UCLA Claims First NCAA Title, Finishes Unanimous No. 1 in Final AP Poll

The UCLA Bruins have officially etched their names into the history books. After a dominant performance in the national championship game, UCLA finished the 2025-26 season as the unanimous No. 1 team in the Associated Press women’s basketball Top 25 poll. This marks the first time in school history that the Bruins have ended a season as the top-ranked team in the nation.

A Dominant Path to the Championship

UCLA’s ascent to the top was capped by a commanding victory over South Carolina on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. The Bruins routed the Gamecocks 79-51 to secure their first-ever NCAA national championship, finishing the season with an impressive 37-1 record according to MSN.

The final poll, decided by a 31-member national media panel, reflected the Bruins’ dominance. Interestingly, UCLA’s first-ever No. 1 ranking occurred earlier in the season, in November 2024, also following a victory over South Carolina via CBS Sports.

Final Top 5 Rankings

• No. 1: UCLA (Unanimous)
• No. 2: South Carolina
• No. 3: UConn
• No. 4: Texas
• No. 5: Duke

The rankings saw a significant shift at the top. UConn had held the No. 1 spot for the entire season until Monday, but they fell to third after a loss to South Carolina on Friday as reported by ESPN.

Cinderella Stories and Major Climbs

While UCLA took the crown, other teams made surprising runs during the tournament. Virginia emerged as a true “Cinderella” story, becoming the first team to play in the First Four and advance to the regional semifinals (Sweet 16) per CBS Sports. This performance earned the Cavaliers their first AP ranking since 2011, finishing at No. 19. However, the success was met with internal turmoil, as Virginia fired coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton over the weekend following an internal investigation.

Notre Dame also saw a significant surge. After a struggling rebuilding year, the Fighting Irish peaked during the tournament, upsetting Vanderbilt in the Sweet 16 to reach the Elite Eight. This run propelled them up 13 spots to finish the season at No. 9 via ESPN.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

UCLA’s achievement is part of a rare historical thread. The Bruins are one of only three programs to appear in both the first-ever women’s basketball poll 50 years ago and this season’s final Top 25. Maryland (ranked 20th) and Baylor (ranked 23rd) are the only other teams to achieve this feat according to ESPN.

Looking ahead, Coach Cori Close faces a significant rebuilding task. Every player who scored in the championship game is graduating, meaning the Bruins will enter the next season with a vastly different roster as noted by CBS Sports.

Key Takeaways from the 2025-26 Season

• First-Time Champion: UCLA won its first NCAA title with a 79-51 win over South Carolina.
• Unanimous Top Seed: UCLA is the first team in school history to finish the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll.
• UConn’s Streak Ends: After leading the poll all season, UConn fell to No. 3.
• Historic Longevity: UCLA, Maryland and Baylor are the only teams present in both the inaugural poll and the final 2026 poll.
• UVA’s First Four Run: Virginia became the first First Four participant to reach the Sweet 16.