Jason Burgos
As we hit the final week of February, talk of conference tournaments and March Madness is getting louder. With only a few games left on the regular season schedule, teams around the nation are jockeying to improve their place among the top 25 ahead of selection night.
So, who are the best women’s teams in the country right now? Our new college basketball rankings look to answer that question, as of Feb. 26, 2026.
25. Princeton (LW: UR)
Like the men’s team, Princeton’s women’s squad continues to be a consistently competitive program. However, head coach Carla Berube may have her best team yet with the Tigers owning a 21-3 record heading into the weekend. While the team lacks size, they have gotten some really good play from a bunch of talented players in their backcourt.
Leading the way in 2026 is Madison St. Rose (16.5 points and 4.8 rebounds a night). But junior Fadima Tall (12.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a night) has also played a key role in earning their way into the women’s college basketball rankings.
24. Alabama (LW: 24)
Head coach Kristy Curry has her Alabama team off to a rock-solid 21-7 start and in position for a fourth straight trip to the tournament next month. And it is mostly due to great play from the duo of Jessica Timmons and Essence Cody. The pair leads the team in scoring (16.6 and 11.5 points, respectively), and are chipping in with 9 combined rebounds a night.
Yet, for as good as the Crimson Tide can be, they have struggled against top-25 teams this season. It’s why they land in the back of our new college basketball rankings, especially after losing four of their last five.
23. Georgia (LW: 23)
The last two seasons were tough for Georgia and head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. They had losing seasons and came nowhere close to sniffing a tournament birth. However, things are looking far different in 2026 thanks to the big-time play of transfer Dani Carnegie.
The Bulldogs’ leader in scoring (18.3 PPG) is a major reason why the team heads into the final games of the regular season with a 21-7 record. While they are inconsistent against ranked teams this season, they deserve a spot in our latest top 25.
22. Minnesota (LW: 22)
Coach Dawn Plitzuweit has done an outstanding job since taking over Minnesota’s basketball program in 2023. The school has won 20 or more every year and is on the verge of doing it again and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
The 21-7 team is led by strong play from guards Tori McKinney (13.7 PPG) and Grace Grocholski (12.6 PPG). While the Gophers were inconsistent over the first three months of the season, they have caught fire of late. Winning nine straight until a rough loss to Michigan State to begin the week.
21. Texas Tech (LW: 21)
In year six, Texas Tech coach Krista Gerlich may have her best team yet after the Lady Raiders began the year 19-0. That start was due to the impressive play of veteran guards Snudda Collins, Bailey Maupin, and Jalynn Bristow. The trio is posting over 40 points and 13 boards a night.
However, their once formidable defense has faltered in the new year. With all six of their losses coming since the calendar switched to 2026. Their inconsistent play is why they have fallen in our college basketball rankings in recent weeks, and losing three of their last four hasn’t helped.
20. Ole Miss (LW: 16)
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has another good Ole Miss squad on her hands in 2026 as the Rebels head into the final week of the regular season with a 21-8 record. The biggest reason why they will get a spot in the tournament is the play of senior forwards Cotie McMahon and Christeen Iwuala.
Not only are they leading the team in scoring (20.0 and 13.4 PPG, respectively), but they also have been reliable on the boards, combining for over 16 a night. Yet, for as good as the duo is, the Rebels have struggled in February. Losing four of their last six, including to South Carolina to begin the week.
19. Kentucky (LW: 17)
Year two for Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks is off to a rock-solid start, with the Wildcats owning a 20-8 record as we head into the last week of the regular season. Junior Clara Strack leads the team with 16.5 points and 10.4 boards nightly. However, despite her best efforts, Kentucky has been in a slump since early January.
The Wildcats have lost six of their last nine, with four of those setbacks against ranked schools.
18. Baylor (LW: 14)
Baylor opened the year with a big win over Duke and has, for the most part, continued that momentum into the final week of the regular season. They enter the weekend with a 24-6 record and have gotten strong play from sophomore Taliah Scott (20.3 PPG) and senior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10.8 points and 10.2 boards a night).
The Bears began the 2026 part of their schedule with seven straight W. However, they have been inconsistent in February. Losing three times to ranked competition.
