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, the top six remain unchanged after a statement week, while the middle of the rankings get shuffled up. Here are five takeaways from the poll.

South Carolina adds signature win amid tough schedule

The Gamecocks (19-1) remain at No. 2 in the poll and still trail the top-ranked UConn Huskies (18-0), but a 12-game winning streak has them on the doorstep of that top spot if the Huskies slip up.

South Carolina avenged its only loss of the season to No. 4 Texas (19-2) with a 68-65 win on Thursday behind senior guard Raven Johnson's clutch play. The schedule only gets tougher this week with games against No. 16 Oklahoma on Thursday and No. 5 Vanderbilt on Sunday, but if Johnson continues to step up when they need some offense, the Gamecocks' eighth-ranked defense (53.8 PPG) is enough to keep them in any game.

Iowa achieves highest ranking in post-Caitlin Clark era

The Hawkeyes (16-2) move up one spot to No. 10, which is the highest they have been since Clark's 2023-24 senior season. Iowa has started 7-0 in Big Ten play and has won six in a row since a Dec. 20 loss to No. 1 UConn.

Iowa ranks fifth in the country in assists per game (20.9 APG), which was clear in Sunday's 75-69 win over then-No. 15 Michigan State when the Hawkeyes assisted on 23 of their 30 made field goals. Senior forward Hannah Stuelke has led the team in scoring the last two games, including 22 points (10-of-14 FG) against the Spartans.

Kentucky, Texas Tech drop

The Wildcats (17-3), down four spots to No. 11, suffered their second loss in their last four games after Sunday's 71-59 defeat to unranked Mississippi State. Kentucky has been known for its defense this season, but if the offense does not improve after scoring fewer than 60 points in the last two losses, it could be another long night on Thursday against No. 17 Tennessee.

The Red Raiders (19-1) drop two spots to No. 19 after suffering their first loss of the season. Texas Tech scored a season-low 59 points against Kansas State on Saturday and was outrebounded 46-20, including 17-3 on the offensive glass. That is not a recipe for success going forward if the Red Raiders cannot clean that up.

Baylor climbs four spots 

The Bears (17-3) rise four spots to No. 14 on a six-game winning streak, largely due to a defense that has allowed 70 points or fewer in all six of those wins. Sophomore guard Taliah Scott, the team's leading scorer (20.5 PPG), continues to shine after going off for 25 points in the win over BYU on Saturday.

This is not the most explosive offense and its only ranked win during the six-game winning streak was against an Iowa State squad that dropped out of the poll after losing five straight. However, the Bears' defense has been great all season and one of the reasons behind their recent surge.

Duke rejoins the poll as highest-ranked newcomer

The Blue Devils (13-6) return to the poll at No. 21 amid a 10-game winning streak after starting the season 3-6. Duke struggled offensively in those six losses, but also had difficulty getting stops defensively. Since then, the Blue Devils have only given up more than 70 points one time and are one of only two unbeatens in the ACC (No. 8 Louisville).