New ESPN (Creme) Preseason Top 25

[Sluconn Husky]

So as we unveil ESPN's preseason Top 25 rankings, we look at the transfer who will make the most impact for each team.

1. UConn Huskies​

Serah Williams (Wisconsin): From the moment Williams entered the transfer portal she seemed a good fit for the defending champion Huskies. Pairing with Sarah Strong could give UConn the most productive frontcourt duo in the country. Third in the Big Ten in scoring (19.2 PPG) and rebounding (9.8 (RPG) last season, Williams put up big numbers throughout her three-year career in Madison, but she never played on a winning team. That changes with the move to Storrs.

Women's college basketball Preseason Top 25 for 2025-26

The reigning champ and runner-up are 1-2. Which teams round out the rest, and which transfer highlights each roster?

www.espn.com

 

[Bone Dog]

I was surprised to see this remark from Charlie on Oklahoma:

Jennie Baranczyk had the rarest of offseasons for the modern-day college basketball coach and didn't hit the portal. Instead, she did her work recruiting one of the top incoming freshmen in the country in point guard Aaliyah Chavez. The two-time Texas player of the year should make a Sooners team that already thrives in transition even faster.​

​

Maybe it's just me, but last season's lineup based on Skyler Vann, Reagan Beers, Peyton Verhulst, Sahara Williams does not seem particularly speedy. Liz Scott and Zya Vann did indeed add some flashes of speed, but not enough to make this seem even remotely like a fast roster. And in the Sweet Sixteen game, they seemed downright lethargic. What's more, their high turnover rate suggests more a team that aspires to running in transition but hasn't really managed to do it against top competition. With the older Vann sister moving on, and the addition of Chavez, the roster may well become a bit quicker. But I'll wait to see them make it work in transition before I believe it.

 

[Cuango]

Oh how Charlie must have fought the clearly obvious (yet hated) reality that UConn would have to be placed into the number one spot he had so lovingly saved for that most glorious of programs;South Carolina! How he must have raged against the dying of the light! 🤣 “It’s OK, Charlie, you can say it!” “UConn is number One! There, that wasn’t so bad.” 😎

 

[Jim R]

Oh how Charlie must have fought the clearly obvious (yet hated) reality that UConn would have to be placed into the number one spot he had so lovingly saved for that most glorious of programs;South Carolina! How he must have raged against the dying of the light! 🤣 “It’s OK, Charlie, you can say it!” “UConn is number One! There, that wasn’t so bad.” 😎

👍

 

[Bigboote]

I was surprised to see this remark from Charlie on Oklahoma:

Jennie Baranczyk had the rarest of offseasons for the modern-day college basketball coach and didn't hit the portal. Instead, she did her work recruiting one of the top incoming freshmen in the country in point guard Aaliyah Chavez. The two-time Texas player of the year should make a Sooners team that already thrives in transition even faster.​

​

Maybe it's just me, but last season's lineup based on Skyler Vann, Reagan Beers, Peyton Verhulst, Sahara Williams does not seem particularly speedy. Liz Scott and Zya Vann did indeed add some flashes of speed, but not enough to make this seem even remotely like a fast roster. And in the Sweet Sixteen game, they seemed downright lethargic. What's more, their high turnover rate suggests more a team that aspires to running in transition but hasn't really managed to do it against top competition. With the older Vann sister moving on, and the addition of Chavez, the roster may well become a bit quicker. But I'll wait to see them make it work in transition before I believe it.

Seems to me that Charlie is conflating speed with pace. Oklahoma led the SEC in pace last season. ( I knew they would be near the top, but was shocked to find they were above Tennessee.) Thing is, that didn’t lead to a lot of points, I think they were sixth in points per game. Any success they had was more due to defense than offense.I remember that being mostly Beers inside, but could be mis-remembering that.

 

[EricLA]

I thought the list was pretty good. I mean you can argue the minutia and up and down of teams - was kind of surprised to see USC so low, but given what they lost, makes sense upon further reflection. I am very excited for this coming season. The SEC will be brutal.

