LSU enters poll for first time in 4 years; UConn still No. 1

Posted February 19, 2018 6:00 am

By DOUG FEINBERG

Connecticut's Katie Lou Samuelson (33) reacts to teammate Gabby Williams (15) during the second half an NCAA college basketball game against Temple, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Coach Nikki Fargas and her LSU Tigers are happy to be back in the AP Top 25.

It's been four years since LSU was last in the poll, which it entered at No. 24 on Monday.

"We're all excited that we are being recognized in the poll," Fargas said. "We're going to try and keep ourselves in it now."

The Tigers were last ranked on Feb. 17, 2014, before coming in this week.

"Even though we haven't been ranked recently, we still have been competing on the national level, making the NCAA Tournament," Fargas added. "We've done a nice job, but in this conference everyone beats each other up, making it harder to get ranked."

The Tigers are now one of seven SEC teams in the poll. LSU, which has won six of its last seven, is focused on securing a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament, which comes with a double bye until the quarterfinals. The Tigers have beaten Tennessee, Georgia and Texas A&M, who are all ranked, during this current run.

Next up for the Tigers is No. 7 South Carolina on Thursday.

"We have an opportunity to finish potentially second, third or fourth as there's a bunch of us in that cluster," Fargas said.

UConn and Mississippi State continue to hold the top spots in the poll.

The Huskies (26-0) received all 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. They were followed by Mississippi State, Baylor, Louisville and Notre Dame. The Cardinals lost to UConn by 11 points on Feb. 12.

Texas, South Carolina, Oregon, Florida State and UCLA round out the first 10 teams in the poll.

Other tidbits from the Top 25:

STREAK BUSTED

Michigan run's in the Top 25 is over for now. The Wolverines were ranked for a school-record 15 straight weeks, earning a spot in every poll this season until Monday. The Wolverines have lost four of their last five.

MOVING ON UP

Florida State moved back into the Top 10 for the second time this season before falling to No. 20 on Duke Monday night. The Seminoles' return to the elite will probably be short-lived.

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See the full poll: https://collegebasketball.ap.org/ap-womens-basketball-poll-week-16

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Follow Doug Feinberg at https://twitter.com/DougFeinberg

Connecticut's Napheesa Collier, left, drives to the basket as Temple's Mia Davis, right, defends during the first half an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) The Associated Press

Connecticut's Gabby Williams goes up for a basket as Temple's Emani Mayo, left, and Breanna Perry, right, defend, during the first half an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) The Associated Press

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