As we close in on February, talk of March Madness is getting louder in the distance. With just a few weeks left in the season, teams around the nation are jockeying to land a spot in the top 25 and an automatic bid to the tournament.
But who are the best women’s teams in the nation right now? Our new college basketball rankings look to answer that question, as of Jan. 29, 2026.
25. West Virginia (UR: 22)
Since arriving in 2023, West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg has turned the Mountaineers into a serious force in the Big 12. They have back-to-back 25-win seasons and are in position to do it for a third straight year after a 17-5 start.
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. While West Virginia has played well this season, they continue to come up short against ranked teams. An upset loss to Utah in their last game has them on the edge of dropping out of our latest rankings.
24. North Carolina (LW: UR)
North Carolina had their best year yet under coach Courtney Banghart when it posted 29 wins and went to the regional semis last season. The goal was to maintain that momentum. However, they have hit some bumps in the road in December in Janauary.
Nevertheless, the Tar Heels are a team to respect in the ACC due to the trio of Nyla Harris, Ciera Toomey, and Indya Nivar. They are combining for over 30 points and close to 20 rebounds a night for their team.
23. Washington (24)
Washington coach Tina Langley has done a good job turning the program around over her first four seasons. However, this may be a peak year because the Huskies are on the verge of winning over 20 games for the first time in nearly a decade. A major reason for their 17-4 record is the play of junior guard Sayvia Sellers, who leads the team in scoring (19.2), assists (3.6), and steals (1.6).
While they have been inconsistent at times, they own key victories over Michigan and Maryland.
22. Georgia (LW: UR)
After a strong debut season as the head coach of Georgia, Katie Abrahamson-Henderson had to grind through a pair of losing seasons. However, the Lady Bulldogs have a chance of getting back to the tournament in 2026 as they enter the weekend 18-3.
Adding Dani Carnegie from the portal is a major reason behind their resurgence. She leads the team in points (18.9) and rebounds (6.0). Although they dropped three of four — all to ranked teams — to begin the year, they have rebounded in a big way with three straight Ws, including to Ole Miss and Kentucky.
21. Texas Tech (LW: 15)
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 15 boards a night. That and their strong defense are why they get a spot in our latest college basketball rankings. However, losing three of their last four continues their slide to the back of the top 25.
20. Alabama (LW: 21)
Head coach Kristy Curry has her Alabama team off to a strong 18-3 start this season. And it is mostly due to the great play of the big and small combo of Jessica Timmons and Essence Cody.
The pair leads the team in scoring (16.4 and 13.3 points, respectively), but they are also strong on the boards. However, the Crimson Tide is among the top 25 because of an above-average defense. Unfortunately, it didn’t help them avoid a pair of back-to-back losses to Auburn and Tennessee recently.
19. Maryland (LW: 17)
Maryland has gotten off to a rock-solid 17-5 start due to some great play from their quartet of guards. The group features WNBA Draft prospect Yarden Garzon, but is led by junior Oluchi Okananwa, who is posting 16.6 points and 5.6 rebounds a night.
The Big Ten squad that owns a win over Kentucky and is among the top scoring teams in the nation (84.2 PPG). However, it wasn’t able to stop a big drop in our new college basketball rankings after losing four of their last five, including to Ohio State and Washington.
18. Kentucky (LW: 12)
Year two for Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks is off to a rock-solid start, with the Wildcats owning a 17-5 record as we head into the weekend. Big Ws over Louisville and LSU are why they are deserving of a spot in our new college basketball rankings.
The junior Clara Strack leads the team with 15.5 points and 10.2 boards nightly. However, beyond the play of their top star, Kentucky has been a formidable team in the SEC because of a defense that is giving up 56.6 PPG.
17. Princeton (LW: 20)
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 after the Tigers have started the season 17-1. 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 junior Fadima Tall (13.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a night) and her senior teammate Madison St. Rose (16.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a night). The Ivy League team will be a sleeper in the tournament later this year.
16. Tennessee (LW: 16)
Kim Caldwell’s Tennessee squad boasts a crew that features four different players averaging 11 points or more per night. Including junior Talaysia Cooper. The talented guard leads the team in scoring (14.4), assists (4.1), and steals (3.4)
The 14-3 Lady Vols have lost all three of their games against ranked teams this season. But a pair of victories against Alabama and Kentucky recently is great evidence that Tennessee may be evolving into its best version as we get closer to the end of the season.
15. Ole Miss (LW: 19)
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks to have another good Ole Miss squad on her hands in 2026 as the Rebels head into the weekend 17-4. The biggest reason for their positive start is the dynamic play of senior forwards Cotie McMahon and Christeen Iwuala.
Not only are they leading the team in scoring (19.4 and 13.8 PPG, respectively), but they also have been reliable on the boards. Combining for over 14 rebounds a night.
Unfortunately, Ole Miss has been an inconsistent group in recent weeks. Despite a big win over Oklahoma earlier this month, they took a step back with a surprise defeat to Georgia.
14. Baylor (LW: 14)
Baylor opened the year with a big win over Duke and has, for the most part, continued that momentum into the new year. They enter the weekend with a 19-3 record and have gotten some real strong play from sophomore Taliah Scott (203 PPG) and senior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10 points and 10 boards a night).
After a recent slump where they lost two of three, they’ve reeled off eight straight Ws, including a big one over Iowa State.
13. Michigan State (LW: 13)
Michigan State has had a very good season because of one of the better offenses in college basketball. The Spartans are eighth in the nation in scoring (86.0 PPG) and are led by star forward Grace Vanslooten.
The senior is first on the team in scoring (15.1 PPG) and is leading in blocks. She is part of a talented big and small duo with Kennedy Blair (13.3 PPG and 5.4 APG), and they are a major reason why the team is 18-2 heading into the weekend.
