The 2025-26 women’s college basketball season is well underway, and the top programs around the country are starting to separate themselves from the pack. So, who are the best of the best in the game right now on the ladies’ side of the game?
We look to answer that question with our updated women’s college basketball rankings, showcasing the top 25 teams in the nation as we close in on Christmas Day.
25. Notre Dame (LW: 24)
After four straight trips to the regional semifinals, Niele Ivey is hoping top star Hannah Hidalgo can take Notre Dame further in 2025-26. The junior is off to an outstanding start and is fifth in the nation in scoring (24.6 PPG). They’ve also gotten strong play from senior Cassandre Prosper (15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals a night).
While they have some solid secondary players, this team will go as far as the Player of the Year contender takes them this season.
24. USC (LW: 20)
Freshman Jazzy Davidson has starred for a rock-solid USC team that enters the weekend with a 7-3 record. Although they came up well short in games against South Carolina and UConn this season, they do own key wins over NC State and Washington.
This Trojan team can make some noise in the Big Ten, but they have a clear ceiling with top star Juju Watkins out for the year.
23. Tennessee (LW: 21)
After a tough loss to NC State to begin the season, Kim Caldwell’s Tennessee squad quickly recovered and won five straight. They have a strong starting five that features four different players averaging 10 or more points a night, including junior Talaysia Cooper. The talented guard is posting 15.4 points, 6.7 boards, and leads the team with 4.7 assists a night
The 7-2 Lady Vols have lost both their games against ranked teams this season, but they came against squads in the top 10 at the time.
22. Nebraska (LW: NR)
Veteran coach Amy Williams might have her best team over her 10 years overseeing the Nebraska women’s college basketball program. In her second season, sophomore Britt Prince has taken another leap forward and leads the team in scoring (19.3 PPG). It is part of why they are a top 10 team on offense this year, averaging 89.8 PPG.
They have some big tests from several ranked teams in the weeks ahead, including Iowa.
21. Ohio State (LW: 23)
Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge leads an Ohio State team that has been a very effective group on offense. While they have a loss to UConn on their 2025-26 resume — no shame in that — they enter the weekend with a 9-1 record and own a win over West Virginia.
If Kevin McGuff can develop freshman Dasha Biriuk and Bryn Martin into impact players as we make our way to March, the Buckeyes will have a chance at a Big Ten title for the second time in the last three years.
20. North Carolina (LW: 11)
North Carolina had their best year yet under coach Courtney Banghart when it posted 29 wins and went to the regional semifinals in the NCAA tournament last season. They are looking to maintain that new standard in 2025-26 and got off to an 8-1 start with impactful play from guard Indya Nivar and forward Ciera Toomey.
Unfortunately, the Tar Heels drop in our latest college basketball rankings as they continue to struggle against ranked teams. They are 0-3 against top-25 schools this year, including recent defeats to Texas and Louisville.
19. Alabama (LW: 22)
Head coach Kristy Curry has her Alabama team off to an unbeaten start this season. They own a sparkling 13-0 record, and it is mostly due to a defense that is second in the nation, giving up just 50.0 PPG.
The combo of Jessica Timmons and Essence Cody has grown into a formidable duo this year for the Crimson Tide. In just 25 minutes a night, Cody is posting 15.3 points, 5.9 boards, and leads the team in blocks with 2.0 per night.
18. Michigan State (LW: 18)
Michigan State is off to a very nice start in 2025-26 due to having one of the best offenses in college basketball. The team is sixth in the nation in scoring (92.5 PPG) and is led by the impressive play of guard Kennedy Blair. The sophomore is second on the team in scoring (13.3 PPG) and is leading in rebounds (6.8) and assists (6.1). The 9-1 group also has five players scoring 10 or more points a night.
17. Louisville (LW: 25)
Laura Ziegler and Tajiana Roberts have been a nice one-two punch for Louisville so far this season. They are the main reason why the Cardinals are among the best teams in the ACC after an 11-3 start. Their three defeats this season have come against ranked teams, including an elite UConn team.
The lack of a marquee win was why they were near the back of the top 25. However, a big W recently against North Carolina is why they made a sizable jump in our latest college basketball rankings.
16. Washington (LW: 17)
Head coach Tina Langley may have her best team yet during her five seasons overseeing the Washington women’s basketball program. A major reason is the strong play of junior guard Savia Sellers. The native of Alaska is leading her team in both points (20.3 PG) and assists (3.5 PG).
Although the Big Ten team doesn’t own a win over a ranked squad yet, and recently lost to USC, the 9-1 squad has a defense that is one of the best in the nation — 51.9 opponents’ PPG.
15. Baylor (LW: 15)
Baylor opened the year with a big win over Duke, and for the most part, has continued that momentum into the holiday season. They enter the weekend with a 10-2 record and a first-place spot in the Big 12 due to sophomore Taliah Scott.
She is tenth in the country in scoring (22.6 PPG) and is also chipping in with close to four rebounds and four assists a night. The Bears will go as far as Scott takes them this season.
14. Ole Miss (LW: 13)
Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks to have another good Ole Miss squad on her hands in 2025-26. The Rebels head into the weekend 10-1 and near the top of the SEC standings. The biggest reason for their strong start is the play of their dynamic forward duo of seniors Cotie McMahon and Christeen Iwuala.
Not only are they leading the team in scoring (18 and 16 PPG, respectively), but they also have been outstanding on the boards. Combining for close to 40 rebounds a night. The lone mark on their resume is an upset loss to Kansas State.
13. Kentucky (LW: 16)
Year two for Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks is off to a really good start as the Wildcats kicked off the campaign by winning 11 of their first 12, including a big W over Louisville. A major reason for the impressive start to the season is junior Clara Strack.
