We’re through the Thanksgiving break and we are all working through the holiday leftovers. So, with a month to go until conference play begins, it’s time to unveil our initial WAC Hoops Digest women’s basketball power rankings.
1 – Stephen F. Austin
SFA sits atop the first power rankings of the 2022-23 season. The Ladyjacks did exactly what they were expected to do in Puerto Rico last weekend and came home with two victories. This includes a win over Boston College from the ACC. It’s the second Power 5 win for the women’s side in a span of three days. Aiyana Johnson and Avery Brittingham have been really good, thus far.
This Week: Home vs. Gonzaga on Thursday 12/1 at 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
2 – Grand Canyon
In their Thanksgiving Classic last weekend, the Lopes also came away with a pair of wins including a solid win over North Dakota (Summit League Preseason 4th place). This set the stage for Wednesday night’s Battle for State Forty Eight against Arizona State at GCU Arena.
This Week: Home vs, Arizona State on Wednesday 11/30 at 7 p.m. Mountain on ESPN+.
3 – Abilene Christian
Although the Wildcats split Feast Week games against UTSA and Montana State they get a ton of credit for the win against the Bobcats. Montana State was last year’s Big Sky representative to the NCAA Tournament.
This Week: Home vs. Alabama State on Friday 11/2 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
4 – UT Arlington
Shereka Wright’s team has played an impressive schedule so far. The Lady Mavs have held their own against Power 5 competition with single digit losses to Kansas and #16 Oklahoma. But a disappointing weekend in Florida has the Lady Mavs at No. 4 in this week’s rankings.
This Week: the Lady Mavs won big against North Texas on Tuesday. And the Lady Mavs are at Houston on 12/1 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
5 – Sam Houston
The Bearkats survived a late TCU rally to get the WAC’s first victory over a Power 5 team this season in Dallas on Wednesday. They led for all but 42 seconds in that contest.
This Week: at UCF on Thursday 12/1 at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
6 – Utah Tech
The Trailblazers are off to a 4-2 start with two Power 5 losses by a combined 22 points. They have nice wins over Utah State (Mountain West preseason last place) and UMKC (Summit League preseason 6th place). Breaunna Gillen is a Player of the Year candidate early on.
This Week: Home on Saturday 12/3 vs. Texas A&M Commerce at 2 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
7 – Tarleton
The Texans have a solid win against College of Charleston (CAA Tournament semifinalist last year) and put a scare into Nebraska before falling by 18 in Lincoln.
This Week: at Western Illinois on Wednesday 11/30 at 5 p.m. central (no live stream available).
8 – Southern Utah
The T-Birds have one of two wins against New Mexico and could very easily be 4-2 instead of 2-4, losing by a combined 8 points to Eastern Washington and UCSB (in a triple overtime thriller on Saturday afternoon).
This Week: Home vs Texas A&M Commerce on Thursday 12/1 at 12 p.m. MT on ESPN+ and at Northern Arizona on Saturday 12/3 at 3 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
9 – New Mexico State
-The Aggies beat UNM for the first time in six years. But the Aggies also went winless in the Denver MTE over Thanksgiving weekend. New Mexico State lost a pair of games by a combined 17 points.
This Week: at UTEP on Wednesday 11/30 at 7 p.m. and at San Diego on 12/3 3 p.m. on the WCC Network.
10 – California Baptist
A young Lancer team opened the campaign with a solid win against UC San Diego but had three losses by a combined 19 points. Trinity San Antonio has been really good for the Lancers thus far.
This Week: at USC on Wednesday 11/30 at 7 p.m. PT on Pac12.com and at Long Beach State on Saturday 12/3 at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
11 – UTRGV
Although the Vaqueros have a couple of solid mid-major wins over McNeese State and Northern Colorado they struggled in their games against Power 5 competition.
This Week: The Vaqueros held on to beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday. UTRGV is at home on Thursday vs. Houston Christian at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
T12 – Seattle U
Power rankings are about wins. And for the Redhawks, wins haven’t come yet in 2022-23. It’s been a tough start to the non conference slate for the Redhawks who have two losses by a combined eight points to Portland State (preseason last place Big Sky) and UC Irvine (Preseason 6th place Big West).
This week: at Washington on Wednesday. And at Weber State on Saturday.
T12 – Utah Valley
Like it was said above, power rankings are about wins. Unfortunately, the Wolverines are winless in 2022-23. And in their games against Division I competition, the Wolverines have been blown out. The exceptions are an 18-point loss at Portland State and 11-point loss to Weber State. Utah Valley actually held a lead at halftime in the Weber State game before being outscored 17-5 in the third quarter to fall behind.
This week: Wolverines host St. Thomas on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. MT. And then Utah Valley goes to Utah State on Saturday for a 2 p.m. MT tip.
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