UConn Tops AP Poll After Big Win, Notre Dame Climbs

In a thrilling kickoff to the women’s college basketball season, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies have claimed the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Huskies grabbed 30 out of 32 first-place votes and showed their strength by edging out No. 6 Michigan in a heart-stopping game that finished 72-69.

This win kept UConn at No. 1 and set a bold tone for the season. South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas follow in the rankings, each preparing for a much-hyped Thanksgiving tournament in Las Vegas.

This blog takes a closer look at the latest rankings, big matchups, and rising trends in women’s college basketball.

UConn Holds Steady at No. 1

UConn’s early-season run has been impressive. The Huskies took on No. 6 Michigan in the Naismith Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase and came away with a nail-biter 72-69 win.

That victory kept them atop the poll and showed their grit when things got tense. With 30 first-place votes, UConn has set a tough bar for everyone else.

Key Players and Strategies

The Huskies owe their success to a well-balanced roster and smart, adaptable play. Key players stepped up in crunch time, flashing both offensive firepower and solid defense.

How they handle pressure will be huge as the season gets tougher. Honestly, it’s hard not to root for a squad that keeps finding ways to win when it counts.

Top Contenders: South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas

Right behind UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas are all looking dangerous this year. They’ll all clash in Las Vegas soon, and that tournament could be wild.

South Carolina’s Strong Start

At No. 2, South Carolina keeps churning out steady, skilled performances. The Gamecocks face Duke in Vegas—a matchup that should really test them and maybe reveal just how far they can go this year.

UCLA vs. Texas: A Top-Five Showdown

One of the juiciest games coming up is No. 3 UCLA taking on No. 4 Texas. UCLA’s got a size edge with Lauren Betts, while Texas counters with Madison Booker, one of the country’s best.

This one could shake up the rankings, depending on who comes out on top. I mean, these are the games you circle on the calendar, right?

Other Notable Teams and Movements

Outside the top four, a handful of teams are making noise. LSU sits at No. 5, and Michigan holds onto No. 6 despite that close call with UConn.

Maryland, TCU, Oklahoma, and Iowa State round out the top 10. The competition is fierce, and the shuffling in these spots is far from over.

Iowa’s Impressive Climb

Iowa made the biggest leap this week, jumping eight spots to No. 11. Their unbeaten streak, highlighted by a win over then-No. 7 Baylor in the WBCA Showcase, has them riding high.

It’s their best ranking since they reached the NCAA championship game in 2024 with Caitlin Clark leading the way. That’s some serious momentum.

Teams on the Decline

Not everyone’s season is off to a dream start. North Carolina State, Baylor, Southern California, and Oklahoma State have all slid down the rankings after recent losses.

North Carolina State dropped nine spots to No. 25 after falling to Rhode Island, which caught a lot of folks off guard. Baylor slipped to 15th, Southern California to 18th, and Oklahoma State to 24th after their own rough outings.

Conference Power Rankings

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is still flexing its muscles, landing eight teams in the rankings, including three of the top five. The Big Ten follows with seven teams, the Big 12 with five, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with four.

The Big East has just one team making the cut this time.