Women’s college basketball Power Rankings: Maryland, UK, TCU return

looked strange maryland Women’s basketball is 5-6 in the Big Ten and is on a four-game losing streak in February. But it’s not surprising that the Terrapins have turned things around and won four in a row, including over higher-ranked teams. michigan state And Ohio State. This is the Maryland we’ve come to expect: a program that always seems to find a way.

The Terps rallied from a 19-point deficit to win 76-75 at Ohio State on Sunday, moving Maryland back into the ESPN women’s college basketball power rankings this week for the first time since the beginning of January.

Since joining the Big Ten in 2014–15, Maryland has won or shared six regular season titles and claimed five league tournament championships. The Terps have finished lower than third in the Big Ten only once: in 2023–24, when they finished sixth at 9–9.

They are now in a three-way tie for sixth place at 9-6. They finish the regular season against two teams near the bottom of the Big Ten standings – Purdue And Northwestern – Again against one of the best in the league: second place michigan.

The Terps finished ahead of the two teams above them in the Big Ten standings – iowa And minnesota – Moved up in power rankings due to win at Ohio State. It was the Buckeyes’ second loss at home this season. the second was in first place UCLAJoe appears to be on his way to an undefeated Big Ten record.

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: @ Villanova (Feb. 18), vs. Providence (Feb. 22)

After a 94-44 win over Creighton last Wednesday, UConn gets a relatively close game at Marquette on Saturday. The Huskies won 71–56, ending their streak of 21 consecutive wins by at least 25 points. Overall, this was his 43rd consecutive win. After rest vs. Butler on February 7, UConn advances sarah strong Had two wins and a combined 38 points at guard azy fad Was 44.

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: vs. Washington (Feb. 19), vs. Wisconsin (Feb. 22)

UCLA has controlled the Big Ten all season, and with no ranked foes remaining, is favored to finish league play 18–0. The Bruins defeated Michigan State 86-63 and Indiana 92-48 last week with the senior center Lauren Bates Compiling 38 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists.

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: @ Alabama (Feb. 19), vs. Ole Miss (Feb. 22)

The Gamecocks won their marquee matchup 79-72 in prime time at LSU on Saturday. It was one of the most entertaining SEC games of the season with the South Carolina Guards Tessa Johnson And raven johnson Combination for 40 points. The Gamecocks have solidified their lead on the SEC to 11-1, but three of their remaining four foes are ranked, so there is still work to do to secure the league title.

Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: vs. Kentucky (February 22)

The Commodores presented the toughest dilemma in the power rankings this week, and there were no easy answers. Their impressive 86-70 win over Texas on Thursday was their third consecutive win over a ranked team and moved them into the projected NCAA No. 1 seed. But the SEC is extremely tough, and on Sunday — in their third game in seven days — they lost 76-74 at Georgia. Given that the Lady Bulldogs also moved into the Associated Press poll this week, it was hard to punish Vandy for that loss. The Commodores end the regular season with three ranked foes, so we’ll see how they respond to that disappointment.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: @Arkansas (Feb. 19), vs. Mississippi State (Feb. 22)

Coach Vic Schaefer called his team “soft” in a postgame press conference following Texas’s 16-point loss at Vanderbilt, then bristled when some critics called him out on it. But the Longhorns rallied at Tennessee on Sunday and held off the Lady Vols 65-63. We have Texas at No. 5 in the power rankings this week, but Vanderbilt’s loss to Georgia likely drops the Longhorns back to the NCAA No. 1 seed.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: @Ole Miss (Feb. 19), vs. Missouri (Feb. 22)

senior guard flaujay johnson He had 21 points and eight rebounds in Saturday’s 79-72 loss to South Carolina. The Tigers have lost their last 18 meetings with the Gamecocks, the only SEC program that coach Kim Mulkey has yet to beat in her five seasons at LSU. Of course, these teams could meet again in the SEC Tournament.

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: @Iowa (February 22)

While UCLA has clinched the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan is looking to clinch the No. 2 seed. The Wolverines defeated Northwestern 80-58 and Michigan State 86-65 last week. olivia olsonHas a combined 44 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. All three of Michigan’s remaining regular season foes are ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: vs. NC State (Feb. 19), @Clemson (Feb. 22)

Duke’s winning streak extended to 16 games with a 72-68 win over North Carolina on Sunday, led by the senior guard tana mierHad 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Wolfpack, one of the Blue Devils’ closest rivals, is next. Duke is attempting to go undefeated in ACC play this season for the first time since 2007.

