Louisville’s Rise in the Rankings
In the latest release of The Associated Press women’s basketball rankings, Louisville has achieved its highest position in four years, climbing to sixth place. This marks a significant moment for the Cardinals, who have moved up the standings following victories over Stanford and California.
UConn’s Dominance
Meanwhile, UConn continues to dominate the rankings as the unanimous No. 1, remaining the only undefeated team in women’s college basketball after a decisive 96-66 victory against Tennessee, ranked 15th at the time. The Huskies have extended their winning streak to an impressive 39 games, dating back to last season.
Top Teams Overview
The top four teams saw no changes, with UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas trailing behind UConn. UCLA further solidified its position with a notable win over Iowa, which has now fallen to 10th place, while Texas also secured a victory against Oklahoma, causing the Sooners to drop to 11th.
In the reshuffled top ten, LSU has reclaimed the fifth spot, and Louisville’s rise marks a commendable return to form after a successful streak. Unfortunately, Vanderbilt slipped to seventh after suffering a loss to Ole Miss. After them, Michigan and Ohio State rounded out the top eight, with Ohio State making its first appearance in the top ten in a year.
Princeton’s Disappointment
Princeton faced disappointment, falling to 23rd after losing to rival Columbia, which ended their 15-game winning streak. However, the Tigers were able to bounce back with a win over Cornell the following day. This was shaping up to be a strong season for Princeton, reminiscent of their undefeated run in the 2014-15 regular season.
Conference Representation
In terms of conference representation, the SEC is leading the pack with a record of ten teams appearing in the poll for the second week in a row, followed by the Big Ten with seven representatives. The Big 12 has four teams included, while the Atlantic Coast Conference features two, alongside one each from the Big East and Ivy League.
Upcoming Key Matchups
Looking ahead, there are several key matchups this week including No. 17 Duke visiting No. 6 Louisville, which could determine the first-place team in the ACC, along with No. 2 UCLA facing off against No. 8 Michigan in a battle of the top teams in the Big Ten. Both Louisville and Duke carry impressive winning streaks into the game, with the Blue Devils on a 13-game streak and the Cardinals on 14.
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AP women’s college basketball: staying updated on the team’s journey and performances.
