UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas: Can 2026 women's Final Four teams return?
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UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas: Can 2026 women's Final Four teams return?
Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
8 min read
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Women's college basketball had a bit of déjà vu at the Final Four in Phoenix last season as all four teams that made it in 2025 returned to the national semifinals in 2026.
UConn saw its hopes of an undefeated season come to an end with a loss to South Carolina and Texas came up short against UCLA in a bid to reach the title game. The Bruins won their first national championship with a comfortable victory over the Gamecocks.
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Entering this season, much has changed for each of those four rosters.
Seeing the Bruins, Gamecocks,HuskiesandLonghornsall make the Final Four again seems unlikely.
Let's take a closer look at each team.
25. North Carolina State (21-11)
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
24. West Virginia (28-7)
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
23. Mississippi (24-12)
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
22. Illinois (22-12)
(Carly Mackler, Getty Images)
21. Oklahoma (26-8)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
20. Ohio State (27-8)
(Robert Goddin, Imagn Images)
19. Oklahoma State (24-10)
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
18. Minnesota (24-9)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
17. Maryland (24-9)
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
16. TCU (32-6)
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
15. Washington (22-11)
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
14. Kentucky (25-11)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
13. Notre Dame (25-11)
(Matt Cashore, Imagn Images)
12. UCLA (37-1)
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
11. North Carolina (28-8)
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
10. Iowa (27-7)
(Robert Goddin, Imagn Images)
9. Vanderbilt (29-5)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
8. LSU (29-6)
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
7. Louisville (29-8)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
6. Texas (35-4)
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
5. Michigan (28-7)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
4. Duke (27-9)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
3. Southern California (18-14)
(Jeff Blake, IMAGN IMAGES)
2. Connecticut (38-1)
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES)
1. South Carolina (36-4)
(Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
25. North Carolina State (21-11)
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
25. North Carolina State (21-11)
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
24. West Virginia (28-7)
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
23. Mississippi (24-12)
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
22. Illinois (22-12)
(Carly Mackler, Getty Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
21. Oklahoma (26-8)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
20. Ohio State (27-8)
(Robert Goddin, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
19. Oklahoma State (24-10)
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
18. Minnesota (24-9)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
17. Maryland (24-9)
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
16. TCU (32-6)
(William Purnell, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
15. Washington (22-11)
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
14. Kentucky (25-11)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
13. Notre Dame (25-11)
(Matt Cashore, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
12. UCLA (37-1)
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
11. North Carolina (28-8)
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
10. Iowa (27-7)
(Robert Goddin, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
9. Vanderbilt (29-5)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
8. LSU (29-6)
(Jim Dedmon, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
7. Louisville (29-8)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
6. Texas (35-4)
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
5. Michigan (28-7)
(Chris Jones, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
4. Duke (27-9)
(Ed Szczepanski, Imagn Images)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
3. Southern California (18-14)
(Jeff Blake, IMAGN IMAGES)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
2. Connecticut (38-1)
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES)
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Women’s college basketball preseason Top 25 rankings for 2026-27
1. South Carolina (36-4)
(Imagn Images)
UCLA
Coach Cori Close had to start rebuilding the Bruins' roster almost immediately after winning the national championship. The transfer portal opened the next morning and UCLA had to replace the production of the six players it sent off to the WNBA: Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, Angela Dugalic and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
UCLA got a solid haul in the portal, landing Iowa State's Addy Brown, North Carolina's Elina Aarnisalo, TCU's Donovyn Hunter, Arkansas' Bonnie Deas and Notre Dame's KK Bransford.
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Aarnisalo should be familiar to Bruins' fans as she played for Close as a freshman. She spent last season at North Carolina, helping the Tar Heels make the Sweet 16 while averaging 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game and shooting 40.4% from 3-point range. The 5-foot-10 guard from Finland scored 21 points in UNC's second-round win over Maryland to punch the Tar Heels' ticket to the second weekend.
Hunter was a Big 12 All-Defense selection last season and Deas nearly averaged a double-double with 10.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Brown — a two-time All-Big 12 selection — has long been a versatile, do-it-all player, averaging 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game across the three previous seasons. Those three and Aarnisalo will pair nicely with returner Sienna Betts, Lauren's younger sister. Bransford battled injuries at Notre Dame, but should be a standout role player if she can stay healthy.
Timea Gardiner is also expected to be healthy after missing all of last season. A former Pac-12 Sixth Player of the Year, the 6-foot-3 forward averages 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds for her career while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range.
UCLA checks in at No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports preseason Coaches Poll. The Bruins open the season at home against Lehigh on Nov. 2, and will play their first true road game on Nov. 22 at Tennessee.
