Women’s basketball: Colorado finishes No. 15 in final AP Top 25

A second consecutive run to the Sweet 16 resulted in Colorado women’s basketball landing its best final ranking in more than two decades.

On Monday, the Associated Press released its final Top 25 poll of the season, with CU landing at No. 15. The Buffaloes (24-10) moved up two spots from the previous poll, which was released on March 18.

In the 47-year history of the women’s AP Top 25, this is the first time that the final poll has been released after the NCAA Tournament. In prior years, the final Top 25 was released after Selection Sunday, but before the start of the tournament.

This is the sixth time in program history that the Buffs have finished within the top 15 of the final poll, and the first time since 2002, when they were No. 12.

After starting the season at No. 20 in the preseason poll, the Buffs climbed to No. 3 on two different occasions and spent seven weeks in the top five overall. Only six teams spent more time in the top five than CU.

Overall, CU has appeared in the top 25 in each of the last 27 polls, dating back to last year. It is the second-longest streak in program history, behind a 75-week streak from 1992-97.

South Carolina (38-0), which completed a perfect season with an 87-75 win against Iowa in the national title game on Sunday, was the unanimous No. 1, with all 35 first-place votes. Iowa (34-5) was a unanimous choice for No. 2.

The other two Final Four teams, Connecticut and North Carolina State finished No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, with both making jumps of seven spots from the previous poll.

USC finished at No. 5 to lead a group of six teams from the Pac-12. In its final season, the Pac-12 tied with the Big 12 for the most teams in the final Top 25.