Every one of the four top-ranked seeds progressed to the Round of 16 of the 2026 women’s NCAA tournament. Thirteen of the premier 16 seeds made it to the regional penultimate stage. However, with the subsequent stage scheduled for Friday and Saturday, the break period formally commences for certain teams.
This serves as your overview of their anticipated exits, returning players, premier new acquisitions, and how this impacts their roster requirements for the transfer window commencing April 6.
Performance Log: 24-9 (13-5 in Big Ten)
Conclusion of their season: Defeated by UCLA in the Round of 16
Anticipated Exits
Amaya Battle (11.3 PPG)
Sophie Hart (11.1 PPG)
Brylee Glenn (6.4 PPG)
Finau Tonga (4.7 PPG)
Tracey Bershers (2.0 PPG)
Athletes with Continued Eligibility
Tori McKinney (12.9 PPG)
Grace Grocholski (12.1 PPG)
Mara Braun (11.8 PPG)
Makena Christian (3.7 PPG)
Niamya Holloway (1.7 PPG)
Kennedy Klick (1.6 PPG)
Brynn Senden (0.6 PPG)
Premier Incoming Freshman: Natalie Kussow (Ranked 40)
Named Ms. Basketball for Wisconsin, Kussow is anticipated to align seamlessly with Minnesota’s playing approach. As a shooting guard, she recorded averages of 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while playing for state champion Arrowhead. In the championship match, Kussow secured 34 points. The query arises regarding her placement within the lineup. Considering Braun’s complete recovery from a second foot ailment and the anticipated return of McKinney and Grocholski, the backcourt boasts substantial experience on the perimeter. Given Battle’s exit, those playing opportunities will be open. A primary ball-handler is a greater necessity; the Gophers secured one in local talent Tori Oehrlein (Ranked 58).
Transfer Window Objectives: The primary point-getters are anticipated to return; however, the physical stature is not. The incoming class also featured 6-foot-4 Adit Kuol, yet for Minnesota to replicate a season among the top 20, coach Dawn Plitzuweit must acquire seasoned post support. This year, the 6-2 Tonga joined as a graduate transfer from San Jose State. This source might be one the coaching staff should reconsider. Hart, a three-year veteran of the program post-NC State, will prove more challenging to substitute. She functioned as the Gophers’ core presence in the paint, and Plitzuweit will need to aim for a superior caliber in the transfer market to secure an individual possessing comparable Power 4 conference background. Additionally, Minnesota would accommodate a genuine lead guard.
Season Tally: 28-8 (14-4 in ACC)
End of Campaign: Fell to UConn in the Round of 16
Anticipated Departures
Nyla Harris (11.5 PPG)
Indya Nivar (10.3 PPG)
Athletes Still Eligible
Lanie Grant (11.1 PPG)
Elina Aarnisalo (10.4 PPG)
Ciera Toomey (8.9 PPG)
Nyla Brooks (8.7 PPG)
Reniya Kelly (6.1 PPG)
Laila Hull (4.2 PPG)
Taliyah Henderson (3.8 PPG)
Taissa Queiroz (2.9 PPG)
Jordan Zubich (2.1 PPG)
Liza Astakhova (2.1 PPG)
Blanca Thomas (1.7 PPG)
Sydney Barker (0.4 PPG)
Leading New Prospect: Kate Harpring (Rank 4)
An already formidable backcourt is set to become even more profound and significantly enhanced with Harpring’s arrival. As the top-rated recruit ever secured by coach Courtney Banghart, Harpring is anticipated to commence as a starting point guard immediately. Harpring, a 5-foot-10 athlete, accumulated 3,000 career points at Marist School in Atlanta and was among five finalists for the Naismith high school player of the year. She is deeply involved with USA Basketball, having clinched a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup and recorded an average of 8.3 points across seven games. Harpring, offspring of former Georgia Tech standout and 11-season NBA professional Matt Harpring, has been selected for the 2026 Nike Hoop Summit Team. Despite four athletes averaging between 10.3 and 11.5 points per game for UNC this campaign, no prominent talent emerged for the Tar Heels. Harpring has the potential to become that pivotal figure by 2027.
Transfer Market Objectives: The extent of Banghart’s engagement with the transfer market will be determined by any player movements. Harris led the squad in scoring and rebounding, and her contributions on the boards may be the most acutely felt absence. Even with Harris, specifically recruited from Louisville for one year for her rebounding prowess, North Carolina ranked merely 10th in the ACC for rebounds. An enhancement in rebounding capability will be crucial for a more extended run into March. Should a seasoned power forward become available who isn’t primarily an offensive focus, they might represent the crucial element. Provided Grant, Aarnisalo, and Kelly remain in Chapel Hill, the backcourt lineup will be complete; however, should a stationary shooter be accessible, the Tar Heels might allocate a roster spot for her.
Final Standings: 29-5 (13-3 in ACC)
Season Conclusion: Defeated by Notre Dame in the Round of 16
Anticipated Exits
Justine Pissott (11.4 PPG)
Sacha Washington (10.4 PPG)
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (7.0 PPG)
Jada Brown (3.2 PPG)
Athletes with Eligibility Remaining
Mikayla Blakes (27.0 PPG)
Aubrey Galvan (13.2 PPG)
Aiyana Mitchell (5.9 PPG)
Aga Makurat (3.2 PPG)
Ava Black (2.9 PPG)
Trinity Wilson (1.0 PPG)
Monique Williams (0.9 PPG)
Madison Greene (redshirt)
Highest-Ranked Incoming Player: Olivia Jones (Position 14)
Should an individual seek a comparative player for Jones, the solution is readily apparent: Blakes. Jones excels as a penetrator and offensive initiator. With four additional top-25 recruits among her teammates at Long Island Lutheran, Jones is accustomed to elite competitive environments. During the previous summer, as a member of the gold-medal-clinching Team USA U16 squad at the FIBA AmeriCup, the 5-foot-11 Jones posted averages of 8.0 points and 3.8 assists. The Commodores continued their efforts, additionally securing 6-4 Jhai Johnson from California, further illustrating the expanding scope of Vanderbilt’s recruitment initiatives under Shea Ralph.
Transfer Market Objectives: Commencing with an agile post player would be an effective strategy. The offensive scheme requires spatial distribution for Blakes and Galvan to optimize their individual abilities. A conventional low-post player is unsuitable; the Commodores require an individual capable of executing the high pick-and-roll. This aspect rendered Washington a suitable match. An additional perimeter shooter to further expand the court should also rank high on Ralph’s transfer market desiderata. The prospect of collaborating with an unassuming standout like Blakes and a distributor of Galvan’s caliber ought to be a straightforward proposition. Identifying the appropriate temperamental match will pose the most significant hurdle for the coaching staff.