From buzzer-beaters to overtimes and upsets, women’s basketball fans were not disappointed over the Thanksgiving holiday week. The parity of the game is stronger than ever, which resulted in some shakeups in this week’s top 25.
South Carolina holds strong at one this week after defeating Elon on Friday afternoon. After convincing wins over Maryland and Washington State last week, NC State claims the second spot in our poll this week. Baylor moves up to three after an undefeated weekend in Cancun and the UConn Huskies find themselves in the fourth spot. Defending champions Stanford were tested, but came away with a 2-1 record via wins over top 10 foes Maryland and Indiana, which was good enough to place them inside the top five this week.
Indiana and Iowa both stay put this week, coming in at six and seven, respectively. The Longhorns of Texas find themselves at eight but there could be fireworks Sunday in the TBig12/SEC Challenge, as Texas faces gritty Texas A&M. An injury-ridden Maryland team drops seven spots to nine this week after a loss, but once healthy, expect the Terrapins to be back at the top. Naz Hillmon continues to lead Michigan and after wins over Oregon State and Mississippi State, the Wolverines round out the top 10.
Arizona found ways to win in their first two matchups last week before blowing out Rutgers in their final game at the Paradise Jam, and they come in at 11. Following them is Louisville, who beat Colorado State Sunday. Led by Ashley Joens, Iowa State continues its undefeated streak and rises to 13 this week. The Lady Vols continue to be without starter Rae Burrell, but have shown toughness in her absence, and bump up to the 14th position. South Florida continues their hot streak after taking down Stanford by claiming the final spot in the top 15.
Kentucky and Oregon hold spots 16 and 17 this week, respectively, and we welcome BYU to this week’s poll, as they surge to 18 after wins over ranked Florida State and West Virginia. A couple of SEC teams round out the top 20 after impressive outings in their respective tournaments, as Texas A&M sits at 19 and Georgia, 20.
Florida Gulf Coast chedks at 21, and in her first season at LSU, Kim Mulkey’s Tigers enter the poll at 22. We welcome another new team to the top 25 this week in Notre Dame. The Irish took Georgia to overtime before upsetting Oregon State, and they pack a powerful mix of young and veteran talent. The Beavers narrowly remain in the top 25 this week, falling to 24, and Missouri State tops Ohio State for the final spot in the latest poll.
- South Carolina
- NC State
- Baylor
- UConn
- Stanford
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Texas
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Arizona
- Louisville
- Iowa State
- Tennessee
- South Florida
- Kentucky
- Oregon
- BYU
- Texas A&M
- Georgia
- Florida Gulf Coast
- LSU
- Notre Dame
- Oregon State
- Missouri State
RV: Ohio State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, UCLA, Colorado, Oklahoma