As we begin February, talk of March Madness is getting louder in the distance. With just a few weeks left in the regular 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 Feb. 5, 2026.
25. Washington (LW: 23)
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 17-5 record is the play of junior guard Sayvia Sellers, who leads the team in scoring (19.1), assists (3.6), and steals (1.6).
While they have been inconsistent for much of the year, they do own key victories over Michigan and Maryland this season.
24. West Virginia (LW: 25)
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 as they head into the weekend with a 19-5 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 struggles against ranked teams. However, they got a much-needed win over Baylor to begin the month.
23. Maryland (LW: 19)
Maryland owns a rock-solid 18-6 record 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 17.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a night.
The Big Ten squad owns a win over Kentucky and is a force on offense (83.3 PPG). However, they have struggled big-time over the last few weeks, losing four of their last five. While they showed life with a huge win over Michigan State this week, the recent slump is why they are near the bottom of our new top 25.
22. North Carolina (LW: 24)
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.
21. Princeton (LW: 17)
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 18-2. 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 5.1 rebounds a night). But junior Fadima Tall (12.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals a night) has also played a key role in why they are a top 25 program. The big question is, can they hang with other teams in the college basketball rankings?
20. 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 (14.3), assists (4.0), and steals (3.1)
Unfortunately, the 14-5 Lady Vols saw a recent seven-win hot streak, including Ws over Alabama and Kentucky, get derailed after a pair of setbacks. One of them was a 30-point drubbing by No. 1 UConn.
19. Kentucky (LW: 18)
Year two for Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks is off to a rock-solid start, with the Wildcats owning an 18-5 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.
Junior Clara Strack leads the team with 16.2 points and 10.4 boards nightly. However, despite her best efforts, four of their last seven including against unranked schools like Mississippi State. It’s why they drop in our new top 25.
18. Alabama (LW: 20)
Head coach Kristy Curry has her Alabama team off to a strong 19-4 start and in line for a fourth straight trip to the tournament. 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 (16.0 and 13.0 points, respectively).
However, the Crimson Tide is among the top 25 because of its rock-solid defense. Yet, it wasn’t up to the task in recent losses to ranked competition in Tennessee and LSU.
17. Duke (LW: UR)
Duke head coach Kara Lawson has done a great job returning the program to conference title contender status over the last six years. And she has her 16-6 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 (17.7), rebounds (7.9), and blocks (2.1). After some early-season struggles, including a four-game losing skid, Duke has caught fire in recent weeks, winning 13-straight. Earning their way into our new college basketball rankings.
16. 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 14 boards a night. However, their once formidable defense has faltered in recent weeks, which has led to losing three of their last five. But a win this week over TCU is why they don’t drop again in our top 25.
15. 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 month of the regular season. They enter the weekend with a 20-4 record and have gotten some real strong play from sophomore Taliah Scott (20.4 PPG) and senior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10.9 points and 10.8 boards a night).
The Bears recently won eight straight, including a key win over Iowa State. However, a recent setback to West Virginia derailed their hot streak.
14. Ole Miss (LW: 15)
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks to have another good Ole Miss squad on her hands in 2026 as the Rebels head into the weekend with a 19-4 record. 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 (19.7 and 13.9 PPG, respectively), but they also have been reliable on the boards. Combining for over 16 rebounds a night. Yet, for as good as the duo is, the Rebels have become an inconsistent group, going 5-3 in their last eight.
13. Oklahoma (LW: 9)
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 88.0 PPG — fourth in the nation — and impressive play from freshman Aaliyah Chavez (18.5 points) and senior center Raegan Beers (16.0 points and 10.7 rebounds).
However, they have fallen out of the top 10 after losing four of their last seven, including to Kentucky and Texas.
12. Michigan State (LW: 13)
Michigan State has had a good season because of one of the best offenses in college basketball. The Spartans are eighth in the nation in scoring (85.5 PPG) and are led by star forward Grace Vanslooten.
The senior is first on the team in scoring (15.3 PPG) and is leading in blocks. She is part of a talented big and small duo with Kennedy Blair (13.8 PPG and 5.5 APG). However, the pair couldn’t stop them from losing three of their last five, including to Michigan and Maryland to start the month.
