Women’s college basketball Power Rankings: Louisville debuts

This season has not been what the ACC had expected. The loss of key personnel and challenging non-conference games have taken a toll on five teams – duke blue devils, NC State Wolfpack, North Carolina Tar Heels, Notre Dame Fighting Irish And louisville cardinals — who were in the Associated Press preseason top 25.

But the Cardinals – who started the season ranked No. 20 – are now ranked No. 16, the highest rank among the three ACC teams remaining in the AP poll. And this week she debuted in the ESPN Women’s College Basketball Power Rankings, just in time for her fifth game against a ranked opponent.

louisville plays tennessee lady vol Saturday in a Women’s Champions Classic doubleheader at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. This event also includes yukon huskies versus iowa hockeysThe way the Huskies are playing makes them heavy favorites in their game,

However, the Cardinals and Lady Vols have a lot to prove in what should be an exciting matchup. Louisville’s three losses this season are to top teams: UConn, the kentucky wildcats and this South Carolina GamecocksThey nearly upset the Gamecocks on December 4 in a 79–77 loss at Louisville,

On Sunday, the Cardinals’ 76-66 win at North Carolina — in which they defeated the Tar Heels 10-0 in overtime — showed how their challenging schedule has helped the team grow. Louisville was picked fourth in the ACC preseason poll, but could play a role as the league favorite.

Let’s take a look at where Louisville stands in this week’s rankings.

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: vs. Northwestern State (December 17), @ South Dakota State (December 21)

Following a 110-45 loss to UT Rio Grande Valley last week, Texas got its fifth win of the season over a ranked team. The Longhorns defeated then-No. 13 Baylor 89–54 at the ESPNW Invitational at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of the regional sites at the end of this season, so Texas could return in March. madison booker Had a triple-double and combined for 55 points in the win against the Vaqueros Rory Harmon Total 24 assists.

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Madison Booker describes Texas’ playing style vs. Baylor

Booker reflects on her 27-point performance as she discusses how the Longhorns maintained momentum against the Bears and kept their tempo high to ensure the win.

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: vs. Marquette (Dec. 17), vs. Iowa at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (Dec. 20)

Last season’s USC-UConn game was a blockbuster game which the Trojans won by two points. This year, it was just another Huskies romance, as they won 79-51 in Los Angeles on Saturday. This was the lowest mark of the season for USC, which shot 30% from the field against UConn’s strong defense.

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: @ South Florida (Dec 18), @ Florida Gulf Coast (Dec 20)

The Gamecocks had only eight players available but still dominated Penn State 95-55 on Sunday. II Joyce Edwards Paved the way: His 29 points, 6 steals and 4 blocks were all career highs. We will see if the center Madina Okot (disease) and agot maker (Concussion Protocol) Return to visit the Sunshine State for two games this week.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: vs. Long Beach State (December 20)

The Bruins only have one non-conference game left, which is Saturday. They will then resume their Big Ten schedule – they began as the league favorites with an 89–59 win over Oregon on December 7. Four of the Bruins’ next six league foes – including at Ohio State on Dec. 28 – are currently ranked in the AP Poll.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: vs. UT Arlington (December 21)

The Tigers played back-to-back weekends in New Orleans, with last Saturday’s game an 87-61 win over coach Kim Mulkey’s alma mater, Louisiana Tech. On Tuesday they beat Morgan State. LSU has two more non-conference games against rival foes before the real competition begins with the SEC season starting on January 1.

Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: vs. North Carolina Central (December 22)

The Sooners resumed their “Bedlam” rivalry with Oklahoma State after scoring over 100 points for the fifth time this season with a 103–48 win over Little Rock last Thursday. The schools did not play last year after Oklahoma moved to the SEC, but met in a doubleheader with the men’s teams in Oklahoma City on Saturday. A 92-70 victory over then-No. The 23 Cowgirls win was Oklahoma’s first against a ranked team this season.

