Post Portal 2025-26 Rankings

[EaganGopher22]

Women’s basketball post-portal top 25: Who’s the new No. 1? South Carolina, UConn or USC?​

The idea of releasing a top 25 the day after the national championship game is always fraught, but especially so this year, since the transfer portal had yet to open when the order was decided. The moment those rankings were published, the entire exercise went up in flames.

Texas, the No. 1 team two weeks ago, had a massive talent exodus, losing Jordan Lee, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Crump as transfers. The Longhorns weren’t the only ones. Georgia and Florida (which finished just outside the top 25) lost significant players after coaching changes. Meanwhile, other programs have pounced on the available players from Texas, Iowa State and Tennessee, filling their rosters with players looking for a fresh start. The new top team is one that retained all of its underclassmen and even poached a starting guard from a conference rival.

With the portal closed, this is a good time to reassess next season’s top 25.
Rank Previous Rank

1	South Carolina	4
2	UConn	2
3	USC	3
4	Michigan	6
5	Notre Dame	5
6	LSU	7
7	Louisville	9
8	Vanderbilt	8
9	Minnesota	12
10	Duke	17
11	Washington	13
12	UCLA	25
13	Texas	1
14	Iowa Hawkeyes	10
15	Nebraska	11
16	TCU	NR
17	Oklahoma	14
18	Maryland	15
19	Kentucky	16
20	Ole Miss	NR
21	Kansas	18
22	North Carolina	19
23	Illinois	23
24	Ohio State	24
25	Oklahoma State	25

Also considered: Kansas State, Michigan State, Arizona State

Minnesota had its most successful season in two decades in 2025-26 but was a little light on the interior and needed to replace the production of Sophie Hart. Enter Gracie Merkle, a 6-foot-6 finishing machine who has twice led the NCAA in field-goal percentage (70.2 percent as a freshman and 72.5 percent last season). Merkle is an offensive hub who will make life much easier for Grace Grocholski, Tori McKinney and Mara Braun. Merkle also provides a matchup problem for smaller Big Ten teams like Michigan and Maryland, while giving the Gophers size against the likes of Ava Heiden and Sienna Betts. If Merkle can hold up defensively, it’s a pretty perfect fit, thus pushing Minnesota into the top 10.

Women’s basketball post-portal top 25: Who’s the new No. 1? South Carolina, UConn or USC?

How far did Texas drop after an exodus of players from the program?

www.nytimes.com

 

[60's Guy]

11 of the top 28 teams listed are in the Big Ten. It is really cool we are slotted at #3 among Big Ten teams but it's hard to feel real comfortable with all those good teams right behind us.
Pretty exciting to be in the position of being chased by 15 of the other conference teams. We are not used to this.

 

[BigTenGuy]

Conference schedule in terms of home/away opponents should drop this week. It’s year 3 of the BIG 18, so don’t know if it’s just the reverse of last year. If the schedule is just flip-flopped from last year, Michigan would be the big loser, with USC, UCLA & MN on the road, and 6 roadies against the teams ranked by the Athletic, and 3 home games.

 

[Katogopher]

Wisconsin is taking their WBB seriously, no longer a luxury to be scheduled home/away with the Badgers. I hope it continues tho, usually get good crowds in the border rivalry.

 

[rwlarson]

Wisconsin is taking their WBB seriously, no longer a luxury to be scheduled home/away with the Badgers. I hope it continues tho, usually get good crowds in the border rivalry.

Wisconsin is in the rear view mirror at this point. Great for them if they improve, but I’m keeping my eyes focused on the road ahead. I wouldn’t mind playing Iowa twice instead, though. I can see them in my side mirror. Hopefully they aren’t closer than they appear.

 

[MaroonMagic]

Wisconsin is taking their WBB seriously, no longer a luxury to be scheduled home/away with the Badgers. I hope it continues tho, usually get good crowds in the border rivalry.

We'll see how well Wisconsin is able to do next season. Remember Robin Pingeton was fired by Mizzou. She didn't make the tournament in any of the seasons where someone named Sophie Cunningham wasn't on her team. I laughed when I saw they hired her because I thought it was a sure sign they weren't taking the program seriously. Maybe Robin will shock me (I hope not!).

 

[rwlarson]

I doubt it, but Pingeton is clearly a step above the coaches who directly preceded her in Madison.

 

[99Gopher]

This ranking shows a lot of respect for Coach P's lady Gophers and an expectation that they should have a legit shot at the Elite 8 next year. At the same time, we'll see if they're mentally ready to start the season as one of the hunted. Teams like UCLA, Iowa, and Maryland will be looking up, thinking Minny has their spot in the pecking order. So, can you come dialed in every night for a fight, as even in the Non-Conf you're going to have opponents wanting that Top 10 win on their resume. All that said, it's a great place to be, as I think the entire fan base is excited to see where Coach P has this team 4 years later.

