Texas Surges to No. 3 in Latest Women’s College Basketball Power Rankings

In a week filled with noteworthy performances and surprises in women’s college basketball, JuJu Watkins, the standout freshman from USC, once again etched her name in the history books. During USC’s impressive 87-81 victory over No. 11 Colorado, Watkins showcased her scoring prowess, amassing 42 points. This achievement marked her 11th game of the season with 30 or more points, surpassing the legendary Cheryl Miller’s school record. Notably, Miller herself was present courtside to witness Watkins’ historic feat.

Watkins had recently made headlines by dropping 51 points in a road triumph against Stanford, contributing to USC’s seven-game winning streak. Unfortunately, their streak ended with a 74-68 loss to No. 18 Utah, breaking the Trojans’ momentum.

The past week witnessed several upsets, impacting the power rankings. Teams such as Iowa, Stanford, North Carolina, and Oregon State all faced defeats. On the contrary, South Carolina continued its dominant run, demolishing Kentucky with a commanding 103-55 victory. Six Gamecocks scored in double figures, with Bree Hall and MiLaysia Fulwiley leading the charge.

Beyond South Carolina, teams like Ohio State, Texas, Virginia Tech, and LSU showcased impressive form. Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley propelled her team to a 10th straight win with a stellar 34-point performance against North Carolina. LSU, bolstered by Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese, secured a 75-60 win over Tennessee, with Reese surpassing 2,000 career points.

In Iowa, the spotlight remained on Caitlin Clark, who achieved her 16th career triple-double and fifth of the season in a 101-85 victory over Illinois. Clark’s remarkable stats included 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, bringing her total career points to 3,617 and placing her within striking distance of Pete Maravich’s all-time scoring record of 3,667.

As for the power rankings, South Carolina retained its top position with an undefeated record of 27-0, followed closely by Ohio State, Texas, Virginia Tech, and LSU. Despite the loss to Utah, USC maintained a solid position in the rankings.

In summary, the week in women’s college basketball was marked by historic performances, upsets, and continued dominance by some top teams as March approaches.