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Vanderbilt Today
By the People, for the People
UConn Remains No. 1 in Women's College Basketball AP Top 25
Texas jumps South Carolina to No. 3, while Vanderbilt and Baylor take hits in latest rankings
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The UConn Huskies remained the top-ranked team in the final women's college basketball AP Top 25 poll before the NCAA Tournament. UCLA held steady at No. 2, while Texas overtook South Carolina for the No. 3 spot after winning the SEC Tournament championship. Vanderbilt and Baylor both suffered losses in their conference tournaments, causing them to drop in the rankings.
Why it matters
The final AP poll before the NCAA Tournament selection provides a snapshot of the top teams heading into the Big Dance. Seeding and matchups for the tournament are heavily influenced by these rankings, making them an important indicator of which teams have the best chances of making a deep run.
The details
UConn received 28 of the 31 first-place votes, cementing their status as the clear No. 1 team in the country. UCLA won the Big Ten Tournament but only received 3 first-place votes. Texas beat South Carolina in the SEC Tournament final to jump up to No. 3, while the Gamecocks fell to No. 4. Vanderbilt was upset in the SEC quarterfinals, causing them to drop from No. 5 to No. 6. Baylor also took a hit with a loss in the Big 12 Tournament, falling one spot to No. 21.
- The final AP Top 25 poll was released on March 9, 2026.
- The NCAA Tournament selection show is scheduled for March 16, 2026.
The players
UConn
The UConn Huskies are the top-ranked women's college basketball team in the country, maintaining their No. 1 spot in the final AP poll before the NCAA Tournament.
UCLA
The UCLA Bruins are ranked No. 2 in the country after winning the Big Ten Tournament championship.
Texas
The Texas Longhorns jumped up to No. 3 in the rankings after winning the SEC Tournament title, their first conference tournament championship since joining the SEC in 2024.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Gamecocks fell from No. 3 to No. 4 in the rankings after losing to Texas in the SEC Tournament final.
Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt Commodores dropped from No. 5 to No. 6 in the poll after being upset in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, ending their chances of earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
This final AP poll before the NCAA Tournament provides a clear picture of the top contenders for the national championship, with UConn firmly entrenched at No. 1 and several other powerhouse programs jockeying for position. The rankings will heavily influence the tournament seeding and matchups, setting the stage for an exciting March Madness.
