UCLA Women's Basketball Unranked Despite Winning 2026 Championship
UCLA won the 2026 women's basketball championship but isn't ranked in the top 25 for the 2026-27 season. Runner-up South Carolina landed at No. 3 in the early rankings.
UCLA captured the 2026 women's basketball championship but won't appear in the top 25 rankings for the upcoming 2026-27 season, according to ESPN's way-too-early predictions.
The Bruins' absence from the rankings likely reflects major roster changes, including players graduating or entering professional leagues. South Carolina, which lost to UCLA in the championship game, earned the No. 3 spot in the early projections.
These early rankings help fans and recruits gauge which programs might compete for next year's title. They're based on returning players, incoming recruits, and coaching staff expectations.
College basketball rosters change dramatically each year as players graduate, transfer to other schools, or turn professional. Even championship teams can struggle the following season without their key contributors.
This shows how much college basketball can change from year to year. Teams lose star players to graduation and the pros, making last year's success no guarantee of future wins.
Final rankings will emerge closer to the 2026-27 season start as rosters solidify.
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