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BYU Women’s Basketball: Cougars crack AP Top 25 for first time since 2012

By Shaun Gordon

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: A detailed view ot the official Spalding NBA basketball held in the air by referee Lauren Holtkamp #7 during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: A detailed view ot the official Spalding NBA basketball held in the air by referee Lauren Holtkamp #7 during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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For the first time in seven years, BYU Basketball is ranked in the AP Top 25. Their impressive resume and RPI puts the Cougars firmly in the NCAA Tournament discussion.

BYU Women’s Basketball has far exceeded expectations this year, and they’ve broken a seven-year drought in the process.

The Cougars are ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll this week, their first time in the Top 25 since 2012.

BYU sits at 17-3 on the season, including a 9-0 West Coast Conference record and a current 11-game win streak. One of those wins was a home upset over No. 13 Gonzaga two weeks ago, which catapulted them into the “others receiving votes” category last week.

They replace Missouri in this week’s poll. The Tigers dropped out of the Top 25 with a loss to No. 15 Kentucky on Thursday.

The Cougars only played one game this week, a 65-56 win at San Diego on Saturday. They’ll stay on the road this week, taking on Loyola Marymount on Thursday and Pepperdine on Saturday.

With their undefeated record, the Cougars sit atop the WCC standings, one game ahead of now-No. 15 Gonzaga. The two teams will square off in Spokane on February 16th in a game that will likely determine the WCC regular-season champion(s).

BYU didn’t receive any votes in last week’s Coaches Poll, so they’re not likely to crack that Top 25 this week. The Coaches Poll will be released on Tuesday.

Along with their entrance into the Top 25, the Cougars still remain firmly in the NCAA Tournament, according ESPN Analyst Charlie Creme’s latest Bracketology. In his Monday update, BYU receives a No. 10 seed, taking on No. 7 seed Texas in Starkville, MS.

Their entrance into the Top 25, along with a sterling RPI that currently sits at No. 26, puts the Cougars in a great spot to earn their first trip to the Big Dance since the 2015-16 season.

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