UNC Women's Basketball climbs into the Top 10 of the latest AP Top 25 Poll

For the first time since 2022, the UNC women's basketball program is ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation.
Nov 25, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Indya Nivar (24) celebrates with North Carolina Tar Heels guard Reniya Kelly (10) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Lexi Donarski (20) during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Nov 25, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Indya Nivar (24) celebrates with North Carolina Tar Heels guard Reniya Kelly (10) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Lexi Donarski (20) during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The AP Top 25 voters are finally starting to get it right!

Following a victory over previously-ranked No. 10 NC State on Sunday, the UNC women's basketball program jumped up to No. 9 in this week's rankings. It's the first time since the week of December 19, 2022 that the Tar Heels are ranked among the top 10 teams in the country.

It was expected that North Carolina would jump into the top 10, but the rankings are starting to be justified. After being ranked behind Kentucky, who the Tar Heels defeated earlier in the season, North Carolina is now ahead of the trio of teams in the top 25 that they beat (Duke and NC State the others).

We didn't need Sunday's win to prove the UNC women's basketball program is a top 10 caliber team, but the win certainly helps the case, especially considering the circumstances.

Alyssa Ustby, who leads the team in just about every major statistical category, was limited to just three minutes of action due to injury, as the rest of the team stepped up in a big way during her absence. It just goes to show that this year's squad is deep, but obviously is a better unit when their fifth-year graduate forward is on the floor.

This group is finally getting the recognition they deserve for just how good of a season they are currently having.

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women's basketball program have four regular season games left, with two road contests this upcoming week. The Tar Heels will travel to Syracuse on Thursday night before heading to Louisville for a Sunday afternoon clash.

Schedule

Schedule