TODAY’S AP POLL - A record-tying seven BIG EAST women’s basketball teams have been ranked in the Dec. 13 Associated Press Top 25 Poll, including No. 1 Connecticut. The Huskies (9-0) are joined by undefeated No. 7 West Virginia (10-0) which ties its best rank in school history. The Mountaineers also checked in at No. 7 on Feb. 22, 2010.
Notre Dame (8-3) landed at No. 17, while St. John’s (9-1) moved up No. 18.
Georgetown (8-3) is No. 20, while DePaul (11-1) moved up to No. 22. Syracuse (8-0) entered the top-25 for the first time this season at No. 24.
The BIG EAST previously had seven teams in the AP top-25 on Feb. 4, 2008.
WINS OVER RANKED TEAMS – BIG EAST women’s basketball teams have already posted eight wins over ranked teams this season. More impressively, six different programs have posted the eight wins (Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville Marquette, Syracuse, and West Virginia).
Most recently, Marquette edged then-No. 23/17 Green Bay 63-60 on Dec. 12, while Syracuse knocked off then-No. 6/6 Ohio State 75-66 on Dec. 11.
Last season the BIG EAST went 17-15 against top-25 teams, but did not earn its eighth win of the year until Dec. 23.
EARLY-SEASON AP SUCCESS - Earlier this season, the BIG EAST had a record five teams in the top-14 of the Preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll. The No. 1 Huskies were joined by No. 11 West Virginia, No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 13 Georgetown and No. 14 St. John’s.
