Full Breakdown
Women's College Basketball Rankings: February 2026 Update
2/2/2026, 9:02:47 PM
Overview of the Current Rankings
The latest AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll, released on February 2, 2026, sees the UConn Huskies maintaining their position as the unanimous No. 1 team, holding a perfect record of 23-0. Following UConn are the UCLA Bruins at No. 2 with a record of 21-1, the South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 3 with 21-2, and the Texas Longhorns at No. 4, also at 21-2. The LSU Tigers have climbed to No. 5 with a record of 21-2, marking their 12th game scoring over 100 points this season.
Key Movements in the Rankings
Notable changes in the rankings include the Louisville Cardinals, who have surged to No. 6, their highest ranking in four years, following a 14-game winning streak. The Vanderbilt Commodores dropped to No. 7 after a loss to Ole Miss, while the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes occupy the eighth and ninth spots, respectively. The Iowa Hawkeyes fell to No. 10 after consecutive losses, including a defeat against UCLA.
Performance Highlights
Several teams have made significant strides in their performance. The Ole Miss Rebels, now ranked No. 13, have shown resilience with a record of 18-4, winning 14 of their last 15 games when leading at halftime. The Texas Tech Lady Raiders, currently at No. 18, achieved their 21st win of the season, the most since 2012-13. Conversely, the Maryland Terrapins have struggled, dropping to No. 22 after four consecutive losses.
Upcoming Matchups
Key matchups this week include No. 17 Duke facing No. 6 Louisville, where first place in the ACC will be contested. Additionally, No. 2 UCLA will take on No. 8 Michigan, a critical game for both teams as they vie for supremacy in the Big Ten.
Official Statements & Responses
The rankings reflect a competitive landscape in women's college basketball, with many teams experiencing fluctuations in performance. UConn's head coach, Geno Auriemma, emphasized the challenges of maintaining an undefeated record, stating, “Remaining unbeaten is anything but easy.” This sentiment resonates across the league as teams navigate injuries and tough matchups.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics have pointed out the inconsistency among ranked teams this season, with 11 teams in the top 25 losing to lower-ranked or unranked opponents recently. This inconsistency has raised questions about the overall strength of the competition, particularly in super conferences where teams frequently face each other.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While UConn remains the clear leader, discrepancies exist regarding the performance of teams like Maryland and Iowa, with some sources attributing their struggles to injuries and challenging schedules. The impact of these factors on their rankings and potential postseason performance remains a topic of discussion.
What's Next
As the season progresses, teams will continue to battle for positioning ahead of the NCAA tournament. The upcoming games will be crucial for teams looking to solidify their standings and improve their chances for a deep tournament run.
