Minnesota has started the season strong, achieving its best record in 17 games and making its first entry into the women’s basketball rankings since 2019. The Golden Gophers have won 16 out of their first 17 games, suffering only a single loss to Nebraska last month. They have now secured a place at No. 24 in the latest Associated Press poll, marking their return to the rankings for the first time since December 30, 2019. The team will face a significant challenge on Tuesday as they prepare to play against No. 8 Maryland.
The top four positions in the AP Top 25 have remained unchanged with UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Southern California leading the pack. The Bruins received 29 out of the 31 first-place votes from a national panel of media experts. Meanwhile, Notre Dame captured the remaining two first-place votes, although the Fighting Irish were without their All-America guard, Hannah Hidalgo, due to a foot injury in their most recent match.
Undefeated LSU has climbed one position to secure the fifth spot in the rankings. The Tigers, along with UCLA and No. 9 Ohio State, are among the only three teams in Division I women’s basketball to remain undefeated this season. UConn follows closely behind in sixth place, while Texas fell two spots to seventh following a 67-50 defeat to South Carolina on Sunday. TCU moved up to the 10th position.
This week saw Iowa and Michigan drop out of the rankings after their recent losses. Both Big Ten teams faced tough competition, with Michigan enduring a series of defeats against ranked opponents such as No. 1 UCLA, No. 4 USC, and No. 9 Ohio State, although they secured a victory against Purdue on Saturday. Iowa suffered losses to Illinois and Indiana last week.
On a positive note, No. 24 Oklahoma State has rejoined the rankings for the first time since 2018 after defeating No. 17 West Virginia on Saturday. The Cowgirls boast a record of 14-2 this season and will be on the road this week facing Houston and UCF before they host No. 10 TCU on January 22.
California has risen six spots to No. 18 after defeating both No. 21 North Carolina State and Florida State last week, marking their highest rank since December 31, 2018.
In terms of conference representation, the Southeastern Conference leads with seven teams in the rankings, while the Big Ten and the ACC each have six teams. The Big 12 features five ranked teams, with the Big East holding one.
Coming up this week, No. 23 Utah will face No. 10 TCU on Friday. After suffering a loss in their first game as a ranked team against then-No. 12 Kansas State, the Utes will look to improve against the Horned Frogs, led by standout Sedona Prince. Additionally, No. 13 Oklahoma is set to take on No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday. The Gamecocks are in the midst of a challenging stretch, facing five ranked opponents consecutively, including a matchup with No. 19 Alabama on Thursday before the Sooners visit this weekend.
