After a decade-long drought, the most dominant program in women’s college basketball history cut down another net in April, adding title No. 12 to UConn’s collection. But the 2025-26 season is just 15 days away, and that means last year’s champ is old news. It’s all about what’s coming next, which starts with the preseason AP Poll.
But Huskies fans need not fret too much, as UConn retains my top spot, followed closely by fellow Final Four teams UCLA, South Carolina and Texas. Here’s how I voted in my first AP Top 25 ballot of the season, with explanations for each pick. Happy women’s college basketball season!
1. UConn
The defending champs lost Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, but the Huskies return plenty of talent, plus a few fresh faces that allow them to retain the top spot. In the post-Bueckers era, 6-foot-2 sophomore forward Sarah Strong is poised to be a star. As far as I’m concerned, she already is, after averaging 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game as a freshman. She will be accompanied by one of the country’s most sought-after transfers in 6-foot-4 forward Serah Williams (Wisconsin), the smooth shooting of Azzi Fudd, and a wise-beyond-her-years freshman guard from Ecuador, Blanca Quiñonez.
2. UCLA
UCLA brought home the program’s first NCAA-era Final Four, but when it came time for the semifinals contest against UConn, the Bruins just looked happy to be there. This season they will expect more and coach Cori Close has the roster to make that happen. Everything starts in the paint with 6-foot-7 senior center Lauren Betts. The Bruins return three other starters in guards Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez and forward Angela Dugalić, but the difference between last year and this year comes from two transfer guards with one season of eligibility: Charlisse Leger-Walker, a skilled playmaker from Washington State and Gianna Kneepkens, a sharpshooter from Utah.
3. South Carolina
The Gamecocks recently announced that senior forward Chloe Kitts will miss the season with an ACL tear, but don’t expect South Carolina to take any steps back. Six-foot-3 sophomore forward Joyce Edwards is ready for a breakout year after leading South Carolina in scoring last season despite playing just 21 minutes per game. The Gamecocks also landed the NCAA’s leading scorer, senior guard Ta’Niya Latson, in the transfer portal, and signed 6-foot-1 guard Agot Makeer, the No. 6 freshman per ESPN’s HoopGurlz.
4. Texas
Another team fresh off a Final Four, Texas looks ready to make a similar run this season. The Longhorns return their dynamic backcourt in Madison Booker and Rori Harmon, while also adding some much-needed three-point shooting thanks to freshman guard Aaliyah Crump. Last season’s top three-point threat, sophomore Jordan Lee, should also see a minutes increase. Add in two experienced scoring forwards from the transfer portal in Breya Cunningham (Arizona) and Teya Sidberry (Boston College), and coach Vic Schaefer has himself a contender.
5. TCU
It’s hard to know how this season’s crop of transfers will play together, but coach Mark Campbell has certainly assembled a talented roster. The headline of the offseason was star guard and future WNBA lottery pick Olivia Miles leaving Notre Dame to play her final season as a Horned Frog. TCU also sees the return of Maddie Scherr, a journeywoman with plenty of talent who missed last season with an injury. Transfer bigs Clara Silva (6-foot-7, Kentucky) and Marta Suárez (6-foot-3, Cal) round out a balanced roster.
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6. Duke
The Blue Devils were four points away from a Final Four last season, losing 54-50 to South Carolina in the quarterfinals. They return a large chunk of that squad, including long-range threat Ashlon Jackson, versatile big Toby Fournier and speedy guard Jadyn Donovan. A newcomer could be the missing piece: Emilee Skinner, a 6-foot-guard freshman guard, brings a high basketball IQ, defensive prowess and a knack for playmaking with her to Durham.
7. LSU
No offseason would be complete without LSU landing a high-profile transfer. This time it was junior guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who left her hometown of Columbia and the Gamecocks for Kim Mulkey and LSU. She joins senior Flau’jae Johnson and junior Mikaylah Williams to make up a deadly backcourt. Freshman forward Grace Knox will provide an energy boost, while 6-foot-5 transfer Kate Koval (Notre Dame) brings an inside presence.
8. NC State
The Wolfpack graduated two dynamic guards in Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers, but they have another talented duo ready to step up. Junior Zoe Brooks was already the team’s second-leading scorer last season and Zamareya Jones is ready to build on a successful freshman campaign. They also landed transfer forward Khamil Pierre, who nearly averaged a double-double (20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds per game) last season at Vanderbilt.
9. USC
Despite losing reigning Player of the Year JuJu Watkins to injury, USC is all good in the guard department. The Trojans will lean on the strength and poise of 6-foot-1 sophomore Kennesy Smith, the tenacity of 5-foot-6 junior Malia Samuels and the experience of UCLA transfer Londynn Jones. All the while, the country’s No. 1 freshman, Jazzy Davidson, is more than capable of providing some star power. If the Trojans can find some scoring from their inexperienced posts, this team will be dangerous.
10. Tennessee
In year two, Kim Caldwell is looking to build on an exciting and rather unexpected first season at the helm. (Who could forget Tennessee’s first win over UConn since Candace Parker was on roster?) Caldwell brought in one of the country’s best recruiting classes, which includes five-star point guard Mia Pauldo and her twin sister, Mya. They join returning guard Talaysia Cooper, who was the team’s top scorer at 16.6 points per game, and UCLA transfer Janiah Barker.
