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No Texas Teams in Women’s Top 25

Women's Top 25
University of Texas plays Baylor | Image by Texas Athletics

For the first time in the 47-year history of the Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Top 25, no Texas schools appear in the poll.

Both Texas and Baylor were ranked last week, but each dropped out of the rankings, ending a streak of 835 consecutive weeks with at least one university from Texas included in the Top 25.

Texas beat Baylor on Saturday in Waco, but it was apparently not enough to overcome a midweek loss to Texas Tech. Baylor defeated Kansas State during the week, but a double-digit loss to the Longhorns proved costly.

Mel Greenberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer started the Women’s AP Poll during the 1976-77 season. Overall, nine Texas schools have appeared in the poll, including Wayland Baptist in the first-ever poll released.

Unbeaten South Carolina (20-0) has been No.1 all season and is now followed by Ohio State (19-0), Stanford (19-2), LSU (19-0), and the University of Connecticut (17-2).

Texas (No. 3) and Baylor (No. 18) were also the only two Texas schools to begin the season with ranked women’s basketball teams and are currently the only two in the state projected to make the Women’s NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN.

Here is how the local schools are doing so far this season in women’s basketball.

IN THE FIELD

Texas (14-6, 5-2 Big 12)

Net Ranking: 11
ESPN projection: 7-seed vs. 10-seed University of Southern California (USC)
College Sports Madness projection: 4-seed vs. 13-seed James Madison
Real-Time RPI projection: 4-seed vs. 13-seed South Dakota State
Last Tournament Appearance: 2022, lost in Elite Eight

The Net ranking of 11 still puts Texas in a great position despite falling from ranked No. 3 in the preseason to unranked now. The Longhorns have won their last three games against ranked opponents and have plenty of chances to add to their resume, with games against Oklahoma, Baylor, Iowa State, and Kansas still on the schedule.

Baylor (13-6, 4-3 Big 12)

Net Ranking: 25
ESPN projection: 6-seed vs. 11-seed Washington State
College Sports Madness projection: 7-seed vs. 10-seed Middle Tennessee
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance: 2022, lost in Second Round

The Lady Bears are entering a crucial point in the season after losing three of the previous four games and falling out of the top 25. Baylor has three ranked wins this season (Villanova, Kansas, and Oklahoma) which should help its case, but a couple more wins in the Big 12 would make things much smoother.

BUBBLE WATCH

Texas Tech (15-5, 3-4 Big 12)

Net Ranking: 70
ESPN projection: OUT
College Sports Madness projection: OUT
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance: 2013, lost in First Round

Texas Tech may not have a real shot, but its Net ranking and the Big 12 schedule help its case. The Red Raiders are 1-3 against ranked teams this season and will need to win a couple of games against the likes of Baylor, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Iowa State down the stretch.

SMU (13-6, 4-3 AAC)

Net Ranking: 95
ESPN projection: OUT
College Sports Madness projection: OUT
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance: 2008, lost in First Round

SMU’s 13-6 record looks pretty good, but the American Conference schedule is not helping much. The Mustangs are 10-0 at home but only have one road win against Oral Roberts. Any wins should help the case for the Mustangs, but they play in a mid-major conference, providing few opportunities to face sure-fire tournament teams.

OUT

Texas A&M (6-12, 1-7 SEC)

Net Ranking: 128
ESPN projection: OUT
College Sports Madness projection: OUT
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance: 2021, lost in Sweet 16

Texas A&M is one of those teams that will have to win its conference tournament to earn an NCAA bid in March. The Aggies started the season 4-1 with a loss to Duke but play in a loaded SEC with eight teams projected in the NCAA field. A&M has struggled in conference play, and its schedule will only get more challenging as the season continues.

TCU (6-12, 0-7 Big 12)

Net Ranking: 146
ESPN projection: OUT
College Sports Madness projection: OUT
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance: 2010, lost in First Round

TCU is another team struggling in conference play, losing seven in a row to begin Big 12 play. The Horned Frogs have no quality wins and plenty of bad losses, including games against Rice, Missouri State, and Sam Houston.

North Texas (6-12, 3-6 Conference USA)

Net Ranking: 200
ESPN projection: OUT
College Sports Madness projection: OUT
Real-Time RPI projection: OUT
Last Tournament Appearance:1986, lost in First Round

North Texas has lost ten of its last 13 games and plays in a conference that may only get one bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Mean Green still has an outside chance to finish above-.500, but they will likely need to win out and do some damage in the Conference USA tournament to earn a bid.

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