ESPNW's way too early top 25. Guess who's #1

[CTtoSanDiego]

Not that this means anything, but UConn is #1
"Somehow the Huskies lost Paige Bueckers and still had a more impressive regular season and reached a 25th Final Four. So, as important as Azzi Fudd was to this year's team, UConn should be able to thrive. Having the best player in the game in Sarah Strong is the biggest reason. Strong's offensive game is complete, but it's her play at the other end of the court that helped make UConn the best defensive team in the country this season. Blanca Quiñonez could be a star with another season of development -- signs had already begun pointing that way during the 2026 NCAA tournament. The rest of the rotation, except Serah Williams, all has eligibility, so KK Arnold, Kayleigh Heckel and Ashlynn Shade should return to spearhead a deep and versatile backcourt."

NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings

UCLA is the 2026 champion -- but unranked in the first top 25 for next season. Runner-up South Carolina is No. 3.

www.espn.com

 

[hoopsfan22]

I'd have USC as the top team. They are going to have three #1 recruits in JuJu, Jazzy, and Hall.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I'd have USC as the top team. They are going to have three #1 recruits in JuJu, Jazzy, and Hall.

Problem is…there’s only one ball.

 

[Basingstoke]

Problem is…there’s only one ball.

How many times has/must this caveat be (justifiably)be repeated.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

How many times has/must this caveat be (justifiably)be repeated.

I mean it’s doable, but it will take a coach with above average people skills. Someone will have to be the Indian because Juju is the chief. And…Juju is gonna Juju. 🤣

 

[SVCBeercats]

Blanca Quiñonez could be a star with another season of development -- signs had already begun pointing that way during the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Blanca will be a star next season.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I'd have USC as the top team. They are going to have three #1 recruits in JuJu, Jazzy, and Hall.

Four if you count Okeke, and you should.

 

[Bills Fan]

Not that this means anything, but UConn is #1
"Somehow the Huskies lost Paige Bueckers and still had a more impressive regular season and reached a 25th Final Four. So, as important as Azzi Fudd was to this year's team, UConn should be able to thrive. Having the best player in the game in Sarah Strong is the biggest reason. Strong's offensive game is complete, but it's her play at the other end of the court that helped make UConn the best defensive team in the country this season. Blanca Quiñonez could be a star with another season of development -- signs had already begun pointing that way during the 2026 NCAA tournament. The rest of the rotation, except Serah Williams, all has eligibility, so KK Arnold, Kayleigh Heckel and Ashlynn Shade should return to spearhead a deep and versatile backcourt."

NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings

UCLA is the 2026 champion -- but unranked in the first top 25 for next season. Runner-up South Carolina is No. 3.

www.espn.com

There analysis is missing something that they did NOT miss for most of the other top teams ; recruits. they pointed out recruits in the 20s and 30s but failed to even acknowledge the number 3 overall (and number 1 frontcourt) Husky recruit.

 

[Bills Fan]

Four if you count Okeke, and you should.

Sluconn, you can't count 2 number 1 recruits from the same year. Isn't Okeke the same recruiting class as Hall? And isn't Okeke the statute that our J-Pop blew by a couple of times on the highlights videos?

 

[Centerstream]

In glancing at Charlie's too early rankings, he mentions plenty of potentially effective incoming freshmen for other teams but didn't mention UConn's. Hmm.

 

[oldude]

Here’s a question. When has a team ever gone from winning the national championship to being unranked prior to the next season? I get it. UCLA loses 6 seniors/grad students who scored all their points today. But it’s an extremely unusual situation.

 

[Stagnant]

I would probably have UConn at number 4. With USC, South Carolina, and Texas higher.

 

[Zarathustra]

I'd have USC as the top team. They are going to have three #1 recruits in JuJu, Jazzy, and Hall.

The TROJANS are everyone's main competition (IMHO)
But U CONN means... U...CAN!

 

[ABCDFE]

I would probably have UConn at number 4. With USC, South Carolina, and Texas higher.

Totally agree.

 

[reelfan]

UCONN has some big sneakers to fill.

 

[1974yankees]

Usc is going to be very good. Notre Dame has a good class too I think.

Isn't our recruit from NY the number 1 overall recruit? Didn't she win NPOY?

 

[willtalk]

If Cooks were to join one of the top teams it would make a huge difference.

 

[Charliebball]

I'd say UConn, Texas and South Carolina could all make a case for number one next season with USC another possibility if they gel properly as a team.....

 

[Stronga12]

Four if you count Okeke, and you should.

Huh? How can there be two number 1 recruits in the same class? Also Okeke is at best No 3 among bigs this class.

 

[tjhusky]

We will also have The Big O next year. She can share time with Janna at center and maybe not need to start as a Frosh. If she does start we will be in very good shape at that position.

 

[oldude]

If Cooks were to join one of the top teams it would make a huge difference.

Crooks poses a challenge for any team she goes to. For her to be effective, you have to build your offense around her, essentially dumping the ball into the post constantly while everyone else stands around. IMO, it’s not a winning formula.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Sluconn, you can't count 2 number 1 recruits from the same year. Isn't Okeke the same recruiting class as Hall? And isn't Okeke the statute that our J-Pop blew by a couple of times on the highlights videos?

Okeke isn't ranked by most outlets since she's a Euro but is arguably the best player in the class. ASGR ranks her 1st.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Huh? How can there be two number 1 recruits in the same class? Also Okeke is at best No 3 among bigs this class.

If you say so. All Star Girls Report ranks Okeke #1 overall. She just outplayed Wilson-Manyacka, leading DME to the Chipotle National title.

 

[1974yankees]

Cooks poses a challenge for any team she goes to. For her to be effective, you have to build your offense around her, essentially dumping the ball into the post constantly while everyone else stands around. IMO, it’s not a winning formula.

I was thinking the same thing. No way Geno would go for that.

 

[oldude]

I was thinking the same thing. No way Geno would go for that.

Somfai is 6’3” just like Cooks, and she can shoot the 3.

 

[Stronga12]

If you say so. All Star Girls Report ranks Okeke #1 overall. She just outplayed Wilson-Manyacka, leading DME to the Chipotle National title.

How is a comparison to a player who is 2 years younger and plays a completely different position relevant? I also don't care about ASGR. They thought Joyce Edwards is a better prospect than Sarah Strong.

 

[MilfordHusky]

USC will have a ton of talent, including three #1s and six or so 5-star recruits. But they have a lot of question marks in my opinion. In the McD's game, Hall looked very ball dominant. We know Juju is hyper-ball dominant. How well can they co-exist? Where does Jazzy fit in? Will Okeke's job be to rebound the ball for all the scorers? I want to see them play before I put them in the top 10.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

How is a comparison to a player who is 2 years younger and plays a completely different position relevant? I also don't care about ASGR. They thought Joyce Edwards is a better prospect than Sarah Strong.

Both will be college freshmen. Their positions don't matter in overall rankings.

Edwards and Strong were 1-2 with all outlets. So what?

 

[Stronga12]

Both will be college freshmen. Their positions don't matter in overall rankings.

Edwards and Strong were 1-2 with all outlets. So what?

Both will be college freshmen? What about 2 years younger do you not understand. Wilson-Manyacka does not enter college until Fall 2027. Are you just trolling or what?

They projected Edwards as the best player in her class. Did this turn out to be true?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Both will be college freshmen? What about 2 years younger do you not understand. Wilson-Manyacka does not enter college until Fall 2027. Are you just trolling or what?

They projected Edwards as the best player in her class. Did this turn out to be true?

WIlson-Manyacka has nothing to do with anything.

They are all college freshmen.

You should stop while you're behind.