Michigan Climbs Rankings as Three New Teams Join Top 16

The latest ESPN women’s college basketball Power Rankings maintain their top five positions for the third consecutive week, while Michigan makes a notable rise. The teams at the forefront—UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and LSU—remain unchanged, but the rankings have been shaken up with the addition of three new entrants: Iowa, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. This brings the total of Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams in the top 16 to seven, highlighting the conference’s strength this season.

Top Teams Hold Steady Amid New Entries

The UConn Huskies continue to dominate, holding the number one position with a flawless record of 6-0. Their recent performance included a narrow 72-69 victory over Michigan during the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. The Huskies then secured a decisive 93-41 win against Utah, with standout performances from players like Azzi Fudd, who scored a combined 55 points across both matches.

The South Carolina Gamecocks, at number two, also remain unbeaten with a record of 6-0. They have showcased impressive offensive power, recently defeating Winthrop 106-56 and Queens 121-49. Key player Joyce Edwards leads the team, averaging 19.8 points per game while maintaining a shooting percentage of 61.3%.

UCLA Bruins follow closely at third, maintaining their unbeaten streak with a 6-0 record. They recently showcased their defensive prowess in an 88-37 victory over Southern. The Bruins have limited their opponents to an average of 53.3 points per game, with center Lauren Betts leading the scoring efforts at 15.2 points per game.

The Texas Longhorns remain fourth in the rankings with a 5-0 record. They easily defeated James Madison 95-56 and are set to face challenging opponents in the upcoming Players Era Championship. Texas is currently averaging an impressive 102.8 points per game, with forward Madison Booker leading the scoring at 17.0 points per game.

LSU Tigers round out the top five, starting the season with a remarkable six consecutive 100-point games, including a 112-49 win over Alcorn State. Although they have yet to face significant competition, their offensive capabilities remain noteworthy.

Newcomers Make Their Mark

The Iowa Hawkeyes made the most significant leap into the rankings, debuting at number 11 after a hard-fought 57-52 victory over Baylor. Despite losing their starting point guard Chazadi Wright due to injury, Iowa continues to perform strongly, with sophomore center Ava Heiden leading the team in scoring and rebounding.

Kentucky and Vanderbilt also make their inaugural appearances in the rankings, both remaining unbeaten. Kentucky sits at number 15 with a record of 7-0, highlighted by a significant win against Louisville. Vanderbilt, at number 16, has had a strong start to the season, including a victory against Cal in Paris.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, numerous tournaments may lead to further shifts in the rankings. With SEC teams displaying formidable performances and new contenders emerging, the landscape of women’s college basketball is evolving rapidly. Fans can anticipate thrilling matchups in the coming weeks, particularly with teams like South Carolina, UCLA, and Texas participating in the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas.

This week’s matchups will be crucial as teams vie for position ahead of the holiday tournaments, promising exciting developments in the women’s college basketball Power Rankings.