USC soars 11 spots in USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll
The USC Trojans are No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll.
The Trojans moved up a whopping 11 spots, but the rise in the rankings is entirely deserved after beating Ohio State last week. Ohio State was a top-eight team, and the Trojans handled the Buckeyes 83-74 in a convincing victory. USC went from No. 21 to No. 10 in a hurry.
The Trojans are No. 10 in both the USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll and the Associated Press version of the women’s hoops top 25. It’s quite a rise for a program which is getting the job done on and off the court. Lindsay Gottlieb brought in two five-star commitments this past Saturday for the Class of 2024. USC is stacking elite players and quickly becoming a destination program in women’s college basketball.
Here is the rest of the poll. As you look at the rankings, note how many Pac-12 teams are in the top 10:
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
South Carolina hammered Notre Dame and looks like an elite team once again.
IOWA HAWKEYES
Caitlin Clark led Iowa to a big win over Virginia Tech in a battle between two teams which both made the Final Four last season.
Follow Hawkeyes Wire for complete coverage. Listen to our Caitlin Clark podcast with Hawkeyes Wire.
UCLA BRUINS
UCLA is the highest-ranked Pac-12 team, but the Bruins have a lot of other Pac-12 teams joining them in the top 10, including USC.
UTAH UTES
Utah and UCLA give the Pac-12 two teams in the top four.
LSU TIGERS
Despite losing badly to Colorado, LSU is still in the top five.
Follow LSU Tigers Wire for complete coverage of the defending national champions.
STANFORD CARDINAL
Stanford was outside the preseason top 10. The Cardinal lost a few very important players in the offseason and were expected to have a down year. They didn’t offer any indication of that in their blowout win over Indiana, which thrust them seven spots up in the polls, from No. 13 in the preseason.
The Pac-12 has three teams in the top six.
COLORADO BUFFALOES
The Buffaloes crushed defending national champion LSU, yet are two spots below the Tigers in this poll. Colorado gives the Pac-12 four of the top seven teams in the poll.
Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage.
UCONN HUSKIES
UConn lost to North Carolina State but is still in the top 10.
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
Virginia Tech made the Final Four last year. The Hokies lost to Iowa in a showcase game this past week, but are still in the top 10.
USC TROJANS
USC has JuJu Watkins and Rayah Marshall, and a lot of solid role players. The formula is working for Lindsay Gottlieb and lead assistant Beth Burns, who are developing a program as well as one could have possibly hoped.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
Ohio State is actually No. 10 in a tie with USC, not No. 11. The Buckeyes should be behind the Trojans, given that USC beat them.
Follow Buckeyes Wire for more coverage.
TEXAS LONGHORNS
The Longhorns are trying to turn the corner and become a Final Four team.
Follow Longhorns Wire for complete coverage.
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
The Seminoles are seeking a Final Four breakthrough. They have come close over the years but haven’t gotten over the hump.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame lost to South Carolina.
Follow Fighting Irish Wire for complete coverage.
LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
The Cardinals beat DePaul to remain unbeaten.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
The Tar Heels are 2-0.
Follow Tar Heels Wire for full coverage.
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Indiana got hammered by Stanford but is still in the top 20. Indiana was No. 9 in the preseason poll.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK
N.C. State took down UConn and Geno Auriemma. The Wolfpack should be ranked higher in next week’s poll.
MARYLAND TERRAPINS
Maryland lost to South Carolina this past week.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
The Vols are 2-1, having lost to Florida State.
Follow Vols Wire for more coverage.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Oklahoma is 3-0.
Follow Sooners Wire for complete coverage.
DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Duke is 2-0 after one week of play.
BAYLOR BEARS
Baylor is 1-0, so the Bears are just getting started.
CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS
Creighton is 2-0.
OLE MISS REBELS
Ole Miss lost to Oklahoma this past week.
