- Women’s Basketball Post-Portal Top 25: Who’s the New No. 1?
With the transfer portal reshaping rosters across the country, the race for the preseason No. 1 spot has tightened between South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball, UConn Huskies women’s basketball, and USC Trojans women’s basketball.
South Carolina, led by Dawn Staley, remains the safest pick at the top. The Gamecocks reloaded through both recruiting and the portal, maintaining elite depth, size, and defensive identity. Their consistency and culture still set the standard.
UConn, under Geno Auriemma, made one of the biggest portal splashes, adding key experience to complement a talented core. If health holds, the Huskies have the firepower to reclaim dominance.
Meanwhile, USC is the rising threat. With a strong returning nucleus and impactful additions, the Trojans now have the balance and star power to seriously challenge the traditional powers.
Verdict: South Carolina holds the edge—for now. But UConn’s upside and USC’s momentum mean the No. 1 spot could shift quickly once the season tips off.
