UConn, South Carolina lead preseason AP Top 25 women's basketball rankings

The 2025-26 AP Top 25 women's college basketball preseason rankings have arrived. UConn takes the No. 1 spot as the Huskies look to defend their title. South Carolina, UCLA, Texas and LSU round out the top five. 

Here is the full AP Top 25, as well as a few initial reactions and statistics from the rankings:

AP Poll ranking by conference

Most weeks in the poll

Here are the 10 programs that have spent the most weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP poll since 1977, according to www.collegepollarchive.com

Breaking down the preseason poll 

UConn opens the season as the preseason No. 1 for the 13th time in program history, coming off its 12th NCAA championship. Despite losing Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, the Huskies enter the 2025–26 season as the favorites. Senior guard Azzi Fudd steps in as the team’s top backcourt option, while sophomore Sarah Strong could emerge as the best player on the roster and lead Geno Auriemma to his 13th title.

South Carolina, last season’s national runner-up, sits at No. 2 with a new look. Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring last season (25.2 points per game), has the potential to be one of the most dynamic scorers head coach Dawn Staley has ever coached in Columbia.

UCLA, ranked No. 3, looks to close the gap between the top two. Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice return, and the addition of Utah transfer Gianna Kneepkens — who shot 50% from the field and 44.8% from 3 last season — boosts the Bruins’ offensive efficiency. True freshman and five-star recruit Sienna Betts adds elite talent, giving UCLA a roster that can compete with anyone in the country.

Fourth-ranked Texas picks up right where it left off. Starting point guard Rori Harmon returns for her fifth season, and SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker is also back in Austin. The addition of Arizona transfer Breya Cunningham provides valuable depth to a lineup already full of proven players.

Rounding out the Top 5, LSU remains one of the most entertaining teams in the nation. The Tigers add MiLaysia Fulwiley to a core featuring Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. As long as head coach Kim Mulkey is at the helm, LSU will remain a national contender.

Here's how last seasons poll ended