The release of the January 8 Associated Press women's basketball poll was met with much anticipation from the Blue Raider faithful. After two blow-out wins over North Dakota State and the Troy Trojans and several Top 25 teams losing this week, the Blue Raiders were expected to break into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season. What might have been the biggest surprise is where the Blue Raiders landed. MTSU made their debut in the poll at #21.
Middle Tennessee was ranked #26 in last week's poll. #17 Texas A&M, #19 Michigan State, #20 Arkansas, #21 California, #22 Pittsburgh, #23 Depaul, and #25 New Mexico all suffered losses in this last week, opening the door for the Blue Raiders.
The Blue Raiders will carry their new ranking to Florida International on Tuesday to face a very good Golden Panther squad.
Here's the complete Top 25:
Week 10 AP Poll
1. Maryland(47) 17-0 1247
2. North Carolina(1) 17-0 1198
3. Duke(2) 16-0 1149
4. Tennessee 14-1 1102
5. LSU 15-1 1008
6. Ohio State 13-1 968
7. Connecticut 12-1 948
8. Oklahoma 11-1 935
9. Baylor 14-1 882
10. Stanford 11-3 778
11. Arizona State 14-2 708
12. George Washington 11-2 621
13. Purdue 14-3 604
14. Vanderbilt 14-2 600
15. Georgia 13-3 558
16. Marquette 15-1 514
17. Louisville 16-1 485
18. Bowling Green 12-2 300
19. Texas A&M 10-3 284
20. Michigan State 12-3 255
21. Middle Tenn. St. 12-3 200
22. California 11-4 161
23. Texas 11-4 119
24. DePaul 11-4 85
25. Arkansas 15-3 75