Heartbreak can fuel ambition, and for the Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team, that's exactly the plan! After a nail-biting finish to last season, Brenda Frese's squad is heading into the 2025-2026 season with a vengeance, starting at No. 10 in the Associated Press preseason poll. But is that ranking justified? Are they contenders, or will they crumble under the pressure? Let's dive in.
Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press reports that the Terps are riding high on the momentum of a strong 23-7 regular season. Remember that double-overtime thriller against Alabama in the NCAA tournament? (You can relive the drama here: [https://www.thebanner.com/sports/college-sports/maryland-alabama-womens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-te-biasu-sellers-MWNSYC3VQFAH3CZ2F5R2YIAHWI/]). That victory propelled them to the Sweet Sixteen, where they faced a daunting challenge: the defending national champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Maryland nearly pulled off the upset of the tournament! They held a halftime lead, proving they could hang with the best. But here's where it gets controversial... Ultimately, South Carolina edged them out 71-67 ([https://www.thebanner.com/sports/college-sports/maryland-south-carolina-ncaa-women-sweet-16-ULMSZKBS3ZCWHMGIFZBRPSDHRY/]). Some argued the refs favored South Carolina; what do you think? Could that have changed the outcome?
This year, the Terrapins are looking to turn that near-miss into a championship run. The good news? They're returning two of their top offensive weapons: senior guards Kaylene Smikle and Bri McDaniel. But the real excitement surrounds transfer guard Yarden Garzon, formerly of Indiana. Garzon averaged an impressive 14.4 points per game last season, and her arrival could be just what Maryland needs to elevate their offense. Think of her as the missing piece of the puzzle.
Maryland kicks off their season at home against Loyola University Maryland on November 3rd. It's a chance to see this revamped team in action and gauge their potential for the season ahead.
Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies, who ultimately defeated South Carolina in the national title game, are the preseason No. 1 team. And this is the part most people miss... They received a whopping 27 out of 31 first-place votes from a national media panel. South Carolina, despite their loss, is ranked second and received the remaining four first-place votes. This marks the fifth time in the last six years that Dawn Staley's Gamecocks have been ranked in the top five preseason – a testament to their consistent excellence.
Rounding out the top five are UCLA, Texas, and LSU. Oklahoma landed at No. 6, their highest preseason ranking since 2008. Duke, Tennessee, and N.C. State complete the top 10.
Geno Auriemma's UConn squad, led by sensational sophomore Sarah Strong and super senior Azzi Fudd, is no stranger to the top spot. This is their 13th time being ranked No. 1 in the preseason since 1995, and their first since 2017. Auriemma, ever the pragmatist, hopes the ranking will boost confidence without creating undue pressure. "Hopefully it's a little bit of a confidence builder and not, 'Oh my God!'" he said. He understands the psychological impact of expectations.
Interestingly, eight of the previous 12 times UConn was ranked first in the preseason, they went on to win the national championship. Auriemma believes his team has a strong chance this year, but acknowledges that luck and leadership are crucial. "It's got to come with great leadership and it's got to come with a little bit of luck and people rising to the occasion," he explained.
In a rare occurrence, the top four teams in the preseason poll are the same as the final poll from last season. This is the first time in the 50-year history of the women's poll that this has happened, highlighting the consistency of these programs.
Conference Breakdown: The SEC dominates the Top 25 with eight teams, including five in the top 10. The Big Ten follows with six schools, then the ACC with five, and the Big 12 with four. The Atlantic-10 and Big East each have one representative.
Other notable rankings include Michigan at No. 13, their highest since 2021, and Vanderbilt at No. 19, their first preseason ranking since 2012. Richmond checks in at No. 24, marking their first ranking in school history. It's a testament to the program's growth under Coach Aaron Roussell.
So, what do you think? Is Maryland's No. 10 ranking too high, too low, or just right? Can they live up to the hype and make a deep tournament run? And who are your dark horse picks to surprise everyone this season? Let's hear your predictions in the comments below!
