Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Teams: Preseason Rankings and Previews

The anticipation for the new women’s college basketball season is real. Connecticut, who finished last year at the top, starts again at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s college basketball poll.

But the Huskies aren’t the only ones eyeing the national championship. Teams from the SEC and Big Ten are ready to challenge their spot.

With key players graduating and new faces arriving from the transfer portal and high school, every Top 25 team looks a little different. Each one brings its own story and set of hopes to this season.

Let’s get into the preview of the top contenders.

Connecticut Huskies: Reigning Champions Ready for Another Run

Connecticut clinched their first national title since 2016 last season. Even though star Paige Buckers left for the WNBA, the Huskies aren’t expected to slow down.

Senior guard Azzi Fudd, who averaged 13.6 points per game last year, returns to show what she can really do under coach Geno Auriemma. Sarah Strong, the WBCA freshman of the year, is back after putting up 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

KK Arnold, Jana El-Alfy, and Ice Brady also return from the title-winning squad. Transfers Serah Williams (from Wisconsin) and Kayleigh Heckel (from Southern California) add even more depth.

South Carolina Gamecocks: Rebuilding with New Talent

The Gamecocks lost several core players from their national title game run last season. Graduation, transfers, and injuries all took a toll.

Coach Dawn Staley isn’t fazed. She brought in senior guard Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring last year at Florida State.

Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, the team’s top bench scorer, is expected to step into a starting role.

Key Players to Watch

• Ta’Niya Latson: Senior guard, led the nation in scoring last season.
• Joyce Edwards: Sophomore forward, top scorer off the bench last season.

Texas Longhorns: Building on a Historic Season

Texas just had a season for the record books: 35 wins and their first Final Four since 2003. Madison Booker and Rori Harmon drove that success.

Booker, the SEC Player of the Year, averaged 16.9 points per game. Harmon led the team in assists and steals.

Sophomore guards Jordan Lee and Bryanna Preston are stepping into bigger roles this year. There’s a sense that Texas wants to prove last season wasn’t a fluke.

Impact Players

• Madison Booker: SEC Player of the Year, averaged 16.9 ppg.
• Rori Harmon: Led the team in assists and steals.

UCLA Bruins: Momentum from a Historic Season

The Bruins hit 30 wins and reached the Final Four for the first time in program history last season. Most of their starting lineup returns, including Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, and Gabriela Jaquez.

They’ve added Gianna Kneepkens from Utah and five-star freshman Sienna Betts. This team looks deep and hungry.

Returning Stars

• Lauren Betts: Averaged 20.2 ppg and 9.5 rpg.
• Kiki Rice: Contributed 12.8 ppg.
• Gabriela Jaquez: Added 9.6 ppg.

LSU Tigers: Aiming for Another Championship

Under Kim Mulkey, Flau’jae Johnson has helped LSU reach at least the Elite Eight in each of her three seasons, including a national title in 2023. Johnson teams up with Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley, who transferred from South Carolina, to chase another championship.

They’ll miss forward Aneesah Morrow, but transfers Kate Koval and Amiya Joyner, along with five-star recruits Grace Knox, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Divine Bourrage, are ready to step up.

Key Additions

• Kate Koval: Transfer from Notre Dame.
• Amiya Joyner: Transfer from East Carolina.
• Grace Knox: Five-star freshman recruit.

Duke Blue Devils: Building on Last Season’s Success

Duke surprised a lot of people last year by winning the ACC tournament and reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 2013. They lost ACC tournament MVP Oluchi Okananwa to the transfer portal, but four starters are back.

ACC rookie of the year Toby Fournier and senior guard Ashlon Jackson both made the preseason All-ACC team. They’ll be the ones to watch.