11. TCU (LW: 12)
TCU is off to a strong 21-3 start due to the performance of seniors Marta Suarez (15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds) and Olivia Miles (19.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists). Yet, it is the Horned Frogs’ defense that has made them a top 25 program again. The 54.3 points they give up to opponents is currently eighth best in the nation.
After winning 34 games and reaching the regional final last year, Mark Campbell’s team has continued that momentum. However, recent losses to Ohio State and Texas Tech are why they fell out of the top 10.
10. Michigan (LW: 10)
Michigan is among the top-10 scoring teams in the nation (87.8 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 18.7 PPG, and is adding 5.6 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 in our latest college basketball rankings.
9. Iowa (LW: 7)
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 winter with an 18-4 record.
Leading the way are sophomore Ava Heiden (16.3 points and 7.5 boards) and senior Hannah Stuelke (14.0 points and 8.5 rebounds). However, the duo couldn’t avoid a pair of losses to USC and UCLA recently, which is why they dropped in our latest college basketball rankings.
8. Ohio State (LW: 11)
Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (22.5 PPG) leads an Ohio State team that has been quite good on offense this season (84.5 PPG). While they have a loss to UConn on their resume, the 11th-best scoring team in the country enters the weekend with an impressive 20-3 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. They have slowly emerged as a top-10 caliber team, with their wins over Maryland and TCU. However, they hit a bump in the road recently named Iowa.
7. Vanderbilt (LW: 6)
Led by Player of the Year contender Mikayla Blakes (25.1 PPG), Vanderbilt is a top team in the country after a 21-2 start. Beyond Blakes, the Commodores are getting a big year from freshman guard Aubrey Galvan, who is posting 11.7 points, 3.1 boards, and 6.1 assists a night.
Vandy emerged as a top 10 team this season after key victories over LSU and Michigan. However, decisive losses to South Carolina and Ole Miss at the end of January have some questioning their championship potential.
6. Louisville (LW: 8)
Laura Ziegler and Taijiana Roberts have been the top stars for Louisville this season, and the duo is a major reason why the Cardinals own a 21-3 record heading into the weekend.
While the Cardinals have three losses, they have all come against ranked teams, including UConn. But they have scored some key wins over top 25 competition, such as North Carolina and Notre Dame.
5. 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 for the first time since the ’80s. A major reason why is the impressive output of Player of the Year contender Madison Booker.
The program’s top star leads the team in scoring (19.1) and rebounds (76.9), and is second in assists (4.0) and steals (2.5). Along with talented point guard Rori Harmon, the Longhorns offense is third in the nation with 88.3 PPG, and it’s a big part of why they own a 21-2 record heading into the weekend.
4. LSU (LW: 5)
Kim Mulkey’s LSU team is on the verge of winning 30 or more games for a fourth straight years for the first time since the 2000s. 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 leads the No. 1 scoring unit in the nation (98.9 PPG). Recent losses to Kentucky and Vanderbilt created doubt about their potential. However, they’ve reeled off seven victories since, including Ws over three ranked teams.
3. South Carolina (LW: 3)
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 this season by leading the program in scoring (20.3) and steals (2.0).
Losses to top 10 programs, Texas and Oklahoma, are the lone blemishes on their 22-2 record. The No. 5 scoring team in the nation has victories over four ranked schools, including Vanderbilt.
2. UCLA (LW: 2)
UCLA has several players who could be top 20 picks in the next WNBA Draft, including No. 1 favorite Lauren Betts. Besides a November setback to fellow top 10 program Texas, UCLA has been outstanding on the journey to posting a 21-1 record heading into the weekend.
Their strong play has been led by big seasons from senior guard Kiki Rice and Betts. The pair is combining for over 30 points, 15 boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals a night. They lead a formidable offense that is posting 86.8 PPG, which is seventh best in the country.
1. UConn (LW: 1)
Geno Auriemma has yet another UConn team that looks primed to win it all again this March. The Big East’s greatest program remains undefeated at 23-0, which includes victories over Michigan and Tennessee.
While they lost Paige Bueckers to the WNBA Draft, they haven’t missed a beat due to the strong play (pun intended) of senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong. The duo is combining for close to 40 points and 8 assists a night and leads the No. 2 offense in the nation (90.4 PPG).
However, they are the undisputed top team in the nation because of a defense that is giving up just 51.1 PPG, which is No. 1 in the country.
