UCLA Tops Final 2025-2026 Women’s CBK AP Top 25 Rankings
UCLA wrapped up the women’s college basketball season with a bang, grabbing its first NCAA championship by taking down South Carolina in convincing fashion. This win handed the Bruins the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 for the first time ever—a huge milestone for the program.
The season had its fair share of twists, wild finishes, and big-time performances. The final poll really just shows how fierce the competition got this year.
UCLA’s Historic Achievement
Table of Contents
UCLA’s women’s basketball team finished as the unanimous No. 1 pick from the 31-member national media panel. It’s a first for the Bruins, who had never ended a season at the top of the rankings before.
The Bruins posted a 37-1 record. Their only loss happened early, but they bounced back and beat South Carolina twice—including when it mattered most, in the championship game.
Key Victories
- Defeated South Carolina in November 2024
- Secured the NCAA championship against South Carolina
Those wins really set the tone for their season. UCLA kept their cool under pressure and showed off their grit when it counted most.
Top Contenders and Final Four Highlights
UCLA wasn’t the only team worth talking about. South Carolina, UConn, and Texas also put together impressive runs and rounded out the top four.
South Carolina
South Carolina wrapped up at 36-4 and landed at No. 2 in the final poll. The Gamecocks took down UConn, who had been unbeaten, which was a pretty big deal.
They fell to UCLA in the title game, but you can’t ignore their strong season.
UConn
UConn finished third with a 38-1 record. The Huskies had held the No. 1 spot all year until their loss to South Carolina.
Staying in the top 10 for 33 straight years? That’s wild consistency.
Texas
Texas grabbed the fourth spot, finishing 35-4. The Longhorns made some noise in the Final Four and proved they belong among the nation’s best.
Notable Teams and Performances
Several other teams made their mark outside the top four. Duke, TCU, and Michigan all reached the Elite Eight and followed closely behind in the rankings.
Duke
Duke ended up fifth at 27-9. The Blue Devils put together a solid tournament run and made it to the Elite Eight.
TCU
TCU snagged the No. 6 spot with a 32-6 record. The Horned Frogs showed plenty of heart and talent all season long.
Michigan
Michigan finished seventh, going 28-7. Their trip to the Elite Eight showed off their competitive side and knack for handling big moments.
Surprises and Upsets
This season had its share of surprises and upsets. Notre Dame jumped 13 spots in the poll, finishing ninth after upsetting Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16 and making the regional final.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s run was something to remember. The Fighting Irish knocked off higher seeds and made a deep tournament push.
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt finished 10th. Even with their loss to Notre Dame, the Commodores had a season to be proud of.
Teams Receiving Votes
Besides the 25 ranked teams, 13 others got votes in the final poll. Texas Tech led with 22, Princeton had 13, and Oklahoma State collected 11.
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
Other teams getting votes included Illinois, Georgia, Fairfield, Columbia, Marshall, Villanova, Oregon, Rhode Island, NC State, and Syracuse.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech didn’t crack the top 25, but their 22 votes say a lot about their season. They played hard and earned respect.
Princeton and Oklahoma State
Princeton and Oklahoma State also made some noise, picking up 13 and 11 votes. Both teams showed flashes of what could be coming in future seasons.
Conference Breakdown
The final Top 25 featured plenty of representation from different conferences. The SEC and Big Ten each had eight teams in the rankings.
The ACC had five, the Big 12 three, and the Big East one.
SEC and Big Ten
The SEC and Big Ten really flexed their muscles this year. Teams from both conferences consistently played at a high level.
ACC, Big 12, and Big East
The ACC, Big 12, and Big East all had teams in the mix, too. It just goes to show how deep and competitive women’s college basketball has become across the board.
Looking Ahead
Next season’s shaping up to be fascinating. I’m curious to see which teams can build on what worked and fix what didn’t.
Women’s college basketball just keeps getting more competitive. Fans have a lot to look forward to—can you feel the anticipation?
If you want all the details on final rankings and how each team performed, check out the full article on Fox Sports.
We’ll keep following the wild ride of women’s college basketball, so stick around for more updates and insights.