Less than a week after securing its first-ever NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, UCLA has cemented its legacy by finishing the 2024-25 season ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press’ final Top 25 poll. The Bruins, who routed South Carolina 80-62 in the title game to claim their inaugural national title, earned a historic unanimous selection from the 31-member media panel—the first time a team has achieved the feat since UConn in 2016. This milestone marks UCLA’s first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP poll, a distinction that underscores the program’s rapid ascent under head coach Cori Close, who guided the Bruins to a 33-3 record and a 19-game winning streak to close the season.
UCLA’s Historic Triumph: From Under the Radar to National Dominance in One Season
UCLA’s journey to the top of women’s college basketball was anything but predictable. Before the 2024-25 season, the Bruins were widely regarded as a solid Power 5 program but lacked the nationwide acclaim of perennial contenders like UConn, South Carolina, or Stanford. However, a roster featuring a dynamic blend of veteran leadership and emerging stars—including senior guard Lauren Betts, a consensus All-American, and freshman sensation Bryce Nixon—propelled UCLA to new heights. The Bruins’ dominance was on full display during the NCAA Tournament, where they avenged early-season losses to top programs like South Carolina and Texas with a masterclass in offensive efficiency and defensive tenacity. Their 80-62 dismantling of the Gamecocks in the championship game, spearheaded by Betts’ 22 points and 10 rebounds, served as a statement to the college basketball world, validating their claim as the top team in the nation.
The Road to Unanimity: How the Media Panel Recognized UCLA’s Supremacy
The AP Top 25 poll’s unanimous endorsement of UCLA is a rarity in women’s basketball, where voter preferences often skew toward established blue-blood programs. Yet, the Bruins’ case was undeniable: a 33-3 record, a Pac-12 tournament title, and a flawless 5-0 run in the NCAA Tournament that included victories over three top-10 teams. Only three other programs in women’s basketball history have finished a season with a unanimous No. 1 ranking—UConn (11 times), Tennessee (three times), and Stanford (once). UCLA’s achievement places it among the elite, signaling a potential shift in the sport’s power dynamics. The Bruins’ first No. 1 ranking in the poll also came after a November 2024 victory over South Carolina, further solidifying their claim to the top spot well before the postseason.
The Final AP Top 25: UConn, Texas, and Duke Round Out the Top Five
While UCLA claimed the top spot, the final AP poll reflected a competitive landscape at the highest levels of women’s college basketball. UConn, the three-time defending national champions and the No. 1 team for much of the season, slid to No. 3 after suffering their first loss of the year—a 76-70 defeat to South Carolina in the Final Four. The Huskies, led by senior guard Paige Bueckers, had been unbeaten until that pivotal matchup, finishing the season with a 32-2 record. Their third-place finish in the poll marked the 33rd consecutive year the program finished in the top 10 of the final AP rankings, a testament to UConn’s sustained excellence under head coach Geno Auriemma.
Texas and Duke Break Through as Elite Programs
Texas secured the No. 4 ranking, its highest finish in program history, after a remarkable run to the national semifinals. The Longhorns, led by All-American guard Madison Mason and a balanced offensive attack, defeated powerhouses like Stanford and Louisville en route to their first Elite Eight appearance since 2014. Their fourth-place finish in the poll reflects the growing influence of the Big 12 Conference in women’s basketball, a trend underscored by TCU’s No. 6 ranking and Baylor’s continued presence in the top 25. Duke, meanwhile, surged into the top five for the first time since 2010, thanks to a historic season that included a 28-6 record and a trip to the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils’ rise under head coach Kara Lawson has been one of the most compelling stories of the year, with a roster that blended experience and youth to challenge for a national title.
Notre Dame and LSU Emerge as Resurgent Powerhouses
Notre Dame made the biggest leap in the final poll, climbing 13 spots to No. 9 after a deep NCAA Tournament run that included a stunning upset of Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16. The Fighting Irish’s resurgence under first-year head coach Niele Ivey—herself a Notre Dame legend—has revitalized the program, which had struggled in recent years to recapture its former glory under Muffet McGraw. LSU, meanwhile, finished eighth after reaching the Elite Eight, a remarkable turnaround for a program that had not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2019. The Tigers’ success was fueled by the dynamic duo of Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith, whose playmaking and leadership guided LSU to new heights.
Conference Breakdown: The SEC and Big Ten Dominate the Final Poll
The final AP Top 25 poll revealed the geographic diversity of elite women’s college basketball, with teams from eight different conferences represented. However, the SEC and Big Ten emerged as the sport’s most dominant leagues, each placing eight teams in the top 25. The SEC’s strength was on full display with South Carolina’s national title game appearance, while the Big Ten’s depth was evident in the presence of programs like Maryland (No. 20), Ohio State (No. 11), and Iowa (No. 12). The ACC, long a bastion of women’s basketball excellence, also made a strong showing with five teams in the poll, including NC State (No. 13) and Louisville (No. 14). The Big 12, meanwhile, showcased its rising status with four teams in the top 25, including TCU (No. 6) and Texas Tech (No. 15).
