The excitement in Los Angeles over the weekend has set the stage for a potential change at the top of The Associated Press women’s basketball poll, which is expected to be announced on Monday. The pressing question now is which team will take over the No. 1 ranking?
Currently, defending champion South Carolina has enjoyed an impressive 23-week run as the top-ranked team after an undefeated season last year. However, their streak was interrupted with a 77-62 loss to No. 5 UCLA. Additionally, sixth-ranked Notre Dame made a significant mark by defeating No. 3 USC, 74-61 just a day prior.
UCLA’s head coach, Cori Close, expressed her admiration for Notre Dame after watching their game against USC. She noted, “Notre Dame looked really good and we have a lot of teams that can make a strong case for being No. 1, showing the depth in our sport.” Close emphasized the importance of learning from experiences rather than focusing solely on ranks, stating, “What matters most is that we fall in love with the process of becoming great.”
A new top ranking would be a significant achievement for UCLA, which has yet to reach No. 1 in the poll’s history. Meanwhile, the second-ranked UConn team could also ascend to the top following their strong season thus far, including a victory over then-No. 14 North Carolina. If UConn claims the top spot, it would mark the 251st time under coach Geno Auriemma’s leadership that the team has held that position, the last being in the final poll of 2021. Notably, Auriemma recently made history by becoming the NCAA’s all-time wins leader with his 1,217th victory, surpassing Tara VanDerveer.
Should Notre Dame rise to No. 1, it would signify a second consecutive year in which a sixth-ranked team ascended to the top, similar to South Carolina’s rise last year, indicating a historic leap in the rankings. The Fighting Irish have not held the top position since 2019.
The thrilling atmosphere in Los Angeles over the weekend was a boon for women’s basketball, as both games witnessed sell-out crowds. The USC contest attracted a high-profile celebrity audience, featuring the likes of Michael B. Jordan, Snoop Dogg, and Jason Sudeikis, the latter of whom is a passionate supporter of women’s basketball and was also present at the UCLA game.