The ladies’s school 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’ large three — Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Sturdy.
However a variety of followers of this sport have quick 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 Match 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 could have this workforce enjoying higher in 12 months Two.
24. TCU
TCU ought to most likely be positioned larger right here, however the Horned Frogs have to switch 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 can be troublesome.
22. Kansas State
The Wildcats herald three high 100 recruits, however changing Serena Sundell and Ayoka Lee received’t be straightforward.
21. Ohio State
Cotie McMahon is within the switch portal, however the Cambridge sisters and different key contributors return for the Buckeyes.
20 .28 SATE
Micah Grey and Stailee Heard — the Cowgirls’ high two main scorers — are again to play below Jacie Hoyt.
19. Richmond
Maggie Doogan and Rachel Ullstrom return, which suggests the Spiders — who defeated Georgia Tech within the first spherical of the NCAA Match — ought to be probably the greatest 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 an enormous enhance as effectively.
17. Michigan
With the dynamic freshmen duo of Olivia Olson and Syla Swords returning, the longer term is vivid for the Wolverines.
16. Iowa State
Audi Crooks and Addy Brown. Is there the rest to say in regards to 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 probably the greatest returning duos within the nation in Tamika Catchings Freshman of the 12 months Mikayla Blakes and Khamil Pierre, each of whom averaged greater than 20 factors per sport this season.
13. Maryland
Brenda Frese is aware of tips on how to construct a workforce within the portal period. Bri McDaniel and Saylor Poffenbarger are again, so I’m going to go forward and pencil the Terps in for one more Candy 16 journey.
12. NC State
Zoe Brooks and Tilda Trygger are again, however NC State has large sneakers to fill following the departures of Madison Hayes, Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James.
11. Tennessee
The Woman Vols confirmed a variety of promise and proof of idea in 12 months One of many Kim Caldwell period. With key gamers returning and powerful recruits incoming, they need to maintain rolling.
10. Notre Dame
The Irish will nonetheless have reigning ACC Participant of the 12 months Hannah Hidalgo, however questions stay in regards to the roster after a flurry of exits.
9. North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby leaves large sneakers 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 ideal coach, however she has a tall job 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 12 months Madison Booker, however may use an injection of offense in the event that they wish to improve their possibilities of making it again to the Remaining 4.
6. Holy Mohana kalos
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 are able to wager on LSU to do some injury within the switch portal. The Tigers additionally herald three high 15 recruits.
4. Duke
The lone key contributor not returning to this workforce — 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 workforce will nonetheless have 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts and the remainder of the nation won’t. UCLA can 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 have been two of one of the best gamers on the ground on the Remaining 4, and ought to be lots sufficient to maintain the Huskies contending.
