The ladies’s faculty basketball season is over. It ended on Sunday in Tampa, Florida the place UConn received its twelfth nationwide championship by beating South Carolina 82-59 behind the stellar play of the Huskies’ huge three — Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Sturdy.
However quite a lot of followers of this sport have brief consideration spans. As an alternative of specializing in the why and the way of UConn’s win over South Carolina, they’ve moved on to subsequent season, which is already starting to take form. Because the NCAA Event has gone on, the teaching carousel has been spinning and the switch portal has been sending gamers to new groups.
So we’re right here to present you a way-too-early look forward at what subsequent season will appear like. Definitely, this can change after the switch portal closes, however for now, these are the 25 groups that appear like contenders heading into the 2025-26 season.
25. Iowa
Jan Jensen can have this group enjoying higher in Yr Two.
24. TCU
TCU ought to in all probability be positioned greater right here, however the Horned Frogs have to exchange the manufacturing of Hailey Van Lith, Madison Conner and Sedona Prince. With no high 100 recruits coming in, they’ve work to do within the portal.
23. West Virginia
Mark Kellogg’s urgent protection will maintain West Virginia aggressive, however changing JJ Quinerly will probably be troublesome.
22. Kansas State
The Wildcats herald three high 100 recruits, however changing Serena Sundell and Ayoka Lee received’t be simple.
21. Ohio State
Cotie McMahon is within the switch portal, however the Cambridge sisters and different key contributors return for the Buckeyes.
20. Oklahoma State
Micah Grey and Stailee Heard — the Cowgirls’ high two main scorers — are again to play underneath Jacie Hoyt.
19. Richmond
Maggie Doogan and Rachel Ullstrom return, which implies the Spiders — who defeated Georgia Tech within the first spherical of the NCAA Event — needs to be top-of-the-line mid-major groups within the nation once more.
18. Baylor
The Woman Bears have some work to do to construct round Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, however she represents a robust constructing block for this system. Auburn switch Taliah Scott ought to present a giant enhance as effectively.
17. Michigan
With the dynamic freshmen duo of Olivia Olson and Syla Swords returning, the long run is vivid for the Wolverines.
16. Iowa State
Audi Crooks and Addy Brown. Is there the rest to say concerning the Cyclones?
15. Kentucky
Kenny Brooks has to discover a new level guard, however Clara Strack and Teonni Key return to create one of many extra formidable entrance courtroom duos.
14. Vanderbilt
The Commodores have top-of-the-line returning duos within the nation in Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Yr Mikayla Blakes and Khamil Pierre, each of whom averaged greater than 20 factors per recreation this season.
13. Maryland
Brenda Frese is aware of the right way to construct a group within the portal period. Bri McDaniel and Saylor Poffenbarger are again, so I’m going to go forward and pencil the Terps in for an additional Candy 16 journey.
12. NC State
Zoe Brooks and Tilda Trygger are again, however NC State has huge footwear to fill following the departures of Madison Hayes, Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James.
11. Tennessee
The Woman Vols confirmed quite a lot of promise and proof of idea in Yr One of many Kim Caldwell period. With key gamers returning and robust recruits incoming, they need to maintain rolling.
10. Notre Dame
The Irish will nonetheless have reigning ACC Participant of the Yr Hannah Hidalgo, however questions stay concerning the roster after a flurry of exits.
9. North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby leaves huge footwear to fill, however UNC brings again Reniya Kelly and Indya Nivar, they’ve already landed Louisville switch Nyla Harris, and herald two high 25 recruits.
8. USC
Lindsay Gottlieb has confirmed to be an amazing coach, however she has a tall activity forward of her. It’s unclear if famous person JuJu Watkins will see the ground in any respect subsequent yr and Kiki Iriafen is out of eligibility.
7. Texas
The Longhorns convey again SEC Participant of the Yr Madison Booker, however might use an injection of offense in the event that they wish to enhance their probabilities of making it again to the Last 4.
6. Oklahoma
Raegan Beers returns and the Sooners are additionally bringing within the nation’s No. 1 recruit, Aaliyah Chavez.
5. LSU
Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams are again and we will guess on LSU to do some harm within the switch portal. The Tigers additionally herald three high 15 recruits.
4. Duke
The lone key contributor not returning to this group — which pushed South Carolina to the brink within the Elite Eight — is Reigan Richardson, who’s out of eligibility. As Toby Fournier enters her sophomore season, the Blue Devils appear like the ACC favorites.
3. UCLA
This group will nonetheless have 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts and the remainder of the nation is not going to. UCLA will probably be again within the combine subsequent yr
2. South Carolina
Whereas Bree Corridor and Sania Feagin are transferring on, the Gamecocks nonetheless retain a robust core of Joyce Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Chloe Kitts and Tessa Johnson. South Carolina will certainly add different items, however these gamers will maintain them in rivalry.
1. UConn
Paige Bueckers is gone, however Sarah Sturdy and Azzi Fudd will nonetheless be again. They had been two of one of the best gamers on the ground on the Last 4, and needs to be lots sufficient to maintain the Huskies contending.
