The University of Connecticut Huskies will begin their title defence from the summit of women's college basketball, securing the coveted number one position in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll released this week.
Fresh off their championship-winning campaign, Geno Auriemma's squad received 24 of 36 first-place votes from the national media panel, establishing themselves as the team to beat in the 2024-25 season.
Familiar Faces Fill Top Spots
The poll reveals a familiar hierarchy at the pinnacle of the sport. Last season's national runner-up, South Carolina, claimed the second position, gathering nine first-place votes. The Texas Longhorns, another perennial powerhouse, rounded out the top three with two first-place nods.
The top five was completed by:
- Iowa at number four
- USC making a significant leap to number five
Trojan Resurgence Captures Attention
Perhaps the most compelling storyline emerging from the rankings is the meteoric rise of the USC Trojans. Led by the phenomenal JuJu Watkins, USC surged from being unranked in last year's final poll to a top-five preseason placement. This remarkable ascent signals a potential shift in the collegiate landscape and marks them as a serious contender.
Notre Dame and UCLA secured the sixth and seventh positions, respectively, while LSU and Ohio State held down the eighth and ninth spots. The North Carolina Tar Heels completed the prestigious top ten.
What This Means for the Season Ahead
This preseason ranking sets the stage for what analysts are predicting could be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. The concentration of talent across these top programs promises a thrilling battle for conference titles and, ultimately, the national championship.
For UConn, the number one ranking brings both honour and a massive target on their backs. Every opponent will be gunning for the top-ranked Huskies, testing their depth and resilience from opening tip-off to what they hope will be another deep tournament run.
