Oregon stays atop AP women’s poll
NEW YORK >> Oregon had the most impressive win of the week in a game that didn’t even count.
The Ducks remained a solid No. 1 in The Associated Press women’s college basketball poll Monday, receiving 28 of 30 first-place votes from a national media panel. Oregon stunned the U.S. women’s national team in an exhibition game on Saturday, handing the Americans only their second loss ever to a college program.
All-America Sabrina Ionescu led the way with 30 points. The Ducks open their season Monday night against Northeastern.
“This is a memorable night,” coach Kelly Graves said after the victory. “Great crowd, they were loud. That’s almost really about as good as it can get in basketball. And all that being said, we’re 0-0.”
Baylor was second in the women’s AP Top 25, claiming the other two first-place ballots. The Lady Bears were followed by Stanford, Connecticut and Texas A&M. The Aggies were last in the top five Dec. 29, 2014.
South Carolina moved up to sixth after an impressive road victory over then-No. 4 Maryland Sunday. The Terps dropped to eighth.
“It was an embarrassment,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. CHARGING BULLS >> South Florida entered the poll this week at No. 25. Coach Jose Fernandez’s team knocked off then-No. 15 Texas on Friday night. Last season the Bulls were ranked in the preseason before losing three of their top four players to injury.
That allowed other players to get experience and now with most of the injured ones back, Fernandez believes his team is primed for a strong season.
South Florida will be challenged against Baylor, Mississippi State, Notre Dame and UConn.
“We always play a tough schedule and this will be a good test for our team,” Fernandez said last month at American Athletic Conference media day. TIP-INS >> Ranked teams went 37-3 last week, with only Maryland, Texas and Minnesota losing. The Golden Gophers fell out of the poll . ... North Carolina State coach Wes Moore Sunday reached 700 career wins. In just over six seasons at N.C. State, Moore has posted a record of 142-58. He has guided the Wolfpack to four NCAA Tournament appearances and back-to-back Sweet 16s in 2018 and 2019.