Even after a week of mixed results for Iowa women’s basketball (9-2, 0-1 Big Ten), the Hawkeyes have risen two spots in the latest USA TODAY Sports Women’s College Basketball Coaches Poll to the No. 22 position.
While Iowa suffered a 68-66 loss to then-No. 19 Michigan State (10-0, 1-0 Big Ten) on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich., the voters most likely viewed the two-point defeat as a minor setback.
Plus, the Hawkeyes had just claimed a comeback victory over higher-ranked No. 17 Iowa State (9-3, 0-0 Big 12) just days before.
Iowa’s No. 22 ranking matches the position given to them by the most recent AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll on Dec. 16, which should not vary much, with a Friday home matchup vs. Northern Iowa being the only contest for the Hawkeyes before next week’s poll release.
As for the remainder of the Big Ten, UCLA remains undefeated and atop the coaches poll, listed as the country’s No. 1 team.
The Bruins are followed by Big Ten foes USC at No. 7, Maryland at No. 8, Ohio State at No. 9, Michigan State at No. 17 and Michigan at No. 25.
The lone Big Ten program dropping out of the top 25 rankings from last week was Illinois, which received 30 points this week.
Other Big Ten teams receiving points include Nebraska, who earned 43 points, and Wisconsin, collecting 15.
Below is the full updated USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UCLA | 11-0 | 775 (31) |
| 2 | South Carolina | 10-1 | 740 |
| 3 | LSU | 12-0 | 681 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 9-2 | 648 |
| 5 | UConn | 9-1 | 641 |
| 6 | Texas | 10-1 | 610 |
| 7 | USC | 10-1 | 605 |
| 8 | Maryland | 10-0 | 552 |
| 9 | Ohio State | 10-0 | 525 |
| 10 | Duke | 9-2 | 491 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 9-1 | 472 |
| 12 | Kansas State | 11-1 | 419 |
| 13 | TCU | 10-1 | 386 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 10-1 | 380 |
| 15 | Kentucky | 9-1 | 305 |
| 16 | Tennessee | 8-0 | 295 |
| 17 | Michigan State | 10-0 | 285 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10-2 | 224 |
| 19 | North Carolina State | 8-3 | 179 |
| 20 | Georgia Tech | 11-0 | 169 |
| 21 | Baylor | 9-2 | 107 |
| 22 | Iowa | 9-2 | 92 |
| 23 | Iowa State | 9-3 | 86 |
| 24 | Alabama | 10-1 | 82 |
| 25 | Michigan | 9-1 | 67 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 23 Ole Miss; No. 25 Illinois;
Others Receiving Votes
Ole Miss 61; California 46; Nebraska 43; Illinois 30; Mississippi State 18; Wisconsin 15; Florida State 14; Utah 12; Vanderbilt 11; South Dakota State 8; George Mason 1;