Reigning Champions South Carolina Retain Top Spot in Preseason AP Poll

The South Carolina Gamecocks have been named the preseason No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top 25 women's college basketball poll, receiving 27 of the 30 first-place votes. The defending national champions return four starters from their undefeated title-winning squad, cementing their status as the team to beat in the upcoming season.

Powerhouses Poised for Dominance: A Preseason Outlook on Women's College Basketball

Reigning Champions Retain Top Spot

South Carolina's preseason No. 1 ranking marks the fourth time in the past five years that the Gamecocks have been tabbed as the team to beat. After starting the 2023-24 season ranked sixth, they quickly ascended to the top spot and never relinquished it, capping off their historic campaign with a national championship victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa. Head coach Dawn Staley acknowledged the target on her team's back, stating, "We knew we'd have a target on our backs this season as the reigning champions and this preseason ranking just confirms that. We appreciate the recognition, but I know our coaching staff and our team are more focused on what we see in the gym every day. And that's every player working extremely hard to get better individually and as a team."

Powerhouse Programs Jockey for Position

Rounding out the top five are UConn at No. 2, USC at No. 3, Texas at No. 4, and UCLA at No. 5. The Huskies, led by legendary coach Geno Auriemma, received two first-place votes and are looking to bounce back from a season plagued by injury issues. The Trojans, led by the dynamic sophomore guard JuJu Watkins, received the remaining first-place vote and are poised to make a deep tournament run. Texas, with the return of star point guard Rori Harmon, and UCLA, bolstered by a talented group of transfers, are also expected to be forces to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.

Newcomers and Familiar Faces Dot the Preseason Rankings

The preseason poll features a mix of established powerhouses and rising contenders. Notre Dame, LSU, Iowa State, NC State, and Oklahoma round out the top 10, with the Cyclones making their second appearance in the top 10 in the last three seasons.Newcomers to the rankings include No. 24 Alabama, making its first appearance since 1999, and No. 25 Indiana, both of which are looking to build on their recent success and make a statement in the upcoming campaign.Notably absent from the preseason rankings is Stanford, which finds itself unranked for the first time since 1999. The Cardinal, led by new head coach Kate Paye, will look to rebound from the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer.

Conference Supremacy on Display

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) flexes its muscles with seven teams in the Top 25, including South Carolina, LSU, Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Alabama. The ACC and Big Ten each boast six ranked teams, while the Big 12 and Big East have four and two, respectively.The absence of Iowa, the national runner-up the past two seasons, is a notable omission as the Hawkeyes prepare for life without the departure of superstar Caitlin Clark to the WNBA.As the 2024-25 season approaches, the stage is set for a thrilling and highly competitive campaign in women's college basketball. With powerhouses like South Carolina, UConn, and USC leading the charge, and a host of talented newcomers and familiar faces vying for the spotlight, fans can expect an electrifying season filled with high-stakes matchups and unforgettable moments.