The mid-January stretch of the 2025-26 season has officially turned into a game of musical chairs at the top of the rankings. The big story of Week 12 is the unprecedented dominance of the SEC, which placed a record 10 teams in the poll, fueled by a resurgence and an upset. As conference play intensifies, the margin for error has vanished, leaving us with a leaderboard that looks significantly different from just seven days ago. Check out college basketball’s Week 12 AP top 25 women’s rankings below.
25. Washington Huskies (15-4)
Washington Huskies head coach Tina Langley motions during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Huskies hold onto the final spot in the poll this week, maintaining their status as a resilient force in the expanded Big Ten. Despite the increased competition in their new home, Washington’s defensive identity has kept them relevant in the national conversation. Voters seem to respect their consistency, even as they navigate a brutal January schedule that offers no easy nights.
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24. Alabama Crimson Tide (18-3)
Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Students in the Crimson Chaos show their support during the Alabama vs Tennessee women’s basketball game at Coleman Coliseum. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
The Crimson Tide continues to surge under the radar, bolstered by a hard-fought 85-78 victory over Mississippi State this past Sunday. With 18 wins already under their belt, Alabama is proving they belong in the upper echelon of the historically deep SEC. Their high-octane offense has become a nightmare for opponents, keeping them firmly planted in the Top 25.
23. Georgia Bulldogs (18-3)
Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Ta’niya Latson (00) and Georgia Bulldogs forward Zhen Craft (8) battle for the ball in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Georgia makes a triumphant return to the rankings for the first time since 2022, and they did it by taking down giants. A massive 23-point win over Ole Miss, followed by two gritty road victories at Kentucky and Arkansas, made the Lady Bulldogs impossible for voters to ignore. Dani Carnegie has been a revelation, scoring 30-plus in back-to-back games to lead this veteran squad back into the limelight.
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22. West Virginia Mountaineers (17-4)
Iowa State Cyclones’ guard Jada Williams (8) gets high pressure from West Virginia Mountaineers guard Jordan Harrison (10) and guard Gia Cooke (3) during the second quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Credit: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Mountaineers remain a staple of the Top 25, though they’ve experienced some turbulence during the recent Big 12 gauntlet. Their 17-4 record reflects a team that is dangerous at home but still seeking that definitive ranked win. They’ll need to sharpen their perimeter defense as they head into the heart of a physical conference slate.
21. Texas Tech Lady Raiders (20-2)
Texas Tech’s Jalynn Bristow sports a 1993 national champions shirt prior to a non-conference women’s basketball game against Arkansas at United Supermarkets Arena. The 1993 Lady Raiders were inducted into the Ring of Honor. Credit: Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
One of the most surprising stories of the season, the Lady Raiders have quietly amassed 20 wins before the end of January. While they dropped two spots this week, their overall body of work remains incredibly impressive for a program on the rise. A 20-2 record is hard to argue with, and Texas Tech is proving they are a legitimate threat to win the Big 12 crown.
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20. Duke Blue Devils (14-6)
Paris, FRA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson calls a play against the Baylor Bears during the first half at Adidas Arena. Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
The Blue Devils are playing their best basketball of the season, highlighted by dominant wins over Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech last week. Duke remains perfect in ACC play, using a suffocating defense to compensate for an offense that is still finding its rhythm. If they continue this upward trajectory, they’ll be pushing for a top-four seed in the tournament by mid-February.
19. Princeton Tigers (17-1)
Iowa City, IA, USA; Princeton Tigers head coach Carla Berube reacts during the NCAA first quarter of the first round game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers remain the standard-bearer for mid-major excellence, having lost only once in their first 18 games. They’ve dispatched every Ivy League challenger with clinical efficiency, often winning by double digits without breaking a sweat. Voters moved them up one spot this week as a nod to their sustained excellence and discipline on both ends of the floor.
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18. Kentucky Wildcats (17-5)
Wildcats Asia Boone 8 steals the ball from Mikaylah Williams 12, LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball takes on the Kentucky Wildcats. Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
It was a sobering week for the Wildcats, who tumbled seven spots after a disappointing home loss to then-unranked Georgia and a road loss to Tennessee before that. The 72-67 defeat snapped a significant home winning streak and exposed some late-game execution issues that coach Kenny Brooks will need to address. Despite the slide, Kentucky remains a dangerous veteran team capable of beating anyone on this list on a given night.
