Baylor and USC have successfully entered the AP Top 10 rankings for women’s basketball following impressive victories in the opening week of the season. This comes after the Bears defeating then-No. 7 Duke, while the Trojans narrowly triumphed over then-No. 9 NC State.
Baylor’s Rise in Rankings
Baylor’s dramatic ascent began with a significant win in Paris, where they challenged Duke. This victory not only elevated them to the seventh position but also marked a nine-place jump in the rankings.
USC’s Narrow Victory
Meanwhile, USC faced a tough matchup against NC State. The Trojans managed to secure their victory by just a single point, propelling them up ten positions to reach eighth place.
Women’s AP Top 25 Rankings Overview
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn | 2-0 | 798 |
| 2 | South Carolina | 2-0 | 761 |
| 3 | UCLA | 2-0 | 732 |
| 4 | Texas | 2-0 | 708 |
| 5 | LSU | 3-0 | 672 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 1-0 | 614 |
| 7 | Baylor | 2-0 | 509 |
| 8 | USC | 2-0 | 500 |
| 9 | Maryland | 3-0 | 498 |
| 10 | NC State | 1-1 | 479 |
Impact of Key Players
While USC will be without star player JuJu Watkins for the season due to an ACL tear, Coach Lindsay Gottlieb’s squad benefits from emerging talents. Jazzy Davidson stood out, scoring the decisive shot against NC State with just 8.2 seconds remaining.
Current Season Context
The top four teams—UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas—maintain their positions after comfortable wins in the opening week. UConn received the majority of first-place votes, totaling 30, while South Carolina obtained the remaining two.
As the season progresses, Baylor and USC’s rankings highlight their potential impact, especially as the competition intensifies. Fans can look forward to their continued performances in upcoming games.
Looking Ahead
This week features several notable matchups:
- No. 2 South Carolina will play at No. 9 USC.
- No. 17 TCU faces off against No. 10 NC State.
These games will be crucial as teams contend for higher standings in the AP polls. As the season unfolds, the landscape of women’s college basketball continues to evolve.
