Women’s college basketball Power Rankings: Two teams rejoin the list

In his second year in the Big Ten, UCLA Bruins Closing in on a milestone. With victory over a longtime rival USC On Sunday, the Bruins will become the fourth program in Big Ten women’s college basketball to finish with a perfect regular season.

was the last one to do so maryland In 2015, the season saw the Terps join the Big Ten and advance to the Final Four for the second consecutive year. others were Purdue in 1999, when the Boilermakers won the national championship, and Ohio State in 1985. This was coach Tara VanDerveer’s last season with the Buckeyes, before she moved on to a great career stanford. Ohio State lost to the eventual national champion old dominance In the Elite Eight in 1985.

The Big Ten began sponsoring women’s basketball in the 1982–83 season. The league’s structure has changed much since then, including the addition of former Pac-12 teams UCLA, USC, oregon And Washington In 2024-25. USC won the regular season title last year at 17–1. The Bruins were second at 15–2, then won the league tournament title over the Trojans and made the women’s Final Four for the first time in the NCAA era. (UCLA won the AIAW national championship in 1978).

UCLA’s only loss this season texas Nov. 26 at the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. The Bruins’ 21-game winning streak is the third-longest active streak among Division I women’s teams. Yukon’Dating 29 games this season and 45 last season and North Dakota State23.

The Bruins — again No. 2 in this week’s ESPN women’s college basketball power rankings — take a 55-54 all-time series lead against USC after an 80-46 win at home over the Trojans on Jan. 3. juju watkins‘His absence while recovering from a knee injury has changed the dynamics this season for the Trojans. But they have won six of their last seven and will fancy a chance to stop their rivals achieving a perfect league mark.

There are also some other longtime rivalries coming up on Sunday to conclude regular season play in the Power 4 conferences, including ruler But North Carolina (noon ET, ESPN) and Vanderbilt But tennessee (2 p.m. ET, ESPN). And the Tar Heels are back to No. 16 in the power rankings this week.

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: vs. Georgetown (Feb. 26), @ St. John’s (March 1)

There hasn’t been much drama for the Huskies this season, but they had a little drama last Wednesday when they trailed at halftime for the first time in 2025-26. they came back to attack villanova 83–69, a respectable result for the Wildcats. UConn followed it up with a traditional thrashing. Thrift 81-38. guard azy fad Averaged 17.9 points and 49% shooting this season. For his seven games in February, that number has increased to 21.6 points and 52.2% shooting.

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: @USC (March 1)

UCLA went 17-0 with an 80-60 win on Sunday to capture its first all-conference regular season title wisconsin. That followed an 82-67 win over Washington on Thursday. Center Lauren Bates Combined for 42 points and 22 rebounds. The Bruins’ only previous league championship for the regular season came in the Pac-10 in 1999, when they tied with Oregon.

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: vs. Missouri (Feb. 26), @Kentucky (March 1)

Gamecocks have won eight in a row alabama 76-57 and ole miss Last week 85-48. Center Madina OkotJoe is working on his 3-point shot, was 5 of 5 from behind the arc in those games. However, his bread and butter are still in Joyce EdwardsJoe had a combined 44 points and 18 rebounds in those contests, while Okot had 33 points, 26 rebounds and eight blocks. South Carolina, at 13-1, has at least a share of its fifth consecutive SEC regular-season title and can claim it outright with another win.

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South Carolina clinches at least a share of SEC title with win

South Carolina defeated Ole Miss by 37 points to at least tie for the SEC title.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: vs. Georgia (Feb. 26), @ Alabama (March 1)

Texas was supposed to face two very powerful foes last week arkansas And mississippi state. Still, the Longhorns had to be pleased with the consistency of his efforts in the 93-62 and 92-42 wins. Ahead madison booker Had a combined 44 points on 65.4% shooting while guard Rory Harmon Combined for 18 assists.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: vs. Alabama (Feb. 26), @Tennessee (March 1)

Commodore defeated kentucky Behind the guard 81-79 on Sunday Mikayla Blakes’35 points, his 10th game this season with 30 or more. Vanderbilt (11-3) is tied with Texas for second in the SEC and battling the Longhorns for the final NCAA No. 1 seed. The Commodores’ final regular season opponent, Tennessee, holds a massive 80–12 series lead against Vandy. But the Commodores won both matchups last season (in the Vandy and SEC tournaments) and enter this matchup as the favorite, as the Lady Vols have lost seven of their last nine. However, Vandy has only won once in Knoxville, in 2019.

Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: vs. Tennessee (Feb. 26), @Mississippi State (March 1)

LSU trailed 63-54 after three quarters at Ole Miss on Thursday. But in the final period, the Tigers held the Rebels to no field goals (0 for 17) and won 78–70. Then they showed him no mercy missouriWin 108-55. Milesia Fulville Totaled 48 points and 18 rebounds in the win. The Tigers are ranked fourth in the SEC; The top four seeds get a double bye into the quarterfinals of the league tournament.

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: vs. Arkansas (Feb. 26), @Missouri (March 1)

The Sooners have won four in a row after defeating ranked teams Georgia (71-67) and Tennessee (100-93) last week. National Freshman of the Year Candidate Aaliyah Chavez Scored a combined 48 points and nine assists in the win as a forward. sahara williams Combined for 33 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. Oklahoma is fifth in the SEC at 9–5, although there is still an outside shot at finishing fourth.

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Chavez launches great pass ahead of Bears

Aaliyah Chavez threw a deep pass to Regan Byers, who finished with a layup.

Previous ranking: 12

Next seven days: @Cincinnati (Feb. 25), vs. Baylor (March 1)

The frogs were in no trouble houston Last Wednesday’s 72-50 win behind the Forward marta suarezHad 21 points and nine rebounds. but things were against it iowa state till guard on sunday olivia miles took over in the fourth quarter with an 80–73 victory. She had 17 points in the final period and finished with her fifth triple-double of the season (26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). TCU can claim a second consecutive Big 12 regular season title with two wins this week.

Previous ranking: not ranked

Next seven days: vs. Illinois (Feb. 26), @Wisconsin (March 1)

After hitting a three-game skid in late January and early February following a season-ending injury at guard Taylor McCabeLooks like the Hawkeyes have things figured out again. They have won four in a row, including 83-74 at Purdue last Thursday and their biggest win so far this season, 62-44 over then-No. 6 Michigan at home on Sunday. The Hawkeyes and Wolverines are tied for second place in the Big Ten.

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: @ Ohio State (Feb. 25), vs. Maryland (Feb. 28)

In one of the rare times this season, Michigan didn’t look to be in rhythm on Sunday, posting its lowest points total of the season in a 62-44 loss at Iowa. It seemed like a play out of character for the Wolverines. They are tied for second with Iowa in the Big Ten, but their closing schedule is more difficult than the Hawkeyes this week.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: vs. Florida State (Feb. 26), @ North Carolina (March 1)

Duke defeated nearest rival nc state 17th consecutive win 83-65 on Thursday. But the streak ended with a 53-51 defeat. CLEMSON On Sunday, it was Duke’s first loss since December 4. Louisville was also upset by an unranked team on Sunday, so Duke remained in first place in the ACC with a one-game lead.

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Toby Fournier muscles in an and-1 for Duke

Toby Fournier muscles in an and-1 for Duke.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: @Georgia Tech (Feb. 26), vs. Notre Dame (March 1)

Louisville lost 74–72 at home. Virginia On Sunday. The Cavaliers really needed the win for their NCAA Tournament hopes, but that gave the Cardinals a chance to tie with Duke for first place in the ACC. Louisville remains in second place and will finish the regular season against Notre DameWhich is ranked eighth in the ACC and lost to the Cardinals earlier this season. However, Notre Dame has won five of its last six.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: vs. Michigan (Feb. 25), @Michigan State (March 1)

After the 74-61 loss minnesota Last Wednesday, Ohio State bounced back with an 88-83 win over USC at home. guard Jaloni Cambridge Overall there were 56 marks. The Buckeyes are trying to make the top four in the Big Ten, but to do that they will have to visit Michigan schools this week.

Previous ranking: 15

Next seven days: @UCF (Feb. 25), vs. Cincinnati (March 1)

The Mountaineers dominated in their only game last week oklahoma state 72–40 and kept alive their hopes of getting a share of the Big 12 regular season title. Their last two foes of the regular season are in the bottom four of the league.

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Jordan Harrison dunked it from the city

Jordan Harrison dunked it from downtown.

Previous ranking: 16

Next seven days: vs. Northwestern (Feb. 25), @ Michigan (Feb. 28)

The Terps are ranked seventh in the Big Ten, but have made it five straight wins after beating Purdue 99-66 on Sunday. oluchi okanwana26 points of. The stakes are high in the season finale against the Wolverines.

Previous ranking: not ranked

Next seven days: @Virginia (Feb. 26), vs. Duke (March 1)

The Tar Heels returned to the power rankings and are third in the ACC after winning 10 of their last 11. On Thursday, they battled back for a 63-60 overtime win. Virginia Tech and then beat the pit 78-50 at home. North Carolina is 12-4 in the league, but there are three teams at 11-5, including the Tar Heels’ next opponent, Virginia.

dropped out: boiler beer (number 13), kentucky wildcats (number 14)