Full Breakdown
South Carolina Leads 2026-27 Women’s Basketball AP Preseason Top-25
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: AP Poll Places South Carolina at No. 1
On October 20, the Associated Press released its preseason Top-25 ranking for women’s college basketball. The Gamecocks earned the top spot with 23 first-place votes and 764 points. UConn followed with six first-place votes and 746 points, while USC captured two first-place votes and 668 points. Duke and Michigan rounded out the top five. Texas, Louisville and Vanderbilt completed the top ten.
Background & Context
This marks the fifth time in seven seasons that coach Dawn Staley’s South Carolina program opens at No. 1, a streak that began in 2020-21. The Gamecocks finished the prior year ranked No. 2 after a national-championship loss to UCLA. The poll features nine Big Ten teams, seven SEC teams, five ACC teams and three Big 12 programs.
Data & Statistics
- South Carolina: 23 first-place votes, 764 points (one source reports 792).
- UConn: 6 first-place votes, 746 points.
- USC: 2 first-place votes, 668 points.
- Top-Five Points: Duke 647, Michigan 644, Texas 618, Louisville 557.
- Conference Representation: Big Ten 9, SEC 7, ACC 5, Big 12 3, Big East 1.
- Historical Note: Since 1982, 17 preseason No. 1 teams have won the national championship; South Carolina was the most recent in 2022-23.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Geno Auriemma highlighted the championship aspirations of both his Huskies and Staley’s Gamecocks, noting the two programs have combined for two of the last three titles. Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico praised the depth of the Big Ten. Dan Hurley described UConn’s ranking as a reflection of veteran experience and recent recruiting.
Why It Matters
South Carolina’s schedule features five ranked opponents within the first month, including matchups against UConn, USC and Duke. The early-season tests are intended to prepare the Gamecocks for a demanding SEC campaign, where seven conference teams appear in the poll. UConn’s continued presence near the top reinforces the Big East’s relevance despite having only one representative. The concentration of top programs early could influence NCAA tournament seeding and the competitive balance of women’s college basketball this season.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Two sources differ on South Carolina’s point total: the AP listing shows 764 points, while a regional outlet reports 792. First-place vote counts also vary, with one source citing 23 votes and another noting 26. No source provides detailed methodology for the point calculations, leaving the exact weighting of votes unclear. Additionally, the poll excludes all mid-major programs, offering no insight into how teams outside the Power Five compare nationally.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a doozy of a schedule. something we have to do for us to actually keep having the roster we have,” — Dawn Staley, coach
- “When I left the Big East we had eight or nine teams in the Top 25 as well and it was the best league in the country. I couldn't imagine I'd goto a place that would be even greater,” — Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan coach
- “I mean, we’re generally gonna be in that spot,” — Dan Hurley