Overview
- Defending champion UConn received 27 of 31 first-place votes, with runner-up South Carolina collecting the other four to open at No. 2.
- The preseason top four of UConn, South Carolina, UCLA and Texas matches last season’s final poll in the same order for the first time in the women’s AP poll era.
- The SEC places eight teams in the rankings, including five in the top 10, underscoring league depth to start 2025–26.
- South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts will miss the season with a torn ACL, a development disclosed after AP ballots were submitted.
- Richmond earned its first-ever AP ranking at No. 25, while Big Ten programs Michigan and Michigan State debut at Nos. 13 and 23.