Didn't see this anywhere else so apologies if it's redundant
South Carolina moves up from #2 to #1
UConn moves up from #3 to #2
UCLA slides down from #1 to #3
Big transfers have put South Carolina at No. 1 and propelled the likes of LSU, Oklahoma and Tennessee higher.
www.espn.com
Initial thoughts on rankings are:
-There's a clear drop off after the top 4. The top 4 teams look relatively balanced in terms of post play and perimeter scoring, but after those squads there are question marks for most teams. Arguments can be made for the top 3 teams to be ranked #1 but Texas is the clear #4 team. They're good enough to be better than everyone else, but their lack of offense likely prevents them from being a true title contender unless their system improves big time next year.
-I'd probably keep UCONN #1 considering they were basically 30 points better than SC last year in both showings and have 2 of their 3 major weapons back. Latson is an upgrade over Fulwiley but even with Paige gone I'd still keep UCONN #1.
Teams too high:
-Oklahoma. They look good on paper but were not a very good team this year. They weren't competitive with better teams and I'm not sure bringing in freshman Chavez elevates them to #6. I'd probably put them closer to 10.
-North Carolina is way too high losing 3 really key players. I'm not sold on them being top 15. Maybe top 20?
-Iowa State. Crooks is an excellent post and Brown is solid but I don't think they have the overall talent to be a top 15 team. This year they were not very good and lost a great PG in Ryan. I think they're fringe top 25.
Teams too low:
-Maryland is a true Final Four threat IMO. Okananwa/Garzon are fantastic additions and if Merkle can get in better shape they can compete with the top of the Big Ten. Top 10.
-Michigan. Their terrific freshman class all become sophomores and Kim Barnes-Arico consistently does more with less. I think Michigan could teeter around top 10, though they're likely a year away.
-TCU. How is a team with Olivia Miles unranked? Also did everyone just forget the job Mark Campbell did this past year? They're going to be a top 20 team with Silva getting adjusted and having Suarez in the lineup.
-Kentucky. A combo of Tonie Morgan/Clara Strack should keep Kentucky a top 20 team. Plus Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett are both back.
-Ohio State should also be ranked. Cambridge was one of the better freshmen in the country last year and McGuff's teams are always decent.
Uncommitted Transfers to Keep and Eye On:
-Milaysia Fulwiley, she's being rumored as interested in LSU but I think she'd make a much bigger splash at a different program.
-Gianna Kneepkens, adding her to UCLA, South Carolina or Texas could elevate them to #1 status. I'd remove Oklahoma as being labeled too high if she ends up a Sooner. She's relatively unheralded on the national scale but might be the most significant recruit in the portal this year.
-Serah Williams, she'd solve any question marks in the post for both LSU and UCONN. She'd also be a big upgrade inside for North Carolina.
-Allie Kubek, she could solve post depth issues for a lot of top 10-15 teams as a face up 4 with good skills.
-Kayleigh Heckel, if she lands at Vanderbilt it solves their PG problems and gives them an elite core of sophomores and juniors for the next 2 years. If she goes to Notre Dame (another school she's visiting), I don't think it changes their status.
