South Carolina WBB ahead of UConn in one way-too-early Top 25 for next season
The South Carolina women’s basketball team made it to its fifth-straight Final Four and second-straight national championship game this season.
The Gamecocks lost to UConn, 82-59, in the national title game, but early projections for next season have South Carolina making another deep postseason run.
ESPN and SB Nation have the Gamecocks ranked No. 2 in their Way Too Early Top 25 rankings for the 2025-26 season.
ESPN’s poll has UCLA as the team to beat next season — ahead of South Carolina at No. 2 and UConn at No. 3.
SB Nation has defending champion UConn at No. 1, following by the Gamecocks and then UCLA.
“An abundance of leadership departs Columbia, but plenty of talent remains,” ESPN’s Charlie Creme said of the Gamecocks. “Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley were the Gamecocks’ leading scorers off the bench and should be starters next season. Chloe Kitts emerged as South Carolina’s best player late in the campaign. She and Tessa Johnson could be ready for season-long breakouts.
South Carolina went 35-4 this season, with two of its losses coming against UConn. The Gamecocks lose three seniors in guards Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall as well as forward Sania Feagin. Guard Raven Johnson could also leave, but she has a fifth year of eligibility remaining and is still weighing that decision.
South Carolina will return its top three scorers from this year’s team in Edwards, Fulwiley and Kitts. Edwards and Fulwiley came off the bench this season but should slide into starting roles next season.
Kitts blossomed into a star and was the MVP of the SEC Tournament and the NCAA’s Birmingham 2 regional.
The Gamecocks signed McDonald’s All-Americans Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer, and coach Dawn Staley said after the national title loss that they will hit the transfer portal to help fill out the roster.
“A healthy Ashlyn Watkins and Maddy McDaniel taking over at the point will be keys to the Gamecocks reaching a sixth consecutive Final Four,” ESPN’s Creme wrote.
The top 10 in ESPN’s early Top 25
- 1. UCLA
- 2. South Carolina
- 3. UConn
- 4. Texas
- 5. Duke
- 6. LSU
- 7. Oklahoma
- 8. Tennessee
- 9. Baylor
- 10. NC State
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM.
