TCU earns best ranking in 16 years in women's basketball poll as top 12 remain unchanged

 

[November 19, 2024]  By DOUG FEINBERG

No. 19 TCU entered The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll with its best ranking in 16 years Monday while the first 12 teams, led by No. 1 South Carolina, were unchanged.

The Horned Frogs joined the rankings after topping then-No. 13 N.C. State on Sunday. It was the team's first ranked win since 2021 and victory over a top 15 opponent in six seasons. TCU has its best spot in the poll since the school was also 19th in 2008.

“It means a lot as we build this program,” TCU coach Mark Campbell said of getting ranked. “We've come a long way. I inherited a program that was 1-17 (in the conference) and at rock bottom. Last year’s group laid an incredible foundation to springboard into this season.”

The Gamecocks remained the unanimous No. 1 team, receiving all 31 first-place votes from a national media panel. They routed their two opponents last week by an average of 36.5 points. South Carolina visits No. 5 UCLA on Sunday.

No. 2 UConn, No. 3 USC and No. 4 Texas followed South Carolina. No. 6 Notre Dame heads west to play the Trojans in a top-10 clash on Saturday. LSU, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Kansas State round out the first 10.

Stanford fell out of the rankings after losing at Indiana on Sunday.

Climbing the mountain
West Virginia moved up to No. 13 for its highest ranking since 2018 when the Mountaineers were 12th. After a win over Texas A&M, the Mountaineers have won 32 straight nonconference home games dating to the 2018-19 season. They could potentially face Texas in the Gulf Coast Showcase over Thanksgiving weekend.

South Carolina center Sakima Walker (35) shoots against East Carolina forward Amiya Joyner, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Falling Wolfpack
N.C. State has had a challenging start to its season, playing both No. 1 South Carolina and TCU on the road. The Wolfpack, who reached the Final Four last season, fell to No. 20 in the poll after the loss to the Horned Frogs. Coach Wes Moore's squad could face LSU in the Bahamas during Thanksgiving week.

Record breaking
UConn coach Geno Auriemma will have his first chance to become the all-time wins leader on Wednesday when the Huskies host Fairleigh Dickinson. UConn is bringing back many of its alumni for the game. Auriemma has 1,216 victories in his Hall of Fame career and is tied with retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer.

Games of the week
All eyes are on Los Angeles this weekend: No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 3 USC on Saturday and No. 1 South Carolina at No. 5 UCLA on Sunday. All four teams have looked solid in their wins so far, combining to go 16-0.

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