Full Breakdown
UConn Women's Basketball Maintains Dominance in AP Top 25 Poll
2/17/2026, 10:22:26 PM
Geno Auriemma Achieves Milestone in Coaching History
Geno Auriemma, head coach of the University of Connecticut (UConn) women's basketball team, has tied Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances in the Associated Press (AP) women's basketball Top 25 poll. This milestone was reached as UConn retained its No. 1 ranking in the latest poll, marking Auriemma's 654th appearance in the rankings over his 41-year Hall of Fame career. VanDerveer, who retired from Stanford in 2024, also achieved this feat during her coaching tenure.
UConn's current ranking is part of a remarkable streak, as the team has been listed in the Top 25 for 621 consecutive weeks, dating back to the preseason poll of the 1993-94 season. The Huskies were again a unanimous choice for the top position from the 31-member national media panel. The latest poll, released on February 16, 2026, was the 900th in the 50-year history of the rankings.
Current Rankings and Team Performance
The top five teams in the AP poll remained unchanged, with UCLA and South Carolina following UConn at second and third, respectively. Texas and Vanderbilt rounded out the top five. UConn's record stands at 27-0 overall and 16-0 in the Big East Conference, showcasing their dominance with recent victories, including a 71-56 win over Marquette and a 94-44 rout of Creighton.
Duke has made significant strides, moving back into the top 10 at No. 9 after a 16-game winning streak, while Ohio State dropped to 10th following a loss to Maryland. Notably, Minnesota entered the Top 25 for the first time this season at No. 23, riding an eight-game winning streak.
Conference Representation and Upcoming Challenges
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) remains the most represented conference in the poll with 10 teams, followed by the Big Ten with seven. The Big 12 has four teams, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has three, and the Big East has one.
As the regular season progresses, key matchups loom on the horizon. Notable games include No. 6 Michigan facing No. 13 Iowa and No. 7 LSU taking on No. 17 Mississippi, both of which could impact conference standings and tournament seeding.
Official Statements & Responses
Amanda Braun, director of athletics at Milwaukee and chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, commented on the competitive landscape, stating, “This season, we’ve seen a high level of play across the country, and finalizing this ranking was a difficult task.” The committee's first reveal of the top 16 seeds for the NCAA tournament has UConn, UCLA, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt as the projected No. 1 seeds.
Criticism & Opposition
While UConn's performance has been lauded, some analysts suggest that the gap between the top teams and the rest of the field may not be as significant as previously thought. Critics point to the emerging competitiveness of teams like Duke and TCU, which have shown potential to challenge the established hierarchy.
What's Next
The NCAA women's basketball committee will provide another reveal of the top 16 seeds on March 1, with the full tournament bracket set to be unveiled on March 15. As the season approaches its climax, teams will be vying for favorable positions in the tournament, making every game critical in the coming weeks.
