The SEC is running the NCAA table, kicking off week 13 of the college basketball season with eight of the 25 programs listed in Monday’s AP Poll repping the powerhouse conference.
Boosting the SEC’s profile in this week’s rankings is No. 23 Vanderbilt, whose narrow 66-64 upset win over then-No. 19 Alabama on Sunday helped launch the Commodores into the AP standings for the first time since the 2013/14 season.
Further up the poll, a trio of wins last week — including victories over No. 18 Tennessee and then-No. 8 Maryland — fueled Texas’s return to the Top 5, with the Longhorns claiming the No. 5 spot after LSU’s Friday loss to No. 2 South Carolina dropped the previously undefeated Tigers to No. 7.
Ultimately, the SEC is steadily eclipsing early season favorite the Big Ten — an unexpected turn of events that has the traditionally Midwest conference clinging onto the coattails of West Coast newcomers No. 1 UCLA and No. 4 USC.
Big swings in the Big Ten
The Big Ten’s ranked programs dwindled to five after Michigan and Minnesota joined the Big 12’s Baylor in exiting Monday’s poll, helping pave the way for the SEC to claim more AP spots this week.
Fully entrenched in Monday’s rankings drama, the Big Ten ultimately owned the highs and lows of this week’s poll.
While Wolverine-ouster Michigan State earned the week’s largest leap in a five-spot rise to No. 16, Maryland suffered the deepest fall. The Terps tumbled six spots to No. 14 after logging three ranked losses last week — to the still-undefeated UCLA, Texas, and new-No. 8, Ohio State.
![Tessa Johnson, Adhel Tac, and Te-Hina Paopao cheer on their South Carolina teammates during an SEC NCAA college basketball game.](https://justwomenssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192972698-1024x683.jpg)
Monday action solidifies the SEC basketball spotlight
SEC basketball wasted no time in proving its competitive mettle after taking over the AP poll, as a tough matchup between unwavering No. 2 South Carolina and No. 18 Tennessee took Monday’s court.
Despite a first-quarter blitz and an impressive last-ditch 24-8 comeback run from the Vols, the Gamecocks managed to beat Tennessee 70-63.
Behind a game-leading 18 points from freshman Joyce Edwards, South Carolina held Tennessee’s top-ranked offense to season-lows in points, field goal percentage (30.7%), and three-pointers made (3-for-26).
“Joyce plays the right way,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said about Edwards’ big outing. “Joyce makes good basketball decisions. That’s why you see her flourish.”
![Rori Harmon #3 of the Texas Longhorns brings the ball up court during an NCAA college basketball game.](https://justwomenssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2184870466-1024x719.jpg)
AP College Basketball Top 25: Week 13
1. UCLA (20-0, Big Ten)
2. South Carolina (20-1, SEC)
3. Notre Dame (17-2, ACC)
4. USC (18-1, Big Ten)
5. Texas (20-2, SEC)
6. UConn (19-2, Big East)
7. LSU (21-1, SEC)
8. Ohio State (19-1, Big Ten)
9. TCU (20-2, Big 12)
10. Duke (17-4, ACC)
11. Kansas State (19-2, Big 12)
12. Kentucky (17-2, SEC)
13. Oklahoma (16-4, SEC)
14. Maryland (16-4, Big Ten)
15. North Carolina (18-4, ACC)
16. Michigan State (17-3, Big Ten)
17. NC State (16-4, ACC)
18. Tennessee (15-5, SEC)
19. California (18-3, ACC)
20. Georgia Tech (17-4, ACC)
21. West Virginia (16-4, Big 12)
22. Alabama (17-4, SEC)
23. Vanderbilt (17-4, SEC)
24. Oklahoma State (17-3, Big 12)
25. Florida State (16-4, ACC)
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