One Month In: The Official Women's College Basketball Rankings
Shaking Up the Women's College Basketball Rankings: Who Rose and Who Fell?
We are officially one month into the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season, and the landscape already looks drastically different than it did in the preseason. One month in and a picture of who is ready for the stage is already coming into view.
Looking back at our preseason analysis, our “surprise” picks were nearly on target. Ole Miss and Washington are both 8-1, with Ole Miss suffering a 1-point loss and Washington falling in a hard-fought battle to USC. The Huskies’ start is particularly impressive considering they played the first six games without star guard Elle Ladine, who only returned for the last three contests and is still working her way back to full strength.
But the story so far is Michigan. We flagged them as a team to watch, but they have exceeded even those expectations. Their only blemish is a loss to UConn, but it was a tight, contested game that proved the Wolverines are a legitimate top-tier threat.
On the flip side, the first month has also been a reality check for some projected powerhouses. NC State and Tennessee have looked shaky and disjointed, struggling to find consistency. But the biggest disappointment in the country is undoubtedly Duke. A team many expected to be the crown of the ACC is currently sitting with a losing record, searching for answers.
With the hierarchy shifting, it’s time to reset the board. Here are the Top 10 teams in the country right now.
1. UConn
The Big Picture: They are the best team in the nation, and they haven’t even fully clicked yet.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Azzi Fudd and super soph Sarah Strong have been exactly as advertised—dominant, efficient, and unguardable. But the scariest part about this UConn team is that they aren’t even playing their best basketball yet. Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams has yet to find her footing in the system, averaging just 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The fact that UConn is this good while their starting forward is still adjusting is a nightmare scenario for the rest of the country.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Azzi Fudd (G), ’26 Serah Williams (F), ’27 Ashlynn Shade (G), ’27 KK Arnold (G) ’28 Sarah Strong (F)
2. Texas
The Big Picture: The Longhorns have the best résumé in the country, period.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Texas rockets up to the #2 spot after a statement week where they took down South Carolina and UCLA in back-to-back games. That isn’t just a good weekend; that’s a championship resume in November. The catalyst has been Rori Harmon. Last season, she looked rusty at times working her way back from injury, but now? She looks fully recovered and more explosive than ever. With a healthy Harmon running the show and Madison Booker operating as the ultimate mismatch, this team looks poised to win it all.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Rori Harmon (G), ’26 Kyla Oldacre (C), ’27 Madison Booker (G)
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3. South Carolina
The Big Picture: The talent is undeniable, but the chemistry is still developing.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Dawn Staley’s squad remains a juggernaut. The influx of transfer talent like Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot has kept the talent floor incredibly high, but the loss of Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts has hurt their depth. While they may not look as invincible as previous squads, their ceiling remains high.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Ta’Niya Latson (G), ’26 Raven Johnson (G), ’26 Madina Okot (C), ’27 Tessa Johnson (G)
4. UCLA
The Big Picture: Experience is paying dividends in Westwood.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Lauren Betts is arguably having a slow start to the season, yet the team offense looks better than ever. The guard play has been spectacular, picking up the slack and fueling a team that is shooting a blistering 50.9% from the field and 37.8% from three. Angela Dugalic is playing like a vet—rebounding, communicating, and playing the kind of tough, disciplined defense that holds everything together. They are disciplined, deep, and executing.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Lauren Betts (C), ’26 Kiki Rice (G), ’26 Gianna Kneepkens (G), ’26 Charlisse Leger-Walker (G), ’26 Angela Dugalic (F), ’27 Timea Gardiner (F), ’26 Gabriela Jaquez (G)
5. Michigan
The Big Picture: The “Surprise Pick” that proved it belongs.
Why They’re Ranked Here: We listed Michigan as our surprise team in the preseason, and they have delivered. Their only blemish is a nail-biter loss to #1 UConn—a game that proved the Wolverines can bang with the heavyweights. The sophomore core of Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway is playing years beyond their age, and the transfers have integrated seamlessly. This is no longer a sleeper team; they are a top-5 caliber squad.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’28 Syla Swords (G), ’28 Olivia Olson (G)
6. LSU
The Big Picture: High-end talent keeps them in the mix.
Why They’re Ranked Here: You cannot count out a team with Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. While they are still figuring out their full rotation with the new pieces, the individual brilliance on the wing keeps them dangerous. When their offense is clicking, they can score with anyone, but defensive consistency keeps them just outside the top 5 for now.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Flau’jae Johnson (G), ’27 Mikaylah Williams (G), ’27 MiLaysia Fulwiley (G)
7. TCU
The Big Picture: Olivia Miles is back, and TCU is rolling.
Why They’re Ranked Here: The Horned Frogs move up largely because Olivia Miles looks fully healthy and completely in command. Her ability to create easy baskets for teammates makes TCU one of the most fun watches in college basketball.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Olivia Miles (G), ’26 Taylor Bigby (G), ’26 Marta Suarez (F), ’27 Donovyn Hunter (G)
8. Maryland
The Big Picture: The Terps face a major adjustment but remain resilient.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Leading scorer Kaylene Smikle will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season. Despite the loss, the Terps showed immediate resolve, pulling off a tough double-overtime victory without her. With transfer Yarden Garzon still settling into her role, the rotation is in flux, but their ability to grind out wins keeps them firmly in the top tier.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Yarden Garzon (G), ’27 Kaylene Smikle (G), ’26 Saylor Poffenbarger (G), ’27 Oluchi Okananwa (G)
9. Vanderbilt
The Big Picture: The Commodores are the new disruptors in the SEC.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Vanderbilt makes their debut in the Top 10 after a stellar opening month. Mikayla Blakes is playing like a bona fide superstar, but she isn’t doing it alone—she’s getting plenty of help from seniors Justine Pissott, Sacha Washington and Texas transfer Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’28 Mikayla Blakes (G), ’26 Justine Pissott (G), ’26 Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (G)
10. Oklahoma
The Big Picture: The Sooners are scoring in bunches.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Since an early-season loss to UCLA, the Sooners have rattled off 7 straight wins, capped by a overtime victory over NC State. Their high-tempo offense puts immense pressure on defenses, and they are currently playing with the confidence of a team that believes they can win the conference.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Raegan Beers (F), ’27 Sahara Williams (F), ’26 Payton Verhulst (G)
(Conclusion)
Who did we miss?
Helpful Links
- Everyone is talking about Syla Swords, Michigan despite UConn loss
- See our full 3-Round 2026 WNBA Draft predictions
- Early Look: 2027 WNBA Draft
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