 

[EaganGopher22]

Which women’s basketball transfers found the best fits? Ranking the top 20 best moves​

More than 1,300 Division I players entered the transfer portal this offseason, and while not all of them have located a new home yet, most of the biggest names have found their landing spots. The season is still six months away, but it’s already time to start imagining how all these players will fit in with their new teams, and swap our transfer portal ranking for a transfer portal fit ranking.

1. Jordan Lee, sophomore guard​

South Carolina (from Texas)​

2. Aaliyah Crump, freshman guard​

Duke (from Texas)​

3. Elina Aarnisalo, sophomore guard​

UCLA (from North Carolina)​

4. Jada Williams, junior guard​

LSU (from Iowa State)​

5. Dani Carnegie, sophomore guard​

Iowa (from Georgia)​

6. Gracie Merkle, junior center​

Minnesota (from Penn State)​

Key stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.3 APG

Even with Amaya Battle’s departure to the WNBA and Mallory Heyer’s decision to transfer to Oregon, there’s enough talent in the Twin Cities for the resurgent Gophers. But coach Dawn Plitzuweit needed to secure an interior presence to make everything work. Merkle is that. At 6-6, she’s an anchor on both ends who can slot into that more traditional, back-to-the-basket position. (The Gophers scored a sixth of their points last season in post-ups.)

She’s an excellent offensive rebounder, averaging the second-most O boards among power conference players this season. Creating those extra possessions for a team that returns its three leading scorers from a season ago (Tori McKinney, Grace Grocholski, Mara Braun) is good news.

7. Addy Brown, junior forward​

UCLA (from Iowa State)​

8. Donovyn Hunter, junior guard​

UCLA (from TCU)​

15. Nunu Agara, junior forward​

Maryland (from Stanford)​

17. Courtney Ogden, junior forward​

Michigan (from Stanford)​

19. Tilda Trygger, sophomore center​

Washington (from NC State)​

Which women’s basketball transfers found the best fits? Ranking the top 20 best moves

Chantel Jennings ranks the portal's best fits: Jordan Lee from Texas to South Carolina, Audi Crooks from Iowa State to OK State and more.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Women’s basketball post-portal top 25: Who’s the new No. 1? South Carolina, UConn or USC?​

The idea of releasing a top 25 the day after the national championship game is always fraught, but especially so this year, since the transfer portal had yet to open when the order was decided. The moment those rankings were published, the entire exercise went up in flames.

Texas, the No. 1 team two weeks ago, had a massive talent exodus, losing Jordan Lee, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Crump as transfers. The Longhorns weren’t the only ones. Georgia and Florida (which finished just outside the top 25) lost significant players after coaching changes. Meanwhile, other programs have pounced on the available players from Texas, Iowa State and Tennessee, filling their rosters with players looking for a fresh start. The new top team is one that retained all of its underclassmen and even poached a starting guard from a conference rival.

With the portal closed, this is a good time to reassess next season’s top 25.
Rank Previous Rank

1	South Carolina	4
2	UConn	2
3	USC	3
4	Michigan	6
5	Notre Dame	5
6	LSU	7
7	Louisville	9
8	Vanderbilt	8
9	Minnesota	12
10	Duke	17
11	Washington	13
12	UCLA	25
13	Texas	1
14	Iowa Hawkeyes	10
15	Nebraska	11
16	TCU	NR
17	Oklahoma	14
18	Maryland	15
19	Kentucky	16
20	Ole Miss	NR
21	Kansas	18
22	North Carolina	19
23	Illinois	23
24	Ohio State	24
25	Oklahoma State	25

Also considered: Kansas State, Michigan State, Arizona State

Minnesota had its most successful season in two decades in 2025-26 but was a little light on the interior and needed to replace the production of Sophie Hart. Enter Gracie Merkle, a 6-foot-6 finishing machine who has twice led the NCAA in field-goal percentage (70.2 percent as a freshman and 72.5 percent last season). Merkle is an offensive hub who will make life much easier for Grace Grocholski, Tori McKinney and Mara Braun. Merkle also provides a matchup problem for smaller Big Ten teams like Michigan and Maryland, while giving the Gophers size against the likes of Ava Heiden and Sienna Betts. If Merkle can hold up defensively, it’s a pretty perfect fit, thus pushing Minnesota into the top 10.

Women’s basketball post-portal top 25: Who’s the new No. 1? South Carolina, UConn or USC?

