Texas returns to top five, Vanderbilt ranked for first time since 2014

UCLA, the last undefeated team in the nation, is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the 10th consecutive week, while No. 2 South Carolina is receiving one first place vote.

The Bruins are 20-0 after an 82-67 win over then-No. 8 Maryland in which Lauren Betts — one of the top candidates for Player of the Year — registered a career-high 33 points. Meanwhile, South Carolina handed LSU its first loss of the season Friday. It was a competitive battle, so the Tigers only dropped two spots to No. 7.

UCLA’s Lauren Betts has near-perfect performance, reaches 1,000 career points in top-10 win over Maryland
Isabel Gonzalez
UCLA’s Lauren Betts has near-perfect performance, reaches 1,000 career points in top-10 win over Maryland
Notre Dame and USC remain at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, while Texas rose to No. 5 with wins over Maryland, Tennessee and Ole Miss.

Oklahoma State and Florida State made a return to the rankings at No. 24 and 25, respectively. The Seminoles earned their way back with a game-winning buzzer-beater by Ta’Niya Latson against now-No. 15 North Carolina.

Vanderbilt entered the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2014. The Commodores collected a 66-64 win over now-No. 22 Alabama on Sunday. That was Vanderbilt’s second win against a ranked opponent this season, as Shea Ralph’s team also beat now-No. 18 Tennessee on Jan. 19.