UConn Falls Short Yet Again While Historic College Basketball Program Ends 11-Year AP Rankings Drought

Basketball is a game full of uncertainties, where anyone or any team can make a comeback. The Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball team proved just that, making history by ending an 11-year drought. Meanwhile, across the court, Geno Auriemma’s UConn team found themselves falling short once again, reminding fans of the unpredictable nature of the game.

Shea Ralph’s Vanderbilt team is making waves. The Commodores are back in the AP women’s basketball Top 25 for the first time since February 10, 2014. They’ve earned two wins over ranked teams for the first time since the 2015-16 season. One of those wins was a standout victory over then-No. 19 Alabama on Sunday. On Monday, Vanderbilt secured the No. 23 spot. It’s their first ranking in over 11 years—an impressive milestone for the program.

The Commodores are making their mark in the SEC, ranking in the top five with a 17-4 record. Meanwhile, UConn has yet to crack the top of the AP poll, despite consistent performances. Texas leapfrogged the Huskies to take the fifth spot, leaving UConn at sixth once again.

The Huskies have remained undefeated for some time, with their most recent loss dating back to December 2024, a narrow defeat to the USC Trojans (70-72). UConn currently leads the Big East, dominating conference play with a perfect 10-0 record. As we head into Week 14, the Huskies will face off against DePaul and Butler, hoping to continue their winning streak and climb into the top 5 of the AP poll.

UConn seeks to extend win streak against DePaul

The UConn Huskies (19-2) will aim to extend their nine-game win streak as they travel to face the DePaul Blue Demons (11-11) on January 29, at Wintrust Arena. DePaul comes off a 74-67 win against Butler, with Jorie Allen leading the charge, scoring 13 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Kate Clarke also contributed 13 points.

UConn secured a 72-61 victory over Creighton, with Sarah Strong dominating the court, finishing with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Paige Bueckers added 22 points, shooting 45% from the field, including three 3-pointers.

DePaul averages 64.6 points per game (208th in the nation) but struggles defensively, allowing 68.0 points per contest (268th in college basketball). With a -75 overall scoring differential, they’ve been outscored by an average of 3.4 points per game. Jorie Allen leads the Blue Demons with 19.5 points per game, ranking 27th in the nation.

UConn, however, has been dominant, outscoring opponents by 28.7 points per game, with an impressive +603 scoring differential. The Huskies put up 80.0 points per game (20th in college basketball) while giving up just 51.3 points per contest, ranking second in the nation. Paige Bueckers leads the team with 19.6 points per game, ranking 25th in college basketball.

As the season progresses, both Vanderbilt and UConn continue to impress, with the Commodores breaking into the rankings and the Huskies dominating in conference play. The unpredictable nature of college basketball keeps fans on edge, with each matchup offering new possibilities. UConn’s pursuit of higher AP rankings and Vanderbilt’s historic resurgence highlight just how thrilling this season has been.