Well, well, well, South Carolina has started the new year in the most fitting fashion - sitting pretty right at the top of The Associated Press women's basketball poll. I mean, they're practically wearing a crown at this point. The Gamecocks have almost become synonymous with domination, receiving a staggering 34 out of 35 first-place votes from the national media panel. Talk about a winning streak.
But hold on a minute, folks, because UCLA wants in on the action too. They managed to snag that elusive No. 1 vote after defeating the formidable then-No. 6 USC in a thrilling Los Angeles showdown. The Bruins are making quite a statement this season, with four victories against top-25 teams under their belt. And get this, two of those wins even came at neutral sites! These Bruins aren't afraid to go on the road and show the world what they're made of.
Now, let's welcome Syracuse to the party, shall we? The Orange made their grand entrance into the poll at No. 25, and boy did they make an entrance. They took down the mighty Notre Dame, who was sitting comfortably at No. 13, and that wasn't an easy feat. The Irish fell to 16th, while the Orange proudly secured their spot in the rankings. These ladies are on fire, with only two losses this season, and they're hungry for a taste of the NCAA Tournament. It's been a while, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right?
Unfortunately, the Tar Heels didn't quite make the cut this time. After a 34-week streak, they bid adieu to the Top 25. It's a tough blow for North Carolina, but hey, they had a good run, one of the longest active runs, in fact. We can still applaud their efforts, though.
Moving on, let's take a look at the fierce contenders who follow South Carolina and UCLA. North Carolina State and Iowa come in at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively, bringing their A-game to the court. And let's not forget about Colorado, who climbed three spots to land at No. 5 after a remarkable victory against then-No. 12 Utah. These teams mean business and they're showing us just how much fight they have in them.
Speaking of climbing, Baylor certainly knows a thing or two about that. They soared up the ranks, a massive four spots to be exact, after triumphing over then-No. 5 Texas. It's quite the statement, especially considering the injury to their star player, Rori Harmon. As for Texas, well, they dropped to 10th, but they still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve.
Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the record-breaking prowess of Iowa's Caitlin Clark. She's a force to be reckoned with, folks. Clark skyrocketed to the fifth spot on the Division I all-time scoring list after dropping an impressive 35 points in the win against Minnesota. With 3,149 points, she's closing in on the legends like Kelsey Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, Jackie Stiles, and Brittney Griner. But that's not all - she also claimed the No. 1 spot on the Big Ten all-time assists list! Clark's passing skills are out of this world, with a whopping 904 assists. She's truly a game changer and a name we'll be hearing for years to come.
And let's not forget about UConn, folks. They're making their way up the ladder with a vengeance. After an unfortunate dip in the rankings, falling to 17th, the Huskies have rallied and climbed three spots to land at No. 12. It's like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes. Their most recent victory against then-No. 18 Marquette? Pure domination. Geno Auriemma's squad means business, and they're ready to take on the world.
So there you have it, folks, a rundown of the latest and greatest in women's college basketball. South Carolina remains the queen on top, but there are challengers eager to claim that crown. Regardless of who reigns supreme, one thing's for sure - this season is shaping up to be an absolute thrill ride. Buckle up, basketball fans, because things are about to get wild.
