The final Women’s College Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings drop right as conference tournaments fire up across the country, and there’s no shortage of storylines to track. The Texas Longhorns continue their stranglehold on the top spot, but plenty of movement has reshuffled the deck below. Let’s break down who’s peaking at the perfect time and who’s stumbling when it matters most in Sportsnaut’s Week 18 rankings.
10. LSU Tigers (Last week: 9)
The LSU Tigers (27-4) tumble to No. 10 after closing their regular season with back-to-back losses to No. 19-ranked Alabama and Ole Miss. Star Flau’jae Johnson is expected to miss the SEC tournament with shin inflammation, leaving Kim Mulkey’s squad vulnerable at the worst possible time. Her status for the NCAA Tournament remains in flux.
9. Oklahoma Sooners (Last week: Not ranked)
The Oklahoma Sooners (24-6) finished the regular season on a seven-game heater, propelling them to No. 9 in our power rankings. They’re looking to make serious noise in the SEC conference tournament and announce themselves as a legitimate threat in the NCAA Tournament.
Related: Undefeated national champions in women’s college basketball history
8. TCU Horned Frogs (Last week: 8)
The TCU Horned Frogs (28-3) secured the Big 12 regular season championship after edging No. 17-ranked Baylor, 51-48. TCU has won seven straight and carries that red-hot momentum into the Big 12 conference tournament.
Related: 5 Best NCAA Women’s Basketball Players Of 2024-25 Season
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Last week: 7)
After back-to-back losses threatened to derail their season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (25-4) rediscovered their mojo by defeating Louisville, 72-59. The victory clinched a share of the ACC regular season crown and has them back on track at the perfect time.
6. North Carolina State Wolfpack (Last week: 6)
North Carolina State (24-5) captured a share of the ACC regular season championship after handling SMU, 69-45. The Wolfpack has all the momentum they need heading into the ACC conference tournament, with an outside shot at climbing to a No. 1 seed if they can cut down the nets.
Related: Men’s College Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings Week 18: New No. 1 After Auburn Tumbles
5. UCLA Bruins (Last week: 3)
The UCLA Bruins (27-2) slide two spots after being swept by crosstown rival USC – their only two blemishes of the season. Does this late stumble cost them a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament? Their performance in the Big Ten conference tournament will be the deciding factor.
4. South Carolina Gamecocks (Last week: 5)
The South Carolina Gamecocks (27-3) secured a share of the SEC regular season title after defeating No. 12-ranked Kentucky, 78-66. Dawn Staley’s squad kicks off their SEC conference tournament campaign on March 7, where they’ll look to solidify their positioning for the Big Dance.
3. Connecticut Huskies (Last week: 4)
The Connecticut Huskies (28-3) closed their regular season by winning seven straight and capturing yet another Big East crown. UConn looks primed to steamroll through the Big East conference tournament before beginning their annual March championship hunt.
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2. USC Trojans (Last week: 2)
USC (26-2) swept powerhouse UCLA and captured their first Big Ten regular season championship in a statement-making finish. The Trojans have already locked up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and aren’t done collecting hardware as they eye the Big Ten tournament title to complete their remarkable conference debut.
Related: Undefeated national champions in women’s college basketball history
1. Texas Longhorns (Last week: 1)
The Texas Longhorns remain Sportsnaut’s No. 1 women’s college basketball team heading into March Madness after capturing a share of the SEC regular season crown. They’ll begin their conference tournament quest against Ole Miss on March 7.
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