Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks Return to No. 1 in AP Preseason Poll: Full Top 25 Rankings Revealed

The South Carolina Gamecocks have reclaimed the top spot in the Associated Press preseason women’s college basketball rankings, placing head coach Dawn Staley’s team at No. 1 ahead of the 2026–27 season. The latest poll, released Tuesday, reflects the high expectations surrounding a program that has remained among the sport’s leading contenders under Staley.

South Carolina received 23 first-place votes in the preseason poll. The University of Connecticut, commonly known as UConn, collected six, while Southern California received two. The distribution of votes places the Gamecocks ahead of two prominent national competitors as teams prepare for the new season.

The ranking also marks South Carolina’s return to the preseason No. 1 position for the first time since 2024. With five appearances at the top of the preseason poll, the program continues to demonstrate the consistency it has established during Staley’s tenure.

South Carolina Returns to the Top of the Preseason Rankings

South Carolina has earned the No. 1 preseason ranking five times, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2026. The latest selection reinforces the program’s standing among the leading teams in women’s college basketball.

The Gamecocks entered last season at No. 2 in the preseason poll and maintained a position near the top throughout the campaign. They finished the 2025–26 season with a 36–4 record, ultimately reaching the national championship game before losing in the title contest.

That result left South Carolina with another strong season but without the national championship it sought. The team’s return to the top of the preseason rankings now places it among the leading contenders for the upcoming campaign.

Expectations will be high as Staley prepares her roster for another demanding schedule. South Carolina has established a record of sustained success, and its latest ranking reflects the confidence voters have placed in the program.

Dawn Staley’s Impact on the Gamecocks

Staley has played a central role in South Carolina’s rise to national prominence since taking charge of the program in 2008.

Before her arrival, the Gamecocks had appeared in the AP preseason Top 25 just five times in their history. The program has now secured a place in the preseason rankings for 14 consecutive seasons, a record that illustrates its continued presence among the nation’s strongest teams.

The sustained recognition reflects the standard established during Staley’s leadership. South Carolina has developed into a regular contender in the Southeastern Conference and on the national stage.

The preseason No. 1 ranking also places attention on the challenges that accompany a leading position. Opponents will have an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the sport’s most successful programs, while the Gamecocks must maintain their performance across a long regular season.

Gamecocks Favored to Win the SEC

South Carolina has also received strong support within its conference.

On October 12, the SEC’s media preseason poll selected the Gamecocks as the favorite to win the conference during the 2026–27 season. It marked the seventh time in eight years that South Carolina had been picked first in the SEC preseason poll.

The conference selection adds to the expectations created by the AP ranking. South Carolina will enter the season with a leading position nationally and the backing of SEC media voters.

However, the preseason rankings represent expectations rather than final results. The Gamecocks will need to produce consistent performances against conference opponents before their position can be confirmed on the court.

The SEC schedule will provide an important test as South Carolina works toward its postseason objectives. Conference games will also offer opportunities to assess how the team responds to the pressure associated with its preseason standing.

South Carolina’s Schedule Before the Regular Season

The Gamecocks have one exhibition game remaining before their regular-season opener.

South Carolina is scheduled to face Benedict on October 23. The exhibition will provide the team with a final opportunity to prepare for competitive action before the regular season begins.

The Gamecocks will then open their 2026–27 campaign against Maryland on November 2 in Paris, France.

The international opener will begin a season in which South Carolina enters with the highest preseason ranking. The matchup against Maryland will provide an early measure of the team’s preparation before the schedule progresses into the regular season.

With the national and conference preseason polls both favoring South Carolina, the opening games will attract attention from fans following Staley’s team and its pursuit of another championship run.

Full AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Preseason Rankings for 2026–27

The Associated Press preseason poll places South Carolina at No. 1, followed by UConn and Southern California. The complete rankings released Tuesday are listed below.

South Carolina leads the rankings with 23 first-place votes. UConn received six first-place votes, and Southern California received two.

The poll features programs from across the country, including established national contenders and teams seeking to improve their standing during the upcoming season. Duke, Michigan, Texas and Louisville occupy the next four positions behind the top three.

LSU, Iowa and UCLA also appear inside the top 11, while North Carolina, Notre Dame and Kentucky round out the next group of ranked teams.

What the No. 1 Ranking Means for South Carolina

The preseason selection gives South Carolina a strong starting position as it prepares for the 2026–27 season. The Gamecocks have combined sustained national recognition with consistent success in the SEC, and the latest poll places them ahead of every other team entering the campaign.

Their 36–4 record last season demonstrates the level of performance that has helped maintain those expectations. However, the defeat in the national championship game leaves the team with unfinished business as it begins another season.

Staley and her players will now turn their attention to the remaining exhibition and the November 2 opener against Maryland. Their performances will determine whether the Gamecocks can translate preseason confidence into another successful campaign.

For now, the AP voters have made their position clear: South Carolina is the team to beat entering the new season. The South Carolina Gamecocks No. 1 in the 2026–27 AP preseason women’s basketball poll headline captures the program’s standing as the race for the next national championship approaches.