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Michael Voppel
Almost two years after Caitlin Clark graduated iowaThe Hawkeyes are back in the top 10 in the AP Top 25 poll. Staying there will be a challenge.
iowa and Ohio State She also climbed into the top 10 of this week’s ESPN women’s college basketball power rankings, highlighting the race to the top of the Big Ten. UCLA Is the league’s favorite and projected No. 1 seed. But right now the Bruins and Hawkeyes are tied in the conference standings at 7-0. Then there’s Ohio State and michigan At 6-1. michigan state is 6-2, and maryland And Illinois 5-3.
A month ago, Iowa was coming off a loss to Iowa State Yukon. But coach Jan Jensen was excited then about what the Hawkeyes were learning from the tough games, and now we see why. Since losing to the Huskies on Dec. 20, they have won six in a row, including a win over ranked nebraska on Jan. 1 and Michigan State on Sunday.
Still, Iowa has a lot of room to grow. This week the Hawkeyes travel to Maryland on Thursday and host Ohio State on Sunday. They have a California road trip next week USC And UCLA.
As for the Buckeyes, they have won six in a row since their last loss, which was to UCLA on December 28.
Although the Bruins – who have won 11 in a row – are still likely to win the regular season title with their talent and depth, the rest of the Big Ten will give them nothing. We’ll see over the next few weeks who can emerge as the biggest threat to UCLA.
Previous ranking: 1
Next seven days: @Georgetown (Jan. 22), @Seton Hall (Jan. 25)
What could have been a challenging week for UConn was far from perfect. The Huskies defeated the second-ranked team in the Big East, Villanova, 99-50 last Thursday. They then avenged one of their losses from last season by defeating Notre Dame 85–47 on Monday. Only five of UConn’s opponents have scored at least 55 points this season, and four of those were in November.
Previous ranking: 2
Next seven days: @Oklahoma (Jan. 22), vs. Vanderbilt (Jan. 25)
The Gamecocks avenged their only loss of the season in a November matchup against Texas in the Players Era Championship with a 68–65 SEC victory over the Longhorns last Thursday. All five starters scored in double figures, led by Joyce Edwards (14 points). South Carolina followed that up with a 90–48 non-conference win at Coppin State on Sunday, in which Edwards scored 26. The Gamecocks now have a big game coming up on Sunday when they host still undefeated Vanderbilt.
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Don Staley says young Gamecocks are developing, providing depth
Staley discusses how No. 2 South Carolina is progressing throughout the season and previews the tough SEC slate ahead.
Previous ranking: 3
Next seven days: vs. Purdue (Jan. 21), @ Northwestern (Jan. 25)
UCLA’s scoring depth last week was impressive. kiki rice He had 25 points to lead the Bruins past Minnesota 76-58 on Wednesday. Then what was supposed to be a potentially competitive game on Sunday turned into a shock: UCLA beat Maryland 97–67, led by gabriela jacquez22 points of. fellow guard Charlie’s Leger-Walker Had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists as the Bruins shot 63% from the field and 57% from 3-point range.
Previous ranking: 4
Next seven days: @Arkansas (January 25)
The Longhorns started the season 18–0, then suffered consecutive losses to LSU and South Carolina. Last Thursday’s 68-65 loss at Columbia was disappointing as they couldn’t establish much in the paint. Nevertheless, they lost by only three on the road. They also bounced back on Sunday by defeating Texas A&M 80-35. promising new guard Aaliyah Crump Also returned against the Aggies after missing 15 games due to a foot injury. He led Texas in the win with 12 points and also had six rebounds and four assists.
1:36
Highlight: No. 7 Texas beats Texas A&M in Lone Star Showdown
Aaliyah Crump led the way with 12 points and six rebounds, while Rory Harmon, Madison Booker and Kayla Oldacre each scored 10 points apiece to lead the Longhorns to an 80-35 win over the Aggies.
Previous ranking: 5
Next seven days: vs. Auburn (Jan. 22), @ South Carolina (Jan. 25)
Vandy, off to its best start ever, and UConn are the only undefeated teams left in Division I women’s basketball. But last week was a tough one for the Commodores. guard Mikayla Blakes He had 38 points to help hold off Mississippi State 89-84 on Thursday. Then, the Commodores survived a rally by Michigan to win 72-69 at the Coretta Scott King Classic in New Jersey on Monday. The Wolverines focused on defending Blake, who was held to a season-low 14 points. but the new guard Aubrey Galvan Capitalized on the strategy scoring a season-high 20 points. However, the biggest challenge so far comes on Sunday in South Carolina.
Previous ranking: 6
Next seven days: vs. Boston College (January 25)
Louisville got two big wins last week: 79-66 at Notre Dame on Thursday, and 88-80 in overtime at NC State on Sunday. The Cardinals’ resiliency was on display against the Wolfpack, as they rallied after being down 13 points in the third quarter. second year guard Imari Berry Was important, scoring a career-high 33 points with 12 rebounds. He is one of seven players who have led Louisville in scoring this season.
