Women's college basketball rankings: Iowa reenters top 10, Geno Auriemma makes history with 655th week in poll
CBS Sports
by
Isabel Gonzalez
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The latest AP Top 25 rankings for women’s college basketball highlight a significant shift in the standings and a historic milestone for UConn head coach Geno Auriemma. Iowa has re-entered the top 10, climbing to No. 2 after defeating then-No. 6 Michigan. Sophomore Ava Heiden delivered an outstanding performance with her eighth career double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while also contributing two blocks and two steals. Her defensive presence held the Wolverines to their lowest point total of the season, showcasing Iowa’s strong finish to the regular season.
Meanwhile, unranked Virginia upset then-No. 8 Louisville in a thrilling 74-72 victory, while No. 9 Duke saw its 17-game winning streak snapped in a loss to Clemson. These results could have significant implications for NCAA Tournament seeding, as both winners and losers may see their bubble status affected. However, the top five teams remained steady, with No. 5 Vanderbilt narrowly securing a win against Kentucky.
UConn continued its dominant run, remaining the unanimous No. 1 team in the poll. This week marked a historic achievement for Auriemma, as he tied former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer’s record of 655 weeks in the AP Top 25 during her Hall of Fame career. UConn’s sustained presence at the top underscores its dominance in women’s basketball and solidifies Auriemma’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest coaches.
Elsewhere, Tennessee faced struggles with a loss to Oklahoma, marking their fourth consecutive defeat and dropping out of the rankings. The Lady Vols’ slide highlights the challenges faced by once-dominant programs. Meanwhile, other teams like South Carolina, Texas, and LSU maintained strong performances, solidifying their places in the top tier of the rankings.
Overall, this week’s rankings reflect the dynamic nature of women’s college basketball
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026