UConn’s longtime coach, Geno Auriemma, has reached a significant milestone by tying Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances with a single team in the Women’s AP Top 25.
During his remarkable 40-year tenure, Auriemma has guided UConn to 627 appearances in the prestigious poll. This achievement matches the record set by Tara VanDerveer during her tenure at Stanford. VanDerveer, who also saw Ohio State ranked 27 times under her guidance, holds the overall record for the most appearances in the poll by any coach.
Earlier this season, Auriemma had already passed VanDerveer’s NCAA career win total, reaching an impressive 1,224 victories following a decisive win against Providence on Sunday.
Despite changes in the rankings for other teams, UConn remains in the seventh position as of the latest poll release. Meanwhile, schools like UCLA, South Carolina, and Notre Dame maintain the top three spots. These teams delivered commanding victories in their most recent games, winning by an average margin of 41 points. The past week offered teams nationwide a period of rest before embarking on their journey toward the NCAA Tournament.
UCLA continues to dominate, securing 30 out of 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. South Carolina and Notre Dame also received first-place votes, solidifying their positions just below UCLA. Following them are USC, Texas, and LSU, with Maryland at eighth after managing a win against Michigan State to stay unbeaten. Oklahoma and Ohio State complete the top ten, with Oklahoma facing a challenging week ahead, including a road test against their rival, Texas.
Movement within the rankings saw Michigan State drop to 21st after losing to Maryland, allowing both Alabama and California to each move up a spot. Michigan’s defeat at USC resulted in a position drop to 24th, with Iowa advancing to 23rd.
South Carolina bolstered its impressive home record, extending its winning streak to 65 games with a win over Wofford. The Gamecocks are approaching the historical top five longest home winning streaks. Historically, Baylor, UConn, and Tennessee share the fourth spot with 69 consecutive home victories, with UConn holding the top two records at 99 and 98 games.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) concludes the year leading with eight teams in the poll for the second week in a row. The Big Ten follows closely with seven teams, while the ACC has six. The Big 12 and Big East have three and one team, respectively, in the top rankings.
Geno Auriemma’s legacy at UConn continues to grow, as he equals Tara VanDerveer’s record for appearances in the women’s AP Top 25. With an outstanding career win total and consistent team performance, Auriemma further cements his status as an iconic figure in women’s college basketball history. Meanwhile, the national rankings highlight an intensely competitive landscape as teams gear up for the next phase of the season.
Source: News4jax
