Texas Claims Top Spot in NCAAW Power Rankings as Notre Dame Slips After NC State Loss

Texas Longhorns Take Over as No. 1

The Texas Longhorns have surged to the top of the NCAA Women's Basketball Power Rankings following a dominant 57-26 victory over Georgia. This win, coupled with Notre Dame's double-overtime loss to NC State, has solidified Texas' position as the team to beat. The Longhorns, now 13-1 in the SEC, are tied for first place with South Carolina. Their next challenges are unranked Mississippi State and Florida, with a potential SEC regular-season title within reach.

Notre Dame's Brief Stay at the Top

Notre Dame's reign at No. 1 was short-lived after a tough loss to NC State, which snapped their 19-game winning streak. The Fighting Irish, now 24-3, will need to regroup quickly as they face two ranked teams to close out the regular season. This loss serves as a reminder that even the best teams can be challenged, especially by formidable perimeter play.

Baylor Bears Make Their Debut

The Baylor Bears, after a strong showing in the Big 12, have entered the rankings at No. 15. With a 15-2 conference record, Baylor is poised for a showdown against TCU to decide the Big 12 regular-season champion. The Bears' balanced attack, led by Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Aaronette Vonleh, has been key to their success.

Key Performances and Upcoming Games

• USC Trojans (25-2): JuJu Watkins and Rayah Marshall led the Trojans to crucial victories, setting up a high-stakes game against UCLA.
• UCLA Bruins (26-1): Lauren Betts' all-around performance has kept UCLA in contention, with a pivotal rematch against USC on the horizon.
• UConn Huskies (26-3): Paige Bueckers' stellar play continues to fuel UConn's dominance in the Big East, with upcoming games against Creighton and Marquette.
• South Carolina Gamecocks (25-3): After a disappointing loss to UConn, South Carolina bounced back with decisive wins over Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
• LSU Tigers (25-2): With only two losses to top-seeded teams, LSU remains a strong contender as they head into the final week of the regular season.

Conference Titles on the Line

As the regular season winds down, several teams are in prime position to secure conference titles. Texas and South Carolina are neck and neck in the SEC, while Baylor and TCU will battle for the Big 12 crown. USC and UCLA are set for a showdown that could determine the Pac-12 title.

Looking Ahead

The final week of the regular season promises thrilling matchups and potential upsets as teams jockey for position heading into the NCAA tournament. With the stakes higher than ever, every game counts in the race for conference supremacy and national seeding.