Women’s NCAA basketball Power Rankings: UConn prepares for big week

Over the next week, the UConn Huskies can celebrate the past and look ahead to the future. Geno Auriemma could become the career leader in NCAA basketball coaching wins, and guard Paige Bueckers will see where she can be headed in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Auriemma can tie Tara VanDerveer’s record of 1,216 wins when the Huskies — who start at No. 2 in ESPN’s first women’s college basketball Power Rankings of the 2024-25 season – will face North Carolina on Friday (6 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Greensboro, North Carolina. UConn hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 20 in what could be the record.

When VanDerveer retired from Stanford in April, the countdown started for Auriemma, who entered the season four wins short of the mark. All of his wins have been at UConn, where he and associate head coach Chris Dailey took over in 1985. This season marks their 40th anniversary as the brains of UConn women’s basketball and the 30th anniversary of the program’s first championship season.

As for Bueckers, she is projected to go No. 1 in 2025. She still has one season of eligibility remaining due to the COVID-19 waiver, but has indicated she expects to finish her college career this season.

The WNBA draft lottery will be televised Sunday (5 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Los Angeles Sparks have the best odds (44.2%) to get the No. 1, with the Dallas Wings (22.7%), Chicago Sky (22.7%) and Washington Mystics (10.4%) also in the lottery. Dallas has the right to trade picks with Sky based on a previous trade.

Due to the election change, Sky will not get the no. 1 — even if they win the lottery, they have to give it to Dallas. So the odds point to Bueckers going to Los Angeles or Dallas.

As we open the Power Rankings, the South Carolina Gamecocks start where they finished last season: at No. 1, after an undefeated 38-0 run. But UConn has moved up; The Huskies were out of the top 10 in last year’s final rankings.

Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 1

Ashlyn Watkins returned to the lineup in Sunday’s 71-57 win over NC State after her legal issues were resolved. She had six points and six rebounds in 19 minutes. However, Chloe Kitts did not play due to an “academic policy issue.” She is expected back this week, so we should see the Gamecocks at full strength.

Next seven days: vs. Coppin State (Nov. 14) vs. East Carolina (November 17)

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Final effect ranking for 2023-2024: 11

The Huskies have overwhelmed Boston University and South Florida, scoring 86 points in each game. Center Jana El Alfy, who missed last season with an Achilles injury, made her long-awaited debut. She had a combined 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Next seven days: vs. North Carolina at Greensboro (November 15)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 8

After their 68-66 win over Ole Miss to open the season in Paris, the Trojans have, as expected, beaten their subsequent foes, Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge. They scored a program-record 124 points on Tuesday. The next real test is expected to be Notre Dame on November 23rd.

Next seven days: vs. Santa Clara (November 15)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 5

There were few takeaways from Texas’ only game so far, a 119-47 shellacking of Southeast Missouri State. Eleven players scored, six in double figures. Rori Harmon is back after missing most of last season with a knee injury, and 6-foot Miami transfer Kyla Oldacre gives the Longhorns three players 6-4 or taller. Michigan transfer Laila Phelia did not play in the opener; no reason was given.

Next seven days: vs. Lamar (Nov. 13), @ DePaul (Nov. 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 9

Post play has been strong for the Bruins. Center Lauren Betts is averaging 22.0 points and 11.3 rebounds. In Tuesday’s 91-54 win over Pepperdine, Betts had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and forward Janiah Barker, a transfer from Texas A&M, had 18 and 11.

Next seven days: vs. Arkansas (November 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 7

Last year’s trip to the Cayman Islands Classic in late November is not a good memory for forward Sa’Myah Smith, who tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee and missed the rest of the season. She’s back now, though, averaging 10.3 points and 6.7 rebounds through three games.

Next seven days: vs. Murray State (Nov. 15), vs. Troy (November 18)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 14

The Irish have scored more than 100 points in each of their first two games, and Olivia Miles returned from missing last season (knee) with a triple-double. Everyone is already looking forward to the Irish matchup at USC on November 23rd.

Next seven days: vs. James Madison (November 13), @ Lafayette (November 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: NO

As was the case last season, the Cyclones have a big three to fill the box every game: Sophomores Audi Crooks and Addy Brown and fifth-year senior Emily Ryan. They also get a boost from transfer Sydney Harris, a junior guard/forward who previously played at Central Michigan and TCU.

Next seven days: vs. St. Thomas-Minnesota (Nov. 14)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 13

The Wolfpack dropped four spots to no. 13 in the Associated Press poll on Monday after a neutral-site loss to the top-ranked Gamecocks. Freshman guard Zamareya Jones (16 points in 28 minutes off the bench) was the bright spot in that game for NC State.

Next seven days: vs. Kent State (Nov. 14), @ TCU (Nov. 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 15

Oregon State transfer Raegan Beers is off to a strong start with the Sooners, leading them in scoring and rebounding through the first two games. The center has looked comfortable in their fast-paced style, though it’s not what she was known for with the Beavers. Early on, depth also looks to be a big strength for Oklahoma.

Next seven days: vs. Western Carolina (Nov. 13), @ Wichita State (Nov. 19)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: NO

The Wildcats opened with dominant wins over two traditionally strong mid-major programs: Green Bay and Belmont. Star center Ayoka Lee missed the game against the Bruins with a minor injury concern, but she is expected back soon. Transfers Temira Poindexter (Tulsa) and Kennedy Taylor (Missouri State/Colorado) have already made an impact.

Next seven days: vs. Creighton (Nov. 14), vs. Little Rock (Nov. 18)

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The Buckeyes now have Ohio State legend and Naismith Hall of Famer Katie Smith as an assistant on Kevin McGuff’s staff since she left the Minnesota Lynx. Transfers Chance Gray (Oregon) and Ajae Petty (Kentucky/LSU) and freshman Jaloni Cambridge are newcomers who have joined returnees Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry in the starting lineup.

Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 3

Next seven days: @ Belmont (Nov 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: NO

The Terps already have a nice win after defeating Duke 85-80 on Sunday. Maryland has seven players from the transfer portal and three freshmen. It’s a lot to get used to, but coach Brenda Frese seems to excel at building team chemistry.

Next seven days: @ Syracuse (Nov. 13), vs. Towson (Nov. 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: NO

Duke has a good non-conference schedule that should pay off in the long run. Freshman forward Toby Fournier begins the season coming off the bench, but is tied with junior guard Ashlon Jackson for the team lead in scoring (12.7 PPG).

Next seven days: vs. Dayton (Nov. 14), @ South Dakota State (Nov. 17)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: NO

Guard play and depth are expected to be the Mountaineers’ strengths again this year, with the hope of a little more offense than last season. So far, so good: West Virginia has averaged 92.3 PPG.

Next seven days: vs. Texas A&M (Nov. 15), vs. Bowling Green (Nov. 19)

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Final impact ranking for 2023-24: 4

The Cardinal’s staff is not as familiar as is usually the case at Stanford; Elena Bosgana, who averaged 6.7 PPG last season, is the team’s leading scorer. So far, she is one of five Stanford players to average in double figures to start the coach Kate Paye era.

Next seven days: vs. UC Davis (Nov. 13), @ Indiana (Nov. 17)