Charlie CremeApr 22, 2025, 07:10 AM ET
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- Charlie Creme initiatives the ladies’s NCAA event bracket for ESPN.com.
Even with none video games performed, such a lot has modified in ladies’s school basketball rosters during the last two weeks. The switch portal will do this.
The highest 3 avid gamers within the portal selected new methods, and ESPN’s Manner-Too-Early Best 25 ratings felt the have an effect on. After including Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina strikes to a well-known spot at No. 1. Former Ohio State superstar Cotie McMahon led a bunch of 7 transfers headed to Ole Omit, which went from unranked in our preliminary height 25 on April 6 into the highest 16. TCU did not fairly damage into ratings with the addition of Olivia Miles, however the Horned Frogs were given shut.
UCLA went within the different path after dropping six avid gamers. The Bruins’ core stays and they’re nonetheless a 2026 Ultimate 4 favourite, however they’re now not atop the ratings.
Extra shifts look ahead to as extra height transfers come to a decision the place they are headed. As avid gamers transfer, so do their groups. However for now, here’s ESPN’s up to date take a look at the highest 25 groups for subsequent season.
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3:30
FSU’s: Ta’Niya Latson: ‘I nonetheless have so much to perform’
Ta’Niya Latson recounts her adventure to Florida State and a few of her maximum impactful video games for the Seminoles.
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The lack of MiLaysia Fulwiley to the switch portal hurts, however the addition of Ta’Niya Latson from Florida State is a web sure for the Gamecocks. Latson is the most productive backcourt scorer Daybreak Staley has ever had in Columbia and offers the size that this season’s workforce lacked: a bona fide go-to bucket getter.
With Raven Johnson again on the level and Tessa Johnson as a 3rd guard, Staley has backcourt avid gamers who supplement every different to head with the gifted frontcourt of Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards that are meant to even be strengthened via the go back of Ashlyn Watkins from a knee damage. Earlier rank: 2
In Azzi Fudd and Sarah Sturdy, the Huskies have two possible first-team preseason All-American citizens. That is a excellent position to begin for a repeat name even with the lack of Paige Bueckers. KK Arnold and Ashlynn Coloration seem primed for larger roles, and the extent that Jana El Alfy reached within the NCAA event regardless of modest numbers signifies she might be a lot more productive subsequent season. Be expecting a portal addition or two to offer a 3rd veteran scorer and repair the Huskies’ intensity. Earlier rank: 3
Shedding this season’s whole freshman elegance, plus Janiah Barker (Tennessee) and Londynn Jones (USC) to the switch portal, considerably hurts the intensity that gave the Bruins an edge over the opposite height groups within the nation. Then again, the Lauren Betts-Kiki Rice pairing offers UCLA one of the most easiest post-point guard mixtures within the nation. Gabriela Jaquez might be an rising superstar, and Charlisse Leger-Walker, the most productive participant in Washington State historical past, can be in a position to head after lacking this season with a knee damage. Earlier rank: 1
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1:52
Lauren Betts joins elite corporate with 31-point, 10-rebound double-double
Lauren Betts tallies 31 issues and 10 rebounds, changing into the 3rd participant up to now 25 seasons with more than one 30-point, 10-rebound video games in one NCAA event.
The hot information that Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda entered the switch portal may just harm as a result of she used to be taking part in the most productive basketball of her occupation on the finish of the season, however having 6-foot-4 Arizona switch Breya Cunningham already secured will have to mitigate that loss. After all, having Madison Booker and Rori Harmon again lays the groundwork for a go back to the Ultimate 4. If Laila Phelia and Aaliyah Moore can come again wholesome, Vic Schaefer will as soon as once more have important intensity. Earlier rank: 4
Trainer Kim Mulkey offset the frontcourt switch portal losses of Sa’Myah Smith, Jersey Wolfenbarger and Aalyah Del Rosario via including 6-5 Kate Koval from Notre Dame and 6-2 Amiya Joyner from East Carolina. Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams stay the basis of the Tigers, however with two top-10 recruits and any other anticipated portal addition or two, LSU may have various intensity to make a Ultimate 4 run and compete with South Carolina and Texas on the height of the SEC. Earlier rank: 6
A fourth-place end, this system’s first Candy 16 in 12 years and 27 victories used to be a perfect inaugural SEC season for the Sooners. They might be even higher in 2025-26 with lots of the key participants again, led via Raegan Beers, Sahara Williams and Payton Verhulst. And now Jennie Baranczyk can pair thrilling sophomore-to-be Zya Vann with the country’s No. 3 recruit, Aaliyah Chavez, in what generally is a dynamic younger backcourt. Earlier rank: 7
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2:06
Beers speaks on Sooners being ‘relentless’ on rebounds
After grabbing essentially the most rebounds via a Quicker in an NCAA event sport since 2007, Raegan Beers describes the tenacious mentality Oklahoma carries within the postseason.
