The UConn Huskies remain the undisputed standard in women’s college basketball, maintaining their No. 1 ranking in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday, . More significantly, head coach Geno Auriemma etched his name further into the history books, surpassing Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances by a coach in the AP Top 25 poll with his 655th appearance.
UConn (29-0) continues a dominant season, extending its winning streak to 45 games. The Huskies have been a picture of consistency, demonstrating balance on both offense and defense. Their unblemished record and sustained excellence under Auriemma are a testament to the program’s enduring strength.
Behind UConn, the top five remained stable: UCLA (27-1) at No. 2, South Carolina (27-2) at No. 3, Texas (26-3) at No. 4, and Vanderbilt (25-3) at No. 5. These teams have established themselves as contenders, building separation from the rest of the poll.
A notable shift occurred further down the rankings, with Oklahoma and Iowa both making significant jumps into the top 10. Oklahoma climbed to No. 7, fueled by an offensive surge this season, while Iowa moved up to No. 9 after a victory over Michigan. These moves reflect the tightening competition as conference races reach their conclusions and teams jockey for favorable seeding in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
The rankings reflect a landscape where every result carries weight, impacting seeding, resume strength, and momentum heading into March. UConn’s dominance is undeniable, but the chasing pack is demonstrating increasing intensity.
Several other teams experienced movement in the poll. TCU climbed one spot to No. 11, while Michigan, Louisville, Duke, and Ohio State all dropped at least two positions. Tennessee fell out of the top 25 for the first time this season, a significant development given UConn had anticipated ranked matchups against the Lady Vols, Notre Dame, and USC earlier in the season.
Princeton, led by former UConn standout Carla Berube, rejoined the poll at No. 25, while Villanova received votes after giving UConn its closest game of conference play, leading at halftime of an 83-69 Huskies victory. Villanova is the first Big East team besides UConn to receive votes in the top 25 this season.
Looking ahead, UConn will face Georgetown on Thursday, , on TNT. UCLA will travel to USC on Sunday, , for a Pac-12 showdown televised on FS1. South Carolina will host Missouri on Thursday, , on SEC Network. Texas will welcome Georgia on Thursday, , on SEC Network, and Vanderbilt will face Alabama on Thursday, , on SEC Network+.
Auriemma’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given VanDerveer’s own legendary career. VanDerveer retired in 2024 with 654 appearances in the AP Top 25, having previously held the all-time wins record before Auriemma surpassed her in November 2024. The milestone underscores Auriemma’s sustained success and the consistent excellence of the UConn program over four decades.
The poll also highlighted individual performances. Joyce Edwards of South Carolina recorded her 17th 20-point game of the season, while Texas gained its ninth 50-point win. At Oklahoma, MiLaysia Fulwiley, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Mikaylah Williams each recorded a double-double in a single conference game. Olivia Miles of TCU surpassed 2,000 career points and 800 career rebounds, becoming only the third Division I women’s basketball player in the past 25 seasons to achieve this feat, joining Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu.
As the season progresses, the AP Top 25 will continue to evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of women’s college basketball. UConn’s position at the top appears secure for now, but the competition is intensifying, promising a thrilling finish to the regular season and an exciting NCAA tournament.