17. Ole Miss Rebels (17-4)
Ole Miss Rebels cornerback Tavoy Feagin (21) dribbles up the court during a women’s college basketball game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion in Oxford, Miss. Credit: Bruce Newman/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Rebels are another victim of the SEC’s “cannibalization” phase, dropping after a lopsided loss to a red-hot Georgia team. Coach Yo’s squad still boasts one of the most athletic rosters in the country, but they struggled to find their shooting touch in Athens. They bounced back nicely against unranked Missouri, but should focus more on interior scoring and transition defense in the game against Tennessee, which has been postponed due to the winter storm.
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16. Maryland Terrapins (17-4)
Birmingham, AL, USA; Maryland Terrapins forward Allie Kubek (14) reacts after fouling out during the second half of a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament basketball game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Legacy Arena. Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Maryland slid one spot this week after losses to UCLA and Iowa, but they remain a central figure in the Big Ten title race at 17-4 overall. The Terrapins have shown flashes of greatness, but a few inconsistent quarters have kept them from cracking the elite top 10. With several high-profile matchups looming, Maryland has plenty of opportunities to rebuild their resume.
15. Tennessee Volunteers (14-3)
Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Jessica Timmons (23) and Alabama guard Diana Collins (20) combine to force a turnover by Tennessee guard Mia Pauldo (13) at Coleman Coliseum. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
The Lady Vols are currently leading the SEC, a feat made more impressive by the fact that the conference has ten ranked teams. Tennessee has remained perfect in league play, showing a level of maturity and poise that was missing in previous seasons. All eyes are now on their upcoming Sunday showdown against UConn, a game that could define their season.
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14. Baylor Bears (18-3)
Iowa State Cyclones’ guard Jada Williams (8) shoots the ball as Baylor Bears guard/forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (5) blocks during the second quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Credit: Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Baylor continues to hold steady in the mid-teens, serving as one of the Big 12’s most reliable defensive units. They’ve navigated the early conference schedule with relative ease, using their size to dominate the glass and limit second-chance points. As the schedule toughens, Baylor’s ability to win ugly games will be their greatest asset.
13. Michigan State Spartans (18-2)
Iowa guard Kylie Feuerbach (4) and Michigan State guard Kennedy Blair (35) reach for a loose ball at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Spartans have been one of the biggest movers this month, climbing the ranks after a string of decisive conference wins. With an 18-2 record, Michigan State has proven that their early-season success was no fluke, relying on a balanced offensive attack. Health will be the key for this group as they prepare for the meat of the Big Ten schedule.
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12. TCU Horned Frogs (19-2)
Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU’s Olivia Miles speaks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center. Credit: Sophia Scheller-Imagn Images
TCU saw a minor three-spot dip this week, but they remain a powerhouse in a very competitive Big 12 landscape. The Horned Frogs have a roster built for March, led by veteran guard play and a coach who knows how to maximize talent. Don’t let the small slide fool you—this is a team that can easily go on another double-digit winning streak.
11. Ohio State Buckeyes (18-3)
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kennedy Cambridge (3) shoots the ball against Penn State Nittany Lions guard Nyla McFadden (8) in the second half of the NCAA basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Credit: Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes fell out of the top 10 after a 91-70 thumping at the hands of Iowa in front of a raucous Carver-Hawkeye crowd. Ohio State’s signature pressure defense struggled to contain the Hawkeyes’ ball movement, leading to a rare lopsided defeat. They remain 18-3 and very much in the hunt, but the loss highlighted some defensive rotations that need tightening.
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10. Oklahoma Sooners (16-4)
Oklahoma’s Payton Verhulst (12) celebrates with Raegan Beers (15) at the end of regulation in the second half of the women’s college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the South Carolina at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla. Credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Sooners are the week’s biggest winners, jumping six spots into the top 10 after an overtime thriller against South Carolina. Aaliyah Chavez was the hero, dropping 26 points and dishing out 8 assists to hand the Gamecocks a rare defeat. Oklahoma backed that up with a win over Auburn, proving they are a legitimate national title contender.
9. Michigan Wolverines (17-3)
Michigan women’s coach Kim Barnes Arico calls to her team during the first half against Oregon at Matthew Knight Arena. Credit: Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Wolverines dropped two spots after a loss to Vanderbilt, but they bounced back quickly with a 94-60 win over Rutgers and a 73-67 win over USC. Michigan’s ability to grind out wins in physical games has become their calling card in the new-look Big Ten. They remain a top-10 mainstay, though they’ll need to find more scoring consistency to stay there.
