NCAA women’s basketball poll, week 8

The Buffs celebrate their win Sunday, and their 13-0 record. Colorado Athletics photo.

In their lone matchup last week, Louisville defeated Pitt handily, and that victory helps them maintain the top spot in this week’s poll. South Carolina picked up two more wins over two top 25 programs, and likewise hold tight to the second position. Stanford and NC State both had impressive weeks, and each bump up one spot to three and four, respectively, as Indiana rounds out the top five this week.

Tennessee claimed two double-digit victories over SEC foes, and those performances help them see their highest ranking this season, at six. Now healthy, Maryland seems to be clicking on all cylinders. Their offensive output ranks with the best of the best, and for now, the Terrapins sit seven in the poll. Texas falls five spots to eight this week, as they lost to an inconsistent Texas Tech team before defeating UT Rio Grande. Michigan suffered a lopsided loss at Nebraska, and they fall two spots to nine. The UConn Huskies returned to action and squeaked out a win over Creighton over the weekend, and are back in the top 10 for the first time in several weeks.

Iowa State continued their hot streak with wins over Oklahoma and TCU. They will be tested as they travel to Kansas State and Oklahoma State this week, but for now they sit in the 11th spot. Arizona suffered their first loss of the season to Lindsay Gottlieb’s USC Trojans Sunday afternoon, and they fall to No. 12. Baylor had the week off and claim spot 13. They travel to Norman on Wednesday for a top 25 matchup with Oklahoma before heading to Kansas on Sunday. LSU suffered their first loss in conference play to South Carolina, but their performance was good enough to keep them at No. 14. Georgia Tech rounds out the top 15.

BYU holds place at 16 this week after a couple of wins, and Duke follows at 17. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish rise to 18, despite having to pause activities due to COVID-19 protocols. Georgia suffered a loss at Kentucky before making an impressive comeback to defeat Alabama Sunday, and they fall four spots to 19. South Florida is back in the top 20 this week.

Nebraska got an impressive win over Michigan, but couldn’t take down a red-hot Iowa team over the weekend. For now, the Cornhuskers sit at 21, but have an opportunity to move up the ranks if they’re able to take down Indiana later this week. Oklahoma falls three spots to 22 after a loss to Iowa State. We welcome Colorado back into the top 25 at 23, as the Buffaloes are the lone undefeated team in women’s college basketball. Iowa falls to 24, and Kentucky hangs on to spot 25 to remain in the rankings.

Top 25

1. Louisville
2. South Carolina
3. Stanford
4. NC State
5. Indiana
6. Tennessee
7. Maryland
8. Texas
9. Michigan
10. UConn
11. Iowa State
12. Arizona
13. Baylor
14. LSU
15. Georgia Tech
16. BYU
17. Duke
18. Notre Dame
19. Georgia
20. South Florida
21. Nebraska
22. Oklahoma
23. Colorado
24. Iowa
25. Kentucky

RV: Kansas State, UNC, Florida Gulf Coast, Missouri State, DePaul, Missouri