At a staggering 20 wins and only three losses, UTSA women’s basketball possesses the top record in the American Athletic Conference and one of the best records in all of women’s college basketball. The Roadrunners hold a 10-1 record in the AAC and have suffocated teams with a formidable defense.
Despite this, UTSA has received very little respect from the Associated Press, being ranked all the way down at 71. Adding insult to injury, it trails four spots behind South Florida, a team the Roadrunners have a better record than and nearly defeated without their best player. This lack of recognition is both egregious and disrespectful, especially considering the high level of play UTSA has sustained throughout the season.
One reason the AP may rank the Roadrunners so low is the perceived weakness of their schedule. The AP did not classify any of UTSA’s 20 wins as Quad 1 or Quad 2 victories. In the eyes of voters, these wins hold minimal weight because it falls into Quad 4, implying that UTSA’s opponents have not been particularly strong. On the other hand, the Roadrunners’ three losses, including competitive matchups against Texas A&M and Stanford, are viewed as Quad 1 and Quad 2 defeats, which may further explain the ranking disparity.
This heavy reliance on quadrant classifications fails to capture how consistently UTSA has handled business against every opponent they’ve faced. The AP seems to ignore the fact that the Roadrunners have rarely faltered, which should account for more than these arbitrary metrics suggest.
It’s difficult to justify this level of dismissal when evaluating how well-rounded and cohesive this UTSA team has become under coach Karen Aston. In just a few seasons, Aston has built a winning culture rooted in defensive intensity. The Roadrunners consistently hold teams to low shooting percentages and control the tempo of games with disciplined rotations and ball pressure. Aston’s system demands accountability and effort from every player, and the results are undeniable. UTSA has weathered adversity throughout the season, including gritty wins against strong teams like Rice, Tulsa and North Texas, illustrating their resolve and ability to execute in critical moments.
The Roadrunners’ depth and balance has driven much of their success. Senior forward Jordyn Jenkins has been the centerpiece of the team, but what sets UTSA apart is how contributions have come from across the roster. For example, graduate guard Nina De Leon Negron has been a steadying force at point guard, managing games with poise and facilitating the offense efficiently. Players like junior guard Sidney Love and sophomore forward Idara Udo provide crucial support. With Love’s aggression in attacking the basket and Udo’s physicality in the paint bolstering both ends of the floor.
The fact that UTSA remains overlooked despite a 20-3 record points to a larger issue in how rankings reward reputation over results. Programs with historically successful pedigrees are often given the benefit of the doubt, while teams like the Roadrunners, who are steadily building something special, are dismissed based on perceived strength of schedule. However, success should not be measured solely by who a team has played but by how well they have performed. UTSA has proven time and again that they belong in the national conversation.
While the Roadrunners may not crack the top 25 immediately, the notion that the AP should rank UTSA outside of the top 70 is indefensible. This program is on a trajectory for an AAC championship and a potential NCAA Tournament bid. If the AP truly values competitive excellence, it will eventually recognize what UTSA has accomplished. Until then, the Roadrunners will continue to let their play speak louder than the rankings.
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