The Big Ten Conference has made history in women’s college basketball by matching the Associated Press Top 25 record with nine ranked teams. Nebraska recently joined the ranks, securing the No. 24 position on Monday. This sets a milestone for the conference, which first achieved this status in December of last year.
Current Rankings in Women’s Basketball
The following teams represent the top 10 in the latest AP women’s basketball poll:
| Rank | Team | Record | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn | 9-0 | (23) |
| 2 | Texas | 10-0 | (9) |
| 3 | South Carolina | 9-1 | – |
| 4 | UCLA | 9-1 | – |
| 5 | LSU | 10-0 | – |
| 6 | Michigan | 8-1 | – |
| 7 | Maryland | 11-0 | – |
| 8 | TCU | 10-0 | – |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 9-1 | – |
| 10 | Iowa State | 10-0 | – |
Significant Achievements and Statistics
UConn retains its position at No. 1, having accumulated 23 first-place votes. The structure of the top 10 remained the same this week, with South Carolina and UCLA at third and fourth position, respectively.
- Maryland secured the seventh spot after an intense double overtime victory against Minnesota.
- TCU, Oklahoma, and Iowa State completed the top 10 standings.
- In addition to those ranked, the Big Ten includes No. 16 USC, No. 20 Washington, No. 21 Ohio State, and No. 25 Michigan State.
The Rise of the Big Ten
This marks Nebraska’s return to the rankings for the second consecutive season, boasting a perfect record of 9-0. Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico commended the conference’s growth and the addition of strong teams from the West Coast, enhancing the competitiveness of the league.
Tennessee’s Milestone
Tennessee’s Lady Vols achieved a significant milestone, ranking for the 800th time in the 50-year history of the AP poll. Notably, they once had a remarkable streak of 565 consecutive weeks in the Top 25, a record later surpassed by UConn.
Conference Comparison
In terms of ranked teams, the Big Ten leads with nine, followed by the Southeastern Conference with eight. The Big 12 has four teams, while the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has three, and the Big East has one.
Upcoming Key Matches
The following games are noteworthy in the upcoming week:
- No. 1 UConn at No. 16 USC: Saturday, featuring a historical rivalry.
- No. 2 Texas vs. No. 13 Baylor: Sunday, in the Sprouts Farmers Market espnW Invitational.
These matchups promise to be exciting as teams compete for supremacy in women’s college basketball.