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"Success leaves clues. We want to make sure we have those clues. I think we have a very proven roadmap that is easy for a group of people to buy into," Close said at Big Ten media day. "I do think we were able to reload, and I also think the growth of our returners has been immense. It's also the committed growth of the returners that have put me in a position to say the standard is a standard."
Expectation:UCLA should finish in the top five of the Big Ten and be a contender for the conference championship. In the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16 seems realistic.
South Carolina
It's another season where South Carolina looks absolutely loaded.
The Gamecocks return a pair of starters from last year's national runner-up squad in forward Joyce Edwards and guard Tessa Johnson, as well as NCAA Tournament All-Region selection Agot Makeer. Also back for South Carolina are Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, who were sidelined last season with injuries. Kitts is a former SEC Tournament MVP, while Watkins was key to South Carolina winning the 2024 national championship with rebounding prowess and expertise on defense.
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Coach Dawn Staley also brought in a pair of highly touted recruits in Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah Edwards. Alicia Tournebize and Adhel Tac also return in the front court.
Other additions include a pair of transfers — Jordan Lee from Texas and Brooke Quarles-Daniels from Michigan — as well as French guard Justine Loubens.
The question for South Carolina is this: After four seasons of Raven Johnson at point guard, who steps into that role as the floor general? Will it be newcomer Quarles-Daniels? Is Robinson ready to do that as a freshman? Can Johnson or Lee make an adjustment to a new role?
On the defensive end, Staley likes what she's seen from Lee.
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
Dawn Staley, guard for the University of Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball team poses for a portrait during the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference college basketball season circa January 1991 at the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Damian Strohmeyer, Getty Images)
Dawn Staley takes a shot vs. the San Jose Lasers in an American Basketball League game in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 25, 1996.
(JULIA SCHMALZ, USA TODAY)
USA's Dawn Staley during Olympic play against Korea in Atlanta on July 29, 1996.
(TIM DILLON, USA TODAY)
USA' Dawn Staley, right, and Ruthie Bolton celebrate after winning the gold medal by defeating Brazil, 111-87, at the Atlanta Olympics on Aug. 4, 1996.
(SHAWN SPENCE, USA TODAY)
Dawn Staley celebrates in the arms of Natalie Wiliams after the women's gold medal basketball game at Super Dome on Olympic Park on Sept. 30, 2000 in Sydney, Australia.
(ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY)
The US Olympic Team, led by WNBA player Dawn Staley, enter the Olympic Stadium during the parade of athletes during the opening ceremonies in Athens on Aug. 13, 2004.
(Rodney White, USA TODAY)
The USA's Dawn Staley jumps into the arms of teammate Diana Taurasi with the game ball as time runs out and dejected Kristi Harrower walks off the court in the women's basketball gold medal game on Aug. 28, 2004 in Athens, Greece. The USA beat Australia 74 - 63 to win the gold mdeal.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)
Temple University women's basketball coach Dawn Staley grins as her players warm up before practice at Temple University in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 2004. Dawn has won three Olympic gold medals, coaches for Temple and plays for the Charlotte WNBA team.
(Eileen Blass, USA TODAY)
Houston Comets guard Dawn Staley brings the ball up court against the Washington Mystics on May 13, 2006. Staley is the starting point guard for the Comets, is head coach at Temple and coaches Team USA.
(Sean Dougherty, USA TODAY)
WNBA star, Temple Owls coach and USA Basketball assistant coach Dawn Staley is photographed in Durham, N.C. on Sept. 6, 2006.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
(Standing, L to R) Nikki Graves-Henderson and her husband Edwin Henderson II representing the late Dr. E.B. Henderson, Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo, player Richard Guerin, contributor Russ Granik, coach Sylvia Hatchell, player Bernard King, player Gary Payton, coach Rick Pitino, player Dawn Staley, Jim Nantz representing, coach Guy V. Lewis (not pictured), Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva and (seated) coach Jerry Tarkanian hold their jerseys during the announcement of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 8, 2013.
(Jeff Haynes, REUTERS)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley gives instructions to one of her players in the first half of a women's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle on Mar. 25, 2014.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 4, 2018.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies to win the Final Four championship game of the women's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 3, 2022.
(Matt Krohn, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with a referee during the third quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 3, 2023.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates by cutting down the net after a 86-75 win over Maryland after an Elite Eight NCAA Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 27, 2023.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley communicates with her players playing Texas A&M during the fourth quarter of the SEC Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 8, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with the team after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 10, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C., on March 22, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting down the net after the game in the finals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., on March 31, 2024.
(Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
(Ken Blaze, Imagn Images)
President Joe Biden and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on Sept. 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 87-75, for their third NCAA championship with head coach Dawn Staley.
(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the East Carolina Lady Pirates in the first half at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 17, 2024.
(Jeff Blake, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with players in a break from playing Clemson during the second quarter at Littlejohn Coliseum on Nov. 20, 2024 in Clemson, S.C.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley have words at the end of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 3, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley interacts with fans during practice at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out to her team as they play the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.
