Women's Way-Too-Early Top 25: South Carolina stays No. 1, Maryland makes it in
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Charlie Creme, ESPN.com
The season of change is nearly upon us.
The Pac-12 is gone. So is legendary Stanford coach and college basketball all-time wins leader Tara VanDerveer, who elected to retire rather than move with the Cardinal to the ACC.
Caitlin Clark is now in the WNBA and her college coach, Lisa Bluder, also decided to call it a career after 34 years as a head coach — the last 24 of them at Iowa.
The ACC, Big Ten and SEC are much bigger. Oklahoma and Texas are now in the SEC. USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington have joined the Big Ten. Realignment in the name of college football has rocked the traditional foundations of college basketball.
The transfer portal saw nearly 1,000 women’s players within Division I change teams.
So much is different — though in Storrs, Columbia, South Bend and Austin, it’s business as usual.
We also still have Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo and Flau’jae Johnson. We have South Carolina as a defending national champion.
The Gamecocks, who begin their title defense 40 days from now in Las Vegas against Michigan, remain our No. 1 team of the 2024-25 women’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings.
Previous ranking: 1
All three of Dawn Staley’s national championship teams were led by a dominant post: A’ja Wilson in 2017, Aliyah Boston in 2022 and Kamila Cardoso in 2024. But if the Gamecocks are going to repeat their incredible run from a season ago, they will be led by guards. Raven Johnson has emerged as the team leader, but Staley has options, from MiLaysia Fulwiley‘s highlight-reel plays to Te-Hina Paopao‘s 3-point shooting to Bree Hall‘s dependability. If Tessa Johnson‘s performance in the NCAA tournament as a freshman is any indication, she might be the best of the bunch.
The frontcourt will miss Cardoso, and it remains to be seen what will happen with Ashlyn Watkins‘ legal troubles, but Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts and Sakima Walker return. Joyce Edwards, the 6-foot-3 No. 3 recruit in the country, leads another stellar freshmen class.
Previous ranking: 3
Paige Bueckers‘ college swan song could happen with the best team on which she has played. Of course, key will be the team’s health, its biggest weakness the past few seasons: Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have played only 17 games together in three seasons. If both can remain healthy, they are the best pair of guards in the country. They should have help in the form of Princeton transfer Kaitlyn Chen, returners Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold — who got bigger minutes than expected a season ago, and even thrived at times — and Sarah Strong, if she can live up to the billing as the nation’s top recruit.
There are five Way-Too-Early Top 25 opponents on UConn’s pre-January schedule, so the Huskies will know early if that is truly the case.
Previous ranking: 2
Lindsay Gottlieb might have won the recruiting battle in both the transfer portal and the high school ranks in the same offseason. Former Pac-12 rivals Kiki Iriafen (Stanford) and Talia von Oelhoffen (Oregon State) are now in Los Angeles. Gottlieb also secured the No. 1 recruiting class with three top-30 players, headlined by 6-1 wing Kennedy Smith. They all join national player of the year favorite JuJu Watkins, a generational talent who guided the Trojans to a Pac-12 tournament title and an Elite Eight appearance as a freshman while finishing second nationally in scoring to Clark.
1:57
JuJu Watkins sets freshman scoring record in Elite Eight loss
JuJu Watkins scores a game-high 29 points vs. UConn, becoming the all-time leading scorer among freshmen in NCAA Division I history.
Previous ranking: 5
The Bruins move up a spot after adding yet another top transfer, Texas A&M’s Janiah Barker. The 6-4 junior joins Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State) and Timea Gardiner (Oregon State) in Westwood this season. Leger-Walker will ease the burden on junior Kiki Rice (13.2 PPG) and Barker will do the same for Lauren Betts (14.9 PPG, 9.3 RPG), the cornerstones of the Bruins’ program. Gardiner meanwhile adds size, and will be another deep shooter to go with junior Londynn Jones.
