UConn unanimous choice as No. 1 in women’s hoops poll

After two more road victories, UConn is now the unanimous No. 1 in women’s hoops.

The Huskies moved back to the top spot in the AP women’s basketball poll last week and then beat No. 2 Notre Dame on Wednesday as well as topping Kansas State on Sunday to improve their winning streak to 84 consecutive games. UConn received all 33 first place votes from a national media panel Monday. The Huskies are off this week for exams.

Despite the loss, the Irish remain in second. Baylor, Maryland and Mississippi State are next. South Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, UCLA and Stanford round out the first 10 teams in the poll.

Arizona State came back into the poll at No. 23 and Oregon entered at 25. It’s the Ducks’ first ranking since 2003.

“It’s nice, I’ve been around this game long enough that it only means we’re playing pretty well and people are noticing,” Oregon coach Kelly Graves said.

Graves’ team will get tested quickly as the Ducks visit Clemson on Monday night. Oregon’s lone loss this season came against Mississippi State in Hawaii over Thanksgiving.

“If we lose tonight against Clemson we’re not ranked anymore. I’ve never been one to focus on that stuff, we’re just trying to get better every day,” he said. “This is a good test for us as Clemson is 8-0. They have ACC athletes. We go to Ole Miss next and they have SEC athletes. Won’t be an easy trip for a bunch of young kids.”

The Sun Devils re-entered the Top 25 after beating Kentucky in overtime on Sunday in front of 13,225 fans. Florida and Oregon State fell out.

The Pac-12 now has six teams in the poll with the Beavers and Cal just outside.

“There’s no gimme on the schedule,” Graves said of the Pac-12. “That’s how good the conference is. Who’s the weakling? If you don’t find one that means it’s you.”