National champion UCLA finishes at No. 1 in final poll

Field Level Media|published: Mon 6th April, 13:07 2026

Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) celebrates on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

UCLA followed up its first NCAA championship with the final No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press women's Top 25, released Monday.

The Bruins (37-1) received all 31 first-place votes after Sunday's 79-51 rout against South Carolina in the Women's NCAA Tournament final.

The Gamecocks (36-4) end the season at No. 2, followed by fellow Final Four participants UConn (38-1) and Texas (35-4).

No. 19 Virginia (22-12) entered the final poll for the first time since 2011 after reaching its first Sweet 16 in 26 years. It didn't stop the Cavaliers from firing coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton over the weekend for reasons not revealed.

The Southeastern Conference and Big Ten each had eight teams in the final Top 25. The other spots went to the ACC (five), Big 12 (three) and Big East (one).

The final AP Top 25 women's poll of 2025-26:

1. UCLA (37-1)

2. South Carolina (36-4)

3. UConn (38-1)

4. Texas (35-4)

5. Duke (27-9)

6. TCU (32-6)

7. Michigan (28-7)

8. LSU (29-6)

9. Notre Dame (25-11)

10. Vanderbilt (29-5)

11. Louisville (29-8)