Way-Too-Early 26-27 Poll V. 1

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BigTenGuy

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Seems like a dumb idea pre-portal signings, but that doesn't stop ESPN.

5. Michigan
6. USC
9. Iowa
12. OSU
13. Maryland
15. Oregon
16. Illinois
17. Washington
19. Minnesota
23. Nebraska

www.espn.com

NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings

UCLA is the 2026 champion -- but unranked in the first top 25 for next season. Runner-up South Carolina is No. 3.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Gophers at 9th in conference but ahead of UCLA. Yep this surely is dumb when no one knows what the roster will be.
 
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MaxyJR1 said:
Gophers at 9th but ahead of UCLA. Yep this surely is dumb when no one knows what the roster will be.
Click to expand...
Agree. Also, no disrespect to Iowa but I don't get this fascination with them being a top 10 team after a 50+ point loss to UCLA and a shaky tournament performance. And all the inexperience and uncertainty with the roster.
 


Must be a "thing." The Athletic just released theirs:

Part of the problem is that these rankings are being conducted as the transfer portal opens on Monday. We can imagine that UCLA (and other high-profile programs) will be able to bring in some quality players after already crushing the portal each of the last two offseasons. Close said: “The transfer portal just got easier” in Sunday’s postgame news conference in Phoenix.

3. USC
6. Michigan
10. Iowa
11. Nebraska
12. Minnesota
13. Washington
15. Maryland
20. Michigan State
21. Oregon
22. Ohio State
25. UCLA

Big Ten is well-represented​

Eleven of the top 25 teams come from the Big Ten, giving the conference an early advantage over the SEC (seven total) after the two battled for supremacy during the 2025-26 season. UCLA’s victory over South Carolina in the title game seemingly won the war for the Big Ten, and the league is riding that momentum into 2026-27.

Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio State and Maryland should continue to build on their 2026 success. Each team loses some important seniors but has a significant core coming back.

www.nytimes.com

The Athletic’s 2026-2027 too-early top 25 women’s basketball rankings

Does UCLA rank in Sabreena Merchant's early rankings? How high is Texas? What about UConn?
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 


LakeWoebegone said:
Agree. Also, no disrespect to Iowa but I don't get this fascination with them being a top 10 team after a 50+ point loss to UCLA and a shaky tournament performance. And all the inexperience and uncertainty with the roster.
Click to expand...
I believe it has a lot to do with legacy and brand recognition... Iowa, OSU, and Maryland all have it.
Look at Maryland during Selection Sunday with all the trophies lined up in front... Brenda has always been good at marketing Maryland.
Lisa Bluder established Iowa as a powerhouse in Women's BB.
These programs have earned their credentials.

But, like comets in the sky, they shine brightly and last various lengths of time, but eventually fade. I think these programs are beginning to fade... slowly. New comets are on the horizon; Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota.

Minnesota must earn its "Brand Recognition"... its credentials and legacy and not be a shooting star... bright but short lived.

.... as an aside, she will always be Brenda Oldfield (not that I hold resentments).... however, our current coach will help those memories fade.

Go Gophers!!
 

BigTenGuy said:
Seems like a dumb idea pre-portal signings, but that doesn't stop ESPN.

5. Michigan
6. USC
9. Iowa
12. OSU
13. Maryland
15. Oregon
16. Illinois
17. Washington
19. Minnesota
23. Nebraska

www.espn.com

NCAA women's basketball Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Top 25 rankings

UCLA is the 2026 champion -- but unranked in the first top 25 for next season. Runner-up South Carolina is No. 3.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Yes, way-too-early.
But... I remember last year being at 15 and then quickly fading to 'Others receiving votes' and then nothing.
Don't think 2026-2027 will be like that. Starting way-too-early at #19 is close to hosting again.
 

AllEars said:
I believe it has a lot to do with legacy and brand recognition... Iowa, OSU, and Maryland all have it.
Look at Maryland during Selection Sunday with all the trophies lined up in front... Brenda has always been good at marketing Maryland.
Lisa Bluder established Iowa as a powerhouse in Women's BB.
These programs have earned their credentials.

But, like comets in the sky, they shine brightly and last various lengths of time, but eventually fade. I think these programs are beginning to fade... slowly. New comets are on the horizon; Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota.

Minnesota must earn its "Brand Recognition"... its credentials and legacy and not be a shooting star... bright but short lived.

.... as an aside, she will always be Brenda Oldfield (not that I hold resentments).... however, our current coach will help those memories fade.

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...
I imagine the Iowa ranking is largely because of Ava Heiden, an incredible talent as long as they have people to pass it to her.
 

AllEars said:
Yes, way-too-early.
But... I remember last year being at 15 and then quickly fading to 'Others receiving votes' and then nothing.
Don't think 2026-2027 will be like that. Starting way-too-early at #19 is close to hosting again.
Click to expand...
Ironically, per the AP Poll just posted, we ended up 15th🤷‍♂️.

This is all good for branding of the program and like that it comes out right before the portal opens😎
 



thatjanelpick said:
I imagine the Iowa ranking is largely because of Ava Heiden, an incredible talent as long as they have people to pass it to her.
Click to expand...
Yes, I told my wife, did you hear Jan in the post game press conference after losing to Virgina, she kept praising Ava and saying we don't win without her. Making dang sure she showed her appreciation before the portal opened up. haha. Also, think Jan is a good coach and generally support Iowa when they aren't playing the Gophers, even if Jan said the reason we beat them was because they were tired after their West Coast road trip.
 

LakeWoebegone said:
Agree. Also, no disrespect to Iowa but I don't get this fascination with them being a top 10 team after a 50+ point loss to UCLA and a shaky tournament performance. And all the inexperience and uncertainty with the roster.
Click to expand...
I will increase my disrespect for Iowa to cover you. You're welcome.
 

thatjanelpick said:
I imagine the Iowa ranking is largely because of Ava Heiden, an incredible talent as long as they have people to pass it to her.
Click to expand...
One of the best post player in the country and I believe the #5 recruit nationally. they'll be tough
 




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