The 2026–27 women’s college basketball season is only a few days old, but the opening week has already delivered some significant results. Several nationally ranked programs have justified their preseason expectations, while others have made early statements that could reshape the conversation surrounding this season’s championship contenders.
USC has welcomed JuJu Watkins back to the court in spectacular fashion. South Carolina has shown why it remains one of the most dangerous teams in the country, and Oklahoma has already picked up an important victory against a ranked opponent.
There have also been impressive performances from Louisville, Vanderbilt, LSU and Alabama. Meanwhile, Michigan has produced one of the biggest early results by handing No. 2 UConn its first defeat of the season.
The opening results have provided plenty to discuss, although it would be premature to make sweeping championship predictions based on such a small sample of games.
For these rankings, results through November 5 are considered. Opponent quality, individual performances, offensive execution, defensive consistency and the significance of each victory all factor into the order. Winning margins matter, but beating a nationally ranked opponent carries a different weight from overwhelming a significantly weaker team.
These are independent power rankings based on early-season performances, not a reproduction of the preseason AP Poll.
1. USC Trojans
Record: 1–0
USC couldn’t have asked for a much better beginning to the season, particularly with JuJu Watkins finally back on the court.
The third-ranked Trojans opened their campaign with a 100–68 victory over UNLV on November 2, producing an offensive performance that demonstrated just how dangerous Lindsay Gottlieb’s team could become.
Watkins’ return was naturally the biggest storyline. After missing the entire previous season because of an ACL injury, the star guard scored 21 points in 25 minutes. She also recorded five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
However, USC’s performance was about considerably more than one player’s comeback.
Jazzy Davidson led the Trojans with 23 points, shooting an outstanding 10-for-11 from the field. Freshman Saniyah Hall made an equally impressive collegiate debut, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Kennedy Smith contributed 12 points, while Sitaya Fagan added 11 off the bench. Five Trojans finished in double figures.
The third quarter was particularly impressive. USC outscored UNLV 31–10, turning a competitive first half into a comfortable victory. Watkins scored 11 points during the period as the Trojans took complete control.
USC also demonstrated its defensive potential, recording 13 steals and forcing 24 turnovers.
There are still questions about how this team will perform against elite competition, but the combination of Watkins, Davidson and Hall gives the Trojans an exceptional collection of offensive options.
Why USC is No. 1: The Trojans combined scoring depth, defensive activity and an impressive individual comeback in one performance. Their opening victory provided one of the most complete statements of the week.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks
Record: 1–0
South Carolina opened its season with one of the most significant victories of the first week, defeating No. 20 Maryland 101–93 in Paris.
The Gamecocks looked particularly impressive during the opening half, establishing a commanding 61–33 advantage before Maryland mounted an extraordinary comeback.
Joyce Edwards led South Carolina with 23 points, while Agot Makeer contributed 20. Jerzy Robinson and Tessa Johnson added 15 points apiece, and Jordan Lee finished with 13.
Having five players reach double figures was an encouraging sign for Dawn Staley, whose team demonstrated that it has several reliable scoring options.
South Carolina also showed why its transition offense remains such a difficult challenge for opponents. The Gamecocks generated easy scoring opportunities, punished Maryland’s mistakes and built a lead that appeared almost impossible to overcome.
Maryland, however, refused to disappear.
Addi Mack delivered one of the outstanding individual performances of the opening week, scoring a career-high 35 points. Even more impressively, 31 of those points came after halftime.
The Terrapins eventually reduced a 31-point deficit to just six, exposing some defensive problems that Staley will undoubtedly want to address.
South Carolina ultimately held on, but the second-half collapse in defensive intensity is worth monitoring.
The result nevertheless remains an important victory against a ranked opponent.
Why South Carolina is No. 2: Beating a ranked Maryland team by eight points is a stronger early achievement than simply dominating an overmatched opponent. The defensive concerns prevent the Gamecocks from taking the top position, but their offensive potential is obvious.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
Record: 1–0
Oklahoma has already delivered one of the most valuable victories of the opening week.
