CBS Sports has unveiled its preseason Power Rankings for the 2026-27 women's college basketball season, with national runner-up South Carolina claiming the No. 1 spot. The Gamecocks, led by coach Dawn Staley, enter the new campaign ahead of reigning Naismith Player of the Year Sarah Strong and the UConn Huskies at No. 2. The USC Trojans round out the top three as superstar JuJu Watkins returns from an ACL tear that sidelined her for 19 months, joining a roster that includes 2025 Rookie of the Year Jazzy Davidson and top recruit Saniyah Hall.
Texas and LSU complete the top five, while reigning national champion UCLA sits at No. 16 after losing every player who scored in the championship game. Notre Dame re-enters the top 20 at No. 19 despite major roster turnover, anchored by reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo. Oklahoma State, bolstered by transfers Audi Crooks and Liv McGill, debuts at No. 12. Notably absent from the rankings is Tennessee, which returns no players who saw court time last season under coach Kim Caldwell.
The full top 25 includes Duke, Michigan, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Iowa, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, TCU, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota, NC State, Illinois, and Virginia. The season tips off Sunday with Notre Dame facing Villanova in Rome, while most teams open on Monday and Tuesday.