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Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls: Game Highlights

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls: Game Highlights

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: vs. Oakland (December 21)

The firing, arrest and court appearance of football coach Sharon Moore dominated the news cycle in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and throughout college sports last week. But the Michigan women’s hoops team avoided any distractions with an 85-59 win over Akron on Saturday. The Wolverines missed 13 free throws in that win and ranked 12th in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (68.9). This is a work area.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: vs. Kansas State (December 20)

The Horned Frogs passed through Jacksonville and Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week. Saturday could be TCU’s biggest challenge since defeating NC State on Nov. 16. The Frogs open Big 12 play against Kansas State, which has a win over Ole Miss this season.

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: vs. Kansas (December 21)

Last week was big as the Cyclones won two state-rivalry games: 74-69 over Iowa and 81-53 over Northern Iowa. audi cruxThe top scorer in Division I, had 30 points against the Hawkeyes, but sat out with an injury against the Panthers. Crooks could be back for the Cyclones’ Big 12 opener this weekend. In his absence on Sunday, eddie brown Led Iowa State with a season-high 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: vs. Central Connecticut (Dec. 19)

The Terps beat Delaware State 91-21 last week, holding the Hornets to 18% shooting from the field. Maryland will conclude non-conference play this week with winless Central Connecticut. These types of games don’t tell us anything about the Terps, but their past wins against Princeton, Kentucky and Minnesota (double overtime) indicate they should be one of the top contenders in the Big Ten.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: vs. UConn at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (December 20)

The Hawkeyes suffered their first loss of the season last Wednesday, 74–69, at the hands of rival Iowa State. starting post player Hannah Stuelke And ava hayden Combined for 18 points, which was not enough against the Cyclones. Then in a 102-68 win over Lindenwood on Saturday, Stuelke (31 points) and Haden (14) shot a combined 20-25 from the field. Iowa’s toughest opponent is next: UConn.

Previous ranking: 14

Next seven days: vs. UAlbany (Dec. 18), Texas Southern (Dec. 20)

After an 87-58 win over South Florida on Monday, the Commodores are off to a 10-0 start for the first time since 2011-12 and should finish non-conference play undefeated this month. But they have not faced any ranked team. Vanderbilt is good, but we don’t yet have a true measure of how good. The SEC season will show that.

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Mikayla Blakes falls into the smooth basket

Mikayla Blakes falls into the smooth basket

Previous ranking: 16

Next seven days: vs. Wright State (Dec. 19)

senior forward amelia hassett He had his first double-double of the season (19 points, 10 rebounds) in the Wildcats’ 77–69 win at Belmont on Sunday. Move guard, with nine assists tony morgan He now averages 8.5 points per game, which ranks second in Division I.

Previous ranking: N.R.

Next seven days: vs. Eastern Kentucky (December 17), vs. Tennessee, Barclays Center in Brooklyn (December 20)

Louisville is second in the ACC in scoring (82.4 ppg), with six players averaging between 13.1 and 8.0 ppg. guard Tajiana RobertsJoe, who was on the ACC All-Freshman team last season, leads the way offensively, but the Cardinals are so balanced that they are difficult to defend.

Previous ranking: 13

Next seven days: vs. Southern (Dec. 18), vs. Texas Tech (Dec. 21)

The Bears remain in the power rankings after an 89-54 loss to Texas on a neutral court in Fort Worth. But this was mostly because no other team came forward to defeat Baylor. That could change this weekend when the Bears begin Big 12 play against undefeated Texas Tech. leading scorer talia scottThe foot injury suffered against Texas is a matter of great concern; She is the only Baylor player to average in double figures (22.6 ppg).

Previous ranking: 15

Next seven days: vs. Louisville (December 20), vs. Southern Indiana (December 22) at Barclays Center in New York

The Lady Vols demolished Winthrop 112-40 on Sunday, led by Jania Barker20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Like Baylor, they remain in the power rankings, but they need a win over Louisville this weekend to be guaranteed to stay there.

dropped out: North Carolina Tar Heels (number 12)