Vanderbilt And UConn Remain Undefeated As SEC Race Heats Up

The 2025-26 NCAA women’s basketball season has delivered drama, upsets, and a fierce race for supremacy, but as of January 19, 2026, two teams stand alone atop the national landscape: the UConn Huskies and the Vanderbilt Commodores. Both squads remain undefeated, each boasting a perfect record and a growing sense of invincibility as the heart of conference play approaches.

Vanderbilt’s story is one for the ages. The Commodores, ranked No. 5 in the latest AP Top 25 and now sitting at 19-0 overall and 5-0 in SEC play, are enjoying the best start in school history. Their most recent triumph—a narrow 72-69 victory over Michigan in the Coretta Scott King Classic on January 19—showcased the grit and poise that have become their hallmarks. Just days earlier, they outlasted Mississippi State 89-84, thanks to a scintillating 38-point performance from Mikayla Blakes. According to the Power 10 rankings released on January 19, “Mikayla Blakes scored a season-high 38 points to help Vanderbilt reach a school-record 18 straight wins to open the season, beating Mississippi State.”

The Commodores’ rise has been meteoric. After opening the season outside the top five, Vanderbilt now finds itself not just among the elite, but as one of only two teams nationwide yet to taste defeat. Their SEC record is unblemished, and they’re tied atop the conference with South Carolina and Tennessee, each at 5-0. The Commodores’ schedule, however, is about to get even tougher. They’ll host Auburn on January 22 before a marquee showdown at No. 2 South Carolina on January 25—a matchup that could have serious implications for both the SEC title and national rankings.

Speaking of South Carolina, the Gamecocks continue to look every bit the powerhouse. Ranked No. 2 in both the AP and Power 10 polls, South Carolina boasts a 19-1 record, their lone blemish a nonconference loss to Texas in Las Vegas around Thanksgiving. Since then, they’ve exacted revenge, edging the Longhorns 68-65 in an SEC thriller on January 15. The Gamecocks’ experience and late-game poise have been lauded by analysts, with the SEC Now crew emphasizing that “the Gamecocks experience [helps] them get the job done late.” Key performances from Madina Okot and Raven Johnson have fueled their recent surge, and with Vanderbilt looming, the stage is set for a seismic SEC battle.

Meanwhile, UConn sits atop the national rankings with an 18-0 record. The Huskies have so far navigated a relatively manageable schedule—of their 13 remaining regular-season games, just two opponents are ranked: Notre Dame and Tennessee. UConn faces the Fighting Irish on January 19, a classic rivalry that could test their mettle as they look to keep their perfect start alive. As the Power 10 notes, “The Huskies face Notre Dame tonight in a classic rivalry, looking to keep their undefeated start intact.”

Elsewhere in the SEC, the competition remains fierce. Tennessee, ranked No. 20 in the AP poll, has quietly compiled a 13-3 record and an unblemished 5-0 mark in conference play. Their upcoming clash with No. 11 Kentucky on January 22 promises fireworks, as both teams look to solidify their spots in the upper echelon of the league. Kentucky, for its part, has stumbled recently, dropping two of its last four games, including a tough road loss to Mississippi State. The Wildcats’ resilience will be tested in Knoxville, where the Lady Vols’ perfect SEC record is on the line.

Texas, ranked No. 4 in the AP poll and No. 5 in the Power 10, has faced adversity after a blistering start. The Longhorns began the season with 18 straight wins but have dropped two of their last three, falling to LSU and South Carolina on the road. Despite those setbacks, Texas remains a formidable force at 19-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC, with upcoming road games at Arkansas and Florida before a pivotal home tilt against Oklahoma on February 1.

LSU, sitting at No. 6 in both major polls, has bounced back from an 0-2 start in conference play to win three straight SEC games, including impressive victories over Texas and at Oklahoma. The Tigers are now 17-2 overall and 3-2 in the league, and with their next four games against unranked opponents, they’ll look to build momentum before a highly anticipated rematch with Texas on February 5.

The national picture is equally compelling outside the SEC. UCLA, ranked No. 3, has rattled off 11 straight wins and boasts a 17-1 record, while Michigan, Louisville, TCU, and Iowa round out a crowded top 10. The Iowa Hawkeyes, in particular, have surged into the spotlight, moving up one spot to crack the top 10 after a strong run through Big Ten play. Louisville, meanwhile, enters the Power 10 at No. 8 following statement wins over Notre Dame and NC State, with Imari Berry emerging as a key contributor.

For Vanderbilt, the road ahead is daunting but brimming with opportunity. Their undefeated run has already set a new school record, and with each passing game, the stakes grow higher. The Commodores’ blend of star power—highlighted by Blakes’ scoring explosions—and team cohesion has made them must-watch television. Their next two contests, particularly the clash at South Carolina, will be pivotal in determining whether Vanderbilt can continue its dream season and perhaps even challenge UConn for the national No. 1 ranking.

As the calendar turns toward February, the SEC race is wide open. Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Tennessee are deadlocked at the top, with Kentucky, Texas, and LSU lurking just behind. Every game matters, and with head-to-head matchups looming, the conference hierarchy could shift in the blink of an eye. The Commodores’ resilience in close games—like their recent escape against Michigan—bodes well as the pressure mounts.

Looking ahead, the schedule is packed with high-stakes showdowns. On January 22, Kentucky visits Tennessee, South Carolina travels to Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt hosts Auburn. Just days later, Vanderbilt faces South Carolina in a nationally televised battle that could decide the SEC frontrunner. Meanwhile, UConn’s quest for perfection continues, with the Huskies eyeing a February 1 date with Tennessee as a potential stumbling block.

With so many storylines unfolding and the margin for error razor-thin, fans can expect more twists, turns, and unforgettable moments in the weeks to come. Will Vanderbilt and UConn remain unscathed? Can South Carolina or Texas reclaim the top spot? Or will a dark horse emerge from the pack to shake up the national order?

One thing’s for certain: as the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season barrels toward its climax, every game feels like a championship. The Commodores, Huskies, and their challengers are writing a story that promises to captivate until the final buzzer sounds.