New Year, New Rankings. As college basketball hits Week 10, the season is beginning to separate contenders from pretenders. In this fourth edition of the rankings, we spotlight the teams making their presence felt, the programs still searching for consistency, and the breakout players reshaping the national picture.
UConn Huskies:
The Huskies (15-0) remain one of few teams undefeated but their play has created separation at the top amongst contenders. Sarah Strong (18.0 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.5 SPG) and Azzi Fudd (17.9 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.3 SPG) have powered this team all season.
Texas Longhorns:
The Longhorns (17-0) have had their way all season long, recently picking up over Ole Miss, led by Madison Booker who’s averaging 19.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 4.2 APG.
South Carolina Gamecocks:
The Gamecocks are now 15-1 led by Joyce Edwards (21.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 60.9% FG), who’s making a case for national player of the year. They also added Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 post player from France, who’s eligible to play this spring.
UCLA Bruins:
UCLA (14-1) has started conference play off strong with a balanced attack from their starters. Sienna Betts (7.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG) has been set active and proved to be an immediate impact for the Bruins.
Oklahoma Sooners:
Oklahoma are 14-1 on the season with freshman Aaliyah Chavez (18.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.4 APG), leading the way.
Vanderbilt Commodores:
Vanderbilt (15-0) took down LSU behind Mikayla Blakes’ 32-point performance to remain undefeated.
Kentucky Wildcats:
The Wildcats (15-1) was the team that ended LSU’s winning streak. Clara Strack has led them this season with 16.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, and 2.9 BPG.
Maryland Terrapins:
Maryland (15-1) dropped a close game to Illinois last week.
Michigan Wolverines:
Michigan are now 12-2 after taking a loss to Washington at the beginning of conference play.
Baylor Lady Bears:
The Lady Bears (13-3) showed that they are capable of competing with the best in the nation when they took down Iowa State, ending their undefeated streak.
11. Iowa Hawkeyes:
The Hawkeyes are now 12-2, on the season.
12. TCU Horned Frogs:
The Horned Frogs (14-1) dropped a game in overtime to Utah.
13. Louisville Cardinals:
After a rough start to the season, Louisville (14-3) seem to have found their footing in a recent stretch that included beating UNC and Tennessee.
14. Iowa State Cyclones:
Iowa State (14-1) have dropped a game to Baylor but still remain a contender.
15. Michigan State Spartans:
Michigan State (14-1) picked up an important win over a good Illinois team as they continue conference play.
16. Texas Tech Lady Raiders:
The Lady Raiders (16-0), are still undefeated on the season and yet have flown under the radar.
17. Tennessee Lady Volunteers:
The Lady Vols are now 10-3 on the season.
18. Ole Miss Rebels:
Ole Miss are 14-3 on the season after dropping a game to Texas at the top of SEC play.
19. Ohio State Buckeyes:
The Buckeyes are now 13-2 on the season.
20. Washington Huskies:
Washington (12-2) picked up an impressive win over Michigan.
21. UNC Tarheels:
The Tarheels (13-4) dropped a game to Stanford this past week.
22. Alabama Crimson Tide:
The Crimson Tide (15-1) dropped a game to South Carolina, ending their winning streak but bounced back against Arkansas.
23. USC Trojans:
USC (10-4) continues to struggle this season after a tough loss to UCLA. They look to turn the page against a good Oregon team.
24. Illinois Fighting Illini:
Illinois (13-2) came up short in their last game against Michigan State, but knocked down a top 10 team in Maryland the game before.
25. Notre Dame Fighting Irish:
The Fighting Irish are now 10-4 on the season after back-to-back losses to unranked teams in Georgia Tech and Duke.Upgrade