Michigan Climbs to No. 2 in AP Women’s Basketball Poll After Beating UConn; South Carolina Remains No. 1

Michigan Women’s Basketball has reached a historic milestone in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. Following an impressive 77-66 victory over then-No. 2 UConn, the Wolverines climbed to No. 2 in Monday’s rankings, earning the highest position in program history.

Head coach Kim Barnes Arico and her team made a major statement with the victory, which was described as the biggest regular-season win in Michigan’s program history. The Wolverines entered the season ranked fifth in the preseason poll but have now moved beyond their previous best ranking of No. 4, achieved on February 7, 2022.

Meanwhile, South Carolina retained the No. 1 position in the first regular-season AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll after opening its campaign with victories over ranked opponents Maryland and North Carolina.

Michigan Women’s Basketball Reaches Its Highest-Ever Ranking

Michigan’s rise to No. 2 marks a historic achievement for the program and reflects the impact of its victory over UConn. The Wolverines defeated one of the most successful programs in women’s college basketball, showing they can compete with the nation’s elite teams.

Barnes Arico credited her players and coaching staff for the achievement, highlighting the importance of beating a highly respected opponent while earning a place among the country’s top five teams.

“To be in position today to beat Connecticut and be the No. 2 ranked team in the country, it’s just a credit to our players and credit to our staff,” Barnes Arico said in a phone interview. “To have an opportunity to be in the top five and beat the best program of all time this week was really special.”

The Wolverines’ previous highest AP ranking was fourth, making their current No. 2 position a new benchmark for Michigan women’s basketball.

South Carolina Holds the No. 1 Spot

South Carolina continued its strong start to the season by remaining at the top of the AP Top 25. The Gamecocks opened their campaign with wins over Maryland and North Carolina, both ranked opponents, strengthening their position as the nation’s leading team.

The national 33-member media panel gave South Carolina all but one of the available first-place votes. USC received the remaining first-place vote and secured the No. 3 ranking.

UConn, which entered the week at No. 2, dropped two places to No. 4 following its loss to Michigan. Duke completed the top five.

AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball Rankings

The latest poll features several major changes following the opening games of the regular season. Michigan’s rise was among the biggest developments, while Oklahoma made a notable seven-place jump after its season-opening victory over North Carolina in France.

• No. 1: South Carolina
• No. 2: Michigan
• No. 3: USC
• No. 4: UConn
• No. 5: Duke
• No. 6: Texas
• No. 7: Louisville
• No. 8: Vanderbilt
• No. 9: LSU
• No. 10: UCLA and Iowa (tied)
• No. 12: Kentucky
• No. 13: Notre Dame
• No. 14: Oklahoma
• No. 15: TCU
• No. 16: Washington
• No. 17: Ohio State
• No. 18: Minnesota
• No. 19: Oklahoma State
• No. 20: Maryland
• No. 21: Ole Miss
• No. 22: Illinois
• No. 23: North Carolina
• No. 24: West Virginia
• No. 25: Nebraska

Nebraska entered the rankings at No. 25, while N.C. State dropped out of the Top 25.

Big Ten Matches SEC Record With 10 Ranked Teams

The latest AP poll also highlights the strength of the Big Ten in women’s college basketball. The conference has 10 teams in the Top 25, matching the record previously established by the Southeastern Conference last season.

The SEC has seven ranked teams, including four inside the top nine. The Atlantic Coast Conference has four representatives, while the Big 12 has three and the Big East has one.

Michigan’s position near the top of the rankings adds another major achievement for the Big Ten, which has established a strong presence in the national poll.

Michigan’s Victory Over UConn Ends a 39-Game Regular-Season Streak

Michigan’s 77-66 victory was significant beyond its impact on the rankings. The result ended UConn’s 39-game regular-season winning streak and gave Barnes Arico another memorable victory against the Huskies and their legendary head coach, Geno Auriemma.

Barnes Arico has now led teams to victories over top-five opponents three times in the past five years. Michigan previously defeated No. 5 Baylor in 2021 and fifth-ranked Indiana in 2022.

She also has a history of ending remarkable UConn winning streaks. While coaching St. John’s, Barnes Arico helped the Red Storm end Connecticut’s 99-game home winning streak. Her latest achievement came with Michigan, which stopped the Huskies’ long regular-season run.

She is among the select group of coaches who have beaten Auriemma at two different schools, joining Texas coach Vic Schaefer.

“When I think back at UConn and Geno, I have the most respect for him of any coach that’s ever coached in our game,” Barnes Arico said. “He’s been able to maintain consistency and what he’s accomplished has been unreal and unheard of. To be one of two coaches that have beat him at two different places is really incredible. People go through a lifetime and never beat Connecticut ever.”

Her comments reflected the significance of the achievement, particularly against a program that has maintained an exceptional standard in women’s college basketball.

USC vs South Carolina Set for Sunday’s Game of the Week

One of the most anticipated matchups of the upcoming week will feature No. 3 USC visiting No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday. The contest brings together two of the country’s leading women’s basketball programs and offers an early-season opportunity to measure their strength against elite competition.

The teams met twice last season, with South Carolina winning both games. One matchup took place during the regular season, while the other came in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

USC will have JuJu Watkins back in its lineup after she missed the last 20 months while recovering from an ACL injury suffered during the NCAA Tournament in her sophomore year. Her return adds another major storyline to Sunday’s contest.

South Carolina will look to protect its No. 1 ranking, while USC will have an opportunity to challenge the top-ranked Gamecocks and strengthen its position among the nation’s leading teams.

What Michigan’s No. 2 Ranking Means for the Season

Michigan’s historic move to No. 2 is an early indication of the team’s potential this season. The victory over UConn demonstrated the Wolverines’ ability to deliver against a top opponent, while their new ranking places them in an unfamiliar but significant position in the national conversation.

South Carolina remains the team to beat after its strong opening performances, but Michigan’s rise, USC’s return to full strength and the continued presence of several powerful programs make the women’s basketball rankings especially competitive.

With major conference representation and high-profile matchups ahead, the coming weeks should provide a clearer picture of which teams can maintain their early-season momentum. For now, Michigan has made history, South Carolina remains No. 1, and the Wolverines have established themselves as one of the biggest stories in women’s college basketball.