A Big Ten Conference tournament win isn’t enough for the UCLA Bruins to surpass the UConn Huskies in this week’s USA TODAY Women’s College Basketball Coaches Poll, as the reigning national champions still own the No. 1 spot.
It makes sense too. UConn, fresh off a national title, is still a perfect 34-0. Even though No. 2 UCLA has looked great, the Bruins‘ record has a blemish, a loss to No. 3 Texas back in November. Since that loss to the Longhorns, UCLA hasn’t lost, going a perfect 21-0 against Big Ten opponents in the regular season and conference tournament.
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It’s a bit of a surprise to see the Iowa Hawkeyes rise two spots to No. 7 after getting blasted by UCLA in the Big Ten championship game. Iowa lost 96-45 on Sunday but is now at the highest ranking they’ve been at all season.
Just as it has been all season, the Big Ten is well represented in the Coaches Poll. After UCLA and Iowa, Michigan is at No. 8, Ohio State at No. 11, Maryland at No. 16, Michigan State at No. 18, and Minnesota at No. 19. It’s a bit surprising to see the Washington Huskies not even receive a vote on the poll after the Huskies were the Bruins toughest opponent in the Big Ten tournament.
UCLA, along with the rest of the Top-25 are now waiting for Selection Sunday, to see who they’ll face in the NCAA tournament. While there’s a chance that UCLA’s Quad 1 wins moves them ahead of UConn, the Bruins will likely be the No. 2 overall seed in the tournament.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA basketball sticks at No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
