Welcome to the primary version of ESPN’s girls’s faculty basketball Energy Rankings for 2025-26. For viewers and followers, early-season video games are sort of like objects at a storage sale: a number of gems, a number of issues of worth and, frankly, some junk. However to gamers and coaches, it is all worthwhile as groups begin to set up their identities.
The highest 4 groups in our preliminary rankings are the packages that went to the Last 4 final season. They’re loaded with expertise however should work on how the veterans and newcomers match collectively.
Of that group, UCLA has essentially the most spectacular victory to this point: 73-59 over fellow top-10 workforce Oklahoma on Monday. That sport was in Sacramento, California, which can host one of many NCAA regionals this season, together with Fort Value, Texas.
The issues the Bruins prompted the Sooners shall be troublesome for each UCLA opponent. The Bruins begin 5 seniors who’re all scoring threats, and their size on protection could be stifling. It was an entertaining sport, and UCLA has three extra potential gems in November in opposition to top-15 groups.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Loyola Chicago (Nov. 12), vs. Ohio State (Nov. 16)
The defending nationwide champions opened with a 13-point win over Louisville, adopted by a 32-point victory in opposition to Florida State. Count on to see these names so much in each recap of UConn success: Sarah Robust (21.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.5 APG) and Azzi Fudd (21.5 PPG and 4.0 APG). Transfers Kayleigh Heckel and Serah Williams are already making an affect, and KK Arnold may be prepared for a breakout junior season.
Subsequent seven days: vs. USC at Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles (Nov. 15)
The Gamecocks have victories over Grand Canyon, Bowling Inexperienced and Clemson to begin the season. Their first take a look at comes this weekend in opposition to USC. Sophomore Joyce Edwards is South Carolina’s prime scorer (18.3 PPG) and switch middle Madina Okot is the rebounding chief (9.0). Guard Ta’Niya Latson, one of the coveted transfers within the offseason, is second in scoring at 16.3 PPG for the Gamecocks.
Subsequent seven days: WBCA Problem in Las Vegas — vs. North Carolina (Nov. 13) and vs. South Florida (Nov. 15)
Towards Oklahoma, UCLA star Lauren Betts (9 factors, 10 rebounds) needed to battle one other sturdy middle in Raegan Beers (7, 11). They canceled out one another, and the UCLA guards took over. Gianna Kneepkens (20 factors), Gabriela Jaquez (11) and Kiki Rice (10) did quite a lot of injury, as did ahead Angela Dugali (16 factors, 15 rebounds) off the bench. The Bruins, fourth amongst Energy 4 colleges in rebounding final season (42.5 RPG), would possibly end even higher this season.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Texas Southern (Nov. 16)
Texas demolished Incarnate Phrase and Louisiana however had a noteworthy 85-56 win in opposition to Atlantic 10 energy Richmond between the blowouts. Junior ahead Madison Booker, the reigning SEC Participant of the Yr, is filling up stat sheets as normal. Additionally be careful for guards Jordan Lee and Aaliyah Crump main the sophomore and freshman lessons, respectively.
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Kyla Oldacre recaps dominant 19-point, 7-rebound sport vs. Louisiana
Oldacre displays on the quite a few advantages of taking part in along with her new workforce whereas additionally acknowledging the challenges to regulate to the scheme after an enormous evening vs the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Charlotte (Nov. 12), @ Tulane (Nov. 17)
LSU, with one other nonconference schedule of principally cupcakes, is averaging 113.7 PPG by way of three video games. However this has labored for LSU prior to now, as coach Kim Mulkey thinks the SEC schedule is sufficient of a grind. Switch guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina), who has led the Tigers in scoring in two of their three video games, is averaging 15.3 PPG on 57.1% capturing. Switch ahead Kate Koval (Notre Dame) is averaging 11.7 PPG on 71.0% capturing and is LSU’s prime rebounder at 9.0 RPG.
Subsequent seven days: vs. South Carolina at Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles (Nov. 15), vs. Portland (Nov. 18)
After opening with a blowout of New Mexico State, the Trojans received an early signature win, 69-68 over NC State in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday. Freshman Jazzy Davidson led USC’s large rally, ending with 21 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Fellow guard Londynn Jones, a senior switch from crosstown rival UCLA, had 19 factors. The Trojans clearly will miss JuJu Watkins (knee) this season, however this sport confirmed the expertise they’ve.
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Jazzy Davidson’s late bucket lifts USC previous NC State
Jazz Davidson scores with lower than eight seconds remaining, and NC State’s closing try is picked off, giving USC a 69-68 win.
