NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings
UCLA is the 2026 champion -- but unranked in the first top 25 for next season. Runner-up South Carolina is No. 3.
1. Connecticut
2. Texas
3. South Carolina
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. USC
7. Duke
8. Louisville
9. Cockeye
10. Vanderbilt
11. North Carolina
12. Ohio State
13. Maryland
14. Kentucky
15. Oregon
16. Illinois
17. Washington
18. Oklahoma
19. Minnesota
20. Villanova
21. Notre Dame
22. North Carolina State
23. Nebraska
24. Virginia Tech
25. Fairfield
Also Considered
Colorado, Princeton, Clemson
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5. Michigan
The Wolverines' noteworthy 2024 recruiting class (Olivia Olson, Syla Swords, Mila Holloway, and Te'Yala Delfosse) will be juniors and looking for a Final Four breakthrough after reaching the program's first Elite Eight. A frontcourt scorer from the transfer portal would fit well, but Kim Barnes Arico still has a team good enough to win the Big Ten.
6. USC
With a healthy JuJu Watkins, the talent at USC will be undeniable. Incoming 6-0 freshman Saniyah Hall gives coach Lindsay Gottlieb three of the past four No. 1 overall recruits in the SC Next 100. If she can successfully incorporate Hall and Watkins -- who missed a year following knee surgery -- with this past season's leading scorer and 2025 top recruit Jazzy Davidson, plus two international five-star recruits (6-4 forwards Sitaya Fagan and Sara Okeke) and Kennedy Smith, USC can challenge for the Big Ten title again and a Final Four.
9. Cockeye
McKenna Woliczko (SC Next 100 No. 6), Cockeye's highest-rated recruit since Caitlin Clark, arrives with plenty of expectations. She also arrives at a good time, with Hannah Stuelke set to depart. The 6-2 Woliczko is a good, versatile fit alongside Ava Heiden in the frontcourt and Chit Chat Wright at point guard.
12. Ohio State
This season's Buckeyes were built around Jaloni Cambridge, and that will continue to be the case next season. Right now, apart from Chance Gray, the entire rest of the rotation is set to return. Without a highly rated freshman coming in, expect Kevin McGuff to go after one of the big names in the transfer portal.
13. Maryland
Injuries altered Maryland's 2025-26 season, particularly the loss of leading scorer Kaylene Smikle. Her return, plus the influence of this season's leading scorer, Oluchi Okananwa, and the emergence of freshman guards Addi Mack and Kyndal Walker, will give Brenda Frese her foundation. The 23-year Maryland coach was remaking her roster with transfers before it became a necessity, so expect a major addition or two as well.
15. Oregon
Most of the country was introduced to point guard Katie Fiso for the first time in the NCAA Tournament, and she impressed with 22 points against Virginia Tech and 16 against Texas. If she and the Ducks can build on the momentum from the end of this season, a top-four seed in next year's NCAA Tournament is in play.
16. Illinois
The youngest team in the 2026 NCAA Tournament expects much of that youth back for another season. Sophomore Berry Wallace and freshman Cearah Parchment were the team's leading scorers and will form one of the Big Ten's best duos in 2026-27.
17. Washington
Coming off the program's best season since the Kelsey Plum years, the Huskies should have three of their top four scorers back. Sayvia Sellers averaged 18.0 points this past campaign and remains one of the most underrated players in the country. Avery Howell was a vital addition after transferring from USC. Brynn McGaughy became a key post presence as a freshman.
19. Minnesota
If Dawn Plutzuweit can find size in the portal to replace the departing Sophie Hart and Finau Tonga, the Gophers could replicate their fourth-place finish in the Big Ten and Sweet 16 appearance. Top three scorers Tori McKinney, Grace Grocholski and Mara Braun are set to return.
23. Nebraska
A healthy, returning Natalie Potts will more than make up for the transfer of Jessica Petrie -- Potts has missed most of the past two seasons with a knee injury, but was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024. Britt Prince remains the key for the Huskers as the point guard and top scorer. If she takes her game to another level, this group can compete in the top half of the Big Ten. The continued improvement of Amiah Hargrove, who took a big jump this season by nearly tripling her scoring output, will also be important.
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