Five takeaways from AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll

Defending national champion South Carolina remains atop the latest Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll, which was released Monday.

Here are five takeaways from the poll: 

1. South Carolina locking down the top spot

Despite getting off to a rocky start against Michigan in the season opener, the Gamecocks are 4-0 and posted a signature win over then-No. 9 N.C. State on Nov. 10.

Chloe Kitts leads the team in scoring (17.3 PPG) and rebounding (10.3 RPG), ahead of MiLaysia Fulwiley (14.3 PPG), Te-Hina Paopao (13.5 PPG) and Joyce Edwards (10 PPG). 

With upcoming games against No. 5 UCLA, No. 8 Iowa State and No. 2 UConn, the Gamecocks must improve on their shooting from beyond the arc (31.2%) as their opponents get more difficult.

2. No changes in the top 10

The top 10 continues to hold serve after two weeks of play. Just below South Carolina at No. 2 is UConn, which got a game-high 29 points from Paige Bueckers in the team’s 69-58 win over North Carolina. Geno Auriemma needs one win to break the NCAA Division I record of 1,216 held by Tara VanDerveer for the most coaching wins in the history of men’s and women’s college basketball.

JuJu Watkins, who scored her 1,000th point Friday, leads No. 3 USC, while fourth-ranked Texas has scored at least 90 points in each of its first three games for the first time since 2017.

Challenging games remain for all. 

USC and No. 6 Notre Dame will square off Saturday, and No. 5 UCLA takes on South Carolina on Sunday. These top-10 matchups should create separation and show who truly belongs in the top 10 and who still has some work to do.

3. Kentucky makes biggest jump

Kenny Brooks has Kentucky off to a 4-0 start in his first season as Wildcats coach. Kentucky, up five spots to No. 15, is coming off a 71-61 win in overtime over Louisville, its first win over the Cardinals since 2015.

The Wildcats are led by former Virginia Tech standout Georgia Amoore. Amoore’s 34 assists are the most by a Kentucky player through the first four games of a season since at least 1999-2000. Clara Strack leads Kentucky in scoring (16.3 PPG) and rebounding (10.8 RPG). 

The two biggest concerns for Kentucky are turnovers (13.8 per game) and three-point shooting (27.6%). If it can improve in those areas, Kentucky will continue to make strides in Brooks’ first season.

4. North Carolina State, Louisville fall

North Carolina State has already suffered two losses in its first four games despite senior Aziaha James’ sensational efforts (47 points in the past two games).

With only two other players (Zoe Brooks and Zamareya Jones) averaging double-figure scoring, the Wolfpack needs more balanced production around James, especially considering the team’s three-point shooting (32.9%) and overall field-goal percentage (45.7%).

Louisville finds itself clinging to the final spot in the Top 25 after losing to Kentucky on Saturday. The Cardinals are led by freshman guard Tajianna Roberts, who leads the team in points (14.3 PPG) and minutes (28.2 MPG) and is shooting 50% from the field.

After opening the season with a 66-59 loss to No. 5 UCLA, Louisville is 2-2 and must fix its turnover problem (18.3 per game) if it is going to have any chance of climbing back up the rankings.

5. TCU the lone newcomer in poll

With its win over N.C. State on Sunday, No. 19 TCU snapped a 24-game losing streak to AP Top 25 teams. Sedona Prince and LSU transfer Hailey Van Lith each posted a double-double against the Wolfpack, becoming the first TCU teammates to accomplish the feat since 2004. 

For the Horned Frogs, huge games against No. 6 Notre Dame (Nov. 29) and No. 1 South Carolina (Dec. 8) await. If TCU improves its three-point shooting (32.8%), it has the balanced scoring to hang with anyone.