South Carolina women's basketball ranked No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25

South Carolina's women's basketball team is ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll, according to WCBD Count on 2 and ABC News 4 WCIV. The Gamecocks received 23 first-place votes from a 31-member national media panel.

This marks the fifth time in the past seven years that South Carolina has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason, reflecting the program's consistent national prominence. Coach Dawn Staley noted the ranking brings respect but also pressure, especially given the challenging non-conference schedule.

The Gamecocks will face five ranked teams in the first month of the season, including UConn, USC, and Duke. Staley described the schedule as demanding but necessary to maintain the team's competitive roster.

UConn, which received six first-place votes, has been ranked in the top 10 of every preseason poll since 1994. This season marks the third consecutive year that South Carolina and UConn are among the top-ranked teams in the preseason poll.