Previous ranking: 6
With Rori Harmon (14.1 PPG, 7.8 APG in 12 games) and Madison Booker (16.5 PPG) together in the same backcourt for a full season — also their first in the SEC — the Longhorns are one of the most talented and intriguing teams in the country. Booker’s confidence and production skyrocketed after Harmon was lost for the season to injury in late December. Now, we will see her paired with Harmon’s leadership and ball skills against the previous two national champions and the rest of the nation’s deepest conference. Michigan’s leading scorer Laila Phelia transferred in to join Shay Holle in the backcourt, giving the Longhorns a depth that rivals that of South Carolina. The frontcourt, with holdovers Taylor Jones and Aaliyah Moore and 6-6 Miami transfer Kyla Oldacre, is pretty good too.
1:37
Harmon, Holle take us into Longhorn territory
Rori Harmon and Shay Holle provide an inside peek into the Texas practice facility and express their excitement of competing at the highest level of college basketball.
Previous ranking: 4
Health derailed Notre Dame’s previous two seasons, so the news that fifth-year senior Maddy Westbeld will start 2024-25 on the sidelines because of a foot injury must disappoint the fans in South Bend. It also somewhat dampens the excitement of Olivia Miles‘ return from her knee injury. The pairing of Miles and Hannah Hidalgo, a first-team All-American as a freshman, in the backcourt has tantalizing potential. The additions of Liza Karlen (17.7 PPG at Marquette) and Liatu King (18.7 PPG at Pittsburgh) should help the Irish survive while Westbeld is out. Sonia Citron remains one of the country’s most versatile players.
Previous ranking: 7
Even with Angel Reese now in the WNBA, the talent seems endless in Baton Rouge. Flau’jae Johnson, Aneesah Morrow and Mikaylah Williams all have All-American potential. Kim Mulkey, who seems to have found a balance between recruiting high school players and using the transfer portal, also added Miami’s Shayeann Day-Wilson — the 2022 ACC freshman of the year while at Duke — Kailyn Gilbert (Arizona) and 6-5 Jersey Wolfenbarger (Arkansas). A healthy return of 6-2 Sa’Myah Smith will be key for the Tigers.
Previous ranking: 10
Audi Crooks (19.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 57.7 FG%) appears to be following recent Iowa State greats Bridget Carleton and Ashley Joens. She became a dominant force in the second half of last season, and the sophomore post will be the focal point of Bill Fennelly’s offense. Emily Ryan, the program’s all-time assist leader, decided to play a fifth year and will continue to get the ball to Crooks and Addy Brown, the Cyclones’ leading rebounder (8.2 RPG) and second-leading scorer (13.0 PPG) as a freshman. Transfers Mackenzie Hare from Marquette and Sydney Harris from TCU are both good 3-point shooters who should fit the Fennelly system well.
2:22
Audi Crooks cooks Maryland for 40 points in win
Audi Crooks goes 18-for-20 from the field and scores 40 points in Iowa State’s first-round win over Maryland.
Previous ranking: 8
The dynamic backcourt that took the Wolfpack to their first Final Four since 1998 is back: Aziaha James (16.8 PPG), Saniya Rivers (12.5 PPG) and Zoe Brooks (9.0 PPG) are enough to keep NC State near the top of a highly competitive ACC. How coach Wes Moore will replace the size and experience of River Baldwin and Mimi Collins is the biggest question in Raleigh. The 6-5 Lorena Awou, part of a top-20 recruiting class for Moore, might have to play right away. Adding former Patriot League player of the year 6-4 Caitlin Weimar from Boston University should also help.
Previous ranking: 11
Kara Lawson had one of the youngest teams in the country playing at its best by the end of last season. The Blue Devils made their first Sweet 16 since 2018. Seven of Lawson’s top eight players return, led by Reigan Richardson (12.4 PPG), who hinted at being a breakout star as a senior. Riley Nelson, a top-20 recruit in 2023 who was injured for much of her freshman season at Maryland, is now a Blue Devil and could provide that additional wing scorer Duke lacked for much of last season.