12. TCU (LW: 9)
TCU is off to a strong 19-2 start due to the performance of seniors Marta Suarez (15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds) and Olivia Miles (19.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists). Yet, it is the Horned Frogs’ defense that has guided them to a top 10 spot. The 53.2 points they give up to opponents is currently sixth best in the nation.
After winning 34 games and reaching the regional final last year, Mark Campbell’s team has continued that momentum this season. However, recent losses to Utah and Ohio State are why they continue to slip in the top 25.
11. Ohio State (LW: 11)
Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (21.9 PPG) leads an Ohio State team that has been a very effective group on offense this season (84.4 PPG). While they have a loss to UConn on their resume, the 12th-best scoring team in the country enters the weekend with an impressive 18-3 record.
Along with the play of Cambridge, senior Chance Gray has provided a reliable secondary scoring threat, and Kylee Kitts has emerged as a consistent double-double threat. Although they came up short against Iowa recently, their wins against Maryland and TCU during a seven-game win streak before that show how dangerous they can be
10. Michigan (LW: 7)
Michigan is among the top-10 scoring teams in the nation (87.2 PPG) because of a quartet of guards all averaging 10 or more points a night. But the best of the bunch is uber-talented sophomore Olivia Olson, who leads the team in scoring at 18.1 PPG, and is adding 5.7 boards and 1.9 steals per night.
The team’s three losses have come against ranked teams, including UConn. It is why they are in the back of the top 10 of our college basketball rankings.
9. Oklahoma (LW: 18)
Following an early-season loss to UCLA, Jennie Baranczyk’s Oklahoma team got on a roll and won 13 straight. The Sooners did it with an offense that is scoring 89.1 PPG — third in the nation — and impressive play from freshman Aaliyah Chavez (19.1 points) and senior center Raegan Beers (16.6 points and 11.1 rebounds).
However, a recent three-game losing skid led to a big drop in the top 25. However, they rise in our latest college basketball rankings after a big overtime win over South Carolina.
8. Louisville (LW: 8)
Laura Ziegler and Tajiana Roberts have been a high-impact combo for Louisville this season. They are major reasons why the Cardinals own a 19-3 record heading into the weekend.
While the Cardinals have three losses, they have all come against ranked teams, including UConn. However, in recent weeks, victories over Tennessee and Notre Dame have shown that Louisville remains a dangerous team in the top 25.
7. Iowa (LW: 10)
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 far better as the Hawkeyes head into the weekend with an 18-2 record.
Leading the way are sophomore Ava Heiden (16.4 points and 7.7 boards) and senior Hannah Stuelke (14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds). While they hit a big bump in the road in a loss to UConn last month, they have bounced back emphatically with three straight Ws against ranked teams, including Ohio State.
6. Vanderbilt (LW: 4)
Led by sophomore Mikayla Blakes (24.7 PPG), Vanderbilt is a top team in the SEC after a 20-1 start to the 2025-26 season. The Commodores are also getting a breakout year from freshman guard Aubrey Galvan. The Illinois native is posting 11.5 points, 3.2 boards, and 6.3 assists per game.
Vandy was able to vault into the top 10 off of big victories over LSU and Michigan. However, a blowout loss to South Carolina this week is why they fall in our latest college basketball rankings.
5. LSU (LW: 6)
Kim Mulkey has an LSU team that can match Pokey Chatman’s groups from two decades ago and win 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 are combinging for close to 30 points and leads the No. 1 scoring unit in the nation (99.0 PPG). Recent losses to both Kentucky and Vanderbilt created questions about their potential this year. However, back-to-back wins over Texas and Oklahoma show they remain an elite school in the country.
4. Texas (LW: 5)
Vic Schaefer has turned Texas into a yearly powerhouse in the SEC, and the 2025-26 edition seems primed to do something they haven’t done since the ’80s by winning 30 or more games for a third straight year. A major reason why is the impressive play of junior Madison Booker.
The program’s top star leads the team in scoring (19.0) and rebounds (7.0), and is second in assists (4.0) and steals (2.6). Along with talented point guard Rori Harmon, the Longhorns offense is posting 88.8 points a night, which is fifth best in the country. However, tough losses to both LSU and South Carolina are why they are just outside the top tier of the top 10.
3. South Carolina (LW: 2)
Dawn Staley once again has another elite South Carolina team in 2026. While stars like Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot are getting WNBA Draft buzz, sophomore Joyce Edwards has stolen the show as she leads the team in scoring (20.6) and steals (2.1).
Losses to top 10 programs, Texas and Oklahoma, are the lone blemishes on their 20-2 record. The No. 4 scoring team in the nation has victories over four ranked schools, including Vanderbilt.
2. UCLA (LW: 3)
UCLA has several players who could be top 20 picks in the next WNBA Draft, including No. 1 selection favorite Lauren Betts. The lone blemish on their resume is an early loss to Texas, but outside of that, they are 19-1 and have wins over an outstanding seven ranked teams, including Ohio State and Oklahoma.
Their strong play has been led by big seasons from senior guard Kiki Rice and Betts. The duo is combining for over 30 points, 15 boards, 7 assists, and 2 steals a night. The duo is the focus of an offense that seventh-best in the nation (87.1 PPG).
1. UConn (LW: 1)
It’s another season, and Geno Auriemma yet again has a UConn team that looks primed to win it all again this March. The Big East’s greatest program has dominated its way to a 21-0 start, including wins over four ranked teams.
While they lost Paige Bueckers to the WNBA Draft, senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong are maintaining the program’s sky-high standard. The duo is combining for close to 40 points and 7 assists a night and leads the second-best offense in the nation (89.9 PPG). However, they are also the No. 2 defense in the country, giving up just 51.0 points a night.
