New Women’s College Basketball Rankings: Top 25 Ahead of Conference Tourneys (March 5, 2026)
· Yahoo Sports
The women’s college basketball regular season is officially in the rearview and the focus is now on conference tournaments and seeding for March Madness. So, who are the best women’s teams in the country heading into tournament season? Our new college basketball rankings look to answer that question, as of March 5, 2026.
25. Princeton (LW: UR)
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesLike the men’s team, Princeton’s women’s squad continues to be a consistently competitive program year in and year out. However, head coach Carla Berube may have her best team yet with the Tigers posting a 23-3 record to end the regular season. While the team lacks size, they have gotten some really good play from a bunch of talented guards.
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Leading the way in 2026 is Madison St. Rose (15.9 points and 4.6 rebounds a night). But junior Fadima Tall (12.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a night) has also played a key role in team earning their way into our women’s college basketball rankings.
24. Fairfield (LW: UR)
Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORKAfter a rebuilding season in 2022-23 as Fairfield made the transition from Joe Frager to Carly Thibault-Dudonis, the Stags are turning into a consistent invite to the NCAA Tournament. That is unlikely to change as they ended the regular season 25-4.
The strong play is centered on the performance of juniors Kaety L’Amoreaux and Meghan Andersen. Both have gotten bigger roles in 2025-26 and have delivered. Averaging closes to 40 points and 10 boards a night combined.
23. Ole Miss (LW: 20)
Bruce Newman/Special to the Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesCoach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has a rock-solid Ole Miss squad on her hands in 2026 as the Rebels head into tournament season with a 21-10 record. The biggest reason why they will get a spot in the tournament is the play of senior forwards Cotie McMahon and Christeen Iwuala.
Not only are they leading the team in scoring (19.8 and 12.9 PPG, respectively), but they also have been reliable on the boards, combining for over 14 a night. Yet, for as good as the duo is, the Rebels have played some of their worst ball over the last month, losing six of their last eight and four straight to end the regular season.
22. Georgia (LW: 23)
Jeff Blake-Imagn ImagesThe last two seasons were tough for Georgia and head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. They had losing campaigns and came nowhere close to sniffing a tournament birth. However, things are looking far different in 2026 thanks to the big-time play of transfer Dani Carnegie.
The Bulldogs’ leader in scoring (18.1 PPG) is a major reason why the team heads into tournament season with a solid 22-9 record. While they have been inconsistent against ranked teams this season, they are still worth of a spot in the top 25 and March Madness.
21. Texas Tech (LW: 21)
Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesIn year six, Texas Tech coach Krista Gerlich may have her best team yet after the Lady Raiders began the year 19-0. That start was due to the impressive play of veteran guards Snudda Collins, Bailey Maupin, and Jalynn Bristow. The trio is posting over 40 points and 13 boards a night.
However, their once formidable defense has faltered in the new year. With all six of their losses coming since the calendar switched to 2026. Losing three of their last five to end the regular season is why they fall toward the back of our latest college basketball rankings.
20. Kentucky (LW: 19)
Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesYear two for Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks is off to a rock-solid start, with the Wildcats posting a 22-9 record during the regular season. Junior Clara Strack leads the team with 16.7 points and 10.3 boards nightly.
However, despite her best efforts, Kentucky has struggled over the last month and a half. Since January 11, the Wildcats are 5-7 and limp into the SEC tournament.
19. Baylor (LW: 18)
Chris Jones-Imagn ImagesBaylor opened the year with a big win over Duke and has, for the most part, continued that momentum into the Big 12 tournament. They enter the weekend with a 24-7 record and have gotten strong play from sophomore Taliah Scott (20.2 PPG) and double-double machine Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (10.7 points and 10.1 boards).
The Bears played well all the way through January. However, since the schedule hit February, they have been inconsistent. Going 5-4 since Feb. 1, including a pair of losses to TCU.
18. Minnesota (LW: 22)
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn ImagesCoach Dawn Plitzuweit has done an outstanding job since taking over Minnesota’s basketball program in 2023. The school won 20 or more every year and did it again this season. Now they are set up to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
The 22-7 team is led by strong play from guards Tori McKinney (13.6 PPG) and Grace Grocholski (12.5 PPG). While the Gophers were inconsistent over the first three months of the season, they caught fire of late in the regular season. Winning 10 of their last 11, including over Iowa and Ohio State.
