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South Carolina Women Start No. 1 in AP Preseason Poll

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 10:50 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

South Carolina Tops Poll

South Carolina women's basketball opens 2026-27 season ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll.
The Gamecocks received 23 of 31 votes, while UConn earned six.
Transfer Jordan Lee, averaging 13.2 points at Texas, joins South Carolina to replace guards Johnson and Latson.
Men’s team coached by Lamont Paris is projected last in SEC after a 13-19 season.
Women open vs. Maryland on Nov. 2 and men open vs. Stetson on Nov. 3.

Summary

UConn Crushes Syracuse

UConn defeated Syracuse 72-52 in its first exhibition, with Na’jai Hines scoring 17 points.
UConn will face seven preseason top-25 teams, including four ranked in the top ten.
Transfers Nik Khamenia and Na’jai Hines join returning guards Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins.
Coach Dan Hurley says KenPom undervalues UConn’s defense, reflected in a No. 6 defensive rating.

History

Historical Context

In 2003, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team completed a perfect 35-0 season, capturing its second national championship under coach Geno Auriemma. Auriemma’s roster featured freshman Diana Taurasi, who averaged 17.5 points per game, while the program generated $12 million in revenue that year. Today, South Carolina opens the 2026-27 season ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, echoing UConn’s historic top-ranking dominance and reliance on high-impact transfers. Such parallels suggest that elite recruiting cycles and preseason expectations continue to shape NCAA women’s basketball power structures, prompting intensified competition for future titles.

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South Carolina Tops Poll

South Carolina women's basketball opens 2026-27 season ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll.
The Gamecocks received 23 of 31 votes, while UConn earned six.
Transfer Jordan Lee, averaging 13.2 points at Texas, joins South Carolina to replace guards Johnson and Latson.
Men’s team coached by Lamont Paris is projected last in SEC after a 13-19 season.
Women open vs. Maryland on Nov. 2 and men open vs. Stetson on Nov. 3.

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