The latest edition of the AP Top 25 rankings for women’s college basketball has been released.
UConn holds onto the No. 1 spot, while Washington makes its debut in the rankings at No. 25 after not being previously ranked.
USC, now at No. 8 after rising 10 places, and Baylor, which improved by nine to reach No. 7, experienced the most significant upward movement following the initial week of competition.
Duke has slipped eight positions to No. 15.
What are the implications of these shifts within the AP Top 25? Let’s delve into a detailed analysis of the rankings.
Statistical data is provided by ESPN Research and The Associated Press.
All times are in Eastern Standard Time
Prior ranking: 1
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: UConn boasts a streak of 30 consecutive victories in season-opening games, marking the second-longest active streak in Division I.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Loyola Chicago, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., to be broadcasted on TruTV
Prior ranking: 2
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: South Carolina demonstrates dominance with 81 consecutive victories against opponents not ranked in the Top 25.
Up Next: Tuesday match against Clemson, scheduled for 6 p.m., to be televised on ESPN2
Prior ranking: 3
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Gabriela Jaquez achieved a personal best with four successful 3-point shots during the game against Santa Barbara.
Up Next: Monday game against Oklahoma, scheduled for 10:30 p.m., to be broadcasted on FS1
Prior ranking: 4
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Texas has secured victories in its last five season-opening contests.
Up Next: Monday game against Louisiana, scheduled for 8 p.m., to be available on SEC Network+
Prior ranking: 5
2025-26 season record: 3-0
Key Statistic: LSU has won four of its last five season-opening games with a margin of 40 points or greater.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Charlotte, scheduled for 8 p.m., to be available on SEC Network+
Prior ranking: 6
2025-26 season record: 1-0
Key Statistic: Oklahoma maintains a perfect 5-0 record in season-opening games under the leadership of Jennie Baranczyk.
Up Next: Monday game against UCLA, scheduled for 10:30 p.m., to be broadcasted on FS1
Prior ranking: 16
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Including their season-opening triumph over Duke in Paris last week, Baylor boasts a 16-1 record when competing outside of the United States.
Up Next: Friday game at UNLV, scheduled for 9 p.m., to be televised on CBS Sports Network
Prior ranking: 18
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: USC has achieved victory in 11 consecutive season-opening games.
Up Next: Saturday game against South Carolina, scheduled for 9 p.m., to be broadcasted on ESPN
Prior ranking: 10
2025-26 season record: 3-0
Key Statistic: Maryland outscored Georgetown 34-9 in the final quarter of their Sunday game, successfully overcoming a 10-point deficit.
Up Next: Thursday game against Towson, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on Big Ten Plus
Prior ranking: 9
2025-26 season record: 1-1
Key Statistic: NC State’s victory over Tennessee marked only their second win against a top-10 SEC opponent since the 1999-00 season.
Up Next: Tuesday game against Maine, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on ACC Extra
Prior ranking: 11
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: UNC maintains a 30-game winning streak at home against nonconference opponents that are not ranked.
Up Next: Thursday game against UCLA, scheduled for 9 p.m., to be televised on ESPN2
Prior ranking: 8
2025-26 season record: 2-1
Key Statistic: Tennessee has suffered defeats in their last six matchups against top-10 opponents.
Up Next: Thursday game against Belmont, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be televised on SEC Network
Prior ranking: 12
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Cotie McMahon achieved her 1,500th career point during Ole Miss’s victory over Alabama A&M.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Southern, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on SEC Network +
Prior ranking: 13
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Michigan forced a total of 45 turnovers in their season-opening game against Canisius.
Up Next: Saturday game against Notre Dame, scheduled for 4 p.m., to be broadcasted on NBC
Prior ranking: 7
2025-26 season record: 1-1
Key Statistic: Duke’s defeat against Baylor marked their first loss in a season opener since 2018.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Norfolk State, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on ACC Extra
Prior ranking: 14
2025-26 season record: 3-0
Key Statistic: Iowa State has achieved victory in 31 consecutive season-opening games, holding the longest streak in the nation.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Valparaiso, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., to be available on ESPN+
Prior ranking: 17
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: TCU boasts a streak of 25 consecutive home game victories.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Tennessee State, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., to be available on ESPN+
Prior ranking: 15
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Gisela Sanchez recorded her first career double-double in the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Akron, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on ACC Extra
Prior ranking: 19
2025-26 season record: 1-0
Key Statistic: Vanderbilt’s victory in their season opener held in France marked their first win in five games played outside of the United States.
Up Next: Monday game against Furman, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be televised on SEC Network
Prior ranking: 22
2025-26 season record: 4-0
Key Statistic: Oklahoma State initiated their game against Langston with an impressive 26-0 run.
Up Next: Tuesday game against Prairie View, scheduled for noon, to be available on ESPN+
Prior ranking: 21
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: Iowa has now achieved victory in 26 consecutive season-opening games.
Up Next: Thursday game against Iowa, scheduled for 8:30 p.m., to be televised on Big Ten Network
Prior ranking: 20
2025-26 season record: 1-1
Key Statistic: Laura Ziegler’s impressive 18 rebounds against UConn represents the highest number of rebounds recorded by a Louisville player against a ranked opponent since 2008.
Up Next: Wednesday game against Colorado, scheduled for 7 p.m., to be available on ACC Extra
Prior ranking: 24
2025-26 season record: 3-0
Key Statistic: Kentucky commenced their game against Monmouth with a dominant 21-1 run, with Monmouth failing to score their first field goal until the 1:43 mark in the first quarter.
Up Next: Wednesday game against South Carolina Upstate, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., to be available on SEC Network+
Prior ranking: 23
2025-26 season record: 2-0
Key Statistic: During their overwhelming 125-39 victory over Mercyhurst in the season opener, Michigan State surpassed their previous school record for the most points scored in a single game (116).
Up Next: Wednesday game against Youngstown State, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., to be available on Big Ten Plus
Prior ranking: NR
2025-26 season record: 1-0
Key Statistic: The Huskies secured a decisive 90-43 victory over Seattle U in their season opener, with the resulting 47-point margin marking the largest in the series’ history.
Up Next: Monday game against Montana, scheduled for 9 p.m., to be available on Big Ten+
