The latest AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll has been released, reflecting the early performances of teams in the 2025-26 season. UConn holds the top position with a 2-0 record, having secured victories in their initial games. They have maintained a record of 30 consecutive season-opening wins, a notable achievement in Division I. South Carolina follows at No. 2, also with a 2-0 record, and boasts an 81-game winning streak against unranked opponents. UCLA, Texas, and LSU round out the top five, each starting the season undefeated with records of 2-0, 2-0, and 3-0, respectively.

Among the notable shifts in the rankings, USC climbed ten positions to No. 8 after a 2-0 start, highlighted by consistent success in their opening games over the past 11 seasons. Baylor also made a substantial move, rising nine spots to No. 7 with a 2-0 record, including a victory over a ranked opponent in an international matchup. Conversely, Duke experienced the largest drop, falling eight places to No. 15 following a 1-1 start, with their loss marking the end of a streak of successful season openers since 2018. Additionally, Washington entered the rankings at No. 25 after a 1-0 start, achieving a large margin of victory in their first game of the season.

Other teams in the top 25 showed varied performances. Oklahoma, ranked No. 6 with a 1-0 record, has a history of strong starts under their current coaching staff. Maryland, at No. 9 with a 3-0 record, demonstrated resilience by overcoming a deficit in a recent game. NC State, now at No. 10 with a 1-1 record, recorded a win against a top-10 opponent from a competitive conference. North Carolina, holding steady at No. 11 with a 2-0 record, continues to dominate at home against unranked nonconference teams.

Further down the list, teams like Tennessee at No. 12 (2-1) and Duke at No. 15 (1-1) faced challenges in early matchups against highly ranked opponents, impacting their standings. Iowa State, at No. 16 with a 3-0 record, maintains the longest active streak of season-opening wins at 31 games. TCU, ranked No. 17 with a 2-0 record, has a strong home record with 25 consecutive wins. Notre Dame (No. 18, 2-0), Vanderbilt (No. 19, 1-0), and Oklahoma State (No. 20, 4-0) also remain in the rankings with solid early-season performances.

Lower in the poll, Iowa at No. 21 (2-0) continues a long streak of season-opening victories, while Louisville at No. 22 (1-1) showed competitive play against a top-ranked team. Kentucky (No. 23, 3-0) and Michigan State (No. 24, 2-0) posted dominant wins in their opening games, with Michigan State setting a new program record for points scored in a single game. The rankings reflect a mix of established programs and emerging teams, with upcoming games providing opportunities for further movement in the standings.

Several matchups in the coming days will test the current rankings. UConn faces Loyola Chicago, while South Carolina takes on Clemson. UCLA and Oklahoma are set to meet in a game between top-10 teams, and USC will challenge South Carolina in another high-profile contest. These games, among others, will offer additional insight into the relative strengths of the ranked teams as the season progresses. The early weeks of the season often bring adjustments in the poll as teams face varied levels of competition and adapt to new rosters and strategies.

The AP Top 25 poll serves as a benchmark for tracking team performance throughout the season, capturing shifts based on game outcomes and statistical achievements. As the season unfolds, consistent play and results against ranked opponents will likely influence future rankings. Fans and analysts alike will continue to monitor how these teams perform in their scheduled games, with each week offering new data points to assess the landscape of women’s college basketball.