17. West Virginia (LW: 19)
Since arriving in 2023, West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg has turned the Mountaineers into a prominent team in the Big 12. They have back-to-back 25-win seasons and are in position to do it for a third straight year as they head into the weekend with a 23-6 record.
They have worked their way into the top 25 due to a formidable offense that boasts four players scoring 11 or more points a night. The big knock against the Mountaineers is their record against ranked teams. Going 3-4 this season against top-25 competition.
16. North Carolina (LW: 20)
In 2024-25, North Carolina had their best year yet under coach Courtney Banghart, when it posted 29 wins and went to the regional semis. The Tar Heels are again a force in the ACC this season due to the play of Nyla Harris, Ciera Toomey, and Indya Nivar. The trio is combining for over 30 points and close to 20 boards a night.
While UNC hit some bumps in the road in December and early January, they have played very well over the last month. Winning 10 of their last 11.
15. Michigan State (LW: 18)
Michigan State has been a good team all season because of a top-10 offense that is putting up 84.1 points a night. And it has been spearheaded by star senior Grace Vanslooten. The forward is first on the team in scoring (15.0 PPG) and blocks (1.0), and is second in rebounds (6.5).
She is part of a talented big and small duo with Kennedy Blair (14.1 PPG and 7.2 RPG). Unfortunately, they have been inconsistent as we hit the conference part of the schedule in 2026. The Spartans have fallen in our recent college basketball rankings after splitting their last 10.
14. Ohio State (LW: 11)
Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (23.1 PPG) leads an Ohio State team that has been quite good on offense this season (82.8 PPG). It’s why the 13th-best scoring team in the country enters the weekend with a 23-6 record.
Along with the play of Cambridge, senior Chance Gray has provided a reliable secondary scoring threat (14.4 PPG), and center Elsa Lemmila has taken a nice step forward in her second season. However, February has been a rough month for the Buckeyes as they’ve gone 4-3 with all of their defeats coming to ranked teams.
13. Louisville (LW: 9)
Laura Ziegler and Taijiana Roberts have been leading the way for Louisville this season (combining for over 23 points a night), and the duo is a major reason why the Cardinals own a very nice 24-5 record heading into the weekend.
While the Cardinals have five losses, they have almost all come against ranked teams, including Duke earlier this month. However, they also have victories over three ranked programs, and it’s why they are among the top 10 teams in the country.
12. Duke (LW: 8)
Duke head coach Kara Lawson has done a great job of turning the program into a conference title contender over the last six years. And she has her 20-7 team in position for a fourth straight trip to the tournament next month. A major reason for another good season in Durham is the performance of sophomore Toby Fournier.
The forward leads the Blue Devils in points (17.8), rebounds (8.1), and blocks (2.2). After some early-season struggles, including a four-game losing skid, Duke has caught fire in recent weeks, winning 17-straight before a surprise upset to Clemson this week.
11. TCU (LW: 10)
TCU is off to a 25-4 start, partially from what seniors Marta Suarez (16.5 points and 6.9 rebounds) and Olivia Miles (20.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists) are doing on offense. However, the Horned Frogs’ defense, which is giving up 55.9 points a night, is why they have been a top 25 team all season.
After winning 34 games and reaching the regional final last year, Mark Campbell’s team is hoping for an even better showing next month. However, all four of their losses this season have come since the calendar switched to 2026. But it looks like they may have righted the ship and posted four big wins over Baylor and West Virginia recently.
10. Maryland (LW: 12)
Maryland owns a rock-solid 23-6 record due to some great play from a trio of guards. The group features WNBA prospect Yarden Garzon, but is led by junior Oluchi Okananwa, who is posting 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds a night.
The Big Ten squad is a force on offense (83.4 PPG). While it wasn’t enough to avoid a four-game losing streak to end January, the Terrapins have gotten hot in February. Winning six straight, including over a pair of ranked conference rivals.
9. Iowa (LW: 15)
Although Iowa took a step back last season — its first in four years without Caitlin Clark and legendary coach Lisa Bluder — year two for coach Jan Jensen has been better than some expected as they head into the weekend with a 22-5 record.
Leading the way are sophomore Ava Heiden (17.3 points and 7.6 boards) and senior Hannah Stuelke (13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds). Following a three-game losing skid a couple of weeks ago, the Hawkeyes have righted the ship heading into the final week. Winning four straight, including a big W over Michigan this week.
