25 women's college hoops teams to watch in 2025-26

Ranked third in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll, Baylor hopes for a better finish this season after losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and winning 28 games in 2024-25. The Bears have a pair of good ones in Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (13.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg) and pesky Bella Fontleroy (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg). Meanwhile, the addition of Auburn transfers Taliah Scott and Yuting Deng makes for an intriguing lineup.

Coming off their 12th national title, the Huskies enter the season as the No. 1-ranked team by The Associated Press . Hardly a surprise since UConn returns star Azzi Fudd (13.6 ppg), wily veteran, and overall leader. However, the true superstars for the Huskies could be Sarah Strong, who averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks as a freshman last season, and Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams (19.2 ppg).

Coach Kara Lawson, one of the best recruiters in the country, has got a good thing going at Duke, which nearly reached the Final Four in 2025. The Blue Devils enter this season as a top-10 squad thanks to the combo of Toby Fournier (13.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and Ashlon Jackson (12.4 ppg), and nabbed one of the nation's elite prospects in two-way standout Emilee Skinner.

Iowa fans might be looking toward the future as coach Jan Jensen puts together a potentially stellar 2026 recruiting class. However, in the present, there is plenty of talent capable of making noise in the Big Ten. That all begins with senior Hannah Stuelke (12.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.2 apg), who has both the game and experience to lead the Hawkeyes to a successful campaign in 2025-26.

Is this a redemption season for the Cyclones after being upset by Michigan in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Perhaps, but Iowa State certainly has the makeup for a deeper run. Picked to finish second in the Big 12, the Cyclones boast one of the game's brightest stars in Audi Crooks (23.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg), and budding star Addy Brown (15.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 5.4 apg), a potent overall threat. 

The Cardinals have consistently won under veteran coach Jeff Walz and are the only current ACC member to finish among the top five in conference play in each of the last 11 seasons. It would appear Louisville will continue that trend, but eyes a bigger payday in 2025-26. Especially behind standout sophomore Tajianna Roberts (12.8 ppg, 57 steals) and Saint Joseph's transfer Laura Ziegler, who averaged 17.5 points and 10.4 rebounds last season.

The Tigers already have two of the nation's top scorers in Flau'Jae Johnson (18.6 ppg) and Mikaylah Williams (17.3 ppg). Add former South Carolina standout guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (11.7 ppg) into the mix and LSU has the makings of an offensive machine. However, the ultimate key to overall success could come down to how well the fifth-ranked Tigers play on defense this season.

Maryland has reached the Sweet 16 in four of the last five seasons, but it's been more than a decade since it made the Final Four. Of course, it's never wise to count out a Brenda Frese-coached team, and this season's version of the Terrapins enters ranked in the top 10 of the AP Poll. Kaylene Smikle (17.9 ppg) is an All-Big Ten performer, while Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa (10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is a nice get for the Terps.

Just where the Wolverines fit in among the bevy of collective talent in the Big 12 remains to be seen. However, they boast the quality trio of Olivia Olson (16.3 ppg), Syla Swords (16.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg), and Mila Holloway (9.8 ppg, 4.4 apg), which is good enough to back up a top-15 preseason ranking from the AP. It will also be interesting to see how 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year and former Bucknell standout Ashley Sofilkanich (19.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.0 apg) adapts to a step up in competition.

The Spartans made the NCAA Tournament in each of Robyn Fralick's first two seasons as coach. The expectations seem even loftier for Year Three. Grace VanSlooten (15.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Theryn Hallock (13.3 ppg, 2.8 apg) provide both experienced talent and leadership. Meanwhile, Arizona State transfer Jalyn Brown (18 ppg) could wind up being one of the most potent scorers in the Big Ten. 

Just how deep is the SEC this season? Ole Miss begins the season ranked 12th in the country by The Associated Press, but tabbed to finish sixth in the league. The Rebels feature nine newcomers on the roster, including eight transfers, highlighted by former Ohio State star Cotie McMahon (16.4 ppg), who remains one of the most complete performers in the nation.

The Tar Heels lost plenty of experience from the past few seasons, but there is optimism that their on-court success will continue after a Sweet 16 trip in 2024-25. No projected starter averaged double-digit points last season, but Reniya Kelly (9.6 ppg) has star quality. Meanwhile, Lanie Grant (7.4 ppg) is looking to build a rookie season in which she earned All-ACC Freshman team honors. The Nylas -- Nyla Brooks (is among the nation's top freshman prospects) and Nyla Harris (who comes over from Louisville) are expected to contribute right away.

Zoe Brooks (14.2 ppg) might be the best player in the country that not a lot of women's hoops fans are talking about. Meanwhile, Zamareya Jones (7.1 ppg) could be in for a breakout sophomore campaign. However, Wolfpack, ranked ninth to open, could end up boasting the nation's top transfer in forward Khamil Pierre, who averaged 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds while starring for Vanderbilt last season.

