Charlie Creme's Way-Too-Early Top 25

[YKCornelius]

I’d put UCONN at 1, South Carolina at 2, UCLA at 3.

UCONN obviously loses Paige but if Fudd consistently produces at a high level I think they’re the team to beat with more offense flowing through her and Strong. They were 30+ points better than both South Carolina and UCLA which puts them over the top for me.

South Carolina didn’t have the same magic this year despite having a similar roster. I think having fewer players in the rotation will help. I’d look for Fulwiley/Johnson/Edwards to have bigger roles. They’ll be back and I’d look for Dawn to pick up some portal players.

UCLA will do dominant once again, but I actually think having everyone back plus adding in Leger-Walker/Betts works against them. Adding marquee players to an already stacked roster usually affects chemistry negatively rather than helps it. I’d put them at 3.

Aside from the top 5, it looks like a much weaker field next year. A lot will change once the transfer dust settles but the star power looks weaker next year with the exodus of talent at USC/Notre Dame/NC State plus LSU losing their frontcourt.

BBN90, I agree with your ranking as well. While UCLA has everyone coming back plus Sienna Betts, their offense and defense schemes will be almost identical to what they did this year. I believe the result is that they will continue to play the same way, and perhaps even dominate teams even more so than they did this year. However, if they run up against UConn, or a South Carolina, a Texas, or even a Duke who executes the same game plan that UConn did in the semis, then the results will be similar - a Bruins defeat. Said differently, I think the WCBB world saw the Huskies game plan to defeat the Bruins and will be geared up to play the same way.

None of the Big Ten teams this year - other than USC - were equipped to defend against the Bruins the way UConn did.

The Bruins, on the other hand, will NOT be able to turn their back on the success they have had this year, and therefore will continue to operate the same throughout next season. Said differently, I believe the Bruins will not change anything, but rather polish what they currently have. Hence, I believe they will have another great year - maybe one or two losses max in conference, maybe given a #1 seed based on the Quad 1, NET rank and overall record, and then they will lose in the NCAA tournament. Think 2005-2008 LSU with Sylvia Fowles - four exceptional seasons, four Final Fours, no titles.

Bottom line - UCLA could go into the NCAA tournament ranked overall #1 and even be undefeated in the Big Ten, but would be a Vegas underdog to the above teams - as they currently project based on who they have returning next year sans portal.

Your ranking is righteous.

 

[Cuango]

Typical shade for UConn from the people over at ESPN. This team, even after losing Paige, will likely have the most talented roster in the country next season and they will be the defending champions after a completely dominating run through the 2025 NCAA Tournament. It’s funny, SC after losing the most dominant post in the country last season, began this season at, you guessed it, #1! Where do we rank? #3. We’re behind UCLA and SC even though we completely dominated both teams with Paige having mediocre (for her) games. We beat UCLA by 34 and smoked SC by an average of 26 over two games late in the season! I’m pretty sure we deserve to start next season at #1! Still, not surprising I guess. We’ll just have to remind them again next year.

 

[ConnMotors]

The season just ended. Lots of player movement yet to take place. I’m sure that UCLA, South Carolina, UConn, Texas may still loose a player or two to the portal.

 

[DEFCONN1]

I’m a firm believer that until we take our first loss, the Championship UConn Huskies should be ranked # 1. They earned it.

 

[BRS24]

Ehhhhh ... I'm starting to think that it doesn't matter. We were a 2 seed going into the tourney and won it all. Preseason to week 5, we were ranked #2 in the poll. We bottomed out at #7, and ended the season at #3.

 

[HuskyNan]

Ehhhhh ... I'm starting to think that it doesn't matter. We were a 2 seed going into the tourney and won it all. Preseason to week 5, we were ranked #2 in the poll. We bottomed out at #7, and ended the season at #3.

Um, I think the Huskies will end the season at #1

PS I know you meant the regular season

 

[BRS24]

Um, I think the Huskies will end the season at #1

PS I know you meant the regular season

Yes sensei. I'll have fun with the data tomorrow.