How far did Texas drop after an exodus of players from the program?

www.nytimes.com

Will be interesting to see how much of a bump there is in season tix sales. Sustained excellent here we come

 

[BigTenGuy]

ESPN also high on the Gophers in early (4/28) Bracketology for the '27 Tourney, but a little less sanguine than the Athletic. BIG schools and seed by ESPN:

1. Michigan
2. USC
2. Iowa
3. Washington
4. UCLA
5. Minnesota
5. Ohio State
5. Illinois
6. Maryland
7. Nebraska
7. Oregon

Guess ESPN will shortly have an updated Way-too-Early Top 25.

Women's Bracketology: South Carolina debuts as No. 1 overall seed for 2026-27

With the additions of Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards, the Gamecocks top our first look at next season's NCAA tournament.

www.espn.com

 

[DietCokeFan]

ESPN also high on the Gophers in early (4/28) Bracketology for the '27 Tourney, but a little less sanguine than the Athletic. BIG schools and seed by ESPN:

1. Michigan
2. USC
2. Iowa
3. Washington
4. UCLA
5. Minnesota
5. Ohio State
5. Illinois
6. Maryland
7. Nebraska
7. Oregon

Guess ESPN will shortly have an updated Way-too-Early Top 25.

Women's Bracketology: South Carolina debuts as No. 1 overall seed for 2026-27

With the additions of Jordan Lee and Oliviyah Edwards, the Gamecocks top our first look at next season's NCAA tournament.

www.espn.com

I do think Washington can and will be dangerous; but, I also think this will be the best team MN has had in a LONG time. I could see the Gophers grabbing a 3 seed if things go right and we get solid contributions from the freshman. Getting Michigan, Iowa, and Washington at home will hopefully be beneficial. Go Gophs!

 

[AllEars]

For the 2025-2026 season, the Gophers averaged 74.8 points/game in Conference play, according to Gopher Stats. The bench contributed 11-12 points.
Next season, IMO, they can score in the low to mid 80's in Conference play. This would place them among the elite.

Go Gophers!!!

 

[Cobra]

I’m hoping the 26-27 team goes deep in the B1G tourney and the Big Dance.
I want it for everybody, but especially for Mara Braun and Grace Grocholski.
We got your 6 ladies, you got this...

 

[Jim V2]

I do think Washington can and will be dangerous; but, I also think this will be the best team MN has had in a LONG time. I could see the Gophers grabbing a 3 seed if things go right and we get solid contributions from the freshman. Getting Michigan, Iowa, and Washington at home will hopefully be beneficial. Go Gophs!

As things stand today, I'd be very happy with a 3 seed. But if everything goes right--a tall order--we could get a 2 seed.

 

[Gopheroll]

I do think Washington can and will be dangerous; but, I also think this will be the best team MN has had in a LONG time. I could see the Gophers grabbing a 3 seed if things go right and we get solid contributions from the freshman. Getting Michigan, Iowa, and Washington at home will hopefully be beneficial. Go Gophs!

3 seed is my goal. Much less likely to run into the eventual champion in the Sweet 16 that way.

 

[Jim V2]

3 seed is my goal. Much less likely to run into the eventual champion in the Sweet 16 that way.

equally true for 2 seeds. As you say, much tougher road for 4 seeds. Dream big.

 

[BigTenGuy]

ESPN out with its mostly post-portal ranking. Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are the material differences between ESPN and the Athletic. While ESPN may set expectations, Sabreena Merchant from the Athletic is an AP Poll voter, and Charlie Creme from ESPN is not.

Merchant has also been leading the Gophers' bandwagon for a while now. Merchant was 1 of 3 AP voters who had Minnesota in last year' AP pre-season poll, and she had the Gophers at # 16 (the other two had them at # 22 and # 25). Merchant had the Gophers right last year. Can she repeat?

Late April Too-Early Rankings	For 26-27 Season
Sabreena Merchant	Charlie Creme
AP Voter -the Athletic	Not AP Voter - ESPN
3. USC	4. Michigan
4. Michigan	5. USC
9. Minnesota	6. Iowa
11. Washington	12. Washington
12. UCLA	13. UCLA
14. Iowa	18. Ohio State
15. Nebraska	19. Minnesota
18. Maryland	20. Illinois
23. Illinois	21. Maryland
24. Ohio State	​
​	​
Also considered	Also considered
Michigan State	Oregon, Nebraska

 

[walleye]

ESPN out with its mostly post-portal ranking. Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are the material differences between ESPN and the Athletic. While ESPN may set expectations, Sabreena Merchant from the Athletic is an AP Poll voter, and Charlie Creme from ESPN is not.