8. Oklahoma (LW: 13)
Jennie Baranczyk’s Oklahoma has played solid ball all season long and hit a peak with a 13-game win streak to end the 2025 part of the schedule. The Sooners did it with an offense that is scoring 87.2 PPG — fourth best in the nation. The offense has been led by freshman Aaliyah Chavez (18.5 points) and senior center Raegan Beers (15.9 points and 10.5 rebounds).
While five of their six losses have come in the new year, they have heated up over the last couple of weeks. Winning four straight, with the last three coming against ranked teams.
7. Michigan (LW: 6)
Like the men’s team, Michigan’s women’s basketball program is among the nation’s elite scoring units this season (85.0 PPG). And it is due to a trio of guards all averaging 12 or more points a night. But the best of the bunch is uber-talented sophomore Olivia Olson, who leads the team in scoring at 18.9 PPG, and is adding 6.0 boards and 1.8 steals a night.
The team’s five losses have come against top-25-level competition, including Iowa this week. However, they also have four victories over ranked schools, including two against Michigan State.
6. LSU (LW: 7)
Kim Mulkey’s LSU team is on the verge of doing something they haven’t achieved since the early 2000s by winning 30 or more games for a fourth straight year. A major reason why is the strong play of guards Milaysia Fulwiley and Flau’Jae Johnson.
The combo combines for close to 30 points a night and spearheads the No. 1 scoring team in the nation (95.5 PPG). All of the Tigers’ four losses have come in the new year, including to South Carolina last weekend. However, they still have victories over four ranked teams this season.
5. Vanderbilt (LW: 5)
Led by the top scorer in the nation, Mikayla Blakes (26.6 PPG), Vanderbilt is a top team in the country as they close in on March with a 25-3 record. Beyond Blakes, the Commodores are also getting a big year from freshman guard Aubrey Galvan, who is posting 12.8 points, 3.2 boards, and 5.9 assists a night. The duo front an offense scoring the eighth most points in the nation (84.8 PPG).
All three of their losses have come in the new year, including an upset to Georgia last week. However, Vandy still owns Ws over six ranked teams, including Texas and Kentucky twice.
4. Texas (LW: 4)
Vic Schaefer has turned Texas into a yearly powerhouse in the SEC, and the 2026 edition is on track to be the first to win 30 or more games in three straight seasons since the ’80s. A major reason why is the impressive output of Player of the Year candidate Madison Booker.
The program’s top star leads the team in scoring (18.7) and is second in rebounds (6.3), assists (4.0), and steals (2.4). She and talented point guard Rori Harmon (the team’s leader in assists and steals) lead a Longhorns offense that is fourth in the nation with 85.9 PPG. Their offense is a major reason why they own a 26-3 record heading into the weekend.
3. South Carolina (LW: 3)
Dawn Staley once again has another elite South Carolina team on her hands in 2026. While Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot are getting 20206 WNBA Draft buzz, sophomore Joyce Edwards has stolen the show by leading the program in scoring (20.1) and steals (1.9).
While setbacks to Texas and Oklahoma are the lone blemishes on their 27-2 record, the No. 3 scoring team in the nation (87.3 PPG) has victories over seven ranked schools, including over Ole Miss this week.
2. UCLA (LW: 2)
Outside of a November setback to fellow top 10 program Texas, UCLA has been outstanding on its journey to posting a 27-1 record heading into the weekend. The program has several players who could be selected if there is a WNBA Draft this year, including potential No. 1 overall pick Lauren Betts.
Along with the strong play of Betts, senior guard Kiki Rice has also played a huge role in their success. The pair is combining for over 30 points, 15 boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals a night. The fifth-highest-scoring team in the country (85.9) would be No.1 in a world without UConn.
1. UConn (LW: 1)
Geno Auriemma’s 2025-26 UConn team has been a dominant force and heads into the weekend with a sparkling 29-0 record. While they lost program great Paige Bueckers, they haven’t missed a beat due to the strong play of senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong.
The duo is combining for close to 40 points, 7 assists a night, and leads what is currently the second-best scoring team in women’s basketball (88.8 PPG). However, they are the undisputed No.1 team in the nation because of a defense that is giving up only 50.7 PPG, which is tops in the country.