The Sooners defeated No. 12 North Carolina 91–79 in Paris, producing a result that immediately deserves attention in the national rankings conversation.
North Carolina entered the season with considerable expectations, but Oklahoma demonstrated that it has the offensive firepower to compete against nationally recognized programs.
Freshman LeeLee Bell was one of the biggest stories of the game, recording 25 points in her collegiate debut. Her scoring performance provided an immediate indication of the impact she could have during her first season.
Sahara Williams was equally important, finishing with 22 points. She scored 13 of those points in the third quarter, helping Oklahoma create the separation it needed.
The Sooners won that period 31–14, turning a closely contested first half into a 12-point victory.
North Carolina received 21 points from freshman Kate Harpring, but the Tar Heels struggled to contain Oklahoma after the break.
Coming off consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, Oklahoma has experience and expectations to live up to. Its opening performance suggests the Sooners could once again become a difficult opponent in the SEC.
Why Oklahoma is No. 3: The victory over a preseason top-15 opponent gives Oklahoma one of the strongest résumés of the opening week. The emergence of Bell makes the result even more encouraging.
4. Michigan Wolverines
Record: 1–0
Michigan deserves a place near the top of these rankings after producing one of the biggest results of November 5.
The Wolverines defeated No. 2 UConn 77–66, handing the Huskies their first loss of the season and immediately announcing themselves as a team worth watching.
UConn entered the matchup following a 100–35 demolition of Cornell. That opening performance had reinforced expectations surrounding Geno Auriemma’s team, making Michigan’s victory even more significant.
The Wolverines responded with a strong performance on both ends of the floor.
Te’Yala Delfosse led Michigan with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Dallas Loughridge contributed nine assists. Michigan also shot 45% from three-point range, compared with just 25.8% for UConn.
The game was competitive early. UConn led 21–17 after the opening quarter, but Michigan moved ahead by halftime and maintained its advantage through the final two periods.
Freshman Jovana Popovic was outstanding for the Huskies, scoring 25 points, but UConn struggled to find enough consistent offensive production around her.
Michigan’s victory is particularly valuable because it came against a team expected to compete for the national championship.
One game does not establish a championship contender, but beating the second-ranked team in the country is a significant opening statement.
Why Michigan is No. 4: The Wolverines have arguably recorded the most impressive individual victory of the week. Their performance against UConn carries more weight than a large winning margin against a lower-level opponent.
5. LSU Tigers
Record: 2–0
LSU has been one of the most dominant offensive teams of the opening week.
The ninth-ranked Tigers began their campaign with a 129–35 victory over Southeastern Louisiana before following it up with an even more emphatic 131–22 win against Texas Southern on November 5.
Those results represent an extraordinary offensive start, although the quality of opposition must be considered when evaluating their position.
ZaKiyah Johnson was the standout performer in the season opener, recording a career-high 33 points and 13 rebounds. She shot 14-for-19 from the field and also collected five steals.
MiLaysia Fulwiley contributed 20 points and six steals, demonstrating the defensive pressure LSU can generate when its athletic players are allowed to attack passing lanes.
The second victory provided another opportunity for the Tigers to showcase their depth. Anna Minaeva led the team with 21 points against Texas Southern, while LSU’s defense restricted its opponent to just 22 points.
That defensive performance deserves particular attention.
LSU has scored 260 points across its first two games while allowing only 57. Those numbers are remarkable, even if the opposition has not provided a serious examination.
The Tigers will need to demonstrate the same level of execution against stronger teams before they can be considered among the leading national championship favorites.
Why LSU is No. 5: Two victories, 260 points scored and an impressive defensive start make the Tigers one of the week’s biggest winners. Their position would be even higher if the opening schedule had featured stronger opposition.
6. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 2–0
Louisville has made an excellent start under Jeff Walz, combining historic scoring production with an impressive defensive performance.
