For the first time since Nov. 14, 2016, IU women's basketball has been ranked in the Associated Press poll, coming in at No. 25.
After defeating Penn State on New Year’s Eve and then-No. 15 Michigan State on Sunday, IU entered the top 25 after receiving votes the previous five weeks.
This week’s ranking marks just the fifth time ever IU has made the top 25. Two previous times came in the 2016-17 preseason poll and first week’s poll.
With this week’s ranking coming in the 10th week, it is the deepest into a season the Hoosiers have been ranked. The team ranked 23rd in the poll on Jan. 19, 1993, but that was just the seventh week of voting.
IU, 14-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten, is one of five teams from the conference in the poll, joining No. 9 Maryland, No. 17 Iowa, No. 18 Minnesota and No. 23 Michigan State.
IU's next matchup is Thursday at Ohio State, while the nearest game against a currently ranked opponent is Jan. 27 at home against Maryland.
IU Coach Teri Moren said after Sunday’s win that the team’s focus continues to remain on the next game, regardless of what the team or its opponent is ranked.
“Any given night — it doesn’t matter record, it doesn’t matter where you are — if you don’t come mentally, physically ready to play, you’re always at risk of losing,” Moren said.