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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils: Game Highlights

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils: Game Highlights

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: vs. Virginia (February 22)

Louisville is five points away from a 22-game winning streak: the Cardinals lost 79–77 to South Carolina on December 4 and 59–58 to Duke on February 5. This is their only loss since losing to Kentucky on November 22. Last week, Louisville, led by the senior forward, defeated Wake Forest 86-67 and Florida State 88-65. Laura ZieglerHas a combined 27 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

Previous ranking: 12

Next seven days: @Georgia (Feb. 19), vs. Tennessee (Feb. 22)

After losing to Texas and Vanderbilt in early February, the Sooners got wins in two hard-fought games last week: 81-74 over Florida and 79-71 at Alabama. Aaliyah ChavezJoe, who leads SEC freshmen in scoring average (18.1) and is second in assists (4.2), had a combined 31 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists against the Gators and Crimson Tide.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: @Minnesota (Feb. 18), vs. USC (Feb. 22)

Ohio State’s 76-75 loss at home to Maryland on Sunday stunned the Buckeyes, who looked to be in control with a 15-point halftime lead. Ohio State had a very difficult time defending the Terps in the second half. second year guard Jaloni Cambridge The Buckeyes had 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but were outrebounded by 13. Ohio State’s regular season finale is challenging, with three of its four remaining foes ranked.

Previous ranking: not ranked

Next seven days: @Houston (Feb. 18), vs. Iowa State (Feb. 22)

After falling out of the power rankings following a one-point loss at Colorado on Feb. 8, TCU re-established itself in the Big 12 last week. Frogs beat Baylor 83-67 – behind senior guard olivia miles‘ Career-high 40 points – and West Virginia 59-50. The win moved them into a tie with the Bears for first, and those teams will face each other again on March 1 at TCU.

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Olivia Miles drops career-high 40 in TCU’s win against Baylor

Olivia Miles dominated with a 40-point game to lead TCU over Baylor 83–67.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: @ Texas Tech (Feb. 18), vs. Arizona (Feb. 21)

Baylor fell behind 21-12 in the first quarter against TCU and never trailed, falling 83-67 last Thursday. It was a big disappointment at home, but the Bears didn’t let it affect them with a 93-63 win at UCF on Sunday. guard talia scott Overall there were 48 marks. Baylor will get another chance at TCU in the regular season finale on March 1.

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Talia Scott hits a bucket against the UCF Knights

Talia Scott drills bucket vs. UCF Knights

Previous ranking: not ranked

Next seven days: @Vanderbilt (February 22)

Kentucky struggled from January 18 to February 9, losing five of six. But last week the Wildcats righted the ship, led by the junior center, with wins over Texas A&M (75-55) and Ole Miss (74-57). clara strackHas a combined 45 points and 22 rebounds. However, Kentucky still has two top-five foes remaining.

Previous ranking: 13

Next seven days: vs. Oklahoma State (Feb. 21)

West Virginia won its fourth consecutive game by defeating UCF 106-56 last Wednesday. Then the Mountaineers got a second chance this season on Sunday against TCU, but it didn’t go any better. After losing to the Frogs 51–50 on a last-second 3-pointer on January 14, they lost 59–50 this time. Still, the Mountaineers have a good chance for a strong finish as two of their last three foes are near the bottom of the Big 12. First, though, they have to face Oklahoma State, who is right behind them in the standings.

Previous ranking: not ranked

Next seven days: vs. Purdue (February 22)

Coming off a big win at Ohio State last week, the Terps defeated Penn State 81-62. yardon garzon He totaled 36 points as a fellow senior guard in those wins saylor poffenbarger Had a total of 22 rebounds. and junior guard oluchi okanwanaThe Terps’ leader in scoring and steals this season totaled 32 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and 9 steals.

Since coach Brenda Freese took over in 2002, Maryland has missed the NCAA Tournament only twice: her first season, when the Terps were 5–12 in the ACC, and 2010, when they were 5–9. Those are the only times Freese has had a losing record in conference during his Maryland tenure.

dropped out: Texas Tech Lady Raiders (number 14), ole miss rebels (number 15), Michigan State Spartans (number 16)