The Cardinals began their campaign with a 119–47 victory over Bellarmine, setting a new program record for points in a game.
Louisville also established program records for scoring in a half and scoring in a quarter. Its 44-point opening period was particularly remarkable.
Seven players reached double figures, demonstrating the depth available to Walz.
Tajianna Roberts led the team with 15 points, while Imari Berry added 14. Zamareya Jones also contributed 11 points, nine assists and six steals.
The Cardinals followed that performance with an 87–35 victory over Stetson on November 4.
The second game was particularly encouraging defensively. Louisville recorded 21 steals, forced 30 turnovers and held Stetson to just 15 points after halftime.
Freshman Ariyana Cradle continued her promising start, reaching double figures for the second consecutive game.
Louisville has shown that it can score in several different ways while applying considerable defensive pressure.
The next challenge will be maintaining that efficiency against teams capable of handling its defensive intensity.
Why Louisville is No. 6: The Cardinals have produced two convincing victories, established program scoring records and demonstrated impressive defensive activity. They have earned a place among the strongest early performers.
7. Vanderbilt Commodores
Record: 2–0
Vanderbilt has looked like a team determined to build on last season’s Sweet 16 appearance.
The Commodores opened with a 112–53 victory over Lipscomb, setting a program record for scoring in a season opener.
Mikayla Blakes immediately demonstrated why she is one of the players attracting significant attention this season.
The preseason All-American finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. She also received considerable support from her teammates, with four other Vanderbilt players reaching double figures.
Madison Greene contributed 19 points, Aubrey Galvan scored 16, Mia Woolfolk added 15 and Aiyana Mitchell finished with 10.
Vanderbilt’s second performance was arguably even more impressive.
The Commodores defeated Queens 100–42, setting a program record for points scored in a single half after producing 73 points before halftime.
They also recorded a remarkable 34–0 scoring run.
Blakes led the way again with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists. Vanderbilt finished with five players in double figures.
The consecutive 100-point performances demonstrate the offensive potential of Shea Ralph’s team.
There is still a considerable difference between dominating these opponents and proving the same ability against ranked programs, but Vanderbilt has certainly started well.
Why Vanderbilt is No. 7: Two 100-point performances, excellent offensive balance and Blakes’ outstanding individual production make the Commodores one of the most encouraging teams of the opening week.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Record: 2–0
Alabama has quietly put together an impressive opening stretch, with its November 4 victory providing one of the most productive offensive performances of the week.
The Crimson Tide defeated Queens 92–56 in their season opener before overwhelming LSU New Orleans 118–45.
The second victory was particularly convincing.
Eight Alabama players reached double figures, while every player who appeared scored at least five points.
Alayna West led the way with 17 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. She also recorded six steals, coming remarkably close to a triple-double.
Mykelle Richards contributed 16 points, while Ace Austin added 14.
Alabama also collected 55 rebounds and recorded 26 steals against LSU New Orleans, forcing 36 turnovers.
The defensive pressure was especially effective, producing a 48–2 advantage in points off turnovers.
Those numbers suggest Alabama has the personnel to create problems for opponents on both ends of the floor.
The next step is proving that the team’s offensive depth and defensive aggression can translate against more competitive opposition.
Why Alabama is No. 8: The Crimson Tide has won twice, scored freely and demonstrated excellent defensive activity. West’s all-around performance makes the opening particularly encouraging.
9. UCLA Bruins
Record: 2–0
Defending national champion UCLA has begun its title-defense campaign with two victories, although the opening performances have been more about establishing consistency than demonstrating complete dominance.
The Bruins opened with a 73–53 victory over Lehigh before defeating UC Irvine 78–42 on November 5.
Sienna Betts was one of the biggest contributors in both games.
She scored 15 points in the season opener and followed that performance with a career-high 17 points against UC Irvine, shooting eight-for-10 from the field.
