Notre Dame tops AP women's poll for 1st time since 2019 - ESPN

Notre Dame is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll, ascending to the top spot Monday for the first time since Jan. 21, 2019.

The Fighting Irish replaced UCLA, which lost its first game of the season last week, falling to rival USC, 71-60.

First-place votes in parentheses

«It's definitely an honor to be the nation's top team, but we are just focused on getting better every day,» Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said.

The Irish, who received 16 first-place votes from a 30-member national media panel, faced No. 11 Duke on Monday night.

Texas moved up to second for its best ranking since 2017. The Longhorns, who garnered eight first-place ballots, became the first team to beat three straight top-10 teams since 2004-05, according to ESPN, topping South Carolina, Kentucky and LSU.

The Bruins had been No. 1 for 12 straight weeks after beating South Carolina in late November. UCLA fell to third and received the other six first-place votes.

USC moved up to fourth and UConn was fifth after routing then-No. 4 South Carolina 87-58 on Sunday. The Gamecocks, who saw their 71-game home winning streak end, fell to sixth. LSU and Ohio State were next.

North Carolina climbed up three spots to ninth for its highest ranking in three seasons after beating NC State 66-65 on Sunday. TCU was 10th.

Ins and outs

Illinois reentered the poll this week at No. 25 after beating Penn State and Nebraska. The Illini spent the first few weeks of the season ranked. Florida State fell out after losing to Louisville and edging Miami.

Falling Wildcats

It was a rough week for Kentucky. One week after earning its best ranking in a decade, Kentucky fell six spots to 14th. The Wildcats lost games to Ole Miss and Texas before beating