The top five of our WCBB Preseason Top 10 are full of familiar names and coaches. The expectations for these teams are high going into the season, and these are the five teams that are expected to be competing for the championship this season. (To see #10-6, click here)
5. Oklahoma Sooners
Projected Starters:
G: Aaliyah Chavez (Fr; #3 Recruit in ESPN NEXT 100 Class of 2025)
G: Zya Vann (So; 6.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
G: Payton Verhulst (Sr; 14.9 ppg, 3.9 apg)
F: Sahara Williams (Jr; 10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
C: Raegan Beers (Sr; 17.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg)
After a solid regular season last season, the Sooners were upheld by eventual champions UConn in the Sweet 16. This season's squad has a great mix of returning talent and young stars. No player will get the spotlight more on them than Center Raegan Beers, who received votes for the pre-season All-American team. Her down-low presence will give the Sooners a great advantage for the season. Add on a backcourt that includes a returning starter in Payton Verhulst and a top 5 recruit in the Class of 2025 in Aaliyah Chavez, and this team is going to be tough to gameplan for and should make a deep run in March.
4. LSU Tigers
Projected Starters:
G: MiLaysia Fulwiley (Jr - Transfer from South Carolina; 11.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G: Flau'Jae Johnson (Sr; 18.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
G: Mikaylah Williams (Jr; 17.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
F: Amiya Joyner (Sr - Transfer from East Carolina; 15.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg)
F: Kate Koval (So - Transfer from Notre Dame; 5.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
If there's a person who deserves all of the praise, it is the person who helped bring in the transfers that this Tigers team brought in. They return two incredible starters from last season's Elite 8 team in Flau'Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams, and bring in some transfers to help fill gaps to get them to the top. While the stats may not impress, Kate Koval is a major impact player, as the 6'5'' forward has the potential to be one of the top down-low players this season. There aren't many flaws to this Tigers starting lineup, which will make them dangerous to play against this season.
3. UCLA Bruins
Projected Starters:
G: Kiki Rice (Sr; 12.8 ppg, 5.0 apg)
G: Gabriella Jaquez (9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
G: GIanna Kneepkens (Sr - Transfer from Utah; 19.3 ppg, 44.8% 3pt)
F: Sienna Betts (Fr; #2 Recruit in ESPN NEXT 100 Class of 2025)
C: Lauren Betts (Sr; 20.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg)
The Bruins are fortunate to return one of the best players in Division I last season in center Lauren Betts. What makes her even more dangerous? Her sister, Sienna Betts, will be joining her down-low to have a 6'4 and 6'7 post presence. The perimeter is going to be just as dangerous, as Kiki Rice was a key part of that Bruins Final 4 team, and she returns. This is a starting lineup where all five players can win the games for UCLA. Add on a great bench guard in Charlisse Leger-Walker, who is back from injury, and this Bruins team has what it takes to take down some of the top dogs of the women's game.
2. South Carolina Gamecocks
Projected Starters:
G: Ta'Niya Latson (Sr - Transfer from Florida State; 25.2 ppg, 4.6 apg)
G: Raven Johnson (Sr; 4.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
G: Tessa Johnson (Jr; 8.4 ppg, 43% 3pt)
F: Joyce Edwards (So; 12.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
F: Madina Okot (Sr - Transfer from Mississippi State; 11.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg)
With a good portion of the national runner-up lineup returning, and with one of the best coaches in the game right now in Dawn Staley leading them, this South Carolina team should be viewed as one of the favorites to win it all this season. While defense has always been the focus of this Gamecocks team, they got a huge pickup in the portal by landing the top scorer in Division I last season in Florida State transfer Ta'Niya Latson. The combination of her scoring with the experience of this Gamecocks roster is going to be a sight to watch and will make a strong case for the top team in the country at the end of the season.
1. UConn Huskies
Projected Starters:
G: KK Arnold (Jr; 5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
G: Azzi Fudd (Sr; 13.6 ppg, 43.8% 3pt)
G: Ashlynn Shade (Jr; 7.7 ppg, 41.1% 3pt)
F: Sarah Strong (So; 16.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg)
F: Serah Williams (Sr - Transfer from Wisconsin; 19.2 ppg, 9.8 rpg)
Despite losing the best player in the country last season in Paige Bueckers, the Huskies are still the frontrunner to take home the championship again this season. Both Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd have been getting some preseason recognition and were integral parts of the championship team from last season. Add in a really talented player from the Big 10 in Serah Williams, and this starting five is arguably one of the best in the country this season. The Huskies once again got some great recruits signed who will play key bench roles, so the depth is this team will take them very far as well. It's tough to say there will be any team that could beat the Huskies this season.