NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings
Why it matters: The transfer portal opening Monday will reshape rosters for dozens of NCAA women's basketball teams, impacting their 2026-27 season outlooks.
- UConn Huskies are ranked #1, with Sarah Strong leading a deep and versatile roster, despite losing Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.
- Texas Longhorns are #2, benefiting from impressive talent accumulation under Vic Schaefer and the return of Madison Booker.
- South Carolina Gamecocks are expected to remain a top contender, bringing back star Joyce Edwards and a talented roster.
- UCLA Bruins are notably absent from the Way-Too-Early rankings due to losing their top six players, with Coach Cori Close actively seeking transfer portal additions.
- Iowa State's outlook has significantly changed, as Audi Crooks, Addy Brown, and seven other players announced their intention to enter the transfer portal, impacting their potential ranking.
- The transfer portal, opening Monday, is anticipated to cause major shifts in team rosters and rankings, affecting teams like Georgia, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee, which have already seen player departures.
The NCAA women's basketball landscape for 2026-27 is already taking shape, with UConn, Texas, and South Carolina poised to dominate, bringing back star players like Sarah Strong, Madison Booker, and Joyce Edwards. While these powerhouses are expected to contend for the Final Four, UCLA faces a significant rebuild after losing its top six players, and the upcoming transfer portal opening on Monday is set to dramatically alter team outlooks, as seen with Iowa State losing nine players.
