SEC Dominance: Record 10 Teams Land in New AP Top 25

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The AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll released on January 26, 2026, made history before a single game was played this week. For the first time in the 50-year history of the poll, a single conference—the SEC—has placed 10 different teams in the rankings.

The milestone was anchored by Georgia (No. 23) returning to the Top 25 for the first time since 2022, following their upset of then-No. 11 Kentucky.

The Top 5: UConn Stands Alone

As the calendar turns toward February, UConn (21-0) remains the unanimous No. 1 and the nation’s only undefeated team.

UConn (21-0): Unanimous No. 1 after extending their winning streak to 37 games.
UCLA (19-1): Moved up one spot to the second position, their highest ranking of the season.
South Carolina (20-2): Dropped one spot after a mid-week overtime loss to Oklahoma, despite their dominant 29-point win over Vanderbilt on Sunday.
Texas (19-2): Held steady at No. 4, proving to be the most consistent force in the “new” SEC.
Vanderbilt (20-1): Stayed at No. 5 despite their first loss of the season, a testament to their historic 20-0 start.

The SEC’s Historic Depth

The SEC’s record-breaking 10-team showing reflects a season of unprecedented parity and “cannibalism” within the conference.

The Top Tier: South Carolina (3), Texas (4), Vanderbilt (5), and LSU (6) give the SEC four of the nation’s top six teams.
The Movers: Oklahoma (No. 10) made the biggest leap of the week, jumping six spots after handing South Carolina their second loss of the season.
The Newcomers: Georgia (No. 23) replaced Nebraska in the poll, re-entering the rankings after a statement win over Kentucky.

Big Ten and Big 12 Holding Firm

While the SEC grabbed the headlines, the Big Ten remains a powerhouse with seven ranked teams, including No. 8 Iowa, which jumped two spots after a convincing win over Ohio State. The Big 12 features four teams, headlined by No. 12 TCU, which continues its best season in program history.

AP Top 10 Snapshot (1/26/26)

Rank	Team	Record	Change
1	UConn (31)	21-0	—
2	UCLA	19-1	+1
3	South Carolina	20-2	-1
4	Texas	19-2	—
5	Vanderbilt	20-1	—
6	LSU	18-2	—
7	Louisville	19-3	+1
8	Iowa	18-2	+2
9	Michigan	17-3	-2
10	Oklahoma	16-4	+6

Games to Watch This Week

No. 15 Tennessee at No. 1 UConn (Sunday): A classic rivalry that will serve as the Huskies’ final ranked test before the tournament.
No. 8 Iowa at No. 2 UCLA (Sunday): A battle for first place in the Big Ten and a potential preview of a Final Four matchup.