Donovyn Hunter also made an encouraging start to her UCLA career, contributing 14 points against Lehigh.
Against UC Irvine, the Bruins demonstrated their defensive potential by holding the Anteaters scoreless in the fourth quarter.
They also produced 25 assists on 31 made field goals, highlighting their ability to generate good scoring opportunities through ball movement.
UCLA has lost several important contributors following its championship season, making the early development of its returning players and newcomers particularly important.
There is still work to do, but two comfortable victories are a positive beginning.
Why UCLA is No. 9: The defending champions have started 2–0, shown encouraging offensive balance and delivered an impressive defensive finish against UC Irvine.
10. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 1–0
Duke rounds out the opening-week rankings after beginning its campaign with a 76–60 victory over Green Bay.
The fourth-ranked Blue Devils entered the season with considerable expectations, and their first performance offered some encouraging signs.
Riley Nelson and Arianna Roberson led the team with 15 points apiece.
Roberson also contributed five rebounds and four blocks, providing an important presence defensively. Aaliyah Crump added 11 points and six assists, while Delaney Thomas finished with 10.
Duke’s performance improved considerably after halftime.
The Blue Devils outscored Green Bay 27–18 in the third quarter, using more efficient offensive execution and stronger defensive pressure to establish control.
They also finished with a 44–31 rebounding advantage and scored 19 second-chance points.
The victory was not as overwhelming as some of the other results on this list, but Duke demonstrated the ability to respond when challenged.
The Blue Devils will have opportunities to strengthen their position as the schedule becomes more demanding.
Why Duke is No. 10: Duke has a talented roster and opened with a solid victory. Its position reflects the promise of the team rather than a particularly exceptional result.
Teams Just Outside the Top 10
Several other programs deserve attention as the season develops.
Texas: The Longhorns remain a team worth monitoring, but their women’s results should be assessed separately from the men’s scores mistakenly included in the original draft.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes opened with a 76–54 victory over Lipscomb. Their upcoming games against stronger opponents will provide a better indication of their potential.
Kentucky: An 85–57 victory over Manhattan gave the Wildcats a comfortable start.
Michigan State: The Spartans defeated Valparaiso 98–44 on November 3. Their game against Toledo was scheduled for November 7, not November 5.
Tennessee: The Lady Volunteers’ opening schedule includes Duquesne and Coppin State. Their results should be assessed from the women’s game records rather than the unrelated scores attributed to them in the original draft.
What the First Week Tells Us About the 2026–27 Women’s College Basketball Season
The opening week has already provided several interesting developments, and the early results suggest that this season could produce a competitive national championship race.
USC has arguably generated the most excitement with Watkins’ return. Her performance against UNLV, combined with the contributions of Davidson and Hall, gives the Trojans a formidable offensive foundation.
South Carolina has also demonstrated its ability to defeat ranked opposition, although Maryland’s second-half comeback exposed defensive issues that will need attention.
Oklahoma’s victory over North Carolina deserves considerable recognition, particularly because of the performances from Bell and Williams.
Michigan has provided another major storyline by defeating UConn. The result is an early reminder that even the most highly regarded programs can encounter difficult challenges away from home.
Meanwhile, LSU, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Alabama have all demonstrated considerable offensive potential. UCLA has started its championship defense with two victories, while Duke has shown encouraging signs in its opening appearance.
One team that deserves particular attention is UConn. The Huskies looked spectacular against Cornell, but their loss to Michigan shows why a single dominant performance should never be treated as definitive evidence of a team’s strength.
There is still a long way to go before the championship picture becomes clear. Several programs have yet to face meaningful competition, and the rankings will inevitably change as more games are played.
For now, USC takes the top position, followed by South Carolina and Oklahoma. Michigan’s victory over UConn earns the Wolverines fourth place, while LSU, Louisville and Vanderbilt complete a particularly impressive group of early performers.
The next round of games should provide a much clearer indication of which teams have genuine championship potential and which are still finding their identity.
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