Previous ranking: 9
Jada Walker played perhaps her two best games of last season in the NCAA tournament. If the momentum continues, Walker, Sarah Andrews (11.4 PPG) — who also blossomed in March — Bella Fontleroy (9.6 PPG) and Yaya Felder (7.3 PPG) give coach Nicki Collen the deepest backcourt in the Big 12. Getting 6-3 post Aaronette Vonleh from Colorado in the transfer portal was the biggest news of the Baylor offseason. Vonleh will provide the Bears with primary size and should open the lane more for 6-1 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
2:03
Jada Walker’s career-high 28 points lead Baylor to Sweet 16
Baylor’s Jada Walker lights up the scoreboard with 28 points as Baylor holds off Virginia Tech 75-72.
Previous ranking: 13
The entire core that helped Oklahoma win the Big 12 title is back, including co-conference player of the year Skylar Vann and double-figure scorers Payton Verhulst (12.6 PPG) and Sahara Williams (10.3 PPG). Liz Scott, a starter in 2022 and 2023, also returns after sitting out last season because of injury. The addition of 6-4 Raegan Beers from Oregon State will give the Sooners some much-needed size as they move into the SEC. How their fast-pace style and floor spacing works in their new conference will be one of the big storylines heading into the new season.
0:17
Skylar Vann’s putback bucket ties score for Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Skylar Vann gets the rebound and puts back the shot for a Sooner 2-pointer.
Previous ranking: 17
Depth, with an interesting mix of experience and youth, should be the hallmark for the Tar Heels. Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby return for their fifth seasons, joined by 6-3 senior Maria Gakdeng and point guard Grace Townsend, a grad transfer from Richmond. Courtney Banghart added another point guard in freshman Lanie Grant, the Virginia player of the year, and 6-5 five-star recruit Blanca Thomas. The 6-4 Ciera Toomey is ready to go after redshirting last season.
Previous ranking: 15
Much of the Buckeyes’ season will depend on how well and how quickly transfers Chance Gray (Oregon) and Ajae Petty (Kentucky) assimilate. Kevin McGruff also brought in five freshmen, led by the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2024, point guard Jaloni Cambridge. Expect Ohio State to be a much better team in February than it is in November. In the meantime, 6-0 junior Cotie McMahon is good enough to carry the Buckeyes, and could be one of the best players in the country.
Previous ranking: 14
Keeping Ayoka Lee healthy will be the key for the Wildcats this season. With the 6-6 center playing for most of last season, Kansas State was a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament; without her in 2022-23, the Wildcats were a .500 team and played in the WNIT. The backcourt of Serena Sundell, Jaelyn Glenn and Brylee Glenn also contributed to last season’s success. All are back for their senior seasons. If Tulsa transfer Temira Poindexter can supply the same kind of offense that made her the third-leading scorer in Golden Hurricane history, Kansas State will have plenty of production to put around Lee.
0:22
Ayoka Lee swats shot out of bounds for Kansas State
Ayoka Lee swats shot out of bounds for Kansas State
Previous ranking: 16
Mark Kellogg’s first season in Morgantown was a big success. The Mountaineers, picked to finish eighth in the Big 12, finished fourth and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament — and held Iowa to its second-lowest point total of the season. Defense was the calling card, and will be again. Senior JJ Quinerly (19.8 PPG) will again lead the offense and should be one of the Big 12’s best players.
0:17
JJ Quinerly pulls West Virginia closer with a 3-pointer
JJ Quinerly splashes a 3-pointer to pull West Virginia within one possession of Iowa.
Previous ranking: 12
Jeff Walz wasn’t as successful in the transfer portal as he had been in past years, explaining the Cardinals’ dip since our last rankings. Louisville does have Olivia Cochran and Merissah Russell, who have been the heart and soul of the program, back for their fifth seasons. Walz also has some talented youth with three top-25 recruits in 6-0 Mackenly Randolph, 5-10 Tajianna Roberts and 5-10 Imari Berry, who should make an immediate impact.
