NEW YORK – South Carolina, which topped the ranking, entered the new season playing three games in the first five days.
The Gamecocks were challenged over the weekend at a tournament in South Dakota, but were victorious. They remained the first choice in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll released on Monday, receiving 29 out of 30 first-place votes from a media panel.
The top 10 teams remained the same as in the pre-season, with Stanford, UConn, Baylor and Louisville completing the top five. South Carolina debuted with an 81 point win over Charleston, before beating South Dakota by 10 and then none. 21 Gonzaga for seven.
“I don’t think many teams would leave here undefeated with the talent that was here, ” said Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.” These were challenging opponents. Challenger. Some people don’t play on teams like this because you are susceptible to losing. It was good that this core group of players found their advantage. ”
Stanford won his first game, moving trainer Tara VanDerveer three wins behind Pat Summitt’s 1,098 wins. It may take a while for the Cardinal to play again; Santa Clara County on Saturday announced the new COVID-19 rules, which include a three-week ban starting Monday from training and games for contact sports.
The cardinal’s game against San Diego, scheduled for Monday, has been canceled. UConn was also waiting to start its season after the Huskies were put on pause because of a positive coronavirus test in their Tier I group.
Mississippi State, Arizona, North Carolina State, UCLA and Oregon complete the top 10.
Texas, under new coach Vic Schaefer, won their first two games and entered the vote in 25th place in their first ranking since last December. Notre Dame fell.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Iowa State had the biggest drop in the poll, dropping eight places to 23rd after splitting two games. The Cyclones beat Omaha by 26 points to open the season before falling to the state of South Dakota by 76-69. The team was longing for coach Bill Fennelly, who is quarantined after exposure to COVID-19. He will miss this week’s games against TCU and South Carolina. No. 13 Indiana, No. 18 Gonzaga and No. 21 Missouri State rose three places in the vote.
CORONAVIRUS COUNT: During the first five days of the season, 69 games were canceled or postponed because of COVID-19. No. 3 UConn and 15th ranked Northwestern are still waiting to start their seasons.
GAME OF THE WEEK: South Carolina hosts No. 8 NC State on Thursday in an initial season clash.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.