17. Michigan State (LW: 15)
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesMichigan State has been a good team all season because of a top-10 offense that is putting up 83.5 points a night. And it has been spearheaded by star senior Grace Vanslooten. The forward is first on the team in scoring (15.1 PPG) and blocks (1.0), and is second in rebounds (6.6).
She is part of a talented big and small duo with Kennedy Blair (13.9 PPG and 7.1 RPG). Unfortunately, they had big trouble during the conference part of the schedule. Losing five of their final eight games in the regular season.
16. West Virginia (LW: 11)
Reese Strickland-Imagn ImagesSince arriving in 2023, West Virginia head coach Mark Kellogg has turned the Mountaineers into a prominent team in the Big 12. They have back-to-back 25-win seasons and are in position to do it again in 2026 as they head into tournament season with a 24-6 record.
They have worked their way into the top 25 due to a formidable offense that boasts four players scoring 11 or more points a night. The big knock against the Mountaineers is their record against ranked teams. Going 3-4 this season against top-25 competition.
15. Duke (LW: 12)
Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesDuke head coach Kara Lawson has done a great job of turning the program into an ACC title contender over the last six years. And she has her 21-8 team in line for a fourth straight trip to the tournament. A major reason for another good season in Durham is the performance of sophomore Toby Fournier.
The forward leads the Blue Devils in points (17.8), rebounds (8.2), and blocks (2.3). After some early-season struggles, the team caught five at the end of December through mid-February. However, losing two of their last three to end the regular season is evidence that the hot play is over.
14. North Carolina (LW: 16)
Jordan Godfree-Imagn ImagesIn 2024-25, North Carolina had their best year yet under coach Courtney Banghart. Posting 29 wins and going to the regional semis. The Tar Heels are again a force in the ACC this season due to the play of Nyla Harris, Ciera Toomey, and Indya Nivar. The trio is combining for over 30 points and close to 20 boards a night.
While UNC hit some bumps in the road in December and early January, they have played very well on the road to the ACC tourney. Going 12-1 to end the regular season.
13. Ohio State (LW: 14)
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSophomore Jaloni Cambridge (23.4 PPG) leads an Ohio State team that has been quite good on offense this season (83.0 PPG). It’s why the 11th-best scoring team in the country enters the tournament season with a 24-6 record.
Along with the play of Cambridge, senior Chance Gray has provided a reliable secondary scoring threat (14.6 PPG), and center Elsa Lemmila has taken a nice step forward in her second season. However, they have struggled ahead of the Big 10 tourney, losing three of their last four. All of the setbacks were against ranked conference rivals.
12. Louisville (LW: 13)
Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLaura Ziegler and Taijiana Roberts have been leading the way for Louisville this season (combining for over 22 points a night), and the duo is a major reason why the Cardinals own a very nice 25-6 record heading into the tournament season.
While the Cardinals own three wins over ranked teams this season, they have hit some bumps in the road in the last month. Losing three times, including taking a pair of Ls in two of their last three.
11. Maryland (LW: 10)
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesMaryland owns a rock-solid 23-7 record due to some great play from a trio of guards. The group features WNBA prospect Yarden Garzon, but is led by junior Oluchi Okananwa, who is posting 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds a night.
The Big Ten squad is a force on offense (82.7 PPG). While it wasn’t enough to avoid a four-game losing streak to end January, the Terrapins got hot in February. Winning six straight before a bad loss to Michigan to end the regular season.
10. TCU (LW: 11)
Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSeniors Marta Suarez (17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds) and Olivia Miles (20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists), and a defense that is giving up 56.3 points a night, is why TCU owns a 27-4 record as we head into tournament season
After winning 34 games and reaching the regional final last year, Mark Campbell’s team is hoping for an even better showing this month. However, all four of their losses have come since the calendar switched to 2026. But it looks like they may have righted the ship and ended the regular season with six straight Ws, including over three ranked squads.
9. Iowa (LW: 9)
Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesAlthough Iowa took a step back last season — its first in four years without Caitlin Clark and legendary coach Lisa Bluder — year two for coach Jan Jensen has been better than some expected as they head into conference season with a 24-5 record.
Leading the way are sophomore Ava Heiden (17.6 points and 7.7 boards) and senior Hannah Stuelke (13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds). Following a three-game losing skid a few weeks ago, the Hawkeyes have righted the ship. Winning six straight, including a big W over Michigan late last month.
