2026–27 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Preview: Powerhouses, Paris Tip-Offs, and National Award Race

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With the opening tip-off of the 2026–27 NCAA women’s basketball season right around the corner, the sport continues its rapid, electrifying surge in national popularity. Returning star talent, high-impact transfer portal moves, and blockbuster international opening-week slates have set the stage for an unforgettable campaign culminating at the 2027 Final Four.

Preseason Top 25: Breakdown of the Top 10

The Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll reflects a blend of returning dynasties, reloaded blue bloods, and rising West Coast juggernauts.

1. South Carolina Gamecocks

Dawn Staley’s program once again claims the top ranking in the nation. Driven by veteran guard Tessa Johnson and a formidable frontcourt featuring Joyce Edwards and elite incoming recruits Oliviyah Edwards and Jerzy Robinson, South Carolina remains the gold standard of roster depth, defense, and interior dominance.

2. UConn Huskies

Geno Auriemma’s squad enters as the primary threat to the throne. Led by reigning Naismith Player of the Year Sarah Strong, the Huskies possess unmatched versatility and tactical execution heading into November.

3. USC Trojans

Lindsay Gottlieb has turned Los Angeles into a recruiting and on-court powerhouse. With All-American guard JuJu Watkins paired alongside Jazzy Davidson and ESPN’s No. 1 overall incoming recruit Saniyah Hall, USC boasts arguably the most talented perimeter unit in the country.

The comeback was always going to be greater than the setback.

‘JuJu Watkins: The Return’ launches this week!

Part I drops tonight 🍿 https://t.co/WWgAVDvbOZ

— USC Women’s Basketball (@USCWBB) October 28, 2026

4. Duke Blue Devils

Kara Lawson’s squad steps up to the top tier following steady program building. Retaining physical perimeter defenders while adding Texas transfer Aaliyah Crump gives Duke the perimeter scoring and defensive length to contend for an ACC title.

5. Michigan Wolverines

A breakout ranking for Michigan, driven by high-volume backcourt production. Returning stars Olivia Olson (18.9 PPG) and Syla Swords (14.6 PPG) pair with Stanford transfer Courtney Ogden (12.9 PPG) to give the Wolverines an explosive 3-point attack.

6. Texas Longhorns

Vic Schaefer’s defense-first philosophy continues in Austin. All-Big 12 forward Madison Booker (18.9 PPG) leads the offense alongside Australian WNBL guard addition Jayda Clark and an elite freshman class.

7. Louisville Cardinals

Jeff Walz returns three starters and top bench weapon Imari Berry from a 29-win team. Louisville’s high-pressure defense and fast-break transition play make them a dangerous ACC favorite.

8. Vanderbilt Commodores

Shea Ralph has restored Vanderbilt to national prominence. Anchored in the backcourt, the Commodores enter November looking to challenge the SEC top tier.

9. LSU Tigers

Kim Mulkey’s Tigers reload following Flau’jae Johnson’s departure. Returning two of their top three scorers alongside incoming blue-chip guards Jordyn Jackson and Trinity Jones, LSU remains an elite SEC contender.

10. Iowa Hawkeyes

Under head coach Jan Jensen, the Hawkeyes prove their staying power. All-Big Ten First Team junior center Ava Heiden (18.0 PPG, 64% FG) and point guard Chazadi Wright give Iowa an interior anchor and floor general to stay near the top.

Preseason Top 25 (Ranks 11–25)

11. UCLA Bruins
12. North Carolina Tar Heels
13. Maryland Terrapins
14. Kentucky Wildcats
15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers
17. Ole Miss Rebels
18. Ohio State Buckeyes
19. Oklahoma Sooners
20. Stanford Cardinal
21. TCU Horned Frogs
22. Iowa State Cyclones
23. North Carolina State Wolfpack
24. Kansas Jayhawks
25. Baylor Bears

Blockbuster Opening Games to Watch

Opening week kicks off with high-stakes international showcases and inter-conference battles:

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 13 Maryland (Monday, Nov. 2 – Paris, France): The season tips off at Adidas Arena in Paris. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks meet a dangerous Maryland team led by high-volume scorer Oluchi Okananwa (17.8 PPG) and Stanford transfer Nunu Agara (15.0+ PPG).
No. 15 Notre Dame vs. Villanova (Sunday, Nov. 1 – Rome, Italy): Part of the Eternal City Tip-Off at PalaLottomatica. All-American guard Hannah Hidalgo leads Notre Dame against a disciplined Villanova squad.
No. 21 Oklahoma vs. No. 12 North Carolina (Monday, Nov. 2 – Paris, France): The second half of the Paris double-header features an uptempo battle between Courtney Banghart’s Tar Heels and the Sooners.
No. 4 Duke vs. No. 2 UConn (Saturday, Nov. 28 – Boston, MA): A Thanksgiving weekend showdown at TD Garden featuring Sarah Strong against Duke’s transfer-boosted perimeter.

Dark Horses & Sleepers

St. Bonaventure Bonnies: Led by star guard Isabellah Drake, the Bonnies carry legitimate Atlantic 10 title aspirations behind one of the most prolific mid-major scoring profiles in the country.
BYU Cougars: Sophomore guard Delaney Gibb provides high-efficiency playmaking and scoring. If Gibb elevates her assist-to-turnover ratio, BYU can crash the Big 12 upper echelon.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: Returning their core trio of Tori McKinney, Grace Grocholski, and Mara Braun, Minnesota has the continuity to disrupt the Big Ten standings.

Award Candidates

National Player of the Year Frontrunners

Sarah Strong (UConn): The reigning Naismith winner enters her sophomore season as the centerpiece of Auriemma’s offense.
JuJu Watkins (USC): A scoring phenom capable of putting up 30 points on any given night, Watkins leads a stacked Trojans roster.
Joyce Edwards (South Carolina): Returning as the most credible interior candidate in the nation for the AP No. 1 Gamecocks.
Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame): A multi-dimensional guard averaging elite steals, assists, and points per game in South Bend.

Coach of the Year Candidates

Dawn Staley (South Carolina): Always in the hunt while integrating top-tier freshman talent into an undefeated standard.
Lindsay Gottlieb (USC): Positioned for national honors if USC delivers on its Top 3 potential.
Jan Jensen (Iowa): Has seamlessly maintained Iowa’s high-octane program standard in the post-Caitlin Clark era.
Kara Lawson (Duke): Has systematically built Duke into a Top 5 power via recruitment and portal additions.

AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball Rankings: South Carolina, UConn. This video provides an expert breakdown of the preseason AP Top 25 poll, highlighting key storylines for top teams like South Carolina and UConn as the 2026–27 season begins.