The AP Top 25 reveals that USC has achieved its best ranking in 39 years, securing the No. 2 spot after triumphing over then-No. 2 UCLA for the second time this season. This impressive victory propelled the Trojans up two places, marking their highest rank since January 5, 1986. The team received six first-place votes from a panel of 31 national media members, showcasing their resurgence in collegiate basketball.
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed her commitment to restoring USC’s former glory in a recent phone interview, stating, “A goal was to come here and bring USC back to what it was at one point. Recognition of our history and admiration of the history is a neat feeling in the present moment.”
Texas maintains its position as the top-ranked team, having received the remaining 25 first-place votes. The Longhorns solidified their status by defeating Georgia, Mississippi State, and Florida last week, earning a shared SEC title with South Carolina.
UCLA slipped to fourth place, just behind UConn, while South Carolina secured the fifth position after winning a coin flip for the top seed in the SEC Tournament. Notre Dame fell three spots to sixth following a loss to Florida State.
North Carolina State and TCU claimed the seventh and eighth spots, respectively. The Wolfpack shared the ACC regular-season title with Notre Dame, while the Horned Frogs celebrated their first Big 12 title after a victory over Baylor.
LSU dropped to ninth place after losing both of their recent games, including a close overtime defeat to then-No. 20 Alabama and a loss to Ole Miss. The Tigers will also be without standout Flau’Jae Johnson during the SEC Tournament as she recovers from shin inflammation.
Oklahoma rounded out the top 10, maintaining a strong presence in the rankings.
In an exciting development, South Dakota State entered the poll for the first time this season, landing at No. 25. This marks the Jackrabbits’ first ranking since the preseason poll in 2022. The team has achieved an impressive 16-0 record in conference play and has remained undefeated in the Summit League for three consecutive years. With 63 straight regular-season conference victories, their only losses this season came against Duke, Georgia Tech, and Texas.
The Southeastern Conference boasts seven ranked teams, while the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 each have five. The Big East features two ranked teams, and the Summit League has one.
As the major conferences gear up for their tournaments this week, championship games are set to take place on Sunday, adding excitement to the closing stretch of the season.
Here’s the full AP Top 25:
1. Texas
2. USC
3. UConn
4. UCLA
5. South Carolina
6. Notre Dame
7. North Carolina State
8. TCU
9. LSU
10. Oklahoma
11. Duke
12. Kentucky
13. Ohio State
14. North Carolina
15. Maryland
16. West Virginia
17. Baylor
18. Tennessee
19. Alabama
20. Kansas State
21. Oklahoma State
22. Florida State
23. Creighton
24. Michigan State
25. South Dakota State