Previous ranking: Unranked
Few coaches have reworked their team faster year-to-year using the transfer portal than Brenda Frese. Saylor Poffenbarger (Arkansas), Mir McLean (Virginia), Christina Dalce (Villanova), Kaylene Smikle (Rutgers) and Amari DeBerry (UConn) are the new faces who will surround senior guard and All-American candidate Shyanne Sellers. Poffenbarger, McLean and DeBerry are all former top-30 recruits, and Dalce and Smikle were all-conference players last season.
0:17
Shyanne Sellers throws it off a defender’s back for a bucket
Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers gets fancy as she throws it off a defender’s back for a layup.
Previous ranking: 18
Ta’Niya Latson is one of the best pure scorers in the country (21.4 PPG) and leads a Seminoles team that was second in the ACC in scoring last season. O’Mariah Gordon (13.2 PPG) at the point and Makayla Timpson (14.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG) keep defenses from focusing entirely on Latson. Florida State will be looking for a 12th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
Previous ranking: 23
The return of KK Deans from a knee injury that cost her all but six games last season will give the Rebels the perimeter shooting they lacked in 2023-24 (26.5 3PT%, 327th in the country). Add her and transfer Starr Jacobs (who sat out the 2023-24 season after transferring from UT Arlington to Arkansas-Pine Bluff) to a group of veteran returners in Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Kharyssa Richardson, and coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin will have a versatile and experienced team.
1:56
Rebels’ Coach Yo credits SEC Network for increased interest
Ole Miss’ Coach Yo joins the Paul Finebaum Show to explain how the network has increased the visibility of the program and how it emphasizes the people along with the games.
Previous ranking: 19
The Bluejays are in their greatest period in program history. Most of the players who played in three straight NCAA tournaments are back for one more run. Lauren Jensen (17.4 PPG) leads the way, along with Morgan Maly, Molly Mogensen, Mallory Brake and Jayme Horan. This is a team that should be UConn’s only probable challenger in the Big East.
Previous ranking: 20
The loss of WNBA draft pick Jaz Shelley hurts but this still might be Amy Williams’ best team in Lincoln since she took over as coach in 2016. The 6-3 senior Alexis Markowski has All-American potential. Natalie Potts is back after winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She was joined on the all-freshman team by Logan Nissley. Point guard Britt Prince is a top-30 recruit from Omaha who stayed home, and should contribute immediately.
Previous ranking: 25
The Kenny Brooks era begins in Lexington with a complete reset. The 2024-25 roster features 11 new players, led by All-American point guard Georgia Amoore and 6-5 Clara Strack, both of whom followed Brooks from Virginia Tech. A manageable November and December schedule will allow Brooks to build chemistry before the rigors of the SEC begin on Jan. 2.
2:47
Mississippi State’s Purcell: ‘You better buckle up’
The Bulldogs’ Purcell discusses the competitiveness of the SEC and explains the importance of building a strong team with new players added to the roster every year.
Previous ranking: 21
The core that has led the Crimson Tide to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances returns, led by their two top scorers Sarah Ashlee Barker (16.8 PPG) and Aaliyah Nye (14.1 PPG). The 6-2 Zaay Green, who made the SEC all-freshman team at Tennessee in 2019 and played a season at Texas A&M before landing at Arkansas-Pine Bluff is back in the SEC and could give Kristy Curry another wing scorer and defender.
Previous ranking: 24
The 2023-24 regular season did not meet expectations in Champaign, but the run to the inaugural WBIT championship did show the capabilities of Shauna Green’s veteran team. The top four scorers, including fifth-year seniors Makira Cook (16.4 PPG), Genesis Bryant (14.2 PPG) and Kendall Bostic (12.1 PPG, 10.9 RPG), are back to build on that performance.
Dropped out: Utah Utes (No. 22)
Also considered: Michigan State Spartans, Utah Utes, Indiana Hoosiers
