South Carolina women’s basketball begins the season ranked among the nation’s best, earning a top spot in the preseason AP Poll. The Gamecocks, led by coach Dawn Staley, return a talented roster and enter the 2025–26 campaign as one of the clear favorites to contend for another championship.

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley once again has her team positioned among the nation’s elite entering the new season. The Gamecocks were ranked No. 2 in the 2025–26 preseason AP Top 25 poll, maintaining their place as a powerhouse program with championship expectations.

This marks the fifth time in six years that South Carolina has opened the season inside the top two of the national rankings. The only team ranked ahead of them is defending national champion UConn, which defeated the Gamecocks in last spring’s title game to reclaim the sport’s top spot.

It’s also just the second time in the past six preseason polls that South Carolina did not begin the season at No. 1. The last time came ahead of the 2023–24 campaign, when the Gamecocks opened at No. 6 but quickly rose to the top spot within a week. That season ended in perfection, as Staley’s squad went undefeated en route to a national championship.

The Gamecocks enter this season with renewed motivation, fueled by the desire to reclaim their crown and avenge last year’s loss. With a deep, talented roster and one of the sport’s best coaches at the helm, South Carolina remains firmly entrenched among the nation’s top contenders.

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South Carolina has consistently lived up to its preseason expectations, reaching the Final Four in each of the past five seasons. During that remarkable stretch, the Gamecocks have captured two national championships and compiled an outstanding 170–12 record, solidifying their status as one of college basketball’s most dominant programs.

However, it’s important to note that much of the voting for the latest AP preseason poll likely occurred before news surfaced about forward Chloe Kitts suffering a season-ending knee injury. Her absence significantly impacts South Carolina’s frontcourt depth and overall rotation.

Kitts’ injury is especially tough considering the Gamecocks were already expected to be without Ashlyn Watkins, another key piece in their interior lineup. The loss of two frontcourt contributors will test the team’s depth and adaptability early in the season.

Despite these setbacks, head coach Dawn Staley’s program remains built to contend at the highest level. With elite talent across the roster and a proven winning culture, South Carolina still projects as one of the premier teams in the nation and a legitimate threat to return to the Final Four yetagain.

South Carolina enters the 2025–26 season with only 10 healthy players on its roster, but talent certainly isn’t in short supply. Every member of the Gamecocks’ rotation was rated as either a four-star or five-star prospect coming out of high school or through the transfer portal.

While the limited depth poses a potential challenge over a long season, the overall skill level and pedigree of the roster remain elite. Dawn Staley’s track record of maximizing top-tier talent gives South Carolina confidence that they can still compete with any team in the nation.

The mix of former blue-chip recruits and experienced transfers provides both star power and balance. Even with a shortened bench, the Gamecocks’ lineup is loaded with athleticism, versatility, and championship experience.

As the new season approaches, South Carolina’s focus will be on keeping its core group healthy and cohesive. If they can do that, the Gamecocks’ high-caliber talent could once again carry them deep into the postseason and into the thick of the national title conversation.

South Carolina’s 2025–26 women’s basketball schedule is once again loaded with elite competition, featuring 11 games against ranked opponents. The challenging slate reflects the Gamecocks’ status as one of the premier programs in the nation. Among their notable matchups are games against Southern Cal (No. 18), Duke (No. 7), Louisville (No. 20), Texas (No. 4), Oklahoma (No. 6), Vanderbilt (No. 19), Tennessee (No. 8), LSU (No. 5), Ole Miss (No. 12), and Kentucky (No. 24).

Adding to the intrigue, South Carolina could face UCLA (No. 3) at the Players Era Championship. If that pairing doesn’t materialize, the Gamecocks will instead take on Texas (No. 4) in what promises to be another high-stakes showdown. Either way, the event will give Dawn Staley’s squad an early-season opportunity to test themselves against top-tier competition.

The season officially tips off on Monday, November 3, when the Gamecocks host Grand Canyon at Colonial Life Arena. The game, set for a 7:00 p.m. start, will stream live on SEC Network+. Though not featured on traditional television, fans will still have access to South Carolina’s first look of the season through the network’s digital platform.

Facing such a formidable schedule, South Carolina will have no shortage of opportunities to strengthen its postseason résumé. With a lineup of blue-chip talent and a proven coach in Staley, the Gamecocks once again look poised to compete for another deep NCAA Tournament run.