Change and uncertainty were the themes of college basketball’s last offseason. But after a wave of realignment, conferences settled and familiar faces in different places produced a thrilling season. Four teams reached the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll. UCLA advanced to its first Final Four in the NCAA era. Texas returned there for the first time since 2003. TCU had its best season ever, and the national player of the year race featured multiple front-runners before USC’s JuJu Watkins swept the majority of awards.
But now we’re back to more uncertainty as the offseason arrives. As usual, the transfer portal looms. Some of the biggest names in the sport, including Olivia Miles and Ta’Niya Latson, could potentially shift the balance of power in next season’s championship race depending on where they play next season.
And not only did Watkins’ ACL injury in the second round of the NCAA tournament alter how March Madness might have played out, it also casts a shadow over 2025-26.
So much is yet to be determined. And ESPN’s initial women’s college basketball Way-Too-Early Top for 2025-26 will shift as rosters change. But as the 2025 championship trophy is raised, we are…