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11. Oklahoma
This is a big year for the Sooners as it’s their last hoorah with both Raegan Beers (17.3 points per game) and Peyton Verhulst (14.9 points). It’s also the first look at one of the country’s top (and most hyped) freshmen, guard Aaliyah Chavez. Her three-point shooting should be a complement to the post game of Beers, while also giving the Sooners another all-around scoring threat.
12. Maryland
The Terrapins bring in two impactful transfers that should elevate Brenda Frese’s squad: Oluchi Okananwa (Duke), a menace of a defender with an ever-improving offensive game, and a skilled, big guard who can shoot the three in Yarden Garzon (Indiana). They join last year’s transfer success story, Kaylene Smikle (17.9 points per game), and a versatile forward in Saylor Poffenbarger, who is finally healthy after an injury-plagued year.
13. Iowa State
This is a redemption year for an Iowa State team that started last season ranked in the top 10 only to end up squeaking into the NCAA Tournament. Same goes for their brand new point guard, Jada Williams, a highly touted prospect who didn’t reach her potential in two seasons at Arizona. She joins fellow juniors, 6-foot-3 center Audi Crooks and 6-foot-2 forward Addy Brown, to make up a trio of dangerous scorers.
14. Michigan
Everything Michigan did last season was simply an exciting precursor for what could be in 2025-26. Now, as its trio of talented freshmen embark on their second season, expectations have risen. Guards Olivia Olson (16.3 points per game), Syla Swords (16 points) and Mila Holloway (9.8 points) are ready to make a jump and elevate Michigan to contender status in the Big Ten.
15. Ole Miss
Coach Yolette McPhee-McCuin has led her team to four straight NCAA Tournaments after a 15-year drought for the Rebels. But after last season, she said Ole Miss needed to land a big-name transfer in order to seriously compete. She got that in former Ohio State standout Cotie McMahon, a versatile guard with strength, athleticism and a knack for scoring in big situations. McMahon is the perfect addition.
16. North Carolina
The Tar Heels graduated the top three scorers from last season’s Sweet Sixteen squad, but they still have the experience and skill of junior guard Reniya Kelly (9.6 points per game) and the country’s No. 13 freshman, Nyla Brooks, a 6-foot-1 guard. Expect the team’s young bigs – 6-foot-4 sophomore Cierra Toomey and 6-foot-5 sophomore Blanca Thomas – to make a jump.
17. Vanderbilt
Expectations are high for the second season of star guard Mikayla Blakes, who averaged 23.3 points per game in the country’s most difficult conference while recording multiple 50-plus point games. Vandy also added two transfers with tons of potential: 6-foot-2 graduate Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (Texas) and 6-foot-6 junior center Aalyah Del Rosario (LSU).
18. Louisville
After a successful freshman campaign, guard Taj Roberts will take on an even bigger role at Louisville following the graduation of fellow guard Jada Curry and five-year post Olivia Cochran. Her one flaw last season was efficiency shooting, which I expect to improve this year. The Cardinals will also get a lift from junior guard Skylar Jones (Arizona), who is known for her intensity and energy.
19. Iowa
Senior forward Hannah Stuelke will continue leading this team from the paint, and Iowa has a pair of exciting new guards that will make her job a whole lot easier. Freshman five-star Addie Deal and sophomore transfer Chit-Chat Wright (Georgia Tech) will make up a dynamic backcourt that can score and lead the fast break.
20. Oklahoma State
In her fourth year at the helm, Jacie Hoyt continues to build something special at Oklahoma State. Her squad will be led by perhaps the country’s most underrated player, junior guard Stailee Heard (16.8 points per game). Senior guard Micah Gray (13.7 points) also returns, and Hoyt added an intriguing transfer in guard Haleigh Timmer, who helped South Dakota State knock off the Cowgirls in the first round of last season’s NCAA Tournament.
21. Baylor
Versatile 6-foot-1 senior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs will be the cornerstone of this team after three years in the system as a consistent scorer. I also expect big things from senior guard Bella Fontleroy, who was tabbed to the Preseason All-Big 12 team. But perhaps the most exciting player on the roster is Yuting Deng, a sophomore transfer from China who lit up the conference as a freshman at Auburn with her three-point shooting.
22. Kentucky
The Wildcats will once again be led by the 6-foot-5 post duo Clara Strack and Teonni Key, but they need someone to pass them the ball. Enter Georgia Tech transfer Tonie Morgan, a senior who averaged 13.7 points and 5.6 assists per game. Add in senior forward Amelia Hassett (8.6 points, 7.9 rebounds), and the Wildcats have a well-rounded core.
23. Kansas State
No program lost more in the offseason than Kansas State after graduating its entire core from last year’s Sweet Sixteen squad. But coach Jeff Mittie found hidden gems to surround lone returning guard and sharp-shooter Taryn Sides. Sophomore guard Izela Arenas transfers in after getting limited minutes at Louisville and 6-foot-1 forward Nastja Claessens has experience with the Belgian senior national team.
24. Notre Dame
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Notre Dame after graduating Sonia Citron and Maddy Westbeld and losing Olivia Miles (and a slew of other players) to the transfer portal. The Irish will lean heavily on dynamic junior guard Hannah Hidalgo, who is a menace on both ends of the floor, and senior guard KK Bransford, who returns after missing last season with a lower leg injury.
25. South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits have been one of the most consistent mid-major teams in the country for years, and I expect similar success this season. Senior Brooklyn Meyer, who was a top-ten finalist for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year award last season, will continue to lead SDSU, while I expect a big jump from 6-foot-2 sophomore forward Katie Vasecka.
