Five takeaways from AP Top 25 women's basketball poll

Following an upset-filled week of action, this week's Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll, released on Monday, features a new No. 1 team and a pair of programs dropping after suffering rare setbacks.

Here are five takeaways from the poll.

Notre Dame claims top spot

For the first time since 2019, the Fighting Irish (22-2, 13-0 ACC) are the top-ranked team in the country. In Notre Dame's win over Pittsburgh on Thursday, guard Olivia Miles hit eight threes and scored 28 points. Her eight triples are tied with Sheila McMillen (1998) for the most in a game in Notre Dame history.

With sophomore Hannah Hidalgo averaging 25.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.1 steals per game and Miles' versatility, Notre Dame is in an excellent position to win the ACC and make a deep run in March.

Bruins unbeaten no more

A few days removed from a disappointing 71-60 loss to then-No. 6 USC, the UCLA Bruins (24-1, 12-1 Big Ten) fall from No. 1 to No. 3 after losing for the first time this season. UCLA was outscored, 24-8, in the fourth quarter, committed 20 turnovers and only went 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from deep.

With a rematch against the Trojans looming on March 1, UCLA must clean up those areas to return to form and avenge its only current loss of the season.

For USC (23-2, 13-1 Big Ten), up two spots to No. 4, it was out-rebounded, 45-35, and only shot 33.3 percent from the floor. Still, the team's star sophomore, JuJu Watkins, was sensational with 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and eight blocks against UCLA.

While each of USC's final three games are against current AP-ranked teams, this is a team no one is going to want to play if Watkins is playing at that level the rest of the way.

Texas achieves highest ranking since 2017

The Longhorns (26-2, 12-1 SEC), up one spot to No. 2, are the first team to beat three straight top-10 opponents since 2004-05 after wins over No. 2 South Carolina, No. 8 Kentucky and No. 5 LSU.

With three unranked teams remaining on Texas' schedule and a consistent defense that has allowed 66 points or fewer in each of its last seven games, this team has more than enough star power on offense with forward Madison Booker (16.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG) leading the way.

UConn climbs two spots after making statement on the road

With a commanding 87-58 win over previously No. 4 South Carolina, the Huskies (24-3, 14-0 Big East) move up two spots to No. 5. The blowout win at the Gamecocks was UConn's 16th 20-point win over an AP top five team in the last 25 seasons. That is 13 more than any other school in that time frame.

The performance was so dominant that it was South Carolina's biggest home loss since another 29-point defeat at the hands of UConn in 2008. South Carolina's 71-game home winning streak was also snapped. 

If UConn can play with that kind of dominance, especially with star Paige Bueckers only putting up 12 points (3-of-12 FG), this could be the start of a strong finish to the season for a program that is no stranger to success.

Illinois joins rankings after setting program record

With a 77-68 win over Nebraska on Sunday, Illinois (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten), now ranked 25th, has won eight straight conference games, which is the longest streak in program history.

The Fighting Illini have a daunting road trip ahead with games against No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 USC. While it will be challenging for Illinois to win either of those games, the Fighting Illini own three wins over ranked opponents and currently possess the fourth seed in the conference as of Monday afternoon. They are poised to surprise some teams down the stretch.