UConn Standing Tall: The State of Women's College Basketball

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While the men’s side is defined by parity, the AP Women’s Top 25 has a clear, unanimous queen. Fresh off a dominant 99–50 win over Villanova last night, UConn remains the undisputed #1, though a heavy-hitting SEC pack is breathing down their necks.

With only three undefeated teams left in the nation—UConn, Vanderbilt, and Texas Tech—the battle for #1 seeds in March has already reached a fever pitch.

The Elite: UConn and the SEC Siege

The Huskies (18–0) are the only team in the top 10 to hold their position from the previous week. Led by Sarah Strong (24 points, 9 rebounds vs. Villanova), Geno Auriemma’s squad looks invincible. However, the rest of the Top 10 is almost entirely dominated by the SEC:

UConn (18-0): Unanimous #1 with all 32 first-place votes.
South Carolina (18-1): Moved up after a thrilling 68–65 revenge win over Texas yesterday.
UCLA (16-1): The Big Ten’s standard-bearer, moving into the top three after Texas stumbled.
Texas (18-2): Dropped two spots after back-to-back losses to LSU and South Carolina.
Vanderbilt (18-0): The biggest story in the sport. The Dores are off to their best start in school history and currently sit at #5, their highest ranking in 24 years.

Trending Up: The Rise of LSU and TCU

The middle of the Top 10 has been a revolving door, but two programs have made massive statements this week:

LSU (+6 to #6): Kim Mulkey’s Tigers are officially back. After dropping two early SEC games, they dismantled Texas 70–65 to jump six spots. They are once again the most dangerous “out” in the country.
TCU (+3 to #10): The Horned Frogs have cracked the Top 10 for the first time this season, representing the top of a very competitive Big 12.
Alabama (+9 to #21): The Crimson Tide made the leap of the week after upsetting Kentucky. Their only loss this season? A narrow one to South Carolina.

Trending Down: The “Blue Blood” Blues

While some are rising, several traditional powerhouses are sliding as injuries and conference play take their toll:

Oklahoma (-8 to #13): A rough week saw the Sooners tumble out of the top 10 after failing to find offensive rhythm against the SEC’s elite.
Iowa State (-8 to #19): After a 14–0 start, the Cyclones have dropped three straight. Without their full rotation healthy, they are struggling to keep pace in the Big 12.
Maryland (-4 to #12): Despite the drop, the Terps remain a threat, but a loss to rival Ohio State exposed some defensive gaps in the paint.

The AP Women’s Top 25 (as of Jan 12–16, 2026)

Rank	Team	Record	Rank	Team	Record
1	UConn (32)	18-0	14	Ohio State	16-2
2	South Carolina	18-1	15	Michigan State	17-1
3	UCLA	16-1	16	Ole Miss	16-3
4	Texas	18-2	17	Texas Tech	19-0
5	Vanderbilt	18-0	18	Baylor	16-3
6	LSU	16-2	19	Iowa State	14-4
7	Kentucky	17-2	20	Tennessee	12-3
8	Michigan	15-2	21	Alabama	17-1
9	Louisville	17-3	22	Princeton	14-1
10	TCU	17-1	23	Notre Dame	12-5
11	Iowa	14-2	24	Nebraska	14-4
12	Maryland	16-2	25	Illinois	14-4
13	Oklahoma	14-3

Game of the Week: #1 UConn vs. #23 Notre Dame

The biggest game on the horizon is this Monday, January 19. Notre Dame is currently reeling after a loss to Louisville, but the rivalry with UConn always brings out the best in the Irish. If Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd continue their current pace, the Huskies could be looking at a record-breaking margin of victory.