The 2026-27 women’s basketball campaign begins with a familiar group of national contenders, with South Carolina and UConn welcoming back returning stars and USC bringing back perhaps the most exciting player in the country.
UCLA is the reigning national champion with the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season on the horizon, but Coach Cori Close has plenty of firepower to replace in a bid to repeat. The departure of such luminaries as Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice means the Bruins begin the season out of the top 10 in the Hoops HQ preseason top 25.
At No. 1 is a familiar program: South Carolina. The perennial contenders under Coach Dawn Staley have a loaded roster, highlighted by Joyce Edwards. The junior forward is among the top contenders for National Player of the Year after averaging 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists, helping the Gamecocks reach the NCAA tournament championship game.
Nipping at their heels at the top of the rankings is Connecticut, which has back junior forward Sarah Strong, last season’s National Player of the Year. The Huskies certainly have the supporting talent around Strong to advance to another Final Four under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
Duke and Michigan are among several schools on the rise, and USC can be a threat in April with JuJu Watkins presumably healthy again.
Here’s how the field stacks up heading into the season.
1. South Carolina (36-4)
Junior forward Joyce Edwards highlights a loaded roster that includes Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-7 sophomore who played in 20 games last season. Fifth-year forward Chloe Kitts, the 2025 SEC tournament MVP, is expected back from a torn ACL.
2. UConn (38-1)
Sarah Strong, the reigning National Player of the Year, will have the lion’s share of the spotlight after deferring to Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall picks, respectively, in the past two WNBA Drafts. Ten players are back for the Huskies.
3. Duke (27-9)
The Blue Devils have back three starters and nine players overall after reaching the Elite Eight and winning the ACC Tournament and regular season titles. Notable additions include sophomore guard Aaliyah Crump, who transferred from Texas.
4. USC (18-14)
Getting back junior forward JuJu Watkins, the 2025 National Player of the Year, from a torn ACL positions the Trojans for a potential Final Four push. Sophomore guard Jazzy Davidson was the only player in Division I to lead her team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.
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5. Michigan (28-7)
Junior guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords have the Wolverines chasing their first trip to the Final Four in program history. Graduate guard Courtney Ogden transferred from Stanford after averaging 12.9 points and 4.3 rebounds last season.
6. Louisville (29-8)
A return to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 hinges on an influx of transfers. Junior guard Zamareya Jones (NC State) posted career highs in points (14.9), rebounds (3.3) and assists (3.8) last season.
7. Texas (35-4)
Madison Booker leads the charge for the Longhorns, who reached the Final Four in each of the past two seasons. The senior forward is a three-time first-team All-America selection and was SEC Player of the Year in 2025.
8. Iowa (27-7)
McKenna Woliczko is the highest rated recruit for the Hawkeyes since Caitlin Clark. The freshman guard, along with transfer guard Dani Carnegie (Georgia), figures to alleviate some of the scoring burden from junior forward Ava Heiden.
9. North Carolina (28-8)
National High School Player of the Year Kate Harpring arrives as the centerpiece for the Tar Heels, who have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in three of the past five seasons. Senior forward Nyla Harris is the top returning scorer (11.4 points).
10. LSU (29-6)
Guards Mikayala Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley are part of a deep backcourt for the Tigers. They added transfer guard Jada Williams (Iowa State) before Coach Kim Mulkey announced center Kate Koval would be leaving for personal reasons.
11. UCLA (37-1)
Gone are the top six scorers from last season’s NCAA champion, but that doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare. The Bruins have the fifth-ranked class via the transfer portal, per ESPN, in a bid to reach a third straight Final Four.
12. Vanderbilt (29-5)
Guards Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan comprise one of the top backcourts in the country. The Commodores also added five-star prospect Olivia Jones.
13. TCU (32-6)
The two-time reigning Big 12 regular season champs added transfer point guard Jadyn Wooten, poaching the sophomore from conference rival Oklahoma State, to restock after a second straight berth in the Elite Eight.
14. Notre Dame (25-11)
Guard Hannah Hidalgo is back for her senior season after a torrid run through the NCAA Tournament, averaging 25.5 points, 11 rebounds, 7.3 steals and 4.5 assists. The question is how much support the projected WNBA lottery pick has around her.
15. Oklahoma State (24-10)
Landing center Audi Crooks (Iowa State), considered the No. 1 transfer in the country, along with guard Liv McGill (Florida) has the Cowgirls poised to challenge for a Big 12 title.
16. Ole Miss (24-11)
Nine players joined via the transfer portal, including a pair from SEC rival Tennessee in guards Talaysia Cooper and Jaida Civil. The Rebels also added transfer guard Jada Richard (LSU).
17. Washington (22-11)
Junior guard Sayvia Sellers is among three of the four top three scorers back for the Huskies. Their aspirations received an additional boost from transfer center Tilda Trygger (NC State).
18. Minnesota (24-9)
The top three scorers for the Golden Gophers are back, led by junior guard Tori McKinney. Freshman Kylee Paben was the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Nebraska.
19. Kentucky (25-11)
Senior center Clara Strack is a force at both ends of the court. The freshman class for the Wildcats includes several heralded prospects, notably McDonald’s All-American Maddyn Greenway.
20. Ohio State (27-8)
First-team All-Big Ten point guard Jaloni Cambridge is the engine fueling the Buckeyes. Redshirt senior guard Kennedy Cambridge was a finalist for conference Defensive Player of the Year.
21. Maryland (24-9)
The Terrapins had four players out last season because of ACL injuries yet managed to remain competitive in the talent-rich Big Ten. Senior guard Oluchi Okananwa averaged a team-best 17.8 points.
22. Illinois (22-12)
Sophomore forward Berry Wallace averaged 18.4 points and 6.2 rebounds last season while leading the Big Ten in minutes (35.7). Center Manuella Alves is expected back after missing her freshman season with a torn ACL.
23. Arizona State (24-11)
Coach Molly Miller guided a dramatic turnaround in her first season, taking the defensive-minded Sun Devils to their first NCAA Tournament since 2019. Graduate guard Gabby Elliott led them in scoring last season.
24. Nebraska (19-13)
The Cornhuskers bring back their top two scorers in guard Britt Prince and forward Amiah Hargrove. Forward Natalie Potts, the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, rejoins the lineup after missing most of the last two seasons with a knee injury.
25. Rice (29-6)
Junior guard Victoria Flores is the reigning AAC Player of the Year, having helped the Owls to a program record for wins. Two of the team’s other top five scorers are back as well.
Meet your guide
