Coaches around women's college basketball are high on the Michigan Wolverines.
Following their season-opening 77-66 win over previously-ranked No. 2 UConn last week, Michigan has risen to its highest ranking ever in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. The Wolverines rose to No 2 after being ranked fifth in the preseason poll.
Michigan limited reigning National Player of the Year Sarah Strong to 13 points in the victory on their home floor in Ann Arbor. Driving the Michigan offense was Te'Yala Delfosse, who had 22 points and nine rebounds. Olivia Olson added 19 points and Courtney Ogden scored 12 off the bench. In her first collegiate game, Australian guard Dallas Loughridge had nine assists and five points.
UConn checked in at No. 4 this week after
it was able to bounce back with a 91-79 win over Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 8. Strong scored a career-high 39 points in that victory for the Huskies.
South Carolina remains at No. 1, garnering all 32 first-place votes. The Gamecocks opened the season with a win over Maryland in Paris, France, then demolished North Carolina in Charlotte on Sunday to the tune of a 84-39 scoreline.
Oklahoma was the biggest riser this week, climbing seven spots from their preseason ranking of 21st up to 14th. The Sooners are 2-0 with wins over North Carolina and Morgan State. Freshman LeeLee Bell is averaging 22.5 points and 10 rebounds per game.
After an 0-2 start, North Carolina fell 12 spots from No. 11 to No. 23. The Tar Heels host NC Central on Wednesday.
Nebraska is the newcomer to the poll this week, entering at No. 25 after a pair of lopsided wins over Western Illinois and San Jose State.
NC State fell out of the poll despite a 2-1 week. The Wolfpack notched wins over Wofford and Campbell, but fell to No. 10 Kentucky 93-78 on Sunday in Charlotte. Kentucky rose four spots in the poll this week from their preseason ranking of 14th.
No mid-major team was ranked in the poll this week, but Fairfield, Illinois State, Princeton, Rice, Columbia and Saint Joseph's all received votes.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After beating UConn, Michigan rises to No. 2 in women's basketball coaches poll
