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South Carolina unanimous No. 1 in AP women's hoops poll

Posted November 23, 2021 6:00 am

By DOUG FEINBERG

In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, the South Carolina women's team poses with the trophy defeating UConn 73-57 to win the championship game at the Battle 4 Atlantis NCAA college basketball game at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Standing at front left is head coach Dawn Staley. (Donald Knowles/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) The Associated Press

South Carolina was the unanimous choice as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press women's basketball poll released Tuesday after a dominant win over then-No. 2 UConn.

The Gamecocks won the inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis women's championship on Monday in the 61st meeting between the top two teams in the AP poll. The AP decided to hold the poll one day so it would reflect the outcome of the game '“ only the second time since the poll began in 1976 that it has been delayed.

Buoyed by the victory, South Carolina garnered all 30 first-place votes from a national media panel after beating then-No. 9 Oregon and UConn on consecutive days.

'œIt gives us another top 10 win,'ť South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of the UConn victory. 'œWe said it before this game. Whether we win or lose, it can only help us."

Maryland jumped one spot to No. 2 while the Huskies fell to third. The No. 2 ranking is the Terrapins' best since Feb. 20, 2017. Indiana and North Carolina State were fourth and fifth again this week.

Baylor remained sixth after a tough three-point loss to Maryland. The Bears were followed by Stanford, Iowa, Arizona and Louisville to round out the top 10.

Maryland, Indiana. N.C. State and Stanford are all playing in a round-robin tournament in the Bahamas over Thanksgiving.

RISING BULLS

South Florida moved up four spots to No. 18 after a close loss to UConn and a win over Oregon in the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Bulls will stay in the Bahamas to play a game against Stanford on Friday.

WELCOME BACK

Florida Gulf Coast entered the poll for the second consecutive year, coming in at No. 25. The Eagles were ranked 24th the final two weeks last season. Georgia Tech fell out after losing to Auburn.

ALL HAIL ROCKY TOP

Tennessee jumped up five places to No. 11 after impressive wins over South Florida and Texas. It's the Vols' best ranking since Dec. 31, 2018, when they were 10th.

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More AP women's college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, the South Carolina bench, including Laeticia Amihere (15) and Bree Hall (23) reacts during an NCAA college basketball game at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) The Associated Press

In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) and teammates including Olivia Nelson-Ododa (20), far left, and Evina Westbrook (22), right, react during an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) The Associated Press

Maryland guard Ashley Owusu (15) shoots against Baylor guard Jordan Lewis (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

Members of the Maryland women's basketball team pause on the court before an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley gestures during an NCAA college basketball game against UConn at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. No. 1 South Carolina defeated No. 2 UConn 73-57. The official at right is unidentified. (Donald Knowles/Bahamas Visual Services via AP) The Associated Press

Maryland head coach Brenda Frese points during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) The Associated Press

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