Well, well, well, the new year has arrived, my friends, and South Carolina Gamecocks are still ruling the roost! They have firmly planted themselves at the top of The Associated Press women's basketball poll, receiving a staggering 34 out of 35 first-place votes. I mean, talk about domination. It seems like these Gamecocks just can't be stopped.
But hold your horses, folks, because we have a little twist in the voting process this time. UCLA swooped in and managed to snatch that one remaining No. 1 vote after their epic victory over their Los Angeles rival, USC. These Bruins certainly know how to make a statement, defeating not one, not two, but FOUR top-25 teams this season. Impressive, isn't it? And let's not forget that two of those wins came on neutral grounds and one on the road. Can you say clutch?
Now, here's a little surprise for you: Syracuse has decided to grace us with their presence in the poll at No. 25. It's been quite a while since we've seen them, making their last appearance back in January 2021. This Orange team sealed the deal by taking down the once-mighty Notre Dame, causing them to tumble to 16th place. Syracuse, with only one loss to Maryland this season, is having a tremendous run. They're even hoping to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, which they haven't done since 2021. Fingers crossed for them, because they're off to their best start since 2017-18.
Oh, and here's a bit of unfortunate news for the Tar Heels. They've fallen out of the Top 25, ending a seemingly never-ending 34-week streak in the poll. Ouch! That's gotta hurt. But let's not dwell on the past, my friends. There's still plenty of excitement to go around.
Taking up the third place spot is none other than North Carolina State, followed closely by Iowa. And you know who managed to climb their way up? Colorado, baby! They moved up a delightful three spots, landing at No. 5 after an impressive victory over the previously ranked No. 12 Utah. Talk about climbing the ladder towards success!
Now, let's talk about Baylor. These guys made a dazzling jump in the rankings, leaping four places and securing the No. 6 position. How'd they do it, you ask? Well, they defeated the former No. 5 team, Texas, and not just by chance. They did it without star player Rori Harmon, who unfortunately injured her ACL last week. Despite the setback, Texas managed to hold onto a spot in the Top 10, landing at No. 10.
In the midst of all this action, LSU, Stanford, and USC boldly followed in the rankings. But wait, there's more!
We can't ignore the incredible achievement of Caitlin Clark. This star player from Iowa has soared into the fifth spot on the Division I all-time scoring list after an astonishing 35-point performance against Minnesota. With a mind-blowing total of 3,149 points, she's nipping at the heels of basketball legends like Kelsey Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, Jackie Stiles, and Brittney Griner. Now that's some elite company to keep, don't you think? But that's not all. Clark also snatched the No. 1 spot on the Big Ten all-time assists list with an impressive 904 assists. Move aside, Samantha Prahalis, Caitlin Clark is here to steal the show.
Lastly, my fellow basketball enthusiasts, let's not forget about UConn. These Huskies have been on a steady rise, moving up three spots to land at No. 12 after a dominant win over Marquette, who was previously ranked No. 18. UConn, under the guidance of the legendary Geno Auriemma, has been defying expectations after hitting a low point in early December. But fear not, they are making a comeback, and they have their sights set on Creighton at No. 21. Let the games continue!
Oh, what a whirlwind of a week it has been in the world of women's college basketball. The rankings have shifted, new contenders have emerged, and the stage is set for an exhilarating season ahead. So folks, get your popcorn ready, because the action is just getting started. Stay tuned for more twists, turns, and jaw-dropping performances as these fierce basketball warriors battle it out on the court. Until next time, basketball fanatics, keep your eyes on the ball and enjoy the ride!
