Connecticut Tops USA TODAY Preseason Women’s Basketball Poll for 2025

The anticipation for the upcoming women’s college basketball season is hard to ignore. The USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll just dropped its preseason rankings, and there’s already plenty to talk about.

Connecticut sits at No. 1, picking up right where they left off as last season’s champions. Familiar names crowd the top: South Carolina, Texas, LSU, and UCLA round out the first five spots.

The SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 all have a solid showing in these early rankings. It feels like we’re in for an unpredictable, maybe even wild, season.

Connecticut Reigns Supreme

Connecticut, last year’s champs, landed the preseason No. 1 spot for the first time since 2017. Out of 31 panelists, 28 put the Huskies at the top, which says a lot.

The Huskies look ready to keep their momentum going. They’ve got a stacked roster and a coach who knows how to win.

South Carolina: A Close Contender

South Carolina starts the season at No. 2, snagging the other three first-place votes. They’re bringing a mix of veterans and new faces, and honestly, they’re not a team anyone should overlook.

Their spot in the rankings shows just how much potential they’ve got to shake things up at the top.

SEC’s Strong Presence

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) really flexes its muscles this year. Three SEC teams land in the top five, and eight make the top 25.

That’s a pretty strong statement about the depth and grit of these programs.

Top SEC Teams

• No. 3 Texas: This team brings power and depth. Don’t count them out.
• No. 5 LSU: Always a threat, and they’ve got the history to back it up.
• No. 7 Oklahoma: Starting strong in the top 10.
• No. 9 Tennessee: Holding down another top 10 spot for the SEC.

ACC and Big Ten Contenders

The ACC and Big Ten both show up in these rankings, too. Each has teams in the top 10, which should make for some great matchups.

ACC Highlights

No. 6 Duke and No. 8 North Carolina State lead the way for the ACC. They mix experience with some exciting new talent—could be a fun ride for both teams.

Big Ten Highlights

Maryland opens at No. 10 in the Big Ten, standing out in a crowded field. The conference puts six teams in the top 25, which says a lot about the competition level up there.

Looking Ahead

The season’s almost here, and honestly, everyone’s curious about how these rankings will shake out. Fans, analysts—everyone’s got their eyes on the preseason poll, but let’s be real, it’s just a hint at what’s coming.

Once teams actually hit the court, that’s when things get interesting. Until then, it’s all speculation and a little bit of hope.

If you want all the nitty-gritty details on the preseason rankings, check out the full article on USA TODAY.