Subsequent seven days: @ UNLV (Nov. 14), vs. Le Moyne (Nov. 16)
The Bears began the season Nov. 3 with a 58-52 victory over Duke in Paris. The sport lacked offensive enchantment however confirmed Baylor’s defensive resolve — holding Duke to 9 factors within the fourth quarter — and the affect that switch guard Taliah Scott can have. The sophomore scored 24 factors in opposition to the Blue Devils after which 29 in a win in opposition to Lindenwood.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Kansas Metropolis (Nov. 12), vs. North Alabama (Nov. 14), @ Western Carolina (Nov. 16)
The Sooners opened with a victory over Belmont, then examined themselves in opposition to UCLA. At occasions, they went toe-to-toe with the Bruins however gave up some large runs that put them in catch-up mode for a lot of the second half. With 5 freshmen, together with start line guard Aaliyah Chavez, the Sooners knew it could be an early progress expertise in opposition to UCLA.
Subsequent seven days: vs. TCU (Nov. 16)
Regardless of shedding three beginning senior guards from final season, the Wolfpack have challenged themselves from the get-go. Three of their first 4 opponents made it to at the very least the Candy 16 final season. NC State beat Tennessee 80-77 in its opener, then dropped a irritating 69-68 sport to USC after holding a double-digit lead. What the Wolfpack discovered about errors in late-game execution in opposition to the Trojans ought to assist them down the highway. On Tuesday, they bounced again with a win over Maine.
Subsequent seven days: WBCA Problem in Las Vegas — vs. UCLA (Nov. 13) and vs. Fairfield (Nov. 15)
Romps over North Carolina Central and Elon did not inform us something in regards to the Tar Heels, however Thursday’s sport in opposition to UCLA will. North Carolina made the Candy 16 final season however misplaced its prime three scorers from that workforce. Freshmen and sophomores make up the vast majority of the 2025-26 roster to enhance extra skilled starters Indya Nivar (senior) and Reniya Kelly (junior), in addition to Nyla Brooks, a senior switch from Louisville.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Norfolk State (Nov. 12), vs. West Virginia at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia (Nov. 14), @ Liberty (Nov. 16)
Duke misplaced its opener Nov. 3 in a 58-52 defensive battle with Baylor. The Blue Devils took that frustration out on Holy Cross in a 91-48 win Sunday, led by sophomore star Toby Fournier’s 27 factors. Duke goes in opposition to one other defense-first workforce in West Virginia this week, plus has upcoming video games with South Carolina and LSU. Duke shall be well-prepared for the ACC season.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Towson (Nov. 13), vs. Princeton (Nov. 16)
The Terps are relying on quite a lot of house cooking as their Large Ten preparation: All their nonconference video games are at house in Xfinity Heart besides two in a Thanksgiving occasion in Puerto Rico. In truth, the Terps’ solely true highway sport earlier than January is their Large Ten opener at Minnesota on Dec. 7. Guard Oluchi Okananwa, who transferred from Duke, leads Maryland in scoring (14.7 PPG).
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Georgetown Hoyas vs. Maryland Terrapins: Sport Highlights
Georgetown Hoyas vs. Maryland Terrapins: Sport Highlights
Subsequent seven days: vs. Belmont (Nov. 13)
The Woman Vols misplaced their season opener Nov. 4 in opposition to NC State 80-77, then defeated East Tennessee State and UT Martin. Their subsequent two foes, Belmont and Center Tennessee, are additionally in-state colleges that relish taking part in the titans from Knoxville, so these will not be straightforward matchups for the Woman Vols. The beginning of the season has been tougher than was anticipated with Tennessee nonetheless adjusting to the dismissal of senior guard Ruby Whitehorn.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Southern (Nov. 12), @ Memphis (Nov. 18)
Ole Miss misplaced 4 of its prime 5 scorers from final season’s NCAA Candy 16 workforce, so former Ohio State star Cotie McMahon and a number of different transfers shall be essential this season for the Rebels. McMahon has averaged 16.5 PPG in dominant wins over Norfolk State and Alabama A&M to this point.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Valparaiso (Nov. 12), vs. Norfolk State (Nov. 16)
Iowa State cruised previous St. Thomas-Minnesota, Southern and Sacred Coronary heart to open the season. Final season’s Large 12 scoring chief, middle Audi Crooks, has began her junior season averaging 23.3 PPG and 6.7 RPG whereas capturing 70% from the sphere. Iowa State’s hardest nonconference video games doubtless shall be its annual matchups with in-state colleges Drake, Iowa and Northern Iowa.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Notre Dame at Detroit (Nov. 15), vs. Binghamton (Nov. 18)
Olivia Olson and Syla Swords led Michigan as freshmen final season. They’re again, and one other sophomore, Mila Holloway, is main the Wolverines in scoring (19.0 PPG). Michigan beat Canisius and Harvard to get began however has considerably more durable foes developing: Notre Dame this weekend and UConn on Nov. 21. The Irish defeated Michigan within the NCAA second spherical final season.