PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the first time this season, the BIG EAST has seven women’s basketball teams in the Associated Press and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls, released after the fifth week of play.
Once again, Connecticut topped both lists after stretching its win streak to 87 games. The Huskies opened conference play Dec. 9, defeating Marquette 79-47. West Virginia continues its steady climb in both polls, reaching No. 7/8 as the Mountaineers remain undefeated with a 10-0 mark. The Mountaineers went 2-0 last week, edging Villanova 39-36 Dec. 9 and downing Prairie View A&M 71-39 Dec. 11.
Notre Dame jumped to No. 17/16, while St. John’s gained three more slots in the USA Today/ESPN ranks to claim No. 18/18. The Irish posted a 2-0 record last week, beating Providence 79-43 Dec. 8 and lighting things up against Creighton 91-54 Dec. 11. The Red Storm improved to 9-1 last week, defeating Seton Hall 71-52 Dec. 8 and Rhode Island 73-49 Dec. 11.
Georgetown slid to No. 20/19 after losing to Miami (Fla.) 81-72 in overtime Dec. 7 and to Rutgers 70-53 Dec. 9. The Hoyas beat Rider 81-54 Dec. 11.
DePaul landed in both lists for the first time this season, moving up two spots in the AP ranks to earn the No. 22 spot. DPU closes out the USA Today/ESPN poll at No. 25. The Blue Demons went 3-0 last week, beating Pittsburgh 67-51 Dec. 7, Loyola-Chicago 80-48 Dec. 9 and Northern Illinois 72-52 Dec. 11. Breaking into the rankings for the first time this season, Syracuse rounds out the BIG EAST contingent. The Orange is No. 24 in the AP poll, while receiving 43 votes in the USA Today/ESPN poll. SU improved to 8-0 last week, knocking off then-No. 6/6 Ohio State 75-66 Dec. 11.
Louisville, Marquette and Rutgers collected USA Today/ESPN votes.
To view the polls in their entirety, please visit the BIG EAST women’s basketball national poll page.
