Mon Jan 19 18:00:00 UTC 2026: ### Iowa Hawkeyes Soar into Top 10, UConn Remains Unanimous No. 1 in AP Poll

The Story:
The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll released on Monday, January 19, 2026, saw the Iowa Hawkeyes cracking the top 10 for the first time since Caitlin Clark’s senior year. UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice, receiving all 30 first-place votes. The top six teams held steady from the previous week. There’s a lot of excitement in the sport as teams battle for spots in the rankings and key conference matchups loom on the horizon.

The poll also witnessed significant shifts for other teams. Duke vaulted back into the poll at No. 21, while Iowa State dropped out after a five-game losing streak. The SEC continues to dominate with nine ranked teams.

Key Points:

  • Iowa entered the top 10 for the first time since Caitlin Clark’s senior year.
  • UConn remains the unanimous No. 1, winning 34 consecutive games.
  • South Carolina is No. 2, followed by UCLA at No. 3, and Texas at No. 4.
  • Duke re-entered the poll at No. 21 after a 10-game winning streak.
  • Iowa State dropped out of the poll after losing five straight games.
  • The SEC leads with nine ranked teams, followed by the Big Ten with seven.
  • Vanderbilt and South Carolina are set for a key SEC matchup.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Iowa Hawkeyes’ return to the top 10 demonstrates their continued competitiveness post-Caitlin Clark.
  • UConn’s dominance highlights their status as a perennial powerhouse in women’s college basketball.
  • The SEC’s strong representation in the Top 25 underscores the conference’s depth and talent.
  • Team performance can have very high volatility from season to season.

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