Girls’s Energy Rankings: Ok-State climbs to No. 2, Iowa jumps to No. 3

South Carolina was challenged however stood agency, UConn tumbled out of the highest 10 after a double-digit loss at dwelling, and the ACC and Pac-12 particularly are making rating groups troublesome. And all of it led to extra shake-up within the high 5 of ESPN’s ladies’s school basketball Energy Rankings.

All eyes had been on Baton Rouge, Louisiana, final Thursday, as defending champion LSU tried to provide South Carolina its first lack of the season. However the Gamecocks preserve triumphing over the chaos that no one else has absolutely escaped — the sort that makes ballot voters really feel like they’re taking part in Jenga on curler skates. Irrespective of how exhausting they struggle, they’re more likely to slip up someplace.

At the very least No. 1 is straightforward: SEC chief South Carolina has received 19 video games in a row and stays the nation’s solely unbeaten crew. Eight different packages are at present on double-digit profitable streaks. The group contains Kansas State, which has received 15 video games in a row and jumps to No. 2 within the Energy Rankings previous to what might be one of many Wildcats’ harder weeks in Huge 12 play.

The Huge Ten has a three-way tie on the high between Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana — with the Buckeyes and Hoosiers assembly Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Within the ACC, Notre Dame gave the league a carry with a marquee nonconference win at UConn. Nonetheless, it does not assist the Irish within the ACC standings, the place the distinction between first place and seventh is simply two video games. In the meantime, Stanford was picked to complete third on this remaining season of the Pac-12, however the Cardinal will enter February main the league.

Participant of the week: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame

The freshman takes this award for the second time this season. Final Thursday, Hidalgo had 23 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists however could not get the Irish previous Syracuse, which has crushed them twice this season. However on Saturday, in her first style of the Notre Dame-UConn rivalry, Hidalgo had 34 factors, 10 rebounds and 6 assists because the Irish received 82-67 in Storrs, Connecticut.

Hidalgo is averaging 24.4 factors, effectively on her strategy to breaking the Notre Dame freshman scoring common file that has stood for 30 years: 17.9 factors per recreation by Beth Morgan in 1993-94.

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Oregon State takes down No. 3 Colorado

Donovyn Hunter and Talia von Oelhoffen rating 16 factors apiece as No. 25 Oregon State defeats No. 3 Colorado.

And we have now a repeat winner right here as effectively. The Beavers had been our high crew in an admittedly sluggish week simply earlier than Christmas once they bought two wins on the Maui Basic. However this time Oregon State stood out on a really busy week — and helped contribute to Pac-12 drama — with upsets of No. 3 Colorado, 68-62 final Friday, and No. 16 Utah, 91-66 on Sunday. In opposition to the Utes, the Beavers shot 69.4% (34-of-49) — led by Raegan Beers’ 8-of-8 — together with 65% from 3-point vary (13-for-20).

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Washington State holds on to knock off No. 2 UCLA

Washington State practically provides up its halftime lead, however hangs on to seize an enormous dwelling win over No. 2 UCLA.

Washington State had by no means defeated a crew ranked within the high two earlier than, nor had the Cougars received a real highway recreation in opposition to a top-five crew. However Washington State achieved each with Sunday’s victory at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Bella Murekatete (20 factors) and Eleonora Villa (18) led the best way for the Cougars.

However it was bittersweet for the defending Pac-12 event champions as a result of senior guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (17 factors) suffered a knee harm within the third quarter. Coach Kamie Ethridge was involved after the sport that it might be critical. If that’s the case, it is a very robust blow for the senior who has been so necessary in Washington State’s enchancment and who was the Pac-12 event’s most excellent participant final season.

Coach of the week: Daybreak Staley, South Carolina

Another repeat award winner. Staley saved the Gamecocks calm within the storm of a sold-out crowd Thursday at LSU, the place South Carolina rallied with a 24-14 fourth quarter to win 76-70. There was no letdown Sunday from that emotional recreation, as South Carolina beat Vanderbilt 91-74. For the reason that begin of the 2021-22 season, Staley’s Gamecocks are 90-3.

Energy Rankings

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South Carolina stays undefeated, beating LSU in thriller

No. 1 South Carolina wins a thriller in opposition to No. 9 LSU to keep up its undefeated file.

