AP College Basketball Poll 2026 Preseason Women's Rankings Released

South Carolina was the overwhelming pick in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll in women's basketball.

The Gamecocks received 23 first-place votes compared to six for No. 2 UConn.

Preseason AP Top 25

1. South Carolina
2. UConn
3. USC
4. Duke
5. Michigan
6. Texas
7. Louisville
8. Vanderbilt
9. LSU
10. Iowa
11. UCLA
12. North Carolina
13. Notre Dame
14. Kentucky
15. TCU
16. Washington
17. Minnesota
18. Ohio State
19. Ole Miss
20. Maryland
21. Oklahoma
22. Oklahoma State
23. Illinois
24. West Virginia
25. North Carolina State

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley called the No. 1 ranking "a gift and curse."

"I tend to not look at the number, but our players do," she told the AP's Doug Feinberg. "They look at it and feel like there's a sense of respect to being No. 1. They also know that it's pressure packed with the type of non-conference schedule we have, we're going to be challenged. If we stand there at No. 1 at the end of our non-conference season that's something to be truly to be proud of."

The Gamecocks lost Madina Okot, Ta'Niya Latson and Raven Johnson to the WNBA, but they retained leading scorer Joyce Edwards. Tessa Johnson is back as well after averaging 12.8 points and shooting 44.8 percent from beyond the arc.

In terms of additions, Staley signed a quartet of 5-star recruits: Kelsi Andrews, Oliviyah Edwards, Jerzy Robinson and Kaeli Wynn. Guards Brooke Quarles-Daniels and Jordan Lee should make an immediate impact out of the transfer portal as well.

A Nov. 24 meeting between South Carolina and UConn is bound to determine which of the two is the early national title favorite.

Huskies forward Sarah Strong is the best player in the country. She averaged 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 1.6 blocks en route to winning the Wade Trophy.

Azzi Fudd is a big loss for coach Geno Auriemma, but Blanca Quiñonez, Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold will all help to provide some continuity.

Reigning national champion UCLA is a total wild card after an offseason exodus.

The Bruins' No. 11 ranking is a sign that coach Cori Close and her staff brought in some reinforcements, but overcoming the exits of Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, Angela Dugalić and Charlisse Leger-Walker is a tall order.

Crosstown rival USC is a bit of an unknown for much different reasons.

Star guard JuJu Watkins was sidelined for all of last season as she recovered from a torn ACL in the 2025 NCAA tournament. Her absence allowed Jazzy Davidson to shine as the true freshman averaged 17.9 points and 4.1 assists.

The Trojans could have the most explosive backcourt in the country, but Watkins is coming off a major injury and will have to adjust to a new role. She maintained a 37.9 percent usage rate through her first two years, per Sports Reference, and that number will have to come down in order for Davison to build on what she achieved in 2025-26.

The Trojans won't have to wait long to be tested in a big way as they head to Greenville, South Carolina, to play the Gamecocks on Nov. 15.