On this week’s Associated Press Top 25 girls’s basketball ballot launched Monday, one powerhouse program continues to make a powerful case for the highest rating whereas solely three unbeaten groups stay after one other week of upsets and noteworthy performances.
Listed below are 5 takeaways from the ballot:
South Carolina provides to spectacular resume after one other ranked win
For the fifth time this season, the second-ranked Gamecocks (16-1, 4-0 SEC) defeated a ranked opponent after they took down then-No. 5 Texas, 67-50, on Sunday. 4 of these 5 wins have come in opposition to prime 10 groups. The lone setback got here to the present No. 1 crew within the nation, UCLA, in a 77-62 loss on Nov. 24.
Whereas South Carolina has 5 gamers averaging between 9.5 and 11.2 factors per sport this season, the lack of junior ahead Ashlyn Watkins (torn ACL) for the remainder of the season might forestall the Gamecocks from taking that subsequent step, given she averages 7.2 factors and 6.4 rebounds.
Though South Carolina has gained 9 of its previous 11 video games in opposition to AP prime 5 opponents, and the balanced manufacturing on offense is clear, Watkins’ season-ending harm might doubtlessly have a profound affect on its success the remainder of the season.
Solely three unbeatens stay after Maryland, Georgia Tech undergo setbacks
5 groups might have entered final week undefeated, however solely three are left standing on this week’s rankings.
No. 8 Maryland had combined outcomes with its first loss in opposition to No. 4 USC, 79-74, and an 83-68 bounce again win on the street at Wisconsin. The Terrapins stay at No. 8 regardless of the loss.
Though Maryland compelled 19 turnovers and managed the paint, 40-26, in opposition to the Trojans, it solely went 2-for-14 from long-range and misplaced the rebounding benefit, 47-40. With a four-game stretch in opposition to present AP-ranked groups on deck, Maryland should clear up these two areas if it will preserve its spot within the prime 10.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fall from No. 13 to No. 17 after shedding a pair of video games, each of which have been to unranked groups.
After a 15-0 begin, Georgia Tech (15-2, 3-2 ACC) gave up 105 factors to Virginia Tech and trailed by as many as 18 factors to Louisville after permitting 22 factors off turnovers. With a showdown in opposition to No. 3 Notre Dame looming on Thursday, Georgia Tech has to play higher protection and preserve from falling behind because it appears to reply after a tough week.
California sees greatest acquire in rankings after robust begin to ACC play
Th Golden Bears (16-2, 4-1 ACC), up six spots to No. 18 within the ballot, are off to a superb begin of their first season within the convention.
All 5 starters scored in double figures to guide California previous then-No. 21 N.C. State on Thursday, whereas a 50-point first half carried it previous Florida State on Sunday.
A street check awaits at No. 16 Duke this Thursday. If the Golden Bears preserve sharing the ball and stay balanced on offense, they need to proceed to pose a big menace to anybody that performs them.
Kentucky, North Carolina transfer up a number of spots after spectacular performances
Kentucky (15-1, 4-0 SEC), up three spots to No. 12, is considered one of solely three undefeated groups remaining in SEC play, together with No. 2 South Carolina and No. 5 LSU (18-0, 3-0 SEC).
Within the Wildcats’ win over Auburn on Sunday, senior guard Georgia Amoore made her mark because the first SEC player with 20 points and 10 assists in a conference game since Georgia’s Que Morrison completed the feat vs. LSU on Dec. 30, 2021. If Amoore maintains that manufacturing and sophomore heart Clara Strack (15.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG) continues to be a power underneath the basket, this Kentucky crew can go a great distance.
The Tar Heels (15-3, 3-2 ACC), up 5 spots to No. 14, picked up two key wins, together with a rivalry win over previously-No .14 Duke, 53-46 in additional time.
North Carolina, nonetheless, struggled in opposition to Boston School on Sunday. Whereas the Tar Heels gained, 80-67, it took a 26-10 run within the second half to take action. Contemplating Boston School (10-8, 1-4 ACC) is towards the underside of the league standings, that must be considerably regarding going ahead.
Minnesota, Oklahoma State be part of the rankings
Possessing the third-best protection within the nation (50.8 PPG), the Golden Gophers (16-1, 4-1 Huge Ten), now ranked twenty fourth, are off to their greatest begin by 17 video games and first rating since 2019. Sustaining that robust protection goes to be essential because the convention slate will get harder.
Oklahoma State (14-2, 4-1 Huge 12), additionally ranked twenty fourth, is ranked for the primary time since 2018 and off its greatest begin because the 2013-14 season. Though the Cowgirls took down a Seventeenth-ranked West Virginia crew, 64-57, on Saturday, they turned the ball over 24 instances. Oklahoma State won’t be as lucky in most video games if that continues.
