the competitive nature of the rankings and the high stakes of each game as teams vie for a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Upcoming Conference Tournaments

The conference tournaments are the final prelude to the NCAA tournament, and several key matchups are on the horizon. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated games:

• SEC Tournament Quarterfinals: Texas vs. TBD, Friday, 6 p.m., SECN
• Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals: USC vs. TBD, Friday, noon, BTN
• Big East Tournament Quarterfinals: UConn vs. TBD, Saturday, noon, FS1
• SEC Tournament Quarterfinals: South Carolina vs. TBD, Friday, noon, ESPN
• ACC Tournament Quarterfinals: Notre Dame vs. TBD, Friday, 5 p.m., ESPN2
• ACC Tournament Quarterfinals: NC State vs. TBD, Friday, 1:30 p.m., ACCN

Texas in the SEC Tournament

Texas will be looking to extend their home winning streak as they compete in the SEC tournament quarterfinals on Friday. Their consistent performance at home makes them a strong contender in this matchup.

USC in the Big Ten Tournament

USC will rely on JuJu Watkins’ scoring prowess as they face off in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. Watkins’ ability to put up big numbers will be crucial for USC’s success.

UConn in the Big East Tournament

UConn’s offensive firepower will be on display in the Big East tournament quarterfinals. Their ability to consistently score high points sets them apart as a top contender.

South Carolina in the SEC Tournament

South Carolina’s home court advantage will play a significant role as they compete in the SEC tournament quarterfinals. Their impressive home winning streak makes them a formidable opponent.

Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament

Notre Dame’s dominant victories will be a key asset as they head into the ACC tournament quarterfinals. Their ability to win convincingly gives them a competitive edge.

NC State in the ACC Tournament

NC State’s Saniya Rivers will be a player to watch as they compete in the ACC tournament quarterfinals. Her ability to record double-doubles will be crucial for NC State’s success.

As the conference tournaments approach, fans can expect intense competition and exciting matchups.

The outcomes of these games will set the stage for the NCAA tournament. The best teams will vie for the championship title.