After a week where multiple nationally ranked teams lost, not much changed in the latest in the USA Today Sports women’s basketball coaches poll. With February winding down, positions are being solidified for seeding in the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
As it has been since the preseason poll dropped on Oct. 23, UConn remains No. 1. The undefeated Huskies — who comfortably defeated Creighton and Marquette last week — have been the unanimous top team in the poll since Jan. 13. That’s unlikely to change as UConn is expected to continue to dominate in the Big East through its final four regular season games and conference tournament.
The poll is also filled with teams from the SEC this week, featuring 10 teams for the second time this season after Georgia reentered the top 25 following an upset win over Vanderbilt on Sunday.
After a 1-1 week, where it lost to Georgia but beat Texas by double figures, Vanderbilt actually dropped a spot in the poll to No. 6. Texas remained ranked fourth, while South Carolina stayed in third after its big road win at now-ranked No. 7 LSU. Other SEC teams in the top 25 include No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 17 Ole Miss, No. 18 Kentucky, No. 21 Tennessee and No. 24 Alabama.
Georgia, TCU and Minnesota were the biggest climbers this week, each rising three spots. Michigan State and Baylor each fell three spots.
No teams from mid-major conferences are ranked this week after Princeton dropped out following its second loss of the season to Ivy League rival Columbia. Iowa State also fell out of the top 25 after a 1-1 week that included a double-digit loss at BYU and a four-point win over Kansas State.
Rhode Island, which has now won 17 games in a row, was third among unranked teams who received votes.
