LSU Cracks Top 10 in Latest Women’s AP Poll
St. John’s earned its first ranking in seven years after matching the best start in school history, entering The Associated Press women’s basketball poll at No. 25 on Monday.
The Red Storm (11-0) equaled the 2004-05 team that also won its first 11 games with Sunday’s win over Providence. St. John’s had a victory over then-No. 13 Creighton on Dec. 4, helping coach Joe Tartamella’s squad earn its first appearance in the poll since Dec. 14, 2015.
“It’s great to be recognized and I’m proud for our kids,” he said. “We know we have a long way to go in the year. Obviously to be recognized nationally, you can’t take that for granted. It’s been a while and to know this group got us back in is pretty cool.”
South Carolina remained the top team in the poll, receiving all 28 first-place votes from a national media panel. The top five was unchanged with Stanford, Ohio State, Indiana and Notre Dame following the Gamecocks. The Irish won a showdown with then-No. 6 Virginia Tech 63-52 on Sunday. The Hokies fell to eighth. North Carolina and North Carolina State were sixth and seventh. UConn and LSU rounded out the top 10.
LSU (12-0) finished its non-conference schedule unbeaten for the first time since the 2002-03 season. The Tigers played their first Power Five opponent on Sunday, routing Oregon State by 32 points.
“We just have a confident bunch right now,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “I wish we didn’t have to go home for the break. I wish we could go on and start some SEC play because that’s what builds a team.”
Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
Women’s AP top 25 as of Dec. 19:
1. South Carolina
2. Stanford
3. Ohio State
4. Indiana
5. Notre Dame
6. North Carolina
7. NC State
8. Virginia Tech
9. UConn
10. LSU
11. UCLA
12. Utah
13. Iowa
14. Iowa State
15. Maryland
16. Oregon
17. Arkansas
18. Arizona
19. Michigan
20. Kansas
21. Creighton
22. Gonzaga
23. Oklahoma
24. Baylor
25. St. John’s
Other receiving vote: Marquette 24, Virginia 21, Louisville 20, Villanova 11, Texas 5, Rice 4, Duke 3, Kansas State 3, Columbia 3, Nebraska 2.
