South Carolina women’s basketball tops preseason AP Top 25

South Carolina women’s basketball has claimed the top spot in the 2024-25 preseason Associated Press Top 25 rankings, as announced on Tuesday.

Previously ranked No. 6 in the preseason last year, South Carolina’s impressive performance in the first week, including victories over No. 10 Notre Dame (100-71) and No. 14 Maryland (114-76), propelled them up to the No. 1 spot. The Gamecocks went on to finish the season with a perfect 38-0 record and clinched the national championship, a feat not achieved since UConn in 2016.

In addition to South Carolina, six other SEC teams are featured in the Top 25: Texas (No. 4), LSU (No. 7), Oklahoma (No. 10), Ole Miss (No. 20), Kentucky (No. 22), and Alabama (No. 24). South Carolina will also face tough non-conference opponents like UConn, UCLA, Iowa State, N.C. State, and Duke during the season.

The Gamecocks have retained most of their players from the previous season, with the exception of Kamilla Cardoso, who was drafted No. 3 overall by the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. Returning players include Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, Chloe Kitts, MiLaysia Fulwiley, and others. New additions to the team include freshmen Joyce Edwards and Maddy McDaniel, as well as transfer Maryam Dauda.

Notable players making their debut this season include Adhel Tac and Sakima Walker, while Ashlyn Watkins remains suspended from team activities following legal issues. South Carolina will kick off their season with two exhibition games before starting their regular season against Michigan in Las Vegas on November 4.

2024-24 preseason AP Poll

No. 1 votes in parentheses.

1. South Carolina (27)

2. UConn (2)

3. Southern Cal (1)

4. Texas

5. UCLA

6. Notre Dame

7. LSU

8. Iowa State

9. N.C. State

10. Oklahoma

11. Duke

12. Baylor

13. Kansas State

14. Ohio State

15. North Carolina

16. West Virginia

17. Louisville

18. Maryland

19. Florida State

20. Ole Miss

21. Creighton

22. Kentucky

23. Nebraska

24. Alabama

25. Indiana