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UCLA Women's Basketball Dominates as Colorado, Arizona State Rise in Rankings
Bruins on track for No. 1 seed, while Utah and Stanford slip in Best of the West power rankings
Published on Feb. 19, 2026
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The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team continues to roll, solidifying their position as a top contender for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Colorado and Arizona State have climbed up the rankings, while Utah and Stanford have slipped in the latest Best of the West power rankings.
Why it matters
The power rankings provide a snapshot of the top women's basketball programs in the western United States, highlighting the shifting competitive landscape as teams jockey for position heading into March Madness. UCLA's dominance and the rise of programs like Colorado and Arizona State signal a potential shakeup in the regional power structure.
The details
The UCLA Bruins have maintained their stranglehold atop the Best of the West rankings, cementing their status as a team to beat in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Colorado and Arizona State have both made significant jumps, showcasing their ability to challenge the traditional powerhouses in the region. On the other hand, Utah and Stanford have seen their rankings slip, indicating potential vulnerabilities as the postseason approaches.
- The latest Best of the West women's basketball power rankings were released on February 17, 2026.
The players
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team is a perennial contender, known for their dominant performances and consistent success in the NCAA Tournament.
Colorado
The Colorado women's basketball team has been on the rise, climbing the rankings and emerging as a potential threat to the traditional powers in the region.
Arizona State
The Arizona State women's basketball team has also made significant strides, positioning themselves as a team to watch in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Utah
The Utah women's basketball team has seen a slip in their ranking, indicating potential vulnerabilities as the postseason approaches.
Stanford
The Stanford women's basketball team, a traditional powerhouse in the region, has also experienced a decline in their ranking, raising questions about their ability to maintain their dominance.
The takeaway
The latest Best of the West women's basketball power rankings highlight the shifting competitive landscape in the region, with UCLA continuing to lead the pack, while programs like Colorado and Arizona State are emerging as serious contenders. The slips in rankings for Utah and Stanford suggest that the traditional power structure may be undergoing a transformation, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable NCAA Tournament.
