COLOMBIA – South Carolina is very close, but still not there.
Gamecocks moved up two places to the second position in the Associated Press women’s top 25 on Monday, an expected jump after they won their two games last week, while NC State and Connecticut lost. The undefeated Louisville remained in first place, although Gamecocks received four votes for first place.
The Cardinals were set to host Wolfpack on Monday night, creating an interesting week. The Gamecocks have just one game this week in Auburn on Thursday, so with a win there and a loss in Louisville on Monday, the USC can move up to first place next Monday.
That would be just in time for a confrontation with UConn at Storrs that night. The Gamecocks attacked the Huskies in Columbia last year for their first win in the long series.
Women’s Top 25 AP
1. Louisville
2. South Carolina
3. Connecticut
4. NC state
5. UCLA
6. Stanford
7. Texas A&M
8. Baylor
9. Arizona
10. Maryland
11. State of Ohio
12. Oregon
13. Michigan
14. USF
15. Kentucky
16. Arkansas
17. Indiana
18. Tennessee
19. Gonzaga
20. DePaul
21. West Virginia
22. Northwest
23. State of South Dakota
24. State of Mississippi
25. Georgia
Also receiving votes: Missouri State 64, Georgia Tech 25, Syracuse 20, Iowa State 9, Rice 5, South Dakota 3, Stephen F. Austin 3, Texas 2, LSU 2, Virginia Tech 1
David Cloninger’s female top 25
1. Louisville
2. South Carolina
3. UCLA
4. Connecticut
5. NC state
6. Stanford
7. Arizona
8. Baylor
9. State of Ohio
10. Texas A&M
11. Oregon
12. Michigan
13. DePaul
14. Maryland
15. Arkansas
16. USF
17. Indiana
18. Kentucky
19. Gonzaga
20. State of Missouri
21. West Virginia
22. State of Mississippi
23. Georgia
24. Tennessee
25. State of South Dakota
Gonzaga, Baylor remain 1, 2
The Bulldogs and Bears remained undefeated and at the top of the AP Male Top 25.
Top 25 Male AP
1. Gonzaga
2. Baylor
3. Villanova
4. Michigan
5. Houston
6. Texas
7. State of Ohio
8. Iowa
9. Oklahoma
10. Alabama
11. Tennessee
12. Illinois
13. Texas Tech
14. Virginia
15. Creighton
16. Virginia Tech
17. West Virginia
18. Missouri
19. Wisconsin
20. State of Florida
21. UCLA
22. Florida
23. Kansas
24. Purdue
25. Drake
Also receiving votes: Oklahoma State 111, Southern Cal 57, Loyola (Ill.) 52, Minnesota 42, Xavier 25, Boise State 23, St. Bonaventure 19, St. Louis 11, Belmont 11, Toledo 9, Oregon 8, Colorado 8, San Diego State 6, Connecticut 5, Louisville 4, North Carolina 3, Georgia Tech 2, Rutgers 1
David Cloninger’s men’s top 25 AP
1. Gonzaga
2. Baylor
3. Villanova
4. Houston
5. Michigan
6. Texas
7. State of Ohio
8. Illinois
9. Iowa
10. Oklahoma
11. West Virginia
12. Texas Tech
13. Alabama
14. Missouri
15. Virginia Tech
16. Virginia
17. Tennessee
18. Wisconsin
19. Creighton
20. State of Florida
21. Drake
22. Kansas
23. UCLA
24. Florida
25. Purdue
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.