The latest power rankings for women’s basketball in the western United States reflect a dynamic shift among key teams. As of February 2024, **UCLA** remains at the top, while **Colorado** and **San Diego State** have made significant climbs. Conversely, **Washington** has experienced a decline, and **Arizona State** has held its position steady. These rankings encompass teams from the Big Ten, Mountain West, and the former Pac-12 schools that have since joined various conferences.
UCLA Secures Conference Title
Leading the rankings is **UCLA** with a record of **27-1** overall and **17-0** in the Big Ten. The Bruins solidified their top position by defeating **Washington** **82-67** and **Wisconsin** **76-60** last week. Their NET ranking stands at **No. 2**, and they have clinched their first outright conference title since the NCAA era began, marking a significant achievement for the program. This victory extends their winning streak to **21 games**, with notable performances from their senior players, including **Lauren Betts**, who scored **23 points** against Washington.
**USC** follows closely in the second position with a record of **17-10** and **9-7** in the Big Ten. They faced mixed results last week, winning against **Wisconsin** **66-59** but narrowly losing to **Ohio State** **88-83**. Their NET ranking is **No. 21**. Notably, freshman sensation **Jazzy Davidson** showed resilience, returning from cramping to score **32 points** in the Ohio State game.
Colorado and San Diego State Show Strong Performances
**Colorado** has climbed to the third spot with a record of **20-8** and **11-5** in the Big 12. Their impressive run includes victories over **Arizona** **78-70** and **Texas Tech** **75-68**, resulting in a five-game winning streak. Their NET ranking is **No. 43**, and they are currently outside the AP Top 25. However, their strong performance against ranked opponents has bolstered their NCAA Tournament prospects.
In the fifth position, **San Diego State** boasts a record of **22-4** and **16-1** in the Mountain West. They secured their spot in the rankings after defeating **UNLV** **80-62** and **Fresno State** **68-59**. Their NET ranking is **No. 69**, and they have clinched at least a share of the Mountain West title with this latest victory.
**Oregon** holds the fourth position with a **19-10** record, having won against **Nebraska** **80-76** but lost to **Indiana** **72-65**. They currently rank **No. 24** in the NET standings. Meanwhile, **Washington** has slid to the fifth position with a record of **19-9** after suffering losses to UCLA and Nebraska. Their NET ranking is **No. 29**.
Lastly, **Arizona State** remains steady at sixth with a record of **22-7** after a loss to **Iowa State** **90-64** and a win against **Houston** **81-56**. Their NET ranking is **No. 52**, and they have achieved **22 victories** for the first time since the **2018-19** season.
As the season progresses, teams are preparing for crucial matchups that will impact their NCAA Tournament seeding. The rankings will be updated weekly, keeping fans informed of the evolving landscape in women’s basketball across the West.
