South Carolina has claimed the top spot in the CBS Sports women’s college basketball power rankings after sweeping their first two games with commanding wins. The Gamecocks, guided by Dawn Staley, opened their season with victories over Maryland and North Carolina, including a 45-point dismantling of the Tar Heels. This performance came after the team navigated the post-Raven Johnson era, raising confidence among fans and analysts alike about their depth and resilience.
Michigan, which handed UConn its first loss of the season on November 5, rose to No. 2 in the rankings. The Wolverines’ win disrupted the Huskies’ previously unbeaten run and shifted momentum in the early weeks of the season. UConn remained within the top five after bouncing back with a victory against Iowa, but their schedule remains challenging. Four of their next five opponents are ranked teams, beginning with No. 17 Ohio State on Thursday night. The Huskies will need continued strong performances from Sarah Strong and her teammates to maintain their standing.
South Carolina’s rise to No. 1 is anchored by a point guard-by-committee system that has spread playmaking duties across the roster. Staley’s squad showed it could handle top-tier competition early on, beating two preseason-ranked teams. The 45-point blowout against North Carolina stands out, especially since the Tar Heels have already lost to Oklahoma and fell out of the top 25 this week. The Gamecocks’ ability to dominate in such fashion suggests they could be a formidable force throughout the season.
USC sits at No. 3, bolstered by the return of JuJu Watkins. Watkins missed last season recovering from a knee injury but has come back to share the court with Jazzy Davidson and Saniyah Hall. Davidson earned Freshman of the Year honors last season, while Hall is highly rated as the No. 2 player in the class of 2026 by 247Sports. Their combined talent has generated buzz ahead of Sunday’s “Real SC” clash at South Carolina, which promises to be a high-profile matchup between the Gamecocks and Trojans.
LSU made an impression at No. 7 after starting the season with three games where they scored over 100 points. One of those was a 109-point victory against Texas Southern, which set a record for the largest blowout in Division I college basketball history. Their offensive firepower early on has drawn attention, and the Tigers will look to maintain that momentum as the season progresses.
Notre Dame is just outside the top 10. The Fighting Irish have undergone a significant roster overhaul, with Hannah Hidalgo the only returning player from last season’s Elite Eight run. Fresh faces have stepped up, including sophomore Leah Macy, who missed all of last season due to a high school knee injury. Macy’s strong start this year adds depth to the Notre Dame squad as they aim to climb into the top tier of the rankings.
The power rankings also noted several teams just outside the top 25. North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Kansas, and Michigan State all fell short of the cut this week. North Carolina’s heavy loss to South Carolina contributed to their drop out of the top 25, reflecting the shifting dynamics in early-season play.
The coming week will test some of these rankings. UConn’s match against Ohio State and the anticipated South Carolina-USC game are among the most watched fixtures. The early season is proving unpredictable, with established powers like UConn facing challenges from rising teams, while South Carolina is making a clear statement with their dominant start.
According to CBS.