1. South Carolina Gamecocks (19-0)
Earlier rating: 1
This week: at Auburn Tigers (Thursday), vs. Ole Miss Rebels (Sunday)

All 5 Gamecocks starters scored in double figures of their victory in opposition to LSU. However South Carolina additionally bought a pleasant carry from its bench, which was a difference-maker in such a detailed recreation. Then in opposition to Vanderbilt, beginning middle Kamilla Cardoso had one in all her greatest offensive video games, tying her season excessive with 23 factors.

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No. 4 Kansas State surges late to fend off No. 13 Baylor

Kansas State scores the ultimate six factors of the sport to beat Baylor and stay unbeaten in convention play.

2. Kansas State Wildcats (20-1)
Earlier rating: 4
This week: at Oklahoma Sooners (Wednesday), at Texas Longhorns (Sunday)

Kansas State beat Baylor 58-55 and BYU 67-65 at dwelling final week, and junior guard Serena Sundell continues to be the Wildcats’ do-everything participant, averaging 11.2 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Are the Wildcats actually the No. 2 crew within the nation — particularly with star middle Ayoka Lee nonetheless out after ankle surgical procedure — or is it extra due to different top-five groups’ losses? An excellent reply could be defeating the Sooners and Longhorns on the highway this week.

3. Iowa Hawkeyes (19-2)
Earlier rating: 6
This week: at Northwestern Wildcats (Wednesday), at Maryland Terrapins (Saturday)

The Hawkeyes had per week to replicate on their extra time loss at Ohio State and relaxation just a little. They appeared sharp in a 92-73 victory over Nebraska this previous Saturday. Caitlin Clark continued her career-long demolition of the Huskers with 38 factors; she has scored at the least 30 factors all eight instances she has confronted Nebraska. Clark (3,389) wants 14 factors to move Jackie Stiles (3,393) and Kelsey Mitchell (3,402) to maneuver into second place on the NCAA ladies’s scoring record.

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Cameron Brink’s deep triple helps Stanford beat Arizona

Cameron Brink drills the trey, 01/28/2024

4. Stanford Cardinal (19-2)
Earlier rating: 9
This week: vs. USC Trojans (Friday), vs. UCLA Bruins (Sunday)

After all of the emotion of celebrating coach Tara VanDerveer turning into the all-time chief in school basketball teaching victories, the Cardinal appeared dominant within the desert. They received 80-50 at Arizona State and 96-64 at Arizona. Cameron Brink, injured early in opposition to Oregon on Jan. 19, returned to motion with a vengeance on this journey, getting a mixed 45 factors and 35 rebounds. Fellow ahead Kiki Iriafen was equally dominant, with a mixed 48 factors and 23 rebounds.

5. NC State Wolfpack (18-2)
Earlier rating: 8
This week: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (Thursday)

The Wolfpack climbed again into the Energy Rankings’ high 5 with double-digit highway victories over Clemson and Boston School, led by senior guard Madison Hayes’ mixed 38 factors and 23 rebounds. NC State trails 4 different groups within the ACC however is coming into the “show it” a part of its league schedule: 4 of its subsequent 5 video games are in opposition to ranked groups.

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Staley: LSU-South Carolina ‘was a home-run occasion’

Daybreak Staley joins The Paul Finebaum Present and says the No. 1 Gamecocks’ win over the No. 9 Tigers was an instance of how a lot ladies’s school basketball has grown.

6. LSU Tigers (18-3)
Earlier rating: 7
This week: at Mississippi State Bulldogs (Monday), vs. Florida Gators (Sunday)

Groups do not often transfer up within the Energy Rankings once they lose their solely recreation of the week. However it’s just a little completely different when your opponent is No. 1 South Carolina and also you play in addition to the Tigers did for a lot of the sport. Just a few pricey errors damage LSU, however it was shut sufficient that it whets the urge for food for a potential SEC event rematch.

7. Ohio State Buckeyes (17-3)
Earlier rating: 10
This week: vs. Wisconsin Badgers (Thursday), vs. Indiana Hoosiers (Sunday)

After the emotional OT win over Iowa at dwelling on Jan. 21, the Buckeyes did not have a simple time on the highway this previous week. They needed to rally within the second half to win 67-59 at Illinois after which maintain off Purdue 71-68. Now on a seven-game profitable streak, Ohio State has one other big dwelling recreation this week vs. Indiana.