Merchant has also been leading the Gophers' bandwagon for a while now. Merchant was 1 of 3 AP voters who had Minnesota in last year' AP pre-season poll, and she had the Gophers at # 16 (the other two had them at # 22 and # 25). Merchant had the Gophers right last year. Can she repeat?

Late April Too-Early Rankings	For 26-27 Season
Sabreena Merchant	Charlie Creme
AP Voter -the Athletic	Not AP Voter - ESPN
3. USC	4. Michigan
4. Michigan	5. USC
9. Minnesota	6. Iowa
11. Washington	12. Washington
12. UCLA	13. UCLA
14. Iowa	18. Ohio State
15. Nebraska	19. Minnesota
18. Maryland	20. Illinois
23. Illinois	21. Maryland
24. Ohio State	​
​	​
Also considered	Also considered
Michigan State	Oregon, Nebraska

An average of Merchant's and Creme's rankings might be more realistic.

 

[AllEars]

An average of Merchant's and Creme's rankings might be more realistic.

Final polls from AP/Coaches had us at 15/18. I think we are better now.
Your idea of averaging the two recent poll, at a 14, is reasonable.
I might lean a little more North, considering the addition of Merkle, say 11 or 12.

 

[walleye]

Final polls from AP/Coaches had us at 15/18. I think we are better now.
Your idea of averaging the two recent poll, at a 14, is reasonable.
I might lean a little more North, considering the addition of Merkle, say 11 or 12.

Could be. I view Merkle as equivalent to Hart; each with somewhat different skill sets. I don't think we have an equivalent replacement for Battle. However, the Gophers should have a stronger, deeper bench. So, whether the Gophers deserve a higher ranking depends on the Battle replacement vs. the stronger, deeper bench. The returning three starters could elevate their games too or injuries could be a factor. We shall see.

 

[Chico Gopher]

Could be. I view Merkle as equivalent to Hart; each with somewhat different skill sets. I don't think we have an equivalent replacement for Battle. However, the Gophers should have a stronger, deeper bench. So, whether the Gophers deserve a higher ranking depends on the Battle replacement vs. the stronger, deeper bench. The returning three starters could elevate their games too or injuries could be a factor. We shall see.

I think how the Gopher replace what Battle gave the team defensively, either individually, or more likely collectively, will be the big question for this club in the early part of next season. We know that Tori is a good defender, but Battle was generally pretty good too.

I'd like to believe that we'll have people who can contribute the same level of on-ball, off-ball team defense, the size to handle switches that take a defender inside and the rebounding she provided. I guess we'll find out over the course of November and December games.

 

[BigTenGuy]

ESPN out with its mostly post-portal ranking.

USA Today also has a way-too-early top 25. Gophers again top 20.

1. South Carolina
2. USC
3. UConn
4. Duke
5. Michigan
6. Vanderbilt
7. LSU
8. Oklahoma State
9. UCLA
10. Notre Dame
11. Iowa
12. Louisville
13. Texas
14. Ole Miss
15. North Carolina
16. TCU
17. West Virginia
18. Kentucky
19. Minnesota
20. Maryland
21. Arizona State
22. Ohio State
23. Oklahoma
24. Washington
25. Tennessee

Just missed: Illinois, NC State, UCF, Virginia, Fairfield

Early women’s basketball top 25 after transfer portal season: South Carolina rises

In our latest way-too-early top 25 rankings for women's basketball after transfer portal season, South Carolina, Oklahoma State and UCLA rise.

www.usatoday.com

 

[AllEars]

I think how the Gopher replace what Battle gave the team defensively, either individually, or more likely collectively, will be the big question for this club in the early part of next season. We know that Tori is a good defender, but Battle was generally pretty good too.

I'd like to believe that we'll have people who can contribute the same level of on-ball, off-ball team defense, the size to handle switches that take a defender inside and the rebounding she provided. I guess we'll find out over the course of November and December games.

I agree with your comments.
I remember having a Lab supervisor who was nearing retirement... everybody was sweating bullets what would happen when he did. Well the final Friday came and he was gone. On Monday I walked by his desk and noticed a glass of water and a note. The note said to 'stick your finger in the water and remove... see how much of a hole you left." He ended the note by saying everyone will be just fine.

Battle contributed plenty to the success of the team... but she is gone. Coach P and her staff have prepared for this... we will be just fine.

Go Gophers!!

 

[AllEars]

I believe Coach P has one eye on the past, learning from the past. One eye on the present bringing what has been learned from the past and applying. She uses her 'third eye' to look to the future, using the past & present to determine what is needed to support that vision.