UK women’s basketball continues rise in poll with back-to-back games in Nashville looming

The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team is gaining national respect, and it’s going to have ample opportunity during the next two weeks to prove it’s warranted.

The Wildcats (5-0) moved up one spot to No. 14 in this week’s Associated Press rankings released Monday. They’re No. 16 in the coaches’ poll and could rise in that one as well when the new rankings come out Tuesday.

Kentucky was scheduled to play two games this week in the inaugural Music City Classic in Nashville, Tennessee. On Tuesday, the Cats were to take on Arizona State (3-2). On Wednesday, UK was to face No. 19 Illinois (5-0).

Next week, Dec. 5, brings a trip to No. 16 North Carolina (5-1) for the SEC/ACC Challenge.

The big news from Monday’s AP poll announcement was the shakeup at the top of the rankings.

UCLA ended South Carolina’s 43-game winning streak with a 77-62 win over the defending national champion Gamecocks on Sunday and climbed from No. 5 to No. 1 in the poll. One day earlier, Notre Dame knocked off Southern Cal 74-61 and rose from No. 6 to No. 3 as a result.

UConn held steady amid the mayhem at No. 2. South Carolina dropped to No. 4. Texas rounded out the top five, with Southern Cal now at No. 6.

Despite South Carolina’s defeat, the Southeastern Conference still boasts seven teams in the AP Top 25 — No. 4 South Carolina, No. 5 Texas, No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 14 Kentucky, No. 18 Ole Miss and No. 23 Alabama.

UCLA headlines eight Big Ten teams in this week’s poll. The ACC, including Louisville at No. 24, has five. The Big 12 has four and the Big East one.

Music City Classic

At Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee

All times Eastern

Monday

Maryland Eastern Shore 62, Dayton 56

Tuesday

Noon: South Dakota vs. Dayton

2:15 p.m.: Maryland Eastern Shore vs. Illinois

4:30 p.m.: Kentucky vs. Arizona State

Wednesday

Noon: Arizona State vs. South Dakota

8 p.m.: Illinois vs. Kentucky

Note: All games will be streamed live on BallerTV.com (subscription required)