 

[triaddukefan]

I get the feeling that Creme has a anti-Duke bias. I'm tired of this disrespect 😡

 

[oldude]

I was surprised to see this remark from Charlie on Oklahoma:

Jennie Baranczyk had the rarest of offseasons for the modern-day college basketball coach and didn't hit the portal. Instead, she did her work recruiting one of the top incoming freshmen in the country in point guard Aaliyah Chavez. The two-time Texas player of the year should make a Sooners team that already thrives in transition even faster.​

​

Maybe it's just me, but last season's lineup based on Skyler Vann, Reagan Beers, Peyton Verhulst, Sahara Williams does not seem particularly speedy. Liz Scott and Zya Vann did indeed add some flashes of speed, but not enough to make this seem even remotely like a fast roster. And in the Sweet Sixteen game, they seemed downright lethargic. What's more, their high turnover rate suggests more a team that aspires to running in transition but hasn't really managed to do it against top competition. With the older Vann sister moving on, and the addition of Chavez, the roster may well become a bit quicker. But I'll wait to see them make it work in transition before I believe it.

The other issue for any team that wants to run is that you can’t just run on offense and then take your own sweet time getting back on defense. What struck me watching the Sweet 16 game last season is how UConn continually beat OK down court on offense, frequently getting wide open shots in transition.

Paige’s 40 pt game was clearly a credit to her tremendous talent. But it was also a result of numerous OK players being out of position on defense and not hustling.

 

[bballnut90]

TCU/Vandy are too low. Iowa State/Oklahoma are overranked IMO. Solid list and a good read.

 

[DEpup]

I get the feeling that Creme has a anti-Duke bias. I'm tired of this disrespect 😡

I have a lot of trepidation when it comes to Duke also. The defense is real but they constantly have issues scoring enough points to have a high chance of winning. I think Kara has to work on recruiting some two way players who can play the defense she wants but also go on a run and build a comfortable lead so their games are not such nail biters.

 

[jake0414]

I get the feeling that Creme has an anti-Duke bias. I'm tired of this disrespect 😡

Beat South Carolina in Las Vegas and Duke will move into the top five….

 

[Vowelguy]

Tough to make a bracket with-all those SEC teams

1 UConn - 7 Tenn - 9 Duke- 16 Lou
2 SCar - 8 NCSt - 12 Miss - 15 Mich
3 UCLA - 6 Okla - 11 UNC - 13 IaSt
4 Tex - 5 LSU - 10 Md - 14 ND

 

[Cuango]

I get the feeling that Creme has a anti-Duke bias. I'm tired of this disrespect 😡

No argument here. Duke is scary!

 

[nwhoopfan]

Isn't Notre Dame too high after losing almost everybody other than Hidalgo?

Look who sneaks in at #25. 😎

 

[HuskyFan1125]

A few thoughts:

Oklahoma is a team I’m interested in seeing how they do over the course of the season. I think they will have a great starting 5 and core group but after that, i dont know?!?? Their bench seems weak to me.

Notre Dame!! I dont know what to think here and I’m being completely honest. I think that Hildago will push them over the finish line in some games getting the W but can she do that all season. I think that low 20’s is where i would start them


TCU—too low! Period! Miles, Hunter and add in Maddie Scherr back and that’s a heck of a backcourt. Suarez will be good for them and they have height.

Iowa State—-too high!!! That’s all I’m gonna say on that.

Duke does need offense. They almost got South Carolina last year. I just think losing the ACCT MVP is gonna hurt them more than some realize. Okanawa was fantastic for them. Skinner is great and will provide scoring.

NC State—getting Pierre eligible is HUGE for them to pair with Zam Jones and Brooks!!!

Where is Kentucky? Yea, they lost Amoore but Tonie Morgan will be a great PG for them. They have everyone else and return 2 from injury including Jordan Obi.

 

[triaddukefan]

I have a lot of trepidation when it comes to Duke also. The defense is real but they constantly have issues scoring enough points to have a high chance of winning. I think Kara has to work on recruiting some two way players who can play the defense she wants but also go on a run and build a comfortable lead so their games are not such nail biters.

For some reason, coach has struggled to recruit a top flight pg. I hear/read a lot of good things about our freshman guard Skinner. I'm hopeful she will make a difference in improving our offense

 

[triaddukefan]

No argument here. Duke is scary!

You are moving up the list of all time great BY posters