Southern California jumps to 7th in women's AP Top 25. South Carolina is still unanimous No. 1

Southern California guard JuJu Watkins (12) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

NEW YORK (AP) — Southern California, which has won six straight games, climbed three spots to No. 7 in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll Monday while South Carolina remained a unanimous No. 1.

USC swept Oregon and then-No. 11 Oregon State over the weekend. The Trojans moved into a tie for second place in the Pac-12 Conference, two games behind Stanford. They host Colorado and Utah this weekend.

The six teams in front of USC didn’t change, with South Carolina leading the way, as it has since the regular season began. The Gamecocks received all 35 votes from a national media panel. South Carolina was tested in both its game last week, rallying to beat Tennessee and Georgia. Coach Dawn Staley’s team trailed at halftime at home against Georgia on Sunday before winning by 14 points.

South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) looks for a path to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)

Ohio State was right behind South Carolina, marking the first time in seven weeks that a No. 2 team held its place for two consecutive polls. No. 3 Stanford, Iowa, Texas and North Carolina State followed the Buckeyes.

Virginia Tech climbed four spots to eighth after beating Duke and Louisville. The Hokies have won nine in a row and sit in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a game in front of Syracuse.

FILE – Southern California guard JuJu Watkins, right, shoots against Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen, left, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. JuJu Watkins scored 18 points, despite having an off-shooting night, to help No. 10 Southern Cal beat 11th-ranked Oregon State 58-50 on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024.(AP Photo/Josie Lepe, File)

Oregon State moved up to ninth despite the loss to USC after beating then-No. 9 UCLA.

Kansas State fell three places to No. 10, while Colorado and UCLA also dropped three places.

GAME OF THE WEEK

With the NCAA career scoring record in the rearview mirror, Caitlin Clark leads Iowa into Indiana for a key Big Ten Conference matchup. Iowa is tied for second, a game behind Ohio State. The Hawkeyes beat the Hoosiers by 27 points at home last month. Expect Thursday’s rematch to be a bit more competitive.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley yells instructions to her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)

EXCITEMENT OUT WEST

It was an exciting weekend in the Pac-12 Conference, with Oregon State topping UCLA on a shot at the buzzer as well as Utah beating Colorado in the last second as well. The conference is still tops in the poll, with five teams in the first 12 and six ranked in the Top 25 overall.

The ACC and Big 12 are next with five teams each. The Big 12 has three teams and the Big East and SEC each have two. The Ivy and West Coast each have one.

OPENING REVEAL

The NCAA had its first reveal last Thursday of the top 16 teams at that point. South Carolina, Ohio State, Stanford and Colorado were the 1 seeds. The Buffaloes went on to lose after that. The next reveal will be on Feb. 29.

IVY LEAGUE SHOWDOWN

No. 25 Princeton has won 15 straight games and sits a game in front of Columba in the Ivy League standings. The Tigers won the first meeting last month, and the two teams play in New York on Saturday with first place in the conference on the line. They shared the regular-season title last year, the first in Columbia’s history.

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