UCLA remains atop USA TODAY Women's Basketball Coaches Poll
Not only have the UCLA Bruins made history by being the longest consecutively-ranked No. 1 school in Big Ten Conference history; coaches around the nation have also taken notice. Once again the Bruins, in their first year in the Big Ten, have taken the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports Women's Basketball Coaches Poll. UCLA grabbed 30 of 31 first place votes, with No. 2 South Carolina earning one vote despite the Gamecocks losing 77-62 when the two schools played in November.
UCLA began the season ranked sixth in the coaches poll. The Bruins remained in the six-spot until their win over South Carolina, which bumped the Bruins to No. 2 behind UConn. In early December, UCLA took the top spot in the poll and hasn't relinquished the position over the past nine polls.
You don't have to look too far down the poll to find UCLA's conference opponents, with USC sitting at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 8. Maryland and Michigan State are the only other two Big Ten schools ranked in the poll. Minnesota, which the Bruins will face this Sunday, fell out of the rankings.
Before the season began it would have been hard to imagine UCLA's move to the Big Ten going quite as well as it has through the first 20 games, with the Bruins remaining unbeaten and staying atop almost every ranking. It won't be easy to stay there, though. After the Bruins' matchup with Minnesota, they'll face Ohio State on Wednesday at home for another top-10duel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Iowa baseball reveals 2026 Big Ten schedule
Iowa baseball reveals 2026 Big Ten schedule As Iowa baseball continues its long and winding offseason, the program announced its Big Ten schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, which includes some familiar foes and a few new opponents. Headlining next season's conference schedule are two consecutive road series to open up the slate of games, with the Hawkeyes traveling to State College, Penn., for a three-game series March 13-15 vs. Penn State and then visiting East Lansing, Mich., for another three-game set March 20-22, against Michigan State. Following the two road trips, Iowa returns to Duane Banks Field for two consecutive series, with the first being against 2025 College World Series-bound UCLA from March 27-29 and the second against Minnesota from April 3-5. For the Bruins, it will be the first time the storied program has traveled to Iowa City and the first three-game series between the two. Last season's Big Ten Tournament Semifinal between the Hawkeyes and Bruins was the first-ever meeting between both programs, with UCLA winning 9-3. After the Minnesota series, the Hawkeyes' Big Ten schedule alternates between home and away series for the remainder of the season. Iowa's remaining series on the road will be vs. USC (April 10-12), vs. Indiana (April 24-26), and Nebraska (May 8-10). Of note in those road series is the trip to Los Angeles, Calif., vs. USC, which will be the Hawkeyes' sixth-ever game against the Trojans (USC holds a 3-2 all-time series lead). Conversely, the remaining Hawkeyes' home series will be vs. Maryland (April 17-19), vs. Illinois (May 1-3), and vs. Purdue (May 14-16). While Iowa's conference strength of schedule is yet to be determined, seven of the ten opponents the Hawkeyes face next year made the 2025 Big Ten Tournament, and three qualified for the NCAA Tournament. With the full 2026 slate still in the works, including non-conference dates and opponents, the complete schedule will be released at a later date. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
College World Series: Teams, format, schedule, and how the tournament works
College World Series: Teams, format, schedule, and how the tournament works The 2025 College World Series begins on Friday at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Omaha hosting the event. After starting the NCAA Tournament with 64 teams, eight teams punched their ticket to Omaha to compete for college baseball's national title. The College World Series features eight teams split into two double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket will meet in the CWS final -- a best-of-three championship series to crown the national champion. The 2025 College World Series field includes a diverse set of teams from around the country. West Coast powers Arizona, UCLA, and Oregon State. From the Deep South, LSU seeking its eighth national title while Arkansas aims for its first title after several close calls. From the Atlantic Coast, we have Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers have made one previous trip to Omaha, winning it all in 2016. Louisville and Murray State represent the state of Kentucky. Here's a refresher on the format. How many teams are in the College World Series? Eight teams compete in the College World Series. Before reaching Omaha, teams must win a four-team double-elimination regional and a best-of-three super regional. Is the College World Series single elimination? No. The College World Series has two double-elimination brackets, much like the setup used in the regional round. A single loss is not the end of the world. How is the College World Series champion crowned? The winners of each four-team bracket meet in the College World Series final, which is a best-of-three series. A team could lose twice and still win it all. A loss in the opening bracket doesn't carry over to the final. 2025 College World Series teams Here are the eight teams set to compete in Omaha: Arkansas LSU UCLA Murray State Coastal Carolina Arizona Oregon State Louisville 2025 College World Series bracket Bracket 1 Bracket 1 features Coastal Carolina, Arizona, Oregon State, and Louisville. CCU vs. Arizona and Oregon State vs. Louisville are the first-round games. Bracket 2 Bracket 2 features UCLA, Murray State, Arkansas, and LSU. The first round games are UCLA vs. Murray State and LSU vs. Arkansas. 2025 College World Series Schedule
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
ESPN's future power rankings spotlight Michigan football potential with QB Bryce Underwood
ESPN's future power rankings spotlight Michigan football potential with QB Bryce Underwood Every year, ESPN attempts to look into its college football crystal ball to predict what the top teams in the sport will look like, not only this upcoming season, but in the future beyond that. With its future power rankings, ESPN predicts what teams will dominate the sport years down the road. Though the Wolverines were No. 5 last year, they've fallen -- albeit not too far -- in Adam Rittenberg's latest. In the current 12-team College Football Playoff era, Michigan comes in at No. 13, though Rittenberg notes that the future looks bright in Ann Arbor. 13. Michigan Wolverines Previous future power ranking: 5 Returning quarterback: No (thankfully?). Michigan needed a reset at quarterback after a dreadful passing season, and will turn to No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood or Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene this season. (...) Roster management: Coach Sherrone Moore is starting to flex some recruiting muscle, as Michigan finished with ESPN's No. 7 class for 2025, boosted by Underwood. Michigan has been smart and selective in the portal, and its additions along both lines and at running back with Alabama transfer Justice Haynes will impact the upcoming season. Star power: There are massive expectations around Underwood, and his development the next two seasons will shape Michigan's overall outlook. The Wolverines return one of the nation's best kickers in Dominic Zvada, and defenders like end Derrick Moore and cornerback Zeke Berry should contend for All-Big Ten honors. Coaching staff: Moore has settled in after much of the staff followed predecessor Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. He will be judged largely on the success of offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who had no previous ties to Moore or Michigan. The team retained defensive coordinator Wink Martindale for a second season. There's more at ESPN about the roster, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines. Of course, Michigan is behind several Big Ten teams that outperfomed the Wolverines last season -- Ohio State is No. 2, Oregon is No. 4, and Penn State is No. 6. Will the rankings swing back in Michigan's favor should the Wolverines round back into form? Given the wild swing year-over-year, it sure seems like it.