(Joe Rondone, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina into one of the most recognizable brands and dominant programs in women's basketball since being hired in 2008. During her reign in Columbia, the Gamecocks have won three national championships and are coming off appearing in their eighth Final Four. Staley's trip to Phoenix this past weekend - where the Gamecocks defeated UConn in the semifinals but fell to UCLA in the national title game - was South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the national semifinals. And for all the success she's led the Gamecocks too, she's paid incredibly well for it. Better than any other coach in women's college basketball. And more than many prominent men's coaches. Look back at her career in basketball.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley, guard for the University of Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball team poses for a portrait during the NCAA Atlantic Coast Conference college basketball season circa January 1991 at the campus of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Damian Strohmeyer, Getty Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley takes a shot vs. the San Jose Lasers in an American Basketball League game in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 25, 1996.
(JULIA SCHMALZ, USA TODAY)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
USA's Dawn Staley during Olympic play against Korea in Atlanta on July 29, 1996.
(TIM DILLON, USA TODAY)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
USA' Dawn Staley, right, and Ruthie Bolton celebrate after winning the gold medal by defeating Brazil, 111-87, at the Atlanta Olympics on Aug. 4, 1996.
(SHAWN SPENCE, USA TODAY)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Dawn Staley celebrates in the arms of Natalie Wiliams after the women's gold medal basketball game at Super Dome on Olympic Park on Sept. 30, 2000 in Sydney, Australia.
(ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
The US Olympic Team, led by WNBA player Dawn Staley, enter the Olympic Stadium during the parade of athletes during the opening ceremonies in Athens on Aug. 13, 2004.
(Rodney White, USA TODAY)
8/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
The USA's Dawn Staley jumps into the arms of teammate Diana Taurasi with the game ball as time runs out and dejected Kristi Harrower walks off the court in the women's basketball gold medal game on Aug. 28, 2004 in Athens, Greece. The USA beat Australia 74 - 63 to win the gold mdeal.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)
9/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Temple University women's basketball coach Dawn Staley grins as her players warm up before practice at Temple University in Philadelphia on Nov. 22, 2004. Dawn has won three Olympic gold medals, coaches for Temple and plays for the Charlotte WNBA team.
(Eileen Blass, USA TODAY)
10/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
Houston Comets guard Dawn Staley brings the ball up court against the Washington Mystics on May 13, 2006. Staley is the starting point guard for the Comets, is head coach at Temple and coaches Team USA.
(Sean Dougherty, USA TODAY)
11/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
WNBA star, Temple Owls coach and USA Basketball assistant coach Dawn Staley is photographed in Durham, N.C. on Sept. 6, 2006.
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY)
12/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
(Standing, L to R) Nikki Graves-Henderson and her husband Edwin Henderson II representing the late Dr. E.B. Henderson, Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Colangelo, player Richard Guerin, contributor Russ Granik, coach Sylvia Hatchell, player Bernard King, player Gary Payton, coach Rick Pitino, player Dawn Staley, Jim Nantz representing, coach Guy V. Lewis (not pictured), Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva and (seated) coach Jerry Tarkanian hold their jerseys during the announcement of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 8, 2013.
(Jeff Haynes, REUTERS)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley gives instructions to one of her players in the first half of a women's college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle on Mar. 25, 2014.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley against the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the first half of the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 4, 2018.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley and players celebrate with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies to win the Final Four championship game of the women's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 3, 2022.
(Matt Krohn, Imagn Images)
16/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with a referee during the third quarter of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 3, 2023.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates by cutting down the net after a 86-75 win over Maryland after an Elite Eight NCAA Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 27, 2023.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley communicates with her players playing Texas A&M during the fourth quarter of the SEC Tournament game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 8, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley celebrates with the team after the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., on March 10, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley during the second quarter of an NCAA Tournament game at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C., on March 22, 2024.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates cutting down the net after the game in the finals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena in Albany, N.Y., on March 31, 2024.
(Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images)
22/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
23/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cuts the net after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Final Four of the women's 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on April 7, 2024.
(Ken Blaze, Imagn Images)
24/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
President Joe Biden and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley arrive for a celebration of the 2023-2024 University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball NCAA championship team in the East Room at the White House on Sept. 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Gamecocks ended their season undefeated and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes, 87-75, for their third NCAA championship with head coach Dawn Staley.
(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
25/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the East Carolina Lady Pirates in the first half at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 17, 2024.
(Jeff Blake, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley talks with players in a break from playing Clemson during the second quarter at Littlejohn Coliseum on Nov. 20, 2024 in Clemson, S.C.
