Northwestern climbs two spots to No. 21 in AP poll

After a solid week with two well-earned wins over Michigan and Penn State, Northwestern women’s basketball climbed two spots to No. 21 in the AP Poll released Monday, the team’s highest ranking all season.

The Wildcats remain in the top 25 for the third straight week and regained the top spot in the Big Ten, tied with No. 20 Iowa and holding a 9-2 conference record. NU defeated the Wolverines 81-73 in a hard-fought battle on Thursday before throttling the Nittany Lions 82-59 on Sunday to earn the No. 1 spot in the conference.

After holding the top spot in the conference last week, No. 18 Iowa defeated Penn State before being upset 78-63 by an unranked Michigan team — the Hawkeyes’ second loss in conference play. Iowa dropped two spots to No. 20 in the nation but remains top-ranked in conference alongside Northwestern.

Maryland, who was tied for second in the conference with the ‘Cats last week, remains in the same spot after an expected sizable win over Ohio State. While they were unable to change their conference standing, the Terrapins managed to climb four spots in Monday’s AP Poll to No. 13.

Here is the rest of the top 25:

The Wildcats remain in a great spot in the conference and in the nation as an anticipated four-seed in the tournament and contender for Big Ten champion. Northwestern has finally secured itself national respect, as many look to the ‘Cats to see what they will do in the final month of regular-season play.