UCLA Claims No. 1 Spot in AP Women’s Top 25 After NCAA Victory
In a historic achievement, UCLA has secured the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 following their victory in the NCAA championship. This marks the Bruins’ first time topping the national rankings, as they defeated South Carolina decisively, showcasing their strength throughout the season.
UCLA’s Championship Journey
The Bruins ended the season with unanimous support from the 31-member national media panel. Their triumph over South Carolina in the championship game capped off a remarkable year, solidifying their status as the best team in women’s college basketball.
Final AP Top 25 Rankings
The rankings after the championship are as follows:
- 1. UCLA
- 2. South Carolina
- 3. UConn
- 4. Texas
- 5. Duke
- 6. TCU
- 7. Michigan
- 8. LSU
- 9. Notre Dame
- 10. Vanderbilt
Historic Rankings and Achievements
UCLA remains one of only three programs featured in both the inaugural women’s basketball poll and this season’s final Top 25. Maryland and Baylor join them, with the Terrapins ending the season ranked 20th and the Bears at 23rd.
Virginia made headlines by reaching the Sweet 16, resulting in their first ranking since 2011, landing at No. 19. This was a historic return for the Cavaliers, who became the first team to advance to the regional semifinals after competing in the First Four.
Coaching Changes and Conference Performance
Despite their success, Virginia parted ways with coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton after her tenure, and the program’s long-standing presence in the rankings came to an end in November 2011.
The final rankings reflected a strong performance across conferences:
- SEC: 8 teams
- Big Ten: 8 teams
- ACC: 5 teams
- Big 12: 3 teams
- Big East: 1 team
With this remarkable achievement, UCLA has firmly established itself at the pinnacle of women’s college basketball, paving the way for future successes and bringing excitement to their dedicated fanbase.
