Sport Tours International/Hoopfeed NCAA DI Top 25 Poll for Feb. 20, 2018: Top teams clinch titles and maintain positions; LSU enters the rankings
Mississippi State holds on to No. 2 after clinching SEC title
It's not about the size of the girl, it's the size of her heart ?#HailState? pic.twitter.com/EZ6LUP4T4s
— Mississippi State WBK (@HailStateWBK) February 19, 2018
After a week of exciting games that included overtimes between top 25 teams and some upsets, several squads suffered in the rankings while others held steady among the elite. The No. 1 Connecticut Huskies and No. 2 Mississippi State Bulldogs remained the only undefeated teams in the nation. The Bulldogs clinched their first-ever regular season SEC title Sunday with a 76-55 victory over Texas A&M.
“They have committed themselves to the process,” Mississippi State head coach Schaefer said after the win. “I’ve tried to coach and teach them to enjoy the process. These kids have answered the bell every single night. They’ve committed themselves to a discipline and they’ve done it.”
No. 3 Baylor toppled Texas 93-87 Monday night to keep a grip on its spot while earning the Big 12 title. Louisville and Notre Dame round out the top five. Texas fell five places in the poll to rest at No. 9.
No. 6 Oregon had to work hard to maintain its position. The Ducks outlasted No. 8 UCLA in overtime Monday night for a 101-94 triumph.
Missouri rose four spots to No. 10 after a week of wins that included beating Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee. Oregon State had a good week as well and moved up three places to No. 12 after beating UCLA and USC.
LSU entered the poll for the first time, coming in at No. 22. The Tigers are on a streak that includes wins over Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Arkansas.
Tennessee dropped four places to No. 15. The Lady Vols suffered consecutive losses to Alabama and Missouri. Green Bay also stumbled, going from No. 19 to No. 23. Cleveland State beat Green Bay 71-60 last Thursday.
Stanford fell three spots in the poll after a defeat at the hands of California on Saturday in game two of the annual Battle of the Bay. Michigan dropped out of the poll after losing to Minnesota 93-87 last Wednesday.
Teams that received votes: Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona State, Miami, Iowa, California, TCU, West Virginia, Nebraska and Quinnipiac.
The STI/Hoopfeed Poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of media members and other women’s basketball professionals. Total points are based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th.
Sport Tours International/Hoopfeed NCAA DI Top 25 Poll for Feb. 20, 2018
| Rank | School | Last week | Change |
| 1 | Connecticut (26-0) | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Mississippi State (28-0) | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Baylor (25-1) | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Louisville (27-2) | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | Notre Dame (25-2) | 4 | -1 |
| 6 | Oregon (24-4) | 6 | 0 |
| 7 | South Carolina (22-5) | 9 | 2 |
| 8 | UCLA (21-5) | 7 | -1 |
| 9 | Texas (22-4) | 6 | -3 |
| 10 | Missouri (22-5) | 14 | 4 |
| 11 | Florida State (22-4) | 12 | 1 |
| 12 | Oregon State (21-6) | 15 | 3 |
| 13 | Maryland (22-5) | 10 | -3 |
| 14 | Ohio State (22-6) | 17 | 3 |
| 15 | Tennessee (21-6) | 11 | -4 |
| 16 | Stanford (19-9) | 13 | -3 |
| 17 | Texas A&M (20-8) | 16 | 0 |
| 18 | Georgia (21-5) | 20 | 2 |
| 19 | Duke (20-7) | 18 | -1 |
| 20 | South Florida (22-5) | 22 | 2 |
| 21 | NC State (21-6) | 25 | 4 |
| 22 | LSU (18-7) | NR | N/A |
| 23 | Green Bay (23-3) | 19 | -4 |
| 24 | Belmont (26-3) | 24 | 0 |
| 25 | Oklahoma State (18-8) | 21 | -4 |
Voting Panel
- Amanda Butler
- Lisa Bodine
- Joan Bonvicini
- Cindy Brunson
- Cheryl Coward
- Kevin Danna
- Kris Gardiner
- Mel Greenberg
- Lee Michaelson
- Viet Nguyen
- Ben Parker
- Michael Roberson
- LaChina Robinson
- Yvonne Sanchez
- Brenda VanLengen
