This photo made oct. 26, 2009, shows Tennessee coach Pat...

This photo made oct. 26, 2009, shows Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, left, talks to Glory Johnson during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) Credit: AP

Anyone with access to ESPN knows UConn is the greatest women's team on the planet. Stacked with All-Americans, the Huskies have proven time and time again, they are the team to beat.

But who should be number two? 

Both the AP and ESPN / USA Today polls have Stanford No.2.

The Cardinal had the second spot etched in stone until Connecticut handled them an 80-68 loss. North Carolina, Duke and Notre Dame were all candidates, but they all took a haymaker on the chin when they faced the Huskies.

The next logical choice is Tennessee. But the Lady Vols lost to Georgia in a tight one, 53-50, on Thursday night. Is Georgia worthy of  being No.2? Perhaps. But the Bulldogs suffered an ugly 66-44 loss at Vanderbilt on January 14th.

In spite of the loss, the Vols are the only team in the top four who hasn't faced UConn, which could be an advantage at tournament time.

What about Nebraska? The upstart Cornhuskers (16-0) are the only other undefeated team in the country. But Nebraska's non-conference schedule was a little iffy. Other than a home win against LSU and a road victory at Miami, Nebraska hasn't beaten any team worth mentioning.

That doesn't mean they aren't worthy of the No.2 ranking. The Cornhuskers' forward combo of Kelsey Griffin and Cory Montgomery is one of the best in the country.

How about Ohio State? The Buckeyes have been on fire. Sophomore guard Sammy Prahalis and junior center Jantel Lavender might be the two best players in the Big Ten. But like Nebraska, the Buckeyes don't have many big non-conference wins to speak of. Outside of a 12-point win against then-15th ranked Cal, the Buckeyes need to prove they can beat the good teams. 

They were hammered by Duke. Prahalis did lead the Buckeyes to a big win at Michigan State, but the Spartans have been inconsistent this season. 

So let the who's-No.2-debate rage on, because this will all be settled in March. 

Photo credit: AP

 

 

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