Defending champion UConn begins the season as the top-ranked team in the country, according to the latest preseason poll from the Associated Press. The Huskies secured 27 first-place votes out of 31. Right behind them is South Carolina, last year’s runner-up, which earned the other four first-place votes. This marks the fifth year in the top five for the Gamecocks, led by Coach Dawn Staley.
UCLA and Texas sit in third and fourth place, while LSU rounds out the top five. Oklahoma is ranked sixth, marking its highest preseason ranking since 2008. Duke, Tennessee, N.C. State, and Maryland complete the top ten lineup.
Under the guidance of Coach Geno Auriemma, UConn claims the No. 1 spot for the 13th time since 1995. “It’s a confidence boost,” Auriemma noted, emphasizing that they’re not focused on proving themselves but on the journey ahead. Interestingly, eight of the previous twelve times UConn was ranked first, they ended up winning the national championship.
Similarly, the top four teams mirror last year’s end-of-season rankings. This situation is quite rare; it’s the first time in 50 years that such continuity has occurred in the women’s preseason poll. This trend suggests a strong stability among the elite teams.
Conference Power
This year’s preseason rankings highlight the Southeastern Conference’s dominance, with eight teams in the Top 25, including five in the top ten. The Big Ten follows with six teams, while the ACC has five and the Big 12 features four. The Atlantic-10 and Big East each have one team represented.
Rising Stars
Michigan is making waves, coming in at No. 13—its highest ranking since 2021. The Wolverines, who have a strong trio of talented freshmen, aim to build on last year’s success. With a record of 23-11 and an NCAA Tournament victory, expectations are high.
Vanderbilt, ranked No. 19, is back in the preseason poll for the first time since 2012. Sophomore Mikayla Blakes had an outstanding freshman year, averaging over 23 points per game, helping the team gain momentum.
Richmond sits at No. 24, marking its first-ever ranking and significant progress for the program. After winning their first NCAA Tournament game last season, they return senior stars Maggie Doogan and Rachel Ullstrom, bolstered by the addition of transfer Tierra Simon.
Richmond’s coach, Aaron Roussell, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s growth, stating, “We talk a lot about putting this program on the map.”
Expert Insight
According to the NCAA, the growing competitiveness of women’s basketball is evident in the increase of teams entering the rankings. The last decade has seen a 25% increase in teams participating in women’s college basketball, highlighting a rise in talent and interest across the country.
As fans look forward to this season, the excitement builds. The future of women’s basketball looks bright, with new talents emerging and established programs continuing to excel. For ongoing updates throughout the season, check the AP Women’s Basketball hub here.
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