Geno Auriemma was already the winningest coach in women’s basketball history, and he became the most ranked coach of all-time in the AP Top 25 on Monday when his UConn women’s basketball team earned a 16th consecutive week at No. 1 in the poll.
The Huskies have been ranked 655 times in Auriemma’s 41 years leading the program, surpassing the record previously held by legendary former Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer. Vanderveer retired in 2024 with 654 poll appearances across five years leading Ohio State and 38 with the Cardinal. She also held the all-time wins record at the time of her retirement, which Auriemma broke in November 2024.
Though UConn remains unanimous No. 1, its resume took a hit this week with Tennessee dropping out of the top 25 for the first time this season. The Huskies expected preseason that matchups with the Lady Vols, Notre Dame and USC would all be ranked wins, but all three opponents have since fallen out of the poll.
No. 13 Ohio State dropped a matchup with No. 22 Minnesota on Wednesday, and No. 10 Louisville got upset by Virginia on Sunday, knocking both teams down multiple spots. Michigan also dropped two places to No. 8 after an 18-point loss to Iowa. The Hawkeyes jumped four spots to No. 9 with the victory.
Princeton, led by former UConn standout Carla Berube, rejoined the poll at No. 25 after dropping out last week. Villanova also received votes after giving the Huskies their closest game of conference play on Wednesday. The Wildcats led at halftime of UConn’s 83-69 win. Villanova is the first Big East team besides the Huskies to earn votes in the top 25 at any point this season.
AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll: Week 16
UConn
UCLA
South Carolina
Texas
Vanderbilt
LSU
Oklahoma
Michigan
Iowa
Louisville
TCU
Duke
Ohio State
Maryland
Michigan State
Kentucky
West Virginia
Baylor
Ole Miss
Texas Tech
North Carolina
Minnesota
Georgia
Alabama
Princeton
How UConn reporter Emily Adams voted in AP poll
UConn
UCLA
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Texas
LSU
Oklahoma
Iowa
Michigan
Ohio State
Louisville
Maryland
Michigan State
Duke
Kentucky
Ole Miss
TCU
Baylor
Minesota
Alabama
Georgia
West Virginia
Texas Tech
North Carolina
USC