 

[Vowelguy]

I’m a firm believer that until we take our first loss, the Championship UConn Huskies should be ranked # 1. They earned it.

it is not a title belt. You dont hold it until you are beaten. 2025 is done.
It is an opinion poll of who voters think are the best teams in the country that season.

 

[BobbyJ]

An addition to the topic.

Apparently, nobody at ESPN but Shane Laflin knows about Quinonez.

What's next for UConn, South Carolina? Forecasting next season for women's March Madness top seeds

From portal priorities to incoming recruits, we look ahead to next season for UConn and South Carolina after the Huskies clinched the title.

www.espn.com

And why would they? They only see the American kids at 4-5 major circuit events in the summer. We know as much or more than they do about Quinonez.

 

[browns]

Uconn- destroyed UCLA an SC with Paige having average games.
.Azzi and Sara dominated both. games
I guess it's a pride thing an maybe the girls will come in feeling slighted

 

[Basingstoke]

I have no problem with UCONN being ranked #3 this far out, but what irks me is talking heads not doing their homework and having no idea of how good Blanca seems to be or how ridiculously underrated Kelis is (did no one check out the HS championship tournament?).

 

[Vowelguy]

I have no problem with UCONN being ranked #3 this far out, but what irks me is talking heads not doing their homework and having no idea of how good Blanca seems to be or how ridiculously underrated Kelis is (did no one check out the HS championship tournament?).

So you want a college basketball analyst who works on a part-time contract to spend hundreds of hours reviewing HS game tape so they can come up with their own rating of HS players, even though their organization already has a service that does that?

 

[FormerCTrez]

Everyone's favorite post-season discussion.....

The defending champs come in 3rd. Somehow UCLA is #1.

Creme doesn't appear to know about Blanca Quinonez either.

UCLA hype, USC uncertainty, UConn's quest for a repeat: The women's basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25

As this season's title is won, we take a look at the women's college basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025-26.

www.espn.com

The bolded statement is okay.

 

[ec33]

People how prolific Azzi was when Paige was out injured. Much more aggressive -- like the championship game aggressive. And she finally seems to be getting her groove back. I expect another level from her and progress for Sarah. With those two mega-stars the high-quality "depth" will readily fall into place.

I also expect a big improvement from the center position.

 

[Longtime fan]

Or that Kelis was the leading scorer on the high school national champion

I AM GUILTY, too, of not understanding the quality of our international recruits. But just as women’s BB has developed quality depth in the US, so has it been developing in selective nations. Geno and his staff went abroad to see and learn more about Blanca quinones, and I respect their judgement of talent. In other words, Blanca could be a real….and hugely underrated…talent. As for Kelli’s, she is dismissed as the 27th (?) best player in US….but Geno doesn’t think that. She has improved exponentially each season. My point is, either or both of these players could be much closer to pushing for quality court time than we imagine. And let’s not forget the true wildcard. Caroline Ducharme. She has star potential. Given her injury background, it is highly unlikely she emerges as such, but the bloodlines are there. And let’s not forget, we really don’t have any idea what kind of talent lurks in Morgan and Allie. But their resumes are formidable. It will be another fascinating season for UConn.

 

[Bald Husky]

I see total disrespect. We lose Paige, Kaitlin, and Aubrey. I would see Paige as the only critical player leaving. Creme has us at #3, not #1 like we should be as defending champs. #1, UCLA, a team we just beat by 34 points, and #2, SC, a team we beat by 29 and 23 points this season. We are #1 until someone beats us, and I don't anticipate losing early next year. I know things will change with the portal, but for now we are the champs, and we are #1 in the country, and nobody can take that away from us.

 

[CL82]

Worrying about next year's "way too early" rankings is a pastime for every other team in America. We, as champions, should enjoy what we achieved.

 

[Skeets]

The UConn description made no sense.... First, the roster is at 14 so it's not like they can hit the portal hard.... And like others have said, no respect for Blanca and Kelis. I still don't understand the Kelis ranking. He had the opportunity to basically say UConn has a pro coming in as a freshman but he didn't do it. And yes, we should be #1 until we lose just like SC has benefited from.