(Ken Ruinard, The Greenville News via USA TODAY Network)
27/29
Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley have words at the end of a semifinal of the Final Four of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 3, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley interacts with fans during practice at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 4, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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Dawn Staley, hoops champion at every level. See her career in photos
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley yells out to her team as they play the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA women's basketball national championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on April 5, 2026.
(Joe Rondone, The Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK)
"She's an elite defender. Like, elite, elite," Staley said of Lee. "What we probably lost in Raven, we probably gained a little bit back with Jordan, but we need Jordan to score the basketball as well. The same qualities she gave Texas, we need her to be that and probably lean on her a little bit more."
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South Carolina's non-conference schedule is a gauntlet. The Gamecocks open the season in Paris against Maryland on Nov. 2, face North Carolina in Charlotte on Nov. 8 at the Ally Tip-Off, play at Clemson on Nov. 12, then face USC in Greenville, South Carolina on Nov. 15 before playing their first home game on Nov. 17 against Florida Gulf Coast.
Expectations:While there's a glaring question at point guard, perhaps no team has as much frontcourt depth as the Gamecocks. They've gone to six consecutive Final Fours and anything short of going that far in the NCAA Tournament would be considered a failure by the standard Staley has set.
UConn
Geno Auriemma remains on the sidelines and as long as that's true, the standard for the Huskies will be to win the national championship.
Azzi Fudd has departed for the WNBA — the latest UConn player to be selected No. 1 overall — but the Huskies bring back three starters, headlined by reigning consensus National Player of the Year Sarah Strong. Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 blocks per game while leading the nation in win shares (9.5) and defensive rating (56.4) last season.
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In addition to KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade, UConn also brings back key contributors in Jana El Alfy, Kayleigh Heckel, Allie Ziebell, and Big East Freshman of the Year Blanca Quinonez, who is likely set for a bigger role this season.
"If she was a first-team All-American this year, I wouldn't be surprised one bit," Auriemma said of Quinonez at Big East media day.
TheUCLA Bruinscelebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe speaks to UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) on the podium after the win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and center Lauren Betts (51) reacts in the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) embraces head coach Cori Close in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the National Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close congratulates center Lauren Betts (51) as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
1/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
TheUCLA Bruinscelebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
1/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
TheUCLA Bruinscelebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
2/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe speaks to UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) on the podium after the win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
3/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
4/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
5/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
6/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and center Lauren Betts (51) reacts in the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
7/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) embraces head coach Cori Close in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
8/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
9/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
10/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
11/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the National Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
12/12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close congratulates center Lauren Betts (51) as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
(Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images)
UConn is also expected to lean on freshmen Olivia Vukosa and Jovana Popovic. A 5-foot-9 guard, Popovic has played for the Serbian senior national team and professionally in her native country. Vukosa, a 6-foot-5 center, was the No. 2 ranked recruit in the 2026 class by ESPN.
After opening the season against Cornell on Nov. 2, the Huskies will be tested, rounding out the first month of the season with games against Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Louisville, Seton Hall, South Carolina and Duke.
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Ultimately, the Huskies will go as far as Strong can take them.
"I think what we'll see is a much more aggressive Sarah," Auriemma said. "There is more that she has that we're going to see this year as I see it in practice already."
Expectations:The Huskies should win the Big East comfortably, as they have done in every season since rejoining the conference in 2020. In the NCAA Tournament, it would be a shock to not see UConn at the Final Four in Columbus, Ohio.
Texas
Madison Booker is back, and that's great news for Vic Schaefer's team.
The three-time All-American has been the bus driver for the Longhorns and was the MVP of the SEC Tournament last season. A 6-foot-1 versatile forward from Mississippi, Booker averaged 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game last season while shooting 50.8% from the floor.
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Breya Cunningham is the only other returning starter for the Longhorns. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season while shooting 59.1% from the floor. In the transfer portal, Texas added Oklahoma starter Zya Vann who averaged 10.4 points per game last season.
Texas is expected to lean on its highly touted freshman class, which featured four players ranked inside ESPN's top 25 recruits. The group includes 6-foot-1 forward Addison Bjorn, 6-foot-3 wing Brihanna Crittendon, 5-foot-7 guard Lizzy Spaight and 6-foot-2 forward Isi Etute. The first three were McDonald's All-Americans, while Etute has played for the Luxembourg national team in FIBA competitions.
"Those freshmen that we got coming in, they can all play," Schaefertold USA TODAY Sportsthis summer. "They're really special and highly rated. I'm as juiced up about this group as any I've had. I'm excited to get them in the gym and start trying to piece that puzzle together."
Texas opens the season on Nov. 4 at home against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Longhorns' first marquee non-conference game is Nov. 22 in Fort Worth against Ohio State.
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Expectations:Texas should finish in the top five of the SEC and make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Beyond that, the Longhorns' success will ride on how well the freshmen mesh together and Booker's leadership.