Notre Dame Takes Over the Top Spot ☘️

February 18: Notre Dame rises to No. 1, five women’s basketball legends named Hall of Fame finalists, a Vanderbilt freshman makes history with a record-breaking performance.

February 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

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What To Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. There’s a New No. 1 in the AP Top 25 🏆

For the first time in nearly three months, there’s a shake-up at the top of the AP Top 25 Poll. Notre Dame has claimed the No. 1 ranking, ending UCLA’s 12-week reign at the top. This marks the Fighting Irish’s first return to the No. 1 spot since 2019. Texas also climbed to No. 2, while USC reentered the top five after upsetting UCLA last week. (ESPN)

WHY IT MATTERS: This poll shake-up follows a weekend full of upsets, including USC’s 71-60 win over UCLA, UConn’s dominant 85-58 victory over South Carolina, and Texas’ 65-58 comeback win against LSU. With March Madness approaching, the race for the top seed is more competitive than ever.

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2. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists Announced 🏅

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has revealed its 17 finalists for the Class of 2025, with five legendary women among them:

  • Sue Bird

  • Sylvia Fowles

  • Jennifer Azzi

  • Maya Moore

  • Molly Bolin

The Hall of Fame committee will now deliberate, with the final class set to be announced in San Antonio on Saturday, April 5, during the NCAA Men’s Final Four. (HoopHall)

WHY IT MATTERS: Currently, only 48 of the 174 inductees in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame are women. The five women nominated this year have left an undeniable mark on the game, from championship titles to impactful contributions beyond the court. Their enshrinement would not only honor their individual achievements but also further elevate women’s basketball on the global stage.

3. Vanderbilt Freshman Mikayla Blakes Sets Scoring Record 🏀

In an overtime thriller against Auburn, Vanderbilt freshman Mikayla Blakes rewrote the record books with a 55-point explosion—the most ever by a freshman in NCAA history. She poured in 30 of those points during the fourth quarter and overtime, surpassing the previous freshman single-game record of 54 points, set by Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne. (CBS Sports)

WHY IT MATTERS: Blakes’ record-breaking performance not only set a new NCAA freshman scoring mark but also established a single-game SEC record. She became the first Division I women’s player this season to notch multiple 50-point games, proving she’s one of the most electrifying young scorers in the game. Watch every bucket from her record-breaking game 👉 SEC Network

OVERTIME ⏱️

Veteran journalist Michelle Smith has been recognized with the prestigious Curt Gowdy Media Award for her outstanding contributions to basketball journalism. Her in-depth coverage has helped elevate women’s basketball, bringing more visibility and recognition to the game. Read more about Michelle and her work here 👉 The Next

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