Five takeaways from AP Top 25 women's basketball poll

The top five remain the same, but a lot of teams changed positions in this week's Associated Press Top 25 women's college basketball poll, which was released on Monday. Here are five takeaways from the poll.

UConn survives scare from Michigan to stay No. 1

Despite leading by 20 points in the second half, the Huskies went nearly eight minutes without scoring before holding on for a 72-69 win over No. 6 Michigan on Friday. Senior guard Azzi Fudd scored a team-high 31 points in the game to help UConn escape its first test of the season.

Sophomore forward Sarah Strong contributed 16 points and 20 rebounds as both star players continue to impress early in the season. More tests await UConn (6-0), beginning with No. 18 USC on Dec. 13, but the Huskies appear up for the challenge.

Iowa experiences biggest jump after taking down Baylor

The Hawkeyes (6-0), up eight spots to No. 11, have achieved their highest ranking since Caitlin Clark's departure to the WNBA's Indiana Fever after outlasting then-No. 7 Baylor, 57-52.

The win was Iowa's first over a top-10 opponent away from home since the 2024 Final Four win over UConn. While Baylor plummets eight spots to No. 15, the Hawkeyes continue to be led by sophomore guard Ava Heiden (15.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG) and a stout defense, having allowed no more than 61 points this season.

Kentucky climbs four spots after first signature win of season

Head coach Kenny Brooks has quietly led his team to a 7-0 start for the second consecutive season after taking down in-state rival and 21st-ranked Louisville, 72-62, on Saturday, moving up to No. 16 in the poll. A lot of Kentucky's success has come from its suffocating defense, which gives up the fourth-fewest points per game (46.1 PPG).

Junior center Clara Strack has been a force all season with an average of 16.9 points and 12.1 rebounds, while senior guard Tonie Morgan is dishing out a team-high 8.9 assists per game. A showdown with No. 7 Maryland in Puerto Rico awaits on Wednesday, but if the Wildcats continue to rely on their strong defense, they could pose some problems for a lot of teams going forward.

Notre Dame climbs after latest heroics from Hannah Hidalgo

After a humbling 93-54 defeat to Michigan, Notre Dame (4-1) responded with a 61-59 win over then-No. 11 USC on Friday, moving up five spots to No. 19 as a result. Hidalgo hit the game-winner with 1.9 seconds remaining, giving her 22 points on 8-of-18 shooting.

In the loss to Michigan, she only had 12 points and was held to 4-of-21 shooting and 0-of-8 from long range. If it was not evident before, Notre Dame's success hinges on her production from the floor, especially with No. 13 Ole Miss looming on Dec. 4.

N.C. State experiences biggest drop

The Wolfpack (3-3) began the season with a win over eighth-ranked Tennessee, but have lost three of their five games since. Sunday's 68-63 loss to Rhode Island may be the most concerning after N.C. State committed 16 turnovers and fell for the second time at home this season.

Down nine spots to No. 25, the Wolfpack are looking for answers after going 18-0 at home last season. With a road trip to No. 9 Oklahoma coming up on Dec. 3, N.C. State needs to find itself quickly or it could be out of the rankings entirely.