Vanderbilt Enters AP Top 25 After Decade, Texas Rises

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic (32) battle for the ball against Maryland forward Christina Dalce, center, and forward Allie Kubek (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, J

Vanderbilt has made a significant return to the Associated Press women's basketball Top 25, securing the No. 23 spot in the latest rankings. This marks their first appearance in over a decade, a noteworthy achievement for the team. Led by Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt's entry into the poll is a milestone, as they last featured in the rankings back on Feb. 10, 2014. The Commodores have also notched two wins over ranked opponents for the first time since the 2015-16 season, with a recent victory over then-No. 19 Alabama.

Meanwhile, Texas has surged back into the top five, displacing UConn to claim the fifth spot. Ohio State and Duke have also made significant jumps, rejoining the top 10. The top four teams, UCLA, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and USC, maintained their positions after avoiding upsets last week. UCLA, in particular, received 31 first-place votes from the national media panel, solidifying their dominance in the rankings.

UCLA stands as the sole undefeated team in Division I basketball following LSU's loss to South Carolina. Texas, LSU, Ohio State, and Duke round out the top 10, with TCU and Duke claiming the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. In a reshuffle of the rankings, Oklahoma State and Florida State have re-entered the Top 25 at No. 24 and 25, displacing Michigan, Minnesota, and Baylor.

Texas rises to top 5, displacing UConn.

Vanderbilt secures No. 23 spot after a decade.

UCLA remains undefeated, holds top spot.

Eight SEC teams and seven ACC teams ranked.

Notably, Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell recently welcomed her first child, Conor Scott, just a week ago. Despite dealing with the flu, Caldwell returned to lead the 18th-ranked Lady Vols in a game against South Carolina. The Southeastern Conference boasts eight ranked teams this week, while the ACC follows closely with seven. The Big Ten has five representatives, with Michigan and Minnesota dropping out of the rankings.

Looking ahead, key matchups include Columbia facing Harvard in an Ivy League showdown, and No. 12 Kentucky taking on No. 13 Oklahoma in an exciting clash. As the season progresses, fans can stay updated on the latest AP Top 25 rankings and women's college basketball news.

For more information and updates on the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll, visit here and here.