The UConn Huskies have continued their run at the top of the standings. However, a Longhorns defeat has shaken up the order, and the AP Poll just showed that.

For UConn, the first place wasn't contested. They received all 32 votes in the poll. And averaging almost 47 points per game, their dominance in the Big East has cemented them in the top spot. The bigger victory, however, was for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks have made it to their usual No. 2 position after having a 65-43 win against Georgia on January 12, 2026. South Carolina initially started the season in second position, but their 64-66 loss to Longhorns on Thanksgiving Eve relegated them to third.

In their last game, however, SC star Madina Okot went for 14 points and 10 rebounds and her 13^th double-double for the season. She had Joyce Edwards add 14 more. The Gamecocks stood at 30-14 at halftime.

The ranking jump was timely for coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina.

“I really don’t get insulted when people say I can’t coach, I can’t make adjustments, I can’t do that. I really don’t get insulted by that because I think my players are happy.”

But things may shake up once again for South Carolina

The Longhorns will have a chance to regain their lost footing in the next two days as they take on the Gamecocks on January 15.

In the last game, Texas held Carolina by the neck with their rebounds. The Longhorns had a total of 39 rebounds, 16 offensive and 23 defensive. Things can go south for SC despite the recent win against Georgia, given the previous stats.

This can be Staley’s chance to tackle the critics with a powerful stat from her team. Will Texas's dominance on the boards continue, or can the Gamecocks find a way to win?

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar