LSU has the honor of beginning the 2023-24 women’s basketball season as the No. 1 team. The Tigers are also the defending national champions, defeating Iowa in the final.
If LSU is to win it all again, the Tigers would be the second team in three years to cut down the nets after starting the season at No. 1 — and the 18th preseason No. 1 team to win the national championship.
Before the complete list, here are some quick facts about these preseason No. 1 teams since the first NCAA tournament in the 1981-82 season:
- 17 of the 42 teams (Louisiana Tech and Tennessee were tied at No. 1 in 1989-90) won the title.
- 34 of the 42 teams made the Final Four
- All but one made the Sweet 16
Here’s a look at how all No. 1 preseason teams have done in the NCAA tournament:
2022-23: South Carolina: 36-1, No. 1 seed, lost to No. 2 Iowa in the Final Four
The Gamecocks were hoping to win back-to-back national championships — and complete an undefeated season. South Carolina, led by Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke, got up to 42 wins in a row before Caitlin Clark and Iowa stunned them in the national semifinals.
2021-22: South Carolina: 35-2, No. 1 seed, won National Championship
South Carolina picked up title No. 2, regrouping from a Dec. 30 loss to Missouri to get to 29-1. Though…