Regardless of no Girl Vol taking part in greater than 25 mins in step with sport in Kim Caldwell’s gadget, this system didn’t undergo a vital loss within the portal. The core of Talaysia Cooper, Zee Spearman and Ruby Whitehorn seems set to go back. Bringing in Janiah Barker from UCLA and Nya Robertson, a SMU switch who averaged 18.5 issues in step with sport within the ACC, handiest makes Tennessee deeper. Caldwell additionally landed 4 top-50 recruits, led via No. 9-ranked Mia Pauldo from New Jersey. Earlier rank: 8
One of the crucial excellent feeling of the Blue Devils’ ACC event name and Elite 8 run has subsided with Oluchi Okananwa (Maryland) and Vanessa de Jesus coming into the switch portal, which is why Duke dropped a couple of spots from our preliminary height 25. However Ashlon Jackson, Toby Fournier, Delaney Thomas, Taina Mair and Jadyn Donovan nonetheless shape a core that are meant to have Duke close to the highest of the ACC. Earlier rank: 5
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Regardless of the graduations of Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes, this will have to now not be a rebuilding yr in Raleigh. Younger guards Zoe Brooks and Zamareya Jones demonstrated within the NCAA event they’d be in a position for larger management roles. Stable inside of play used to be the most important house lacking this season, however expansion from 6-6 freshman Tilda Trygger and 6-5 freshman Lorena Awou will give the Wolfpack extra steadiness. Earlier rank: 10
Courtney Banghart’s early luck within the portal lessened the edge of the losses of Alyssa Ustby, Maria Gakdeng and Lexi Donarski. UCLA switch Elina Aarnisalo offers the Tar Heels versatility within the backcourt and will have to have compatibility smartly with Reniya Kelly and Lanie Grant. Nyla Harris from Louisville provides some physicality and rebounding to the dimensions of 6-4 Ciera Toomey and 6-5 Blanca Thomas. Earlier rank: 14
Iyana Moore’s access into the switch portal breaks up the Commodores’ large 3, however the highest-scoring duo within the nation, Mikayla Blakes (23.3 PPG) and Khamil Pierre (20.4 PPG), is again to take a look at to reinforce upon the previous season’s 8-8 SEC end. Vanderbilt hasn’t complicated previous the primary spherical of the NCAA event since 2013 however will have to be in place to take action if Shea Ralph can rebuild the Commodores’ intensity. Including 6-6 LSU switch Aalyah Del Rosario will have to lend a hand and provides the Commodores measurement they did not have this season. Earlier rank: 11
Brenda Frese reloading Maryland during the portal is now not a query of if, however when. Together with her beginning backcourt of Shyanne Dealers and Sarah Te-Biasu out of eligibility, Frese discovered replacements right away. Yarden Garzon, Indiana’s main scorer and 3-point shooter, and Oluchi Okananwa, the ACC event MVP at Duke, at the moment are Terps. Upload 17.9 PPG scorer Kaylene Smikle, Saylor Poffenbarger (9.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG) and the hopes for a wholesome Bri McDaniel, and Maryland may have one of the most inner most guard rotations within the nation. Earlier rank: 21
Trainer Yolett McPhee-McCuin has became Ole Omit into a first-rate vacation spot for transfers. After seeing 4 transfers who helped turn into this system exhaust their eligibility, she added seven new faces all through this portal season. Cotie McMahon from Ohio State is the headliner, however 6-4 Latasha Lattimore (Virginia), 6-0 Jayla Murray (Wichita State) and 5-9 Kaitlin Peterson (UCF) had been all double-digit scorers this season. If top-100 recruit Lauren Jacobs can snatch the purpose guard activity and sophomore-to-be Sira Thienou takes the next move, this might be McPhee-McCuin’s easiest workforce in Oxford. Earlier rank: NR
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1:42
Spotlight: 5-seed Ole Omit drops Candy 16 matchup vs. 1-seed UCLA
Regardless of 14 issues from Tameiya Sadler and 13 apiece from Kirsten Deans and Kennedy Todd-Williams, the Rebels got here up quick in a 76-62 loss to the Bruins.
Audi Crooks has scored just about 1,500 issues during the last two seasons. She is the cornerstone of this system along side Addy Brown. Invoice Fennelly additionally acted briefly to switch veteran level guard Emily Ryan via touchdown Arizona switch Jada Williams. Her quickness may just upload any other size to the Cyclones’ offense. Earlier rank: 13
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1:52
Audi Crooks, Addy Brown elevate Iowa State previous Princeton into Spherical of 64
Audi Crooks and Addy Brown mix for 49 issues as Iowa State beats Princeton to earn a matchup with Michigan within the NCAA event.