The Olivia Miles era at Notre Dame is over, but junior Hannah Hidalgo (23.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.6 apg) is still one of the best players in the nation. Coach Niele Ivey is not quite rebuilding the Irish in South Bend, but it could be a challenge at times, and Hidalgo will need to lead on and off the court. Notre Dame features seven overall newcomers, including six transfers.

The last go-around for seniors Raegan Beers (17.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and Payton Verhulst (14.9 PPG, 5.7 rpg, 3.9 apg) comes with big expectations in Norman. The Sooners are coming off a Sweet 16 season, but are built to go deeper. The addition of highly-touted freshman Aaliyah Chavez only heightens the excitement surrounding the Sooners, who open the season ranked sixth by The Associated Press.

It's easy for the Cowgirls to get overshadowed by more prominent Big 12 teams like Iowa State, Baylor, and TCU. Not to mention, in their own state with the rival Sooners. But, Oklahoma State has the talent to hold its own -- and then some. Back from last season's 25-win group, Stailee Heard (16.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Micah Gray (13.7 ppg) are two of the better players in the conference that college hoops fans need to know more about.

Princeton eyes a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this season, and the key to that run continuing is Madison St. Rose's health. The Tigers star played just four games last season before ending the season with a knee injury. Rose has averaged 12.1 points and 3.0 rebounds during her three seasons at Princeton, which looks to return to the top of the Ivy League after failing to win the regular-season and tournament titles for the first time in four years in 2025.

For the first time in school history, Richmond opens the season in The Associated Press Top 25. That comes after the Spiders won a second straight Atlantic-10 regular-season title, 28 games and won their first NCAA Tournament contest. Reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Maggie Doogan (17.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.8 apg) and follow all-league first-teamer Rachel Ullstrom (15.3 ppg, 42.3-percent 3-point shooting) return to lead an experienced and deep Richmond squad.

Losing veteran Chloe Kitts to a season-ending ACL tear is a huge blow, but the cupboard is hardly bare for Dawn Staley's program. Leading scorer Joyce Edwards (12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) has the potential to be the Gamecocks' next superstar. Meanwhile, Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson  (25.2 ppg) led the nation in scoring last season, and freshman guard Agot Makeer has a chance to contribute right away for South Carolina, which opens ranked second by the AP.

In Kim Caldwell's first season as Tennessee coach, the Vols won 24 games, beat UConn, and reached the Sweet 16. Will Season Two be even better? There's certainly reason to think so for the country's No. 8-ranked squad. Talaysia Cooper (16.6 ppg), Zee Spearman (11.7 ppg)
Ruby Whitehorn (11.6 ppg), who regained her spot on the team following a summer arrest, is all back. Meanwhile, twin sisters Mia and Mya Pauldo highlight a stellar Tennessee recruiting class.

Looking to build on last season's run to the Final Four, Texas boasts perhaps the nation's best 1-2 punch in Madison Booker (16.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.7 apg) and Rori Harmon (9.3 ppg, 5.9 apg). But, this is an experienced team for coach Vic Schaefer, who has to like his chances of making a serious national title run. Keep an eye on 3-point shooting threat Aaliyah Crump, one of the nation's most highly-touted freshmen.

One of the most intriguing teams in the country. TCU landed arguably the best player in the transfer portal via the aforementioned former Notre Dame superstar guard Olivia Miles, who has averaged 14.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in 101 collegiate contests. However, Miles isn't the only notable transfer on board as coach Mark Campbell tries to reload from the losses off last season's 34-4 group. Marta Suarez  averaged nearly 13 points for Cal last season.

Can the Bruins better last season's 34-3 mark and Final Four appearance in 2025-26? The talent is there for UCLA, ranked third by the AP, to make a similar push -- and perhaps reach the national championship after losing to UConn in the semifinals. Six-foot-7 Lauren Betts (20.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 2.9 bpg) is the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, while Kiki Rice (12.8 ppg, 5.0 apg) and Gabriela Jaquez (9.6 ppg) are solid in supporting roles. However, what puts the Bruins over the top in 2025-26 could be the additions of high-scoring Washington State transfer Charlisse Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens, who averaged 19.3 points and shot 44.6 percent from three for Utah last season. 

A season without JuJu Watkins, who continues to recover from her ACL injury, is disappointing for the Trojans, their fans, and all supporters of the women's college game. However, USC still should be among the nation's top teams entering the season. Notably because it snagged the No. 1 prospect in the country in 6-1 guard Jazzy Davidson, who should blend in with all the stars in L.A.  

The Commodores lost a major talent to the portal in the aforementioned Khamil Pierre. However, rising star Mikayla Blakes returns looking to build on a stellar freshman season where she averaged 23.3 points. The road for Vanderbilt won't be all that smooth for Vanderbilt this season, especially in the SEC, but when it comes to March, this could be a sleeper team worth making waves.