As the WNBA season fades into the rearview mirror, the spotlight swings dramatically to the NCAA, where a thrilling season of women's college basketball awaits. But here's where it gets controversial: Can anyone dethrone UConn, or will the Huskies reign supreme once again? With the absence of JuJu Watkins—last year’s National Player of the Year—due to a devastating ACL injury, the stage is set for new stars to emerge and old powerhouses to assert their dominance. Yet, the question remains: Is UConn’s repeat bid a foregone conclusion, or will the SEC’s juggernauts finally close the gap?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: UConn. Fresh off their championship victory over South Carolina last season, the Huskies are once again perched atop the AP preseason poll. And this is the part most people miss: While Paige Bueckers has moved on to the WNBA, where she’s dazzling with the Dallas Wings, UConn’s roster is far from depleted. Azzi Fudd, who averaged 13.6 points per game last year, is poised for a breakout season, and Sarah Strong’s dominance in the paint makes the Huskies a formidable force. But their early-season matchups against No. 20 Louisville and No. 13 Michigan will test their mettle right out of the gate. Can they maintain their stranglehold on college basketball, or will this be the year their dynasty falters?
Meanwhile, the SEC is flexing its muscles like never before. With eight teams in the top 25 and five in the top 10, the conference is a powerhouse. South Carolina, ranked No. 2, is hungry for revenge after last year’s title game loss. Texas and LSU are nipping at their heels, setting the stage for a brutal conference schedule that promises high-stakes, high-level basketball. Here’s a bold prediction: The SEC could very well produce this year’s national champion. But which team will rise above the rest? And does the conference’s depth make it the most dominant force in college basketball?
Beyond the title race, the 2026 WNBA Draft class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Lauren Betts of UCLA, who averaged 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds last season, is the early favorite to go No. 1. After leading the Bruins to their first-ever Final Four, she’s aiming to cap her college career with a national championship before turning pro. But she’s not alone in the spotlight. Olivia Miles, now at TCU after four years at Notre Dame, could be the NCAA’s best guard, and UConn’s Azzi Fudd is a lock for the lottery. Here’s a thought-provoking question: With so much talent on display, could this draft class rival the legendary classes of the past?
From UConn’s quest for back-to-back titles to the SEC’s relentless dominance and the star power of this year’s draft prospects, the 2025-26 NCAA season is loaded with storylines that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. But what do you think? Is UConn unstoppable, or is this the year the SEC takes over? And which draft prospect are you most excited to watch? Let’s debate it in the comments!
