For all of the changes in women’s college basketball, it’s status quo at the top.
South Carolina remains the sport’s preeminent program under Dawn Staley, and it will try to follow last season’s undefeated national title campaign with the school’s first repeat — which would make it four crowns in the past eight tournaments.
In a season of widespread conference realignment and a new wave of talent ascending into crossover stars, following the departures of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, South Carolina’s list of challengers appears to divide into two tiers.
The biggest threats come from opposite coasts: UConn, featuring Paige Bueckers in her last dance, going for its first championship since 2016, an eternity in dog (Husky) years. And USC, led by megastar-in-waiting JuJu Watkins, which super-teamed its roster via the transfer portal.
UCLA, Texas, Notre Dame and LSU (remember them?) make up the next rung of contenders.
Those seven teams highlight The Post’s preseason top 25:
1. South Carolina
The team to beat until proven otherwise. Virtually all of the roster that went 38-0 a season ago returns, minus WNBA draft pick Kamilla Cardoso and potentially Ashlyn Watkins (suspended following a domestic violence arrest). MiLaysia Fulwiley is a human highlight reel in the backcourt, Joyce Edwards is billed as their next great freshman, and Dawn Staley — the most influential college coach in America, in any sport — makes it all work.
2. UConn
Paige Bueckers going for that elusive national title will be captivating theater. Fingers crossed the magnetic, do-everything-well guard stays healthy through the back-to-back college and WNBA seasons, after the presumptive No. 1 pick turns pro in April. She’ll get support from No. 1 recruit Sarah Strong, transfer Princeton point guard Kaitlyn Chen and sharpshooter Azzi Fudd, who is due back from a torn ACL.
3. USC
The sophomore hype around phenom JuJu Watkins (27.1 points per game last season) and the addition of top transfer forward Kiki Iriafen (19.4 points and 11 rebounds at Stanford) bring Final Four expectations to Los Angeles after the Trojans fell in last season’s Elite Eight. They’ll be tested by the competition and prolonged travel schedule of joining the Big Ten.
4. UCLA
This roster checks every box, save continuity. Towering 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts and point guard Kiki Rice aren’t the best inside-out combo in town, but might be the second-best in the country. The Bruins added impact transfers in forwards Janiah Barker (Texas A&M) and Timea Gardiner (Oregon State), and guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State).
5. Texas
The return of energizer point guard Rori Harmon moves standout sophomore Madison Booker back to the wing after she pinch hit on the ball as a freshman (16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists). Head coach Vic Schaefer, one of the very best, makes a roundabout return to the SEC.
6. LSU
Angel Reese is a lot of production and charisma to replace, sure. But the ceiling’s plenty high on a team now led by junior guard (and potential 2026 No. 1 pick) Flau’jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams. Kim Mulkey’s peacocking isn’t for everyone, but she gets results.
7. Notre Dame
There’s a best-case scenario where the Fighting Irish have the best backcourt in the land and cruise to the top of the ACC. But there are questions surrounding exactly how Hannah Hidalgo, a sensation as a freshman, fits next to point guard Olivia Miles, back after missing all of 2023-24.
8. Iowa State
The favorites in the new-look Big 12 have an imposing Big 3 of sophomore center Audi Crooks (19.2 points, including 40 in the first round of the tournament), sophomore wing Addy Brown (13.0 points, 8.2 rebounds) and super-senior guard Emily Ryan (11.6 points, 6.9 assists).
9. Baylor
Count on head coach Nikki Collen, who landed forward Aaronette Vonleh in the portal to join guards Sarah Andrews and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, to maximize the Bears’ potential.
10. Oklahoma
The high-scoring, up-tempo Sooners — SEC newbies after winning the Big 12 last season — added Oregon State transfer Raegan Beers, a back-to-the-basket big who averaged 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds.
11. N.C. State
The guard trio of Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Zoe Brooks should cook, but the Wolfpack lost the reliable bigs from last season’s Final Four team.
12. Duke
The lion’s share of the production is back from a young team that made the Sweet 16 — and gave UConn a fight — under head coach Kara Lawson.
13. Ohio State
Junior forward Cotie McMahon looks to rebound from a disappointing season, and keep an eye on freshman guard Jaloni Cambridge.
14. Kansas State
Wildcats 6-foot-6 center Ayoka Lee, in her seventh year in college, might be the most dominant scoring big in the game (career 19.2 points per game).
15. North Carolina
Tar Heels fixture Deja Kelly transferred out, but there’s still a roster in Chapel Hill primed for a breakthrough.
16. West Virginia
Last seen giving Caitlin Clark and Iowa a real scare in the Round of 32. JJ Quinerly is back at the head of the fifth-best defense in the country from last season.
17. Maryland
Senior wing Shyanne Sellers (15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists) means the Terrapins will have the best player on the floor in most Big Ten tussles.
18. Florida State
The name to know is junior guard Ta’Niya Latson, who scored 21.4 points per game last season.
19. Louisville
A big-time recruiting class includes Imari Berry, Mackenly Randolph (Zach’s daughter) and Izela Arenas (Gilbert’s daughter).
20. Ole Miss
A reliable second-tier SEC program under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who’s also a mentor to Liberty Finals MVP Jonquel Jones.
21. Iowa
Year 1 AC, After Caitlin. A fascinating case study. There’s a see-it-if-you-squint roster featuring transfer guard Lucy Olsen (third nationally with 23.3 points per game last season for Villanova) and incumbent big Hannah Stuelke, a new coach and a devoted fan base. But look what happened to Oregon after Sabrina Ionescu left.
22. Creighton
One of the country’s best offenses and a safe bet to finish second in the Big East.
23. Kentucky
Shot-making point guard Georgia Amoore (18.8 points, 6.8 assists) is at the controls after following head coach Kenny Brooks to Lexington from Virginia Tech.
24. TCU
One year removed from needing midseason tryouts to field an eligible roster, there’s intrigue here with Olympic medalist Hailey Van Lith and NCAA whistleblower Sedona Prince.
25. Princeton
Had to show some love to the Ivy League. The Tigers have made five straight tourneys.
Final Four
South Carolina, UConn, USC, Texas
National champion
South Carolina
