The latest weekly power rankings of women’s basketball teams in the western United States reveal significant shifts, with Colorado and San Diego State climbing up while Washington slides down. The rankings encompass teams from the Mountain West and former Pac-12 schools now aligned with various conferences including the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and West Coast Conference.
Top Teams in the Rankings
As of Monday, UCLA sits at the top of the rankings with an impressive record of 27-1 and 17-0 in the Big Ten. The Bruins maintained their position after defeating Washington 82-67 and Wisconsin 76-60. This victory marked UCLA’s first outright conference title in the NCAA era and extended their winning streak to 21 games. Notably, five of the six seniors on the team scored in double figures against both opponents, with Lauren Betts leading the way with 23 points against Washington.
USC remains in second place with a record of 17-10 and 9-7 in the Big Ten. The Trojans experienced a six-game winning streak before a narrow defeat to Ohio State, ranked No. 13, resulting in an 88-83 loss. Freshman standout Jazzy Davidson showcased her talent by scoring 32 points in the match, bouncing back after a cramping incident in the previous game against Wisconsin.
Climbing to the third spot, Colorado has turned heads with a record of 20-8 and 11-5 in the Big 12. The Buffaloes secured two vital victories against Arizona and Texas Tech, marking their fifth consecutive win and maintaining an impressive streak of eight wins in their last nine games. Their successful campaign positions them as a strong contender for March Madness.
Shifts and Highlights
Oregon remains at fourth with a record of 19-10 and 7-9 in the Big Ten. The Ducks managed to rally from a significant deficit to secure a win over Nebraska but fell short against Indiana. With their recent performance, Oregon faces challenges ahead, including a rematch against Washington.
In contrast, Washington has seen a decline, dropping to fifth place with a record of 19-9 and 9-8 in the Big Ten. The Huskies suffered defeats against UCLA and Nebraska last week, jeopardizing their position in upcoming tournaments.
Arizona State maintains its sixth position with a record of 22-7 and 9-7 in the Big 12, despite a challenging loss to Iowa State. However, they rebounded with a convincing win over Houston, marking their third victory in four games.
San Diego State achieved a remarkable feat by clinching at least a share of the Mountain West title, moving up to seventh place with a record of 22-4 and 16-1 after defeating UNLV and Fresno State.
Gonzaga holds the eighth spot with a record of 21-8 and 13-3 in the WCC. They are tied for the conference lead and are looking to finish the regular season strong.
Other notable mentions include Idaho and LMU, who continue to impress with solid performances in their respective conferences. As the season progresses, the competition intensifies, and teams aim for favorable seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
This dynamic landscape of women’s basketball underscores the excitement and unpredictability leading up to March Madness, with several teams vying for top positions and the chance to shine on a national stage.