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8. Iowa Hawkeyes (18-2)
Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke (45) shoots the basketball against Ohio State guard Jaloni Cambridge at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Post-Caitlin Clark life is treating the Hawkeyes just fine, as they jumped two spots following a dominant 91-70 win over Ohio State. Hannah Stuelke was named National Player of the Week after her masterclass against the Buckeyes, and the team has now won eight straight. Iowa currently sits in second position in the Big Ten, looking every bit like a Final Four threat once again.
7. Louisville Cardinals (19-3)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz celebrates his 500th win with his players after dispatching the Virginia Tech Hokies at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Virginia Tech 85-60. Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
The Cardinals moved up one spot with wins over Boston College, NC State, and Notre Dame, largely due to the chaos unfolding elsewhere in the top 10. Jeff Walz has his team playing inspired basketball, and their 19-3 record is among the most respected in the ACC. They are currently in the driver’s seat for a high seed in the tournament, provided they avoid further upsets.
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6. LSU Tigers (18-2)
MiLaysia Fulwiley 23, LSU Tigers Women’s Basketball take on the Florida Gators in Baton Rouge, LA. Credit: SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
LSU remains a dangerous floater just outside the top five, waiting for their chance to reclaim the spotlight. While they haven’t had the same flashy” wins as Oklahoma or Iowa lately, their 18-2 record is a testament to their talent. Kim Mulkey has the Tigers focused on the long game, prioritizing chemistry over early-season rankings.
5. Vanderbilt Commodores (20-1)
Virginia Cavaliers guard Gabby White (3) looks while Vanderbilt Commodores guard Mikayla Blakes (1) guards during the women’s basketball game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Virginia Cavaliers at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville. Credit: NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Commodores finally tasted defeat this week, falling in a 103-74 blowout to a vengeful South Carolina team. Despite the loss, Vanderbilt’s 20-1 start remains the best in program history and has earned them a top-five ranking. They previously beat Michigan in a high-profile matchup, which gave them enough of a cushion to stay in the elite tier.
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4. Texas Longhorns (19-2)
Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer takes Texas Longhorns guard Sarah Graves (6) off the bench during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Moody Center. Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images
The Longhorns had a much-needed week off to recharge after a brutal stretch of ranked opponents. Texas has survived a gauntlet that included LSU and South Carolina, emerging with a 19-2 record and a No. 4 ranking. With five consecutive ranked opponents ahead on their schedule, that rest will be put to the test immediately.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks (20-2)
Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Ta’niya Latson (00) and guard Raven Johnson (25) celebrate in the closing moments of their win over the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
The Gamecocks dropped to No. 3 after a shocking overtime loss to Oklahoma on Thursday night. However, they responded like champions on Sunday, absolutely demolishing a then-undefeated Vanderbilt squad by 29 points. Dawn Staley’s team shot a staggering 62% from the field in that bounce-back win, reminding everyone why they are the defending champs.
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2. UCLA Bruins (19-1)
Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) congratulates guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) after a 3-point basket in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Bruins move up to No. 2 this week, beneficiaries of South Carolina’s stumble and their own continued dominance. UCLA handed Northwestern an 80-46 shellacking on Sunday, showcasing a deep roster, with four starters reaching double figures. With 13 consecutive wins, the Bruins are officially the biggest threat to UConn’s undefeated season.
1. UConn Huskies (21-0)
Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (21) looks for an opening against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Cassandre Prosper (8) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Huskies remain the unanimous No. 1 choice, having extended their win streak to 37 games dating back to last year. UConn recently steamrolled Seton Hall 92-52, with freshman Sarah Strong nearly recording a triple-double in the process. They are the only undefeated team left in women’s college basketball, looking more like a machine than a roster with every passing week.
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Conclusion
This week’s rankings prove that in women’s college basketball, the only thing you can expect is the unexpected. The SEC has established itself as an absolute meat grinder. While UConn remains the steady North Star of the sport, the rest of the Top 25 is reeling from a week defined by statement wins and narrow escapes. As we head into February, every game carries the weight of a tournament seed, and the margin between No. 5 and No. 25 has never felt thinner.
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