Virginia’s Cinderella Run and Coaching Turmoil in Charlottesville
One of the most improbable stories of the 2024-25 season was Virginia’s return to the national spotlight. The Cavaliers, who had not been ranked in the AP Top 25 since 2011, made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 26 years and reached the Sweet 16—a feat matched only by their historic run to the regional semifinals. Virginia’s resurgence was led by senior guard Taylor Valladares and a stifling defensive unit that held opponents to 58.3 points per game. However, the Cavaliers’ season ended on a sour note when head coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton was fired just days after the team’s NCAA Tournament exit. Agugua-Hamilton, who had been at the helm since 2021, leaves behind a mixed legacy, with Virginia’s improvement under her tenure overshadowed by administrative turmoil. Her dismissal reflects the high-stakes nature of coaching in women’s college basketball, where expectations are often unforgiving.
Key Takeaways: What the Final AP Top 25 Poll Reveals About the State of Women’s Basketball
- UCLA’s unanimous No. 1 ranking marks the first time in program history the Bruins have finished atop the AP poll, signaling a potential new era in women’s basketball.
- UConn’s third-place finish in the poll, despite a national title game appearance, highlights the competitive landscape and the end of its three-year championship run.
- Texas and Duke’s top-five finishes reflect the growing influence of programs outside the traditional powerhouses of UConn, Tennessee, and Stanford.
- The SEC and Big Ten’s dominance in the final poll underscores the conference’s depth, with eight teams apiece in the top 25.
- Virginia’s resurgence and subsequent coaching change exemplify the volatility of women’s basketball programs, where success on the court can be overshadowed by off-court decisions.
The Broader Implications: How UCLA’s Title Could Reshape the Sport
UCLA’s national championship and subsequent No. 1 ranking in the AP poll carry implications that extend beyond the Bruins’ program. For one, it signals a potential shift in the balance of power in women’s college basketball, where UConn and South Carolina have long been the gold standard. While the Huskies and Gamecocks remain elite, UCLA’s rise demonstrates that other programs can compete for titles by leveraging strong recruiting, tactical innovation, and cohesive team chemistry. Additionally, the Bruins’ success could inspire a new wave of investment and interest in women’s basketball at the collegiate level, particularly in the West Coast and Pac-12 regions, where the sport has historically taken a backseat to football and men’s basketball.
The AP poll’s recognition of UCLA also highlights the growing commercialization and mainstream appeal of women’s college basketball. The Bruins’ championship run was broadcast nationally, with record viewership for the NCAA Tournament’s championship game, and their players—particularly Lauren Betts—have become household names in the sport. This visibility has translated into increased NIL (name, image, likeness) opportunities for women’s basketball athletes, a trend that is reshaping the financial landscape of the game. As more programs follow UCLA’s model of sustained excellence, the sport could see a corresponding rise in fan engagement, sponsorship deals, and media coverage.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Top Programs in 2025-26?
As the 2024-25 season fades into history, the question on every fan’s mind is: Who will challenge UCLA for the top spot next year? UConn, despite its early-season loss, remains a perennial contender, with a roster that includes a mix of returning stars and highly touted recruits. South Carolina, led by head coach Dawn Staley, is poised to reload after falling just short of a third national title, while Texas and Duke will look to build on their breakthrough seasons. UCLA, meanwhile, will enter the 2025-26 campaign as the team to beat, with Betts and Nixon returning and a recruiting class that could further bolster its depth. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in women’s college basketball, one that promises to be as unpredictable as it is exhilarating.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Final AP Women’s Basketball Top 25 Poll
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often is the AP Women's Basketball Top 25 poll updated?
- The AP Women's Basketball Top 25 poll is updated weekly throughout the regular season and during the NCAA Tournament. The final poll is released after the conclusion of the tournament.
- Which teams have finished No. 1 in the AP Women's Basketball Top 25 the most times?
- UConn holds the record for the most No. 1 finishes in the AP Women's Basketball Top 25 poll, with 11 top rankings. Tennessee is second with five, followed by Stanford and Baylor with three each.
- How does a unanimous No. 1 ranking in the AP poll work?
- A unanimous No. 1 ranking occurs when all 31 members of the AP media panel vote for a single team as their top choice. This is a rare achievement in women's basketball, with UConn being the most recent team to accomplish it in 2016.