I've said this no matter who the national champion is, the defending national champion should be #1 until someone proves they are not. If it's a false #1 then it will probably be corrected in short order.

 

[Viet Vet]

Much ado about nothing.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[Barkin Out]

Sorry Charlie, you seem to be in enmeshed in bias fog - someone wearing a championship ring should slap you out of it. UConn returns the FF MOP. Go back and look at the number of times a team has won a championship and returned the FF MOP- and were ranked below 1 preseason. And UCONN returns next year’s NPOY (write it down… SARAH STRONG).

If UCONN picks up Serah… the front court will be able to impose its will without fear of the Zebras. This will make uconn less reliant on 3-point shooting, less susceptible to losing due to a night with tight rims.

Yes, UCONN loses Paige. But Geno and CD have been on a mission to fill the team with talent, and the staff has been tremendous at developing them into pros. Er….I guess Blanca already is a … Charlie you should see this kid slash rebound and shoot. Your article should have been headlined “UCONN is bad for Basketball”.

 

[oldude]

All I can say is FUDD AROUND AND FIND OUT…..

 

[SLY63]

Agree with everything said here. Losing Paige, but returning such a strong core (no pun intended). Should keep us at #1. My question to Charlie would be, "Given the core of Strong, Fudd, Shade and Arnold, tell me a team with more offensive punch AND we are losing much less on D than on O with Paige leaving."

 

[Ralph]

I 100% agree with where he has UCONN right now. Replacing Paige's production and leadership will not be easy. I expect Sarah to be great but next her role is going to change. This year she could kind of sit back and have Paige and Azzi lead the team and she just go to go out and have fun and play basketball. Next year, she will need to take a bigger role in everything Uconn does. We also lose, Aubrey and we all know how impactful she could be in a game. There are still some pretty big questions next year that need to be answered. If Uconn can add an impactful player or two from the portal, I could see them moving up to the top spot by the time the season starts. Also, in regard to Blanca, international recruits often don't get talked about, as they are relatively unknown.

for me, I think we can be just as good as we were this year. Aubrey could be impactful, but it seems like she had bad knees acting up, was not able to contribute a big deal in the BE tourney or the big dance. So we don't "lose much" from our tourney run because she is leaving. wonder what her last 2 years could have been, if only.... Seems so unfair. More notable loss is Chen, but I think KK with this year of experience can replace Chen, and her shooting from 3 and the foul line seemed to pick up of late. Kellis can step in as the back up that KK was this year. That brings us to Paige, how the heck do you replace someone like that. You don't, at least not with one person. You do it by a committee of a big pick up and some little ones. We hope Blanca lives up to the hype/potential we are hearing about. She could make up 75% of the loss. Can Jana be a little better next year? I think so. 5%. Can Ice get a little better and can Ayanna come back strong? I think so. 5%. Can we pick up a big in the portal who can have a real impact. letting Jana get another year of learning as a back up and Ice work at the 4? If so, 10%. Can Sarah get just a little better as a sophomore. I don't know how, but virtually all freshmen seem to get a little better as sophomores, even Maya. So maybe 5%. It is possible instead of a big 3 like this year, we could be back to a big 4, at the 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 3 position isn't as strong as this year's 3 position, but we have a very good 3, and add a better at the 5 position, whether through the portal or a better, more experienced Jana. I am projecting KK as a Muhl clone, killer D and a facilitator, but she needs to get better at that. But she is more of a scoring threat than Nika chose to be. So I am optimistic. Only doubt will come from which very rich top school will throw their money around to steal gobs of talent from mid majors and the not so good majors, especially our Big East partners. Or which rich school will offer $3 million to one or more of our top players over the next 2 weeks, and we don't have the money to match it.

 

[meyers7]

I’m a firm believer that until we take our first loss, the Championship UConn Huskies should be ranked # 1. They earned it.

I always thought that was really dumb. Team are different from year to year. The teams that ended the year ranked...whatever, are not the teams that start the next year.

Rank teams on what they have, not what they had last year.