In a dramatic reshuffling of the AP Top 25 rankings, several teams faced significant changes following Sunday’s upsets. The results saw a collective drop of seven spots for the impacted teams, with Michigan and Louisville managing to maintain their positions in the top 10 at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively. Duke experienced the most significant decline, falling three spots to No. 12.
As the countdown to the conference championships intensifies, the lead teams showcased their strength over the weekend. UConn continues to dominate with 31 first-place votes, while other highly-ranked teams include UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and Vanderbilt, each showing impressive performances.
UCLA solidified its status as a national championship contender by clinching the Big Ten regular-season title, their first since 1999, with a resounding 20-point victory over Wisconsin. The Bruins hold an unblemished record of 17-0 in conference play and will look to conclude their season flawlessly when they face rival USC.
Conversely, Michigan is at a crossroads as they prepare to confront No. 10 Ohio State followed by No. 14 Maryland. A loss to Ohio State could see them drop to fourth in the Big Ten, complicating their path in the upcoming tournament.
In the SEC, South Carolina showcased their dominance by overpowering No. 19 Ole Miss to secure a share of their fifth consecutive regular-season title. The Gamecocks will have a chance to claim the title outright in their upcoming match against Missouri. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt claims the second position in the league, bolstered by strong plays from Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan, as they successfully edged out No. 16 Kentucky.
While the ACC is seemingly within Duke’s grasp despite recent challenges, Louisville’s potential title hopes dimmed after a home loss to Virginia. Duke now only needs to secure a win against Florida State to clinch their first conference championship since 2013.
In the Big 12, TCU holds a slight edge with a one-game lead over West Virginia and Baylor. The Horned Frogs are in need of a win against Cincinnati to secure at least a share of the conference title. A tenacious comeback win over Iowa State highlighted TCU’s resilience, led by Olivia Miles who notched a remarkable triple-double.
As the final week of the regular season approaches, the fluctuating standings in these major conferences ensure an exciting finish, with several teams poised for potential championship runs.