An impressive 88-67 rout of then-No. 13 Kentucky has vaulted the Indiana Hoosiers up to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 women’s basketball rankings.
It’s the best ranking ever for the Hoosiers, who had previously been ranked No. 8 — which at the time was also a best-ever ranking. Part of their success has been returning all five starters from last season when the team went to the Elite Eight and had its sixth consecutive 20-win season.
“I’d like to think the band’s back together,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. “This team has a tremendous chemistry and plays well together. There’s something to be said for experience as they have a really good feel for one and another.”
They are second to only Maryland in the Big Ten, who is currently ranked third. South Carolina and UConn take the first and second spots respectively. The Gamecocks received 25 first-place votes after a nine-point win at No. 5 NC State to open the season.
All five of the top teams will head to The Bahamas over the next two weeks for tournaments. In the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, the Gamecocks and Huskies could find themselves going head-to-head if each team wins their first two games.
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers, Terrapins, Wolfpack and No. 7 Stanford will play in a round-robin tournament over Thanksgiving. After losing to then-No. 25 Texas (now No. 12), the Cardinal dropped four spots.
“It’s a great field. I think it’s going to be an interesting year for women’s basketball,” Moren said.