Amber Aniston • December 2, 2024

UCLA Maintains Top Spot in Women’s AP Top 25 Rankings; TCU Breaks Into Top 10

The latest AP Women’s College Basketball Top 25 rankings have been released, with UCLA maintaining its grip on the No. 1 spot after an impressive 8-0 start to the season. The Bruins received 25 first-place votes, solidifying their dominance atop the poll. UConn follows closely at No. 2, earning seven first-place votes. Meanwhile, TCU made history by breaking into the top 10 for the first time in program history, landing at No. 9 after an upset victory over then-No. 3 Notre Dame.


The rankings reflect significant movement following a busy week of holiday tournaments that included several marquee matchups and surprising results. The changes set the stage for an exciting week of games as teams gear up for critical non-conference clashes.


UCLA and UConn Solidify Top Two Spots

UCLA’s impressive performance in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown, where they won three games in three days, solidified their position as the nation’s top team. Led by Kiki Rice, who scored 21 points on 70% shooting in the championship game, the Bruins have proven their depth and consistency early in the season. UCLA faces Washington in their next matchup as they aim to continue their unbeaten run.


UConn remains close behind at No. 2, boasting a 6-0 record. Paige Bueckers continues to shine, averaging 22 points per game and delivering clutch performances in the Huskies’ holiday tournament victories. UConn will face Louisville in a highly anticipated game this week.


TCU and Duke Climb Into Top 10

TCU made a significant jump, climbing eight spots to No. 9 after a statement win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs are now 8-0, with Sedona Prince delivering a dominant 20-point, 20-rebound performance against the Irish. This marks the first time in program history that TCU has cracked the top 10, reflecting their rapid ascent under head coach Raegan Pebley.


Duke also climbed five spots to No. 8 following back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, including then-No. 9 Kansas State and No. 8 Oklahoma. The Blue Devils, known for their defensive prowess, are off to their best start in a decade at 8-1.


Notre Dame and Oklahoma Drop After Losses

Notre Dame fell to No. 10 after losing back-to-back games in the Cayman Islands, first to TCU and then to Utah. The Irish will look to rebound in a critical SEC/ACC Challenge matchup against No. 4 Texas.


Oklahoma dropped three spots to No. 11 after a thrilling overtime loss to Duke. Despite the setback, Payton Verhulst’s triple-double against the Blue Devils highlighted the Sooners’ potential for a deep postseason run.


Full AP Top 25 Rankings


  1. UCLA (8-0)
  2. UConn (6-0)
  3. South Carolina (7-1)
  4. Texas (7-0)
  5. LSU (9-0)
  6. USC (6-1)
  7. Maryland (8-0)
  8. Duke (8-1)
  9. TCU (8-0)
  10. Notre Dame (5-2)
  11. Oklahoma (6-1)
  12. Ohio State (7-0)
  13. Kansas State (7-1)
  14. Kentucky (7-0)
  15. West Virginia (8-1)
  16. North Carolina (7-1)
  17. Iowa (8-0)
  18. Ole Miss (5-2)
  19. Alabama (8-0)
  20. Iowa State (6-2)
  21. Illinois (6-1)
  22. Louisville (5-2)
  23. Michigan (7-1)
  24. Michigan State (8-0)
  25. Nebraska (6-1)


Notable Trends and Movements


  • Alabama climbed four spots to No. 19, achieving their best ranking in 25 years following a dominant 98-49 win over Georgia State.
  • Michigan and Michigan State entered the rankings for the first time this season, marking the first time since January 2021 that both schools have been ranked simultaneously.
  • NC State dropped out of the rankings after 24 consecutive appearances, following a tough schedule that included losses to South Carolina, TCU, and LSU.


Conference Representation

The Big Ten leads the pack with nine teams in the Top 25, followed by the SEC with seven. The ACC and Big 12 each have four ranked teams, while the Big East has one representative in UConn.


Key Matchups to Watch


This week’s schedule features several high-profile games with major implications for the next rankings:


  • No. 4 Texas at No. 10 Notre Dame: A pivotal SEC/ACC Challenge game featuring two elite backcourts.
  • No. 5 LSU vs. Stanford: LSU aims to remain undefeated against a formidable Stanford team receiving votes in the poll.
  • No. 8 Duke at No. 3 South Carolina: A clash of defensive powerhouses as Duke looks to extend their hot streak.



Final Thoughts

The latest AP Top 25 rankings highlight the competitive depth of women’s college basketball this season. With UCLA and UConn leading the way and emerging programs like TCU making historic strides, the landscape is as dynamic as ever. As the season progresses, these rankings are sure to see more shakeups, setting the stage for an exciting road to March Madness.

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