The 2026-27 women's college basketball season begins this weekend, with Notre Dame and Villanova opening in Rome on Sunday before most teams start Monday and Tuesday. Defending national runner-up South Carolina tops a major preseason Power Rankings at No. 1, followed by UConn at No. 2 and USC at No. 3.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has assembled a roster with high potential despite point guard questions. UConn's Sarah Strong, the reigning Naismith Player of the Year, steps into a larger leadership role after the departures of Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd to the WNBA's Dallas Wings. Coach Geno Auriemma revealed Strong played through Achilles soreness all last season, making her award even more impressive.
USC returns JuJu Watkins after a 19-month absence due to an ACL tear. The Trojans also add 2025 Rookie of the Year Jazzy Davidson and top recruit Saniyah Hall. Texas and LSU round out the top five. Reigning champion UCLA sits at No. 16 after losing all scorers from the title game, though Sienna Betts is poised to build her own legacy.
Notre Dame enters at No. 19 despite major roster turnover, anchored by returning star Hannah Hidalgo, the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. Oklahoma State, at No. 12, is highlighted as the biggest transfer portal winner with additions Audi Crooks and Liv McGill. Tennessee is notably absent from the top 25 after losing every player who saw court time last season.
Preseason Power Rankings
1. South Carolina; 2. UConn; 3. USC; 4. Texas; 5. LSU; 6. Duke; 7. Michigan; 8. Louisville; 9. Vanderbilt; 10. Iowa; 11. Ohio State; 12. Oklahoma State; 13. Ole Miss; 14. Kentucky; 15. TCU; 16. UCLA; 17. Oklahoma; 18. North Carolina; 19. Notre Dame; 20. Maryland; 21. Washington; 22. Minnesota; 23. NC State; 24. Illinois; 25. Virginia. First five out: Clemson, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona State.
