Women’s College Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings Week 17: New No. 1 After Notre Dame Tumbles

Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Credit: MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There was a big shakeup in Sportsnaut’s Women’s College Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings. We have a new No. 1 after Notre Dame’s shocking back-to-back losses. Check out who sits atop the list in our new power rankings.

10. North Carolina Tar Heels (Last week: 8)

The North Carolina Tar Heels (25-5) had a roller-coaster week. They secured a big win over Louisville on the road, but got manhandled by Duke, 68-53, in Cameron. The Tar Heels will look to put that loss behind them when they face Virginia on March 2.

9. LSU Tigers (Last week: 6)

The LSU Tigers (25-3) fall three spots following their upset overtime loss to Alabama, 88-85. That defeat came on the heels of LSU’s seven-point victory over Kentucky on the road. The Tigers close out their regular season on March 2 against Ole Miss.

8. TCU Horned Frogs (Last week: 9)

The TCU Horned Frogs (27-3) move up one spot as they’re currently on a heater, winning their last six games. They beat No. 18-ranked West Virginia by 21 and Houston by 35 in their last two contests. The Horned Frogs take on Baylor on March 2.

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Last week: 1)

After being No. 1, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (24-4) tumble six spots following back-to-back losses against North Carolina State (104-95 in double overtime) and Florida State (86-81). The road doesn’t get easier as the Fighting Irish face No. 25-ranked Louisville on March 2.

6. North Carolina State Wolfpack (Last week: 10)

The North Carolina State Wolfpack (23-5) shoot up four spots after their shocking upset win over Sportsnaut’s previous No. 1 Notre Dame. The Wolfpack followed up that victory with a 21-point win over Wake Forest. They next face SMU on March 2.

5. South Carolina Gamecocks (Last week: 7)

The South Carolina Gamecocks (26-3) have gotten back on track following their upset home loss to UConn, winning their last three games by an average of 28 points. They will be put to the test once again when they face No. 15-ranked Kentucky on March 2.

4. Connecticut Huskies (Last week: 5)

The Connecticut Huskies (27-3) extended their six-game winning streak by taking care of No. 22-ranked Creighton 72-53. The Huskies have one final game against Marquette on March 2 before the Big East Conference Tournament begins.

3. UCLA Bruins (Last week: 4)

The UCLA Bruins (27-1) squeaked by Iowa on the road by two before an easy 30-point win at Wisconsin. They will look for revenge on March 1 against USC, who handed the Bruins their only loss of the season to date.

2. USC Trojans (Last week: 3)

The USC Trojans (25-2) are in the midst of a six-game winning streak as their regular season nears its end. They defeated Illinois 76-66 and will face powerhouse UCLA on March 1.

1. Texas Longhorns (Last week: 2)

The Texas Longhorns (28-2) catapult to No. 1 on Sportsnaut’s Women’s College Basketball Power Rankings for the first time this season heading into March. They survived a scare against Mississippi State, winning 68-64, after defeating Georgia by 31 and holding them to just 26 points. The Longhorns face Florida on March 2 for their last regular season game.