AP College Basketball Poll 2025 Preseason Women's Rankings Released

Despite losing star guard Paige Bueckers, UConn opened as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press' Top 25 preseason poll.

The Huskies received 27 first-place votes to four for No. 2 South Carolina. UCLA, Texas and LSU rounded out the top five.

AP Top 25 Preseason Poll

1. UConn

2. South Carolina

3. UCLA

4. Texas

5. LSU

6. Oklahoma

7. Duke

8. Tennessee

9. North Carolina State

10. Maryland

11. North Carolina

12. Ole Miss

13. Michigan

14. Iowa State

15. Notre Dame

16. Baylor

17. TCU

18. USC

19. Vanderbilt

20. Louisville

21. Iowa

22. Oklahoma State

23. Michigan State

24. Kentucky

25. Richmond

Even with Bueckers gone, UConn can still count on Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong to fuel its repeat bid.

Fudd was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 tournament after averaging 17.5 points and shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc during the Huskies' run. Strong is poised to be the next major star to come through Storrs. As a true freshman, she put up 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

South Carolina has reached the Final Four for five straight seasons, so nobody is shocked to see them sitting second.

The Gamecocks did have some turnover with their roster, though. Sania Feagin, Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall moved on to the WNBA, while MiLaysia Fulwiley transferred to LSU. Head coach Dawn Staley received another blow with forward Chloe Kitts suffering a torn ACL.

Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson will help fill the void left by Fulwiley, while All-SEC honoree Joyce Edwards could take a big jump in her sophomore year.

Staley won't be lacking in opportunities to see what her squad is made of. The SEC has eight representatives in the Top 25, including four of the six highest-ranked teams. The conference projects to be the deepest in the country.

Aside from the usual suspects, Oklahoma may generate the most intrigue.

The Sooners made their first Sweet 16 since 2013 a season ago. Building on that, they signed Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1 overall recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2025. OU's top three scorers (Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams) are all back as well.

A fourth Final Four appearance might be on the cards in Norman.