Welcome back to a post-Feast Week addition of the AP Poll. Texas easily won the week, taking home a Players Era championship after beating the previous No. 3 and No. 2 teams in UCLA and South Carolina, respectively, on back-to-back days. It was an epic two days for Texas point guard Rori Harmon, who followed up a 26-point performance against the Bruins with a nine-assist effort against South Carolina, which earned her the all-time Texas assist record.
As for the rest of the poll, despite shakeup at the top, it remains pretty similar throughout, with only one new face joining the ranks in Ohio State, while South Dakota State drops out.
Here’s how I voted with the previous week’s ranking in parentheses.
4. South Carolina (3)
Dropped out: South Dakota State (24)
Almost famous: Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Stanford, Colorado State, Princeton
Notes on the votes:
Texas: Just when I thought UConn was going to run away with the national championship, we officially have a challenger. The Longhorns have the talent and the depth to contend, starting of course, with Harmon, who coach Vic Schaefer calls the best point guard in the country. It’s hard to argue that point, especially when she just led her team to wins over two top-five teams. Texas is known for playing in-your-face defense, and that was on full display during the Players Era Festival, as everyone, including 6-foot-6 center Kyla Oldacre, gets in passing lanes and disrupts their opponents’ attack. Also of note: Texas earned both of these wins without third-leading scorer Aaliyah Crump, sophomore Bryanna Preston and transfer guard Ashton Judd, all of whom are out with injury. Judd has yet to play this season.
South Carolina: If you’re a South Carolina fan, there is no need to worry about the Texas loss. There were a lot of positives, and this team has clear talent. Now, it’s all about figuring out roles and ironing out minor issues. The major bright spot continues to be the post duo of 6-foot-6 Madina Okot and 6-foot-3 Joyce Edwards. Okot is a walking double-double, while Edwards leads the team in scoring with 19.6 points per game, while bringing a versatile game that can extend to the midrange. Despite averaging 17.1 points per game, last-seasons NCAA-leading scorer and Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson is still finding her way in this offense. She forced at times against Texas when she could have made a dump pass or shot a jumper. Still, this roster is loaded and the Gamecocks only lost by two points. Both good signs going forward.
UCLA: The Bruins added key pieces this season in Washington State transfer Charlisse Leger-Walker and Utah transfer Gianna Kneepkens, but despite the improved guard play, UCLA seems to have taken a step back. The Bruins struggled to get the ball in to All-American center Lauren Betts, despite the senior having position on most possessions. That led to Betts trying to force at times in her team’s next game against Tennessee. But the rest of the group looked solid against the Vols, particularly guard Gabriela Jaquez, who had 29 points in the 99-77 win. I love this roster makeup, and with star freshman Sienna Betts and sharpshooter Timea Gardner awaiting return from injuries, this team will only get better. Plus, Betts will adjust and likely be her dominant self going forward.
LSU: The Tigers have scored more than 100 points in all eight of their games so far this season, but it’s hard to get excited for a team that plays one of the weakest schedules in the country. LSU has yet to play a power-four team, or even a good mid-major. On paper, this team is talented, but I’m looking forward to seeing it against some real competition. Until then, LSU remains a bit of a mystery.
Tennessee: The Vols have two losses, both to top-25 teams in NC State and UCLA. The Wolfpack have faltered a bit with a loss to unranked Rhode Island, but UCLA remains a top-five team. Yet Tennessee also played a bit too close with UT Martin and Belmont, which has me questioning just how good this team really is. It’s year two of Kim Caldwell’s unique five-sub style and I’m not sold. But Tennessee will have plenty of chances to prove itself in SEC play, as well as in an upcoming game against Louisville.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have been on the verge of being ranked all season. They finally break through after an 83-81 win over West Virginia. Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge remains one of the country’s most exciting guards, finishing with 22 points in the win over the Mountaineers.
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