NCAAW: South Carolina tops way-too-early top five for 2025-26

Although UConn’s 12th national championship has yet to settle into the trophy case in Storrs, it’s too tempting not to begin to look towards what’s next in women’s college basketball.

Will the Huskies repeat, capturing a lucky 13th championship? Will South Carolina reload and respond with a vengeance? Can UCLA and Texas find redemption after disappointing Final Four performances?

Here’s a peak at Swish Appeal’s way-to-early top six teams for 2025-26:

1. South Carolina Gamecocks

Could their blowout loss in the national title game be the best thing to happen to South Carolina, at least in terms of the 2026 championship prospects?

Based on their postgame comments, the Gamecocks are eager to use Sunday’s embarrassment as fuel. And we saw what happened last time a Dawn Staley team lost before raising the trophy, as their 2023 Final Four loss to Iowa turned into an undefeated, title-winning season in 2024.

While South Carolina will lose their best shooter in Te-Hina Paopao, their defensive organizer in Sania Feagin and at least one of their best perimeter defenders in Bree Hall (and maybe another, depending on whether or not Raven Johnson elects to return), the Gamecocks will have the best versions yet of MiLaysia Fulwiley and Joyce Edwards, South Carolina’s two most talented players who are sure to grow from Sunday’s subpar showing. Add in a transfer or two, and Dawn’s team is poised to be dancing all the way to the title in the desert in 2026.

2. UConn Huskies

We’re now in the Sarah Strong era.

The loss of Paige Bueckers, obviously, will impact the Huskies. But a team re-oriented around Strong, with a more empowered Azzi Fudd as her co-star, will be dangerous. Jana El Alfy, KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade will round out a championship-stamped starting five, while rising sophomores Allie Ziebell and Morgan Cheli can assume bigger roles.

Could a Strong-centered squad take the next step toward a Stewie-esque 4-for-4 title run? That’s crazy high expectations to place on the National Freshman of the Year. Yet, Strong’s polished game, measured mindset and all-round exceptionality suggest she could anchor another special stretch of UConn basketball.

3. Texas Longhorns

With no hint that Rori Harmon is leaving Austin, Texas will again be powered by the tandem of Harmon and Madison Booker, with an improved supporting cast.

The Longhorns advanced to the Final Four without Aaliyah Moore and Laila Phelia, two expected contributors who were sidelined with injuries. Moore is the epitome of an extra-effort player, while Phelia was Michigan’s top offensive option before transferring to Texas last offseason. Kyla Oldacre will be back to own the boards, while Bryanna Preston is poised for a bigger role after steadily improving over her freshman season. The same goes for Jordan Lee.

And if head coach Vic Schafer discovers the potential of the 3-pointer, Texas could be really threatening. Creating more space for Booker to work her midrange magic by encouraging the likes of Phelia and Lee to fire away from behind the arc? It’s a strategic shift that could give the defense-first Longhorns the offensive lift needed to win the program’s first title since 1986.

4. LSU Tigers

Although a few Tigers have trickled out via the transfer portal, what’s coming to LSU and head coach Kim Mulkey should outweigh those losses.

LSU secured the commitment of Kate Koval, the 6-foot-5 rising sophomore from Notre Dame. Koval will equip the Tigers a potentially elite post presence to complement the top-tier perimeter to play of Flau’jae Johnson (as long as she doesn’t jump in the portal) and Mikaylah Williams, two of the best scorers in the sport.

Mulkey also is welcoming the top-ranked recruiting class to Baton Rouge, giving her a group of talented-but-untested players to round out her rotation. Although none of those youngsters can replace the production and passion of Aneesah Morrow, who certainly will be missed, LSU could be deeper, and thus more dangerous, in 2026.

5. UCLA Bruins

While UCLA’s Elite Eight win over LSU quieted questions about their toughness and viability as a true title contender, that quietude proved temporary, as such skepticism re-emerged with their Final Four face plant against UConn.

Yet, with all key contributors expect Angela Dugalic returning, in addition to the expected Westwood debut of Charlisse Leger-Walker, one of the prizes of last offseason’s transfer portal who missed the 2024-25 season due to injury, head coach Cori Close and the Bruins have the pieces to disprove their doubters.

Lauren Betts, of course, is the biggest reason to believe in the Bruins, as the 6-foot-7 senior is a two-way force with no peers in the college game. And, she’ll be joined by sister Sienna, the No. 2-ranked recruit in the class of 2025 and recent McDonald’s All American Game MVP, who, hopefully, will help her big sis carry the scoring load if the Bruins return to the Final Four in 2026.