COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks open the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season as the No. 1 team in a major national preseason Top 25, ahead of UConn and Southern California.
The ranking landed as SEC Tipoff got underway and again lists South Carolina among the favorites to chase another national title. Reigning champion UCLA opens the same board at No. 13, while Southern California starts at No. 3 behind the Gamecocks and UConn with a star guard returning.
Analyst notes tied to the poll flagged point-guard depth as the early roster question in Columbia after one veteran left the program. A returning player is lined up for the first look, and several wing and high-post options can also handle the ball.
South Carolina also brought in a late transfer from Michigan who gained an extra season through a court ruling and is projected to share minutes at the point as a defender and passer.
If the backcourt settles, the Gamecocks will again be positioned to chase a seventh straight Final Four and a fourth national championship under Staley.
