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Women’s college basketball rankings, Week 9: Conference play shakes things up

By Bailey Caldwell

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 15, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Kara Lawson of the Duke Blue Devils looks on during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 15, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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Conference play has arrived, and multiple upsets have caused a lot of movement in the AP rankings.

For the first time in four weeks, the top five teams in women’s college basketball rankings have changed.

South Carolina continued their streak at number one, with Stanford and Ohio State holding strong at two and three. Notre Dame moved up to number four, a spot previously held by Indiana.

The Hoosiers fell to number six after their first loss of the season. They lost to Michigan State in their Big Ten opener.

UConn moved up to the fifth spot after a dominant win over number 21 Creighton and a win over Marquette. The Huskies are almost back to full health and trending upward.

LSU continued its ascension through the rankings, moving up to number seven. The Tigers picked up a big win over number 24 Arkansas to open SEC play. Utah moved to number eight. The Utes kept their undefeated season alive with wins over Washington and Washington State.

Virginia Tech and NC State round out the top 10. Both fell victim to upsets to open ACC play. VT lost to Clemson, and NC State lost to Duke. The Wolfpack’s four-spot drop was the largest of any top-10 team.

Iowa State jumped four spots to number 11 following a win over Texas Tech. UCLA fell to 12 after a 1-1 week featuring a win over Oregon and a loss to Oregon State. Maryland moved up three spots to 13 after a dominant win over Minnesota.

Arizona continued its climb, moving up three spots to 15. The Wildcats took down rival Arizona State and Cal this week. Iowa dropped four spots to number 16 following a 1-1 week. The Hawkeyes defeated Purdue but lost to Illinois.

Oklahoma moved up three spots to number 17 after a win over West Virginia. Oregon’s loss to UCLA moved them down one spot to 18.

For the first time this season, Duke is in the rankings. They jumped to number 19. The 13-1 Blue Devils upset NC State to open ACC play and pulled out a victory over Louisville.

Meanwhile, UNC dropped a week-high nine spots to number 22 after back-to-back losses in ACC play. The Tar Heels are on a three-game losing streak.

Creighton rounds out the rankings, dropping four spots to 25 after their loss to UConn.

Women’s college basketball rankings, Week 9: Full Top 25

  1. South Carolina (13-0) (PREV: 1)
  2. Stanford (14-1) (PREV: 2)
  3. Ohio State (15-0) (PREV: 3)
  4. Notre Dame (12-1) (PREV: 5)
  5. UConn (11-2) (PREV: 8)
  6. Indiana (13-1) (PREV: 4)
  7. LSU (14-0) (PREV: 9)
  8. Utah (14-0) (PREV: 11)
  9. Virginia Tech (12-2) (PREV: 7)
  10. NC State (12-2) (PREV: 6)
  11. Iowa State (11-2) (PREV: 15)
  12. UCLA (13-2) (PREV: 10)
  13. Maryland (11-3) (PREV: 16)
  14. Michigan (12-2) (PREV: 14)
  15. Arizona (12-1) (PREV: 18)
  16. Iowa (11-4) (PREV: 12)
  17. Oklahoma (11-1) (PREV: 20)
  18. Oregon (11-3) (PREV: 17)
  19. Duke (13-1) (PREV: NR)
  20. Gonzaga (14-2) (PREV: 19)
  21. Kansas (11-1) (PREV: 22)
  22. UNC (9-4) (PREV: 13)
  23. Baylor (10-3) (PREV: 23)
  24. St. John’s (13-0) (PREV: 25)
  25. Creighton (9-4) (PREV: 21)

Others receiving votes

Illinois 32, Florida State 29, Arkansas 24, Villanova 20, Middle Tennessee 12, Texas 9, Columbia 7, South Florida 7, Tennessee 2, Nebraska 1

Notable games this week

 #23 Baylor @ #17 Oklahoma, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m. EST

This Big 12 battle will be a big test for Oklahoma. The Sooners allow over 70 points per game, and gave up 124 to their only other ranked opponent this year. The Bears are a very sound defensive unit as well, which will make things tough for the high-scoring Sooners.

#16 Iowa @ #14 Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m. 

This is a game for fans of offense. Caitlin Clark and Iowa face off against Michigan’s three-headed monster in Ann Arbor. Can Clark out-duel the trio of Emily Kiser, Laila Phelia, and Leigha Brown?

Depaul @ #5 UConn, Sunday, Jan. 8, 1:30 p.m. EST

Aneesah Morrow is one of the best players in college basketball, and is looking to lead DePaul to another postseason berth. Picking up a win on the road against UConn would be a strong pick up for the Blue Demons. Morrow will have her hands full, though. Aaliyah Edwards has been on fire over the last few weeks.