Previous ranking: 8
Next seven days: @ Texas A&M (Jan. 22), vs. Florida (Jan. 26)
The Tigers had a week to prepare for their only foe, Oklahoma, last week and they took full advantage of that preparation, defeating the Sooners 91-72. senior guard flaujay johnson He had his best overall game of the season, with 23 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Since falling behind 45-29 in an SEC-opening loss to Kentucky on Jan. 1, the Tigers have won the battle on the boards in their subsequent four games by a combined margin of 183-136.
Previous ranking: 14
Next seven days: vs. Indiana (January 22), @Iowa (January 25)
The Buckeyes defeated Penn State 108-84 last Wednesday, which is winless in the Big Ten. They then got their second win of the season over a top-10 foe by defeating TCU 71–69 in the Coretta Scott King Classic in New Jersey on Monday. second year guard Jaloni Cambridge He had 51 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists in those two wins.
Previous ranking: 15
Next seven days: @ Maryland (Jan. 22), vs. Ohio State (Jan. 25)
senior forward Hannah Stuelke Perhaps his best week of the season is coming, as the Hawkeyes defeated Oregon (74-66) and Michigan State (75-68). Stuelke had a combined 40 points, 17 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 steals while shooting 65.4% from the field. second year center ava hayden Joint also stood out with a combined 33 points and 15 rebounds.
Previous ranking: 16
Next seven days: vs. UCF (January 21), vs. Houston (January 25)
Since losing its Big 12 opener to Texas Tech by one point on December 21, Baylor has won six in a row. That includes road wins last week at Utah (61-45) and BYU (69-58), in which Guard talia scott He had a combined 39 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The Bears are also excelling defensively. They lead the Big 12, and are third in Division I in blocks per game (7.2). They also rank first nationally in holding their opponents to just 22.2% shooting from beyond the arc.
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Baylor goes on the road and takes down BYU
Baylor goes on the road and takes down BYU
Previous ranking: 11
Next seven days: @Rutgers (Jan. 22), vs. USC (Jan. 25)
The Wolverines won 85-69 over Illinois last Thursday and then threatened to become the first team to beat Vanderbilt this season on Monday. But Michigan fell behind in the Coretta Scott King Classic in New Jersey and lost 72–69. Still, it was a good non-conference performance for the Wolverines. second year guard Kendall DudleyA transfer from UCLA, had a career-high 16 points on 80% shooting against the Commodores.
Previous ranking: 7
Next seven days: @Tennessee (Jan. 22), vs. Georgia (Jan. 25)
Even unranked SEC teams can be dangerous, as the Wildcats found out last week. On Thursday, they trailed Florida by seven points after three quarters and needed a big fourth quarter to pull out a 94-89 win. Then on Sunday, they shot just 32% and were dominated on the boards 52-35 in a 71-59 loss at Mississippi State. Center clara strack Both struggled to shoot from the field, shooting 3 of 16 against Mississippi State. He was 1 of 13 on January 8 against Alabama.
Previous ranking: 9
Next seven days: @UCF (January 24)
It was a busy week of emotional ups and downs for the Frogs. Last Wednesday, he got a blazing 3-pointer marta suarez West Virginia won 51–50. They defeated Arizona 78-62 at home on Saturday. Then, they returned to the East Coast on Monday, getting off to a strong start against Ohio State in the Coretta Scott King Classic in New Jersey, but lost 71–69. Still, they are tied for first in the Big 12 with Baylor and Texas Tech.
Previous ranking: 10
Next seven days: @BYU (Jan. 21), @Utah (Jan. 24)
After winning their first 19 games, the Lady Raiders were held to their lowest point total of the season with a 65–59 loss to Kansas State on their home field. Their biggest problem was rebounding, which K-State led 46–20 and limited them to only three offensive boards. That was a big hurdle on a day when the Lady Raiders shot 39% from the field. However, they will have to focus again on the two games this week.
1:19
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Lady Raiders: Game Highlights
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Lady Raiders: Game Highlights
Previous ranking: 12
Next seven days: @Missouri (Jan. 22), vs. Tennessee (Jan. 26)
You cannot rest even for a minute in SEC. After strong wins against Oklahoma and Mississippi State, the Rebels had a week to prepare for Georgia. But the Bulldogs held on to the Ole Miss star defensively to win 82-59 on Sunday coty mcmahon Nine points on 1 of 13 shooting from the field and holding the Rebels to 30% shooting overall. Meanwhile, Ole Miss couldn’t stop Georgia guard dani carnegieWho had the highest career score of 32 points.
Previous ranking: 13
Next seven days: vs. South Carolina (Jan. 22), @Auburn (Jan. 25)
Speaking of SEC threats: Oklahoma is going through a tough time. The Sooners lost their only game last week to visiting LSU, 91–72. senior center regan beer Was limited to 10 points and only got eight shots. Towards the bright side, new players ahead brooklyn stewart Was 4-of-4 from the field and finished with nine points. The Sooners will need to do everything they can to stop their three-game skid against South Carolina this week.
dropped out: nobody
