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Five takeaways from AP Top 25 women's basketball poll
UConn Huskies women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma. Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

Five takeaways from AP Top 25 women's basketball poll

In this week's Associated Press Top 25 women's college basketball poll, released on Monday, there is a unanimous No. 1 team and a lot of movement throughout the rest of the rankings. Here are five takeaways from the poll.

UConn stays atop rankings after latest rout

The UConn Huskies (23-0, 12-0 Big East) are the unanimous No. 1 team after picking up their 39th consecutive win dating back to last season in Sunday's 96-66 second-half runaway against then-No. 15 Tennessee.

In a top 10 that saw a lot of shuffling, including LSU (21-2, 7-2 SEC) moving up one spot to No. 5 as a result of Vanderbilt (21-2, 7-2 SEC) dropping its first two games of the season and falling two spots to No. 7, the Huskies are still being chased.

No. 2 UCLA (21-1, 11-0 Big Ten) is still close behind after an 88-65 beatdown of then-No. 8 Iowa on Sunday, and No. 6 Louisville (21-3, 11-0 ACC) achieved its best ranking in four years, but no team has been able to knock UConn off the top.

Even when its stars are not at their best or injuries take over, players like sophomore Allie Ziebell have stepped up and had program-tying performances. It is hard to see this Huskies team losing anytime soon as it searches for its seventh undefeated season in program history.

Ole Miss experiences the biggest jump

The Rebels (18-4, 5-2 SEC), up four spots to No. 13, are quietly putting together a solid resume following Friday's 83-75 win over a fifth-ranked Vanderbilt team, their second over a top-five opponent this season after previously taking down No. 5 Oklahoma, 74-69, on Jan. 8.

Ole Miss is 14-1 when leading at the half this season and has been led by senior forward Cotie McMahon, who averages 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. 

Duke, Texas Tech each rise three spots

The Blue Devils (16-6, 11-0 ACC) extended their longest winning streak to open conference play since 2012-13 with Sunday's 80-44 thrashing of Wake Forest, a game Duke led 42-10 at the half. The Blue Devils are tied for the sixth-most blocks per game (six) and have won 13 straight following a 3-6 start to the season.

The Red Raiders (21-3, 8-3 Big 12) climb to No. 18 after withstanding Marta Suarez's sixth double-double of the season in Sunday's 62-60 victory over then-No. 12 TCU. Texas Tech had lost three of its last four coming into that game after starting 19-0, but it looks like the Red Raiders may have found something against the Horned Frogs.

Tennessee, Maryland plummet

Despite going into the half tied at 42 with UConn on Sunday, the Lady Vols (14-5, 6-1 SEC) fall four spots to No. 19 after suffering their fourth 30-point loss in program history and the first since 1984. That is now back-to-back losses for Tennessee as it heads into a brutal closing stretch with six of its last nine games against ranked opponents.

The Terrapins (17-6, 5-6 Big Ten), down six spots to No. 22, are reeling after suffering their fourth straight loss. While the three losses before that were against ranked competition, Saturday's 68-61 loss to an Oregon team that had lost four of its last six definitely raised some eyebrows.

North Carolina rejoins the poll

The Tar Heels (17-5, 6-3 ACC) re-enter the rankings at No. 25, riding a four-game winning streak. Although each of those wins has been against unranked competition, the consistency has turned the Tar Heels' season around after dropping two straight beforehand.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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