Ceaselessly the most important enhancements avid gamers make come between their freshman and sophomore years. If that occurs in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines may have 3 all-conference-caliber avid gamers in Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway. If the manufacturing of 6-3 Bucknell switch Ashley Sofilkanich (19.7 PPG) can translate from the Patriot League to the Giant Ten, Michigan has Candy 16 attainable. Earlier rank: 16
Including Taliah Scott and Yuting Deng from Auburn offers Nicki Collen a scorer and some extent guard to fill within the holes round Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy, laying the basis for Baylor to be a top-three workforce within the Giant 12. Kiera Pemberton, who averaged 16.7 issues in step with sport at North Dakota this season, could be the important thing to giving Baylor much-needed intensity. Earlier rank: 9
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After dropping seven avid gamers from this previous season’s workforce, Jeff Walz hit the portal strategically. Skylar Jones (Arizona) and Reyna Scott (Oklahoma) will have to fill holes within the backcourt and supplement Tajianna Roberts. Fresh addition Laura Ziegler, a Saint Joseph’s switch who ranked 5th within the nation with 20 double-doubles, has the prospective to present the Cardinals extra offensive punch within the frontcourt than they’ve had the previous few seasons. Earlier rank: 15
The portal losses of Olivia Miles and Kate Koval had been important, to not point out the graduations of WNBA draft choices Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld and Liatu King. However Hannah Hidalgo returns, and Niele Ivey has added 6-3 Malaya Cowles (Wake Woodland) and 6-4 Gisela Sanchez (Kansas State) to present the Irish some measurement. Ivey nonetheless has handiest six scholarship avid gamers at the roster, so be expecting some extra paintings within the switch portal to come back. Earlier rank: 17
The uncertainty over the timetable round JuJu Watkins’ restoration from knee surgical operation makes the Trojans the most important wild card within the nation. If she had been to go back midseason, reminiscent of in January, this projection would bounce considerably. If Watkins misses all the season, USC may fight to stick within the height 25. The coming of Jasmine Davidson, lately increased to the highest recruit within the nation in keeping with HoopGurlz, and the addition of Georgia Tech switch Kara Dunn and Londynn Jones from UCLA, will have to lend a hand with Watkins’ absence and steadiness the switch losses of Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel. Earlier rank: 12
After successful the primary NCAA event sport in program historical past, the Spiders might be primed for extra in 2025-26. Atlantic 10 Participant of the 12 months Maggie Doogan, who averaged 17.0 issues and seven.1 rebounds and scored a blended 57 in opposition to Georgia Tech and UCLA within the event, is again for her senior yr. Rachel Ullstrom (15.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG), any other All-A-10 first-teamer, additionally returns, giving Richmond one of the most nation’s most efficient veteran duos. Earlier rank: 20
Any other methods have got extra consideration, however the Cowgirls quietly have made important good points within the switch portal. Jacy Hoyt added 3 attainable starters in Amari Whiting (BYU), Haleigh Timmer (South Dakota State) and Achol Akot (UCF). They sign up for returning main scorers Stailee Heard and Micah Grey, giving Oklahoma State its easiest likelihood at attaining the Candy 16 for the primary time since 2014. Earlier rank: 22
Trainer Jan Jensen must discover a true level guard. The lack of Aaliyah Guyton to Illinois nonetheless stings. However the skill somewhere else led via Hannah Stuelke and the rising Ava Heiden, plus veterans Taylor McCabe and Kylie Feuerbach, will have to make the Hawkeyes aggressive within the Giant Ten. Earlier rank: 18
Robyn Fralick had to restock round Grace VanSlooten and Theryn Hallock and the portal helped her do so. Jalyn Brown (Arizona State) used to be the fifth-leading scorer within the Giant 12 at 18.0 issues in step with sport, and Rashunda Jones (Purdue) offers the Spartans some extent guard acquainted with the Giant Ten who can step in in an instant. Marah Dykstra used to be first-team All-Giant Sky at Montana State and joins Michigan State as a junior. Earlier rank: 19
One of the crucial easiest taking pictures groups within the nation (twelfth at 37.0% on 3-point box targets) were given higher with the addition of Avery Howell from USC. Yulia Grabovskaia, a 6-5 Michigan switch, supplies much-needed measurement to lend a hand veterans Elle Ladine, Sayvia Dealers and Hannah Stines lead the Huskies deeper into the NCAA event than this season’s First 4. Earlier rank: 24
With the go back of six of the highest seven avid gamers in her rotation, Carla Berube will have to have the Tigers atop the Ivy League for the 5th time since she turned into head trainer in 2019. Upload a wholesome Madison St. Rose again into the combination to sign up for Skye Belker and Ashley Chea, and Princeton may even have one of the most 15 or 20 easiest backcourts within the nation. Earlier rank: 23
Additionally thought to be: TCU Horned Frogs, Ohio State Buckeyes (prior to now No. 25), Kentucky Wildcats
