Kayleigh Heckel’s stat line didn’t jump off the page after the UConn women’s basketball team’s rout of St. John’s on Wednesday night, but coach Geno Auriemma went out of his way to praise the sophomore’s performance in the 88-43 win.

UConn's Sarah Strong, center, and Serah Williams, right, playfully console UConn center Gandy Malou-Mamel after she mistakenly got up to sub into the game in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Loyola Chicago, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

As for Texas and South Carolina: Despite beating UCLA early in the season, the Longhorns have played a less challenging schedule thus far and have fewer quality wins. South Carolina and Texas are nearly equal in resume, but Texas owns the head-to-head matchup after topping the Gamecocks 66-64 on Nov. 27.

The turn of the new year has brought nothing but drama to the women’s college basketball landscape. As conference play hits full swing, the latest AP Top 25 poll reflects a week where the untouchables proved to be anything but.

UConn star Sarah Strong was named the 2025 USA 3-on-3 Female Athlete of the Year after competing in the 3-on-3 World Cup last summer.