8. Colorado Buffaloes (17-3)
Earlier rating: 3
This week: at Washington State Cougars (Friday), at Washington Huskies (Sunday)

The Buffaloes did not drop a lot as they had been handed by different groups after a 68-62 loss at Oregon State on Friday. That mentioned, it wasn’t actually a foul loss contemplating how effectively the Beavers are taking part in. Colorado then defeated Oregon behind Aaronette Vonleh’s 16 factors and 10 rebounds. The Buffs misplaced at dwelling to UCLA on Jan. 19, however Colorado nonetheless strikes simply forward of the Bruins within the Energy Rankings after a tricky week for UCLA.

9. UCLA Bruins (16-3)
Earlier rating: 2
This week: at California Bears (Friday), at Stanford Cardinal (Sunday)

It was a difficult week with three video games, and the Bruins did not have star put up participant Lauren Betts (undisclosed medical problem) for 2 of them. She performed in final Monday’s OT loss at Utah, then missed a win over Washington and loss to Washington State. After beginning the season 14-0, UCLA has gone 2-3. The Bruins are staying within the high 10 for now however have some issues.

10. Indiana Hoosiers (17-2)
Earlier rating: 13
This week: at Maryland Terrapins (Wednesday), at Ohio State Buckeyes (Sunday)

Admittedly, the Hoosiers struggled of their two largest marquee video games this season: at Stanford on Nov. 12 and at Iowa on Jan. 13. However these are Indiana’s solely two losses. The Hoosiers hit the 100-point mark for the third time in beating Northwestern on Sunday and transfer into the highest 10. They will keep right here in the event that they play effectively on the highway this week.

11. UConn Huskies (17-4)
Earlier rating: 5
This week: at Villanova Wildcats (Wednesday), vs. St. John’s Purple Storm (Sunday)

We have given UConn the advantage of the doubt so far. They usually’ve deserved it, battling a number of accidents and having performed eight ranked groups (not counting NC State, which wasn’t ranked once they met). However Saturday’s 82-67 loss to Notre Dame at dwelling needed to fear coach Geno Auriemma contemplating the Irish shot 55% from the sphere and outrebounded UConn 37-27. It drops the Huskies out of the Energy Rankings’ high 10 for the primary time this season.

12. Louisville Cardinals (18-3)
Earlier rating: 15
This week: vs. Syracuse Orange (Thursday)

The Cardinals cruised previous Boston School and Pittsburgh final week and lead the ACC at 7-1. Nonetheless, the one ranked ACC crew they’ve confronted, North Carolina, gave them their lone league loss. Louisville’s schedule will get a lot harder the remainder of the best way: Seven of its remaining 10 ACC video games are in opposition to foes which might be at present ranked.

13. Texas Longhorns (19-3)
Earlier rating: 11
This week: at Baylor Bears (Thursday), vs. Kansas State Wildcats (Sunday)

The Longhorns bought coach Vic Schaefer’s hearth and brimstone after he questioned their effort in a 91-87 dwelling loss to Oklahoma final Wednesday and made them watch recreation movie at 5 a.m. the next day. Texas then beat Cincinnati 67-50 Saturday, however there’s concern as level guard Madison Booker was out with a hamstring harm. Going through two ranked groups this week, Texas hopes to get her again however plans to be cautious with the star freshman.

14. Oregon State Beavers (17-3)
Earlier rating: NR
This week: at Oregon Geese (Sunday)

The Beavers make their Energy Rankings debut this season after upsetting Colorado and Utah. Guard Talia von Oelhoffen had a mixed 25 factors and 12 assists in these wins. Oregon State’s solely losses this season are to Stanford, UCLA and USC — all on the highway.

15. Virginia Tech Hokies (16-4)
Earlier rating: NR
This week: vs. Virginia Cavaliers (Thursday), at North Carolina Tar Heels (Sunday)

The Hokies have been out and in of the Energy Rankings like another ACC groups, which displays how difficult the league has been each to play in and consider. However wins in opposition to Georgia Tech and at Syracuse this previous week introduced the Hokies again in. Now, can they keep there?

16. Notre Dame Preventing Irish (15-4)
Earlier rating: 16
This week: at Georgia Tech (Thursday), vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (Sunday)

Successful at UConn was massive. However it adopted a 79-65 loss at dwelling to Syracuse. That is why the Irish keep put at 16. They’d loads of competitors for the spot, too — together with the Orange, who may have taken it from them however then had the house loss to Virginia Tech. The Irish confirmed Saturday that guard Olivia Miles will not play this season after struggling an harm towards the tip of final season.

Dropped out: USC Trojans, North Carolina Tar Heels