The one-time Virginia Tech recruit is posting a 15 and 10 double-double a night for her team. However, beyond the play of their top star, Kentucky is a legit top 25 team because of a defense that is giving up just 50.7 PPG — third in the nation.
12. Iowa (LW: 14)
Although Iowa took a step back last season, its first in four years without Caitlin Clark and legendary coach Lisa Bluder, year two for current coach Jan Jensen has been far better as the Hawkeyes begin the year 10-1.
Leading the way this season is sophomore Ava Heiden, 15 points and 8 boards, and senior Hannah Stuelke, 13 points and 8 rebounds, a night. They are a key reason for their fast start, but they hit a big bump in the road this week against in-state rivals Iowa State. They get a huge test against UConn this weekend.
11. Vanderbilt (LW: 12)
Led by sophomore Mikayla Blakes (25.0 PPG), Vanderbilt leads the SEC after getting off to an impressive 10-0 start. The Commodores are also getting a very nice season from freshman guard Aubrey Galvan. The Illinois native is posting 10.5 points, 4.0 boards, and 7.1 assists per game, which is the 10th best in the nation.
While Vandy lacks a win against a ranked program, they have dominated their competition, and the closest an opponent has gotten was a nine-point win over Austin Peay in the third game of the season.
10. Oklahoma (LW: 10)
Following an early loss to UCLA, Jennie Baranczyk’s Oklahoma team has gotten on a roll. Winning 10 straight and getting near the top of the SEC standings with an 11-1 record. The Sooners have five players posting 11 or more points a game, with impressive freshman Aaliyah Chavez leading the way with 18.8 points a night. It is why they are third in the nation in scoring heading into the weekend (93.8 PPG).
9. Michigan (LW: 8)
Michigan is among the top-scoring teams in the nation (92.0 PPG) because of a quartet of guards all averaging double-digit points this season. But the best of the bunch is uber-talented sophomore Olivia Olson, who leads the team in scoring at 18.0 PPG, and is also adding 5 boards and 2 steals per night.
Although they fell to UConn earlier this year, they still own a 9-1 record and a win over Notre Dame.
8. Maryland (LW: 9)
Maryland has gotten off to an impressive 12-0 start due to some great play from their quartet of guards. The group features big-time WNBA Draft prospect Yarden Garzon, but is led by junior Oluchi Okananwa, who is posting 15 points and 5 rebounds a night. The unbeaten squad that owns a win over Kentucky is already halfway toward its win total from last season.
7. Iowa State (LW: 7)
Legendary Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly may have his best team in 30 years of overseeing the Cyclones program. A major reason is the nation’s most dominant scorer, Audi Crooks. The junior is on the radar of WNBA Draft scouts after posting a career high 27.8 points a game on an astounding 72.2% from the floor.
Forward Addy Brown is also playing a major role as she averages a near double-double each night. Iowa State is a dark horse team this season, and their recent win over Iowa is early proof.
6. TCU (LW: 6)
TCU is off to an impressive 12-0 start due to the great play from the senior combo of Marta Suarez (18.7 points and 6 rebounds) and Olivia Miles (18.1 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists). But they have also dominated much of their competition with an elite defense that is giving up just 49.0 PPG — No. 1 in the nation.
After winning 34 games and reaching the regional final last year, Mark Campbell’s team has continued that momentum in their 2025-26 campaign.
5. UCLA (LW: 3)
UCLA has several players who could be top 20 picks in next year’s WNBA Draft, including early favorite to go No.1, Lauren Betts. They have had a very strong start to their campaign and own wins over a trio of ranked teams — including Oklahoma — because of the impressive play of senior guards Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice.
The duo is combining for 30 points, 13 boards, over 5 assists, and 2 steals a night for the Big Ten program.
4. LSU (LW: 5)
Kim Mulkey has an LSU team that can match Pokey Chatman’s groups from two decades ago and win 30 or more games for a fourth straight year in 2025-26. A major reason why is the strong play of stud WNBA Draft prospect Flau’Jae Johnson.
The seniors’ 15.7 points per game is part of a group that has seven different players averaging double digits nightly. The Tigers unsurprisingly lead the nation in scoring (107.8 PPG). The biggest knock against their start is that they don’t have any wins over ranked foes yet.
3. South Carolina (LW: 4)
To the surprise of no one, Dawn Staley has another very good South Carolina team to lead in the 2025-26 season. Both Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot are getting serious WNBA Draft buzz this year, but sophomore Joyce Edwards has stolen the show so far as she leads the team in scoring (20.3 PPG) and is shooting an impressive 58.6% from the field.
Although they have a razor-thin loss to Texas, they own a pair of wins over ranked teams, USC and Louisville, and are a top-10 team on offense (90.5 PPG) this year.
2. UConn (LW: 2)
What a shocker. Coach Geno Auriemma has a UConn team that is a serious threat to win a second straight championship in March. The Big East’s greatest team has kicked off the season with a 10-0 record and already owns wins over three ranked teams, including a destructive win recently over USC.
While they lost star Paige Bueckers in the WNBA Draft, they have a pair of future top 15 picks in senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong. The duo has been dynamite, combining for close to 40 points and 8 assists a night for a team that is a top-10 on both offense and defense this season.
1. Texas (LW: 1)
Vic Schaefer has turned Texas into a yearly powerhouse in college basketball, and the team seems primed to win 30 or more games for a third straight season, for the first time since the 1980s. A major reason is the performance of their top star, forward Madison Booker.
The junior leads the team in scoring (18.3), rebounds (7.7), and steals (3.0). Along with young guards Alliyah Crump and Jordan Lee, the team that is fourth in the nation in scoring (93.0 PPG) already has five wins against ranked teams, including blowout wins recently over North Carolin and Baylor.
