South Carolina Tops Preseason Women's Basketball Rankings

College basketball season is on the horizon, and the women's game is set to deliver compelling storylines. South Carolina has earned the No. 1 spot in The Post's preseason Top 25 rankings, positioning them as early favorites.

Following South Carolina are UConn at No. 2, USC at No. 3, and Duke at No. 4, signaling a strong start for these perennial contenders.

The USC Trojans' prospects are significantly bolstered by the return of JuJu Watkins, widely considered the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. Watkins missed last season due to injury, and her comeback places USC back in the national spotlight and adds an interesting dynamic to the National Player of the Year race. Other contenders for the award include last season's winner Sarah Strong of UConn, Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes, Texas's Madison Booker, and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo.

Dawn Staley's South Carolina squad, despite losing four seniors, remains a formidable force. Key returning players Joyce Edwards, Chloe Kitts, and Tessa Johnson will be joined by highly-rated freshmen Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah Edwards, as well as transfers Brooke Quarles Daniels from Michigan and Jordan Lee from Texas. The Gamecocks aim to rebound after falling in last season's national championship game to UCLA.

UConn, under a cloud of championship expectations, enters the season ranked second. The Huskies, who finished 38-1 last year and were eliminated by South Carolina in the Final Four, are led by Sarah Strong. Their roster features experienced guards KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade, and Kayleigh Heckel, and the team has scheduled a challenging nonconference slate.

USC's strong showing in the rankings is also attributed to the anticipated leap from Jazzy Davidson, last year's Freshman of the Year, and the addition of the nation's top recruiting class, headlined by Saniyah Hall.

Duke, with aspirations of reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2006, returns nine players from last season, including star Toby Fournier, following two consecutive Elite Eight appearances.

Michigan's guards Syla Swords and Olivia Olson have expressed ambitions for a national championship. The Wolverines are coming off a program-record 28-win season and a third-place finish in the Big Ten.

Texas, winners of the SEC tournament last season and Final Four participants for the second year in a row, are led by three-time All-American Madison Booker. They aim to reach the national championship game for the first time in 40 years.

Other ranked teams include Louisville at No. 7, Iowa at No. 8, and Vanderbilt at No. 9. Vanderbilt swept SEC coach, player, and freshman of the year awards last season with Shea Ralph, Mikayla Blakes, and Aubrey Galvan, respectively, all of whom are returning.

LSU, at No. 10, will look to MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams to lead after the WNBA departure of Flau’jae Johnson.

Defending national champions UCLA are ranked No. 11, but face a significant roster overhaul after their top six scorers moved to the WNBA.

North Carolina's freshman guard Kate Harpring has drawn attention for her preseason performance. Washington's Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell return to lead the Huskies. Notre Dame's hopes rest heavily on the performance of guard Hannah Hidalgo. Kentucky's Clara Strack, who excelled in scoring and blocking last season, is a key player.

Ole Miss, at No. 16, faces potential early-season challenges due to roster turnover despite acquiring Tennessee transfer Talaysia Cooper. TCU is looking to rebuild after significant roster changes. Ohio State returns four starters, including the Dawn Staley Award winner Jaloni Cambridge. Illinois aims for a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with roster continuity. Maryland anticipates the return of Bri McDaniel after an ACL recovery. Oklahoma's Aaliyah Chavez is expected to improve. Villanova, picked second in the Big East, had a 25-win season. West Virginia has many newcomers, with Gia Cooke being a notable returning scorer. Minnesota's Tori McKinney suffered a season-ending knee injury, but the team still aims to compete in the Big Ten. Arizona State's Molly Miller aims for continued success in her second year after a significant turnaround.

Looking ahead, the predicted Final Four includes South Carolina, UConn, USC, and Duke, with USC projected as the champion.