UConn Secures Top Spot in AP Poll
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The UConn Huskies have reasserted their dominance over women's college basketball, claiming the No. 1 spot in the latest AP Top 25 poll with an overwhelming 30 of 32 first-place votes.
After opening the season with commanding victories, the defending national champions have sent an unmistakable message: the throne remains theirs until someone proves capable of taking it.
UConn's Championship Pedigree on Full Display
UConn's early-season performance has been nothing short of spectacular. The Huskies dispatched Louisville 79-66 before demolishing Florida State 99-67 at home, showcasing the offensive firepower and defensive intensity that defines championship-caliber teams.
These weren't simply wins, they were statements of intent that reaffirmed why the program garners such widespread respect from voters nationwide.
Week 1 AP Top 25 Rankings 🏀 #NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/pa33DeHlMx
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 10, 2025
The voting margin tells its own story. Receiving 30 first-place votes reflects near-unanimous belief that UConn stands alone at the top. That kind of consensus doesn't emerge without reason, especially in a sport where parity continues to grow each season.
The Competitive Landscape
South Carolina refuses to fade into the background, holding firm at No. 2 with the remaining two first-place votes and matching UConn's 2-0 record.
Dawn Staley's Gamecocks represent the most legitimate challenger to UConn's reign, possessing the talent and coaching necessary to compete at the highest level. This rivalry will likely define the season's narrative as both programs pursue championship glory.
UCLA sits at No. 3, while Texas occupies the fourth position, rounding out an elite tier that features multiple legitimate contenders. Further down, Baylor surged nine spots to No. 7 after stunning Duke in Paris, while USC climbed ten places to No. 8 despite losing star JuJu Watkins to injury.
These dramatic shifts illustrate the volatility of early-season rankings, as teams prove or disprove their preseason hype.
Azzi Fudd has emerged as UConn's offensive catalyst, exploding for 23 points against Florida State with 20 coming in a blistering first-half performance. Her ability to take over games provides UConn with a reliable scoring punch when needed most.
Sarah Strong contributed 21 points in the same contest, highlighting the balanced attack that makes the Huskies exceptionally difficult to plan against.
When multiple players can score at elite levels, defenses face impossible choices about where to allocate attention. This offensive versatility may ultimately prove to be UConn's greatest advantage as competition intensifies.
Despite the impressive start, vulnerabilities exist. The schedule difficulty will escalate significantly, testing whether UConn's depth can withstand the grind of facing ranked opponents consistently. Maintaining focus and intensity over a full season poses challenges even for the most disciplined programs.
Complacency represents perhaps the most dangerous threat. Defending champions often face opponents treating each matchup as their Super Bowl, requiring sustained excellence night after night. One momentary lapse could provide South Carolina or another contender the opening they need to seize momentum heading into March.
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Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from the London School of Journalism and brings four years of experience in sports media coverage. He has contributed extensively to NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football content.