8. LSU (LW: 6)
Matthew Hinton-Imagn ImagesKim Mulkey’s LSU team could do something it hasn’t achieved since the early 2000s by winning 30 or more games for a fourth straight year. A major reason why is the strong play of guards Milaysia Fulwiley and Flau’Jae Johnson.
The combo combines for close to 30 points a night and spearheads the No. 1 scoring team in the nation (94.5 PPG). All of the Tigers’ four losses have come in the new year, including to South Carolina last weekend. However, they still have victories over four ranked teams this season.
7. Oklahoma (LW: 8)
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesJennie Baranczyk’s Oklahoma has played good ball all season long and hit a peak with a 13-game win streak to end the 2025 part of the schedule. The Sooners did it with an offense that is scoring 87.1 PPG — fourth best in the nation.
The scoring has been led by freshman Aaliyah Chavez (18.4 points) and senior center Raegan Beers (15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds). While five of their six losses have come in the new year, they got hot to end the regular season. Winning six straight, including over three ranked schools.
6. Michigan (LW: 7)
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLike the men’s team, Michigan’s women’s basketball program is among the nation’s elite scoring units this season (85.2 PPG). And it is due to a trio of guards all averaging 12 or more points a night. But the best of the bunch is uber-talented sophomore Olivia Olson, who leads the team in scoring (19.6) PPG and boards (6.2), and is chipping in with 1.8 steals a night.
The team’s five losses have come against top-25-level competition, including Iowa this week. However, they also have six victories over ranked schools, including against Ohio State and Maryland, to end February.
5. Vanderbilt (LW: 5)
Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesLed by the top scorer in the nation, Mikayla Blakes (27.1 PPG), Vanderbilt is a top team in the country as they enter March with a 27-3 record. Beyond Blakes, the Commodores are also getting a big year from freshman guard Aubrey Galvan, who is posting 12.9 points, 3. boards, and 5.9 assists a night. The duo front an offense scoring the ninth most points in the nation (84.9 PPG).
All three of their losses have come in the new year, including an upset to Georgia last month. However, they finished the regular season strong with three straight wins, including over two ranked teams.
4. Texas (LW: 4)
Dustin Safranek-Imagn ImagesVic Schaefer has turned Texas into a yearly powerhouse in the SEC, and the 2026 edition is on pace to win 30 or more games for a third straight season. A feat the program has not achieved since the ’80s. A major reason why is the impressive output of Player of the Year candidate Madison Booker.
The program’s top star leads the team in scoring (18.8) and rebounds (6.3), and is second in assists (4.0) and steals (2.4). She and talented point guard Rori Harmon (the team’s leader in assists and steals) lead a Longhorns offense that is seventh in the nation with 85.3 PPG. Their offense is a major reason why they own a 28-3 record heading into tournament season.
3. South Carolina (LW: 3)
Arden Barnes-Imagn ImagesDawn Staley once again has a South Carolina team that can compete for a championship this month. While Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot are getting 20206 WNBA Draft buzz, sophomore Joyce Edwards has stolen the show by leading the program in scoring (19.8).
While setbacks to Texas and Oklahoma are the lone blemishes on their 29-2 record, the No. 3 scoring team in the nation (87.2 PPG) has victories over eight ranked schools, including over Kentucky this week.
2. UCLA (LW: 2)
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesOutside of a November setback to fellow top 10 program Texas, UCLA has been outstanding on its journey to posting a 28-1 record heading into the weekend. The program has several players who could be selected if there is a WNBA Draft this year, including potential No. 1 overall pick Lauren Betts.
Along with the strong play of Betts, senior guard Kiki Rice has also played a huge role in their success. The pair is combining for over 30 points, 15 boards, 7 assists, and 3 steals a night. The sixth-highest-scoring team in the country (85.4) is No. 1 in a world without UConn.
1. UConn (LW: 1)
David Butler II-Imagn ImagesGeno Auriemma’s 2025-26 UConn team has been a dominant force and enters March with an unbeaten 31-0 record. While they lost program great Paige Bueckers in the offseason, they haven’t missed a beat due to the strong play of senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong.
The duo is combining for close to 40 points and over 7 assists a night. The duo leads what is currently the second-best scoring team in women’s basketball (88.5 PPG). However, they are the undisputed No.1 team in the nation on the other side of the ball, giving up only 50.7 PPG, which is tops in the country.
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