Big Ten and SEC Dominate Women’s Basketball Rankings
The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference (SEC) have emerged as the powerhouses of women’s college basketball, with each conference boasting seven teams in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Both leagues have solidified their positions at the top, with four teams each ranked in the top 10.
Recent conference realignment has further strengthened these leagues, as UCLA and USC join the Big Ten, while Texas and Oklahoma are set to become part of the SEC.
UCLA currently holds the No. 1 spot, receiving 30 out of 32 first-place votes. South Carolina follows closely at No. 2, with a highly anticipated matchup against No. 5 Texas scheduled for Sunday. Notre Dame rounds out the top three, securing the remaining two first-place votes.
LSU and UConn occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, while Maryland sits at No. 8, maintaining an undefeated record. Ohio State has climbed to No. 9 following Oklahoma’s mixed performances.
In a surprising turn of events, Utah, ranked No. 22, has shown resilience despite an early-season coaching change. Assistant coach Gavin Petersen took the helm after Lynne Roberts departed for the WNBA. The Utes’ impressive victory over Notre Dame during a Thanksgiving tournament has bolstered their standing.
Alabama, ranked No. 18, is making waves with its best SEC start in 21 years. The Crimson Tide improved to 2-0 in conference play after defeating Missouri and is now preparing to face No. 5 Texas.
While the SEC and Big Ten lead with seven ranked teams each, the ACC follows closely with six. The Big 12 has four representatives, and the Big East claims one spot in the rankings.
Key matchups to watch include No. 4 USC at No. 8 Maryland in a Big Ten showdown, No. 14 Duke at No. 19 North Carolina in an ACC rivalry game, and No. 5 Texas at No. 2 South Carolina in a clash of top-ranked teams.
As the season progresses, these rankings and upcoming games promise to shape the landscape of women’s college basketball, with the Big Ten and SEC at the forefront of the competition.