Ohio State No. 24, UConn Tops Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
The buzz for the upcoming women’s college basketball season is real. With the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll just out, everyone’s sizing up the competition already.
Ohio State’s women’s basketball team lands at No. 24 as things get rolling. Connecticut, no surprise, starts out on top at No. 1.
These preseason rankings give us a peek at which conferences might dominate and which teams are worth keeping an eye on.
Ohio State’s Position in the Preseason Poll
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Ohio State opens the season ranked No. 24. That spot says a lot—it’s promising, but it’s not a free pass.
Being in the top 25 feels good, but it puts a target on your back. The Buckeyes will have to back it up against some of the country’s best.
One matchup jumps out: their road game against Connecticut on November 16. That’s going to be a big one, maybe even a tone-setter for their whole season.
Key Matchups and Challenges
Ohio State’s schedule is loaded with chances to move up. Facing Connecticut, the top-ranked team, is a huge test.
Connecticut got 28 of 31 first-place votes. They’re the defending champs and back at No. 1 in the preseason for the first time since 2017.
This game could really show if Ohio State is ready for the big stage.
Top Teams in the Preseason Poll
The preseason poll puts some teams and conferences way out front. Connecticut leads, then South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, and LSU round out the top five.
South Carolina sits at No. 2, picking up the other three first-place votes. That says a lot about their strength and how much people expect them to push Connecticut.
SEC Dominance
The SEC is stacked this year, with three teams in the top five and eight in the top 25 overall. That’s a serious presence.
- No. 2 South Carolina
- No. 3 Texas
- No. 5 LSU
- No. 7 Oklahoma
- No. 9 Tennessee
With that lineup, the SEC looks like one of the toughest conferences to play in this season.
Other Conferences to Watch
The Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12 are also bringing some heat in the preseason poll. The Big Ten has six teams in the top 25, including:
- No. 10 Maryland
- No. 24 Ohio State
The ACC puts five teams in the mix, led by:
- No. 6 Duke
- No. 8 North Carolina State
The Big 12 shows up strong, too, with five teams making the cut. Looks like we’ll see a lot of battles across different conferences.
Potential for Upsets and Surprises
College basketball always keeps us guessing. The preseason poll sets expectations, but the season loves to flip the script.
Teams like Ohio State, sitting lower in the top 25, could shake things up. There’s always room for a surprise run or a big upset.
Building Momentum
Those early games? They matter—a lot. A hot start can launch a team up the rankings and set the mood for the whole year.
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Of course, early losses sting, but they can teach you something, too. For Ohio State, every game is a shot to prove they belong and maybe climb even higher.
Conclusion
The women’s college basketball season is finally here, and you can feel the energy building. The preseason poll lays out which teams are in the spotlight and hints at the matchups that might shake things up.
Ohio State sits at No. 24, which says a lot about their potential. Their upcoming clash with top-ranked Connecticut? That’s going to be a real test, no question.
There’s solid representation from the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. All signs point to a season packed with fierce competition and some truly memorable games.
If you want more details on the preseason poll and how the teams stack up, check out the original article.