LSU, the defending women's basketball champion, has secured the top spot in the preseason Top 25 poll as per the Associated Press. This marks a historic moment for the program, as it's their first time leading the preseason rankings, coming off their first-ever women's basketball national title win against Iowa last season.
UConn and Iowa, both well-known powerhouses, closely trail behind LSU in the AP rankings. The 2023 season is set to kick off on November 6th and will culminate with the 2024 NCAA championship game in Cleveland, Ohio.
In the AP Top 25, LSU's rise to the No. 1 position is a significant highlight, with the likes of UConn and Iowa not far behind. As for other noteworthy mentions in the poll, there are several teams receiving votes, including Kansas State, NC State, Kansas, Texas A&M, Iowa State, Gonzaga, Duke, Nebraska, Miami, UNLV, Washington, Toledo, Oregon, Villanova, and Arizona.
The LSU Tigers, led by MVP Angel Reese and a talented group of returning players like Flaujae Johnson, Sa'Myah Smith, and Kateri Poole, are poised for another impressive season. They've also added former Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow to their roster, along with the No. 1 recruit in the country, Mikaylah Williams. Head Coach Kim Mulkey's team is set for an exciting season.
UConn's Paige Bueckers is back and ready to make an impact as the team aims to regain their status as a dominant force. After a loss to Ohio State ended their streak of 16 consecutive Elite Eights and 14 consecutive Final Fours, the Huskies are determined to make a strong comeback. Paige Bueckers, the 2021 Naismith Trophy recipient, has returned from an ACL injury, and fans are eagerly anticipating a run for the national championship.
Iowa, with the 2023 Naismith Trophy Recipient Caitlin Clark, is another team to watch. Clark's exceptional talent has propelled Iowa to the top ranks in the preseason poll, making her the second recipient from Iowa to win the Naismith Trophy. The return of players like Nika Mühl, Aaliyah Edwards, and Aubrey Griffin to UConn has raised expectations for the No. 2 team.
Notable mentions include South Carolina and Virginia Tech, both breaking into the preseason top 10. South Carolina, ranked at No. 6, has key returning players Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, along with new additions Te-Hina Paopao and Sakima Walker. UCLA has claimed the No. 4 spot, marking their highest preseason ranking since 1999. Virginia Tech, ranked at No. 8, features Elizabeth Kitley, a five-star player, ACC Player of the Year, and Second Team AP All-American. Indiana and Notre Dame round out the top 10 spots.
In terms of conference representation, the SEC leads with six teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll, showcasing the depth and strength of women's college basketball across various conferences.
