Welcome to the debut of the ESPN women’s college basketball Power Rankings for the 2026-27 season, where we attempt to take the weekly temperature for the best teams in the country. Nine days into the season, we have had notable upsets, welcome returns and expected blowouts.
On Sunday, we’ll see one of the most anticipated games of the nonconference season occur when South Carolina faces USC (1 p.m. ET, ABC) in Greenville, South Carolina, in the annual “The Real SC” showdown.
Sunday’s slate also includes UConn at Louisville Cardinals (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) — two more teams in our rankings launch — and the WNBA draft lottery (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Before then, we take a look at the nation’s top 16 teams.
Last nine days: W 101-93 vs. Maryland (Nov. 2), W 84-39 vs. North Carolina (Nov. 8)
The Gamecocks’ opening win over the Terps in Paris showed how good their offense can be and how deep they are. Their dismantling of the Tar Heels in Charlotte, North Carolina, showed how withering their defense can be. Forward Joyce Edwards (combined 38 points, 12 rebounds) is South Carolina’s main performer, but she has so much talent around her. The Gamecocks look every bit as good as we expected.
Last nine days: W 77-66 vs. UConn (Nov. 5), W 109-52 vs. Wright State (Nov. 8)
The class that led the program to its second Elite Eight last season is together for its third year in Ann Arbor. Junior Te’Yala Delfosse led the way in the Wolverines’ big win over the Huskies with 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting and nine rebounds. Junior Olivia Olson, known for her across-the-board impact, had a combined 38 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and nine rebounds in the two wins. Michigan shouldn’t be tested too much the rest of the month, but we already have our eye on its Dec. 5 matchup with Oklahoma.
Last nine days: W 100-68 vs. UNLV (Nov. 2), W 118-40 vs. Utah State (Nov. 8), W 105-44 vs. Charleston (Nov. 10)
The Trojans haven’t been challenged yet, but what mattered most early was just how good it was to see JuJu Watkins back on court looking like herself again. Watkins had a combined 73 points and 25 rebounds in the three wins, while freshman Saniyah Hall had a combined 66 points. Plus, the tougher competition is next with South Carolina on Sunday and Baylor on Nov. 20.
Saniyah Hall joining elite company 🔥
Hall is the first Big Ten player to start her career with 3 straight 20-point games since Caitlin Clark in 2020-21 (5 straight). https://t.co/irXGH8ns9s
— espnW (@espnW) November 11, 2026
Last nine days: W 100-35 vs. Cornell (Nov. 2), L 77-66 @ Michigan (Nov. 5), W 91-79 vs. Iowa (Nov. 8)
You’ve heard this before: The Huskies have a nonconference schedule jam-packed with tough opponents because once they get to Big East play, they are essentially playing against their standard. So enjoy watching the Huskies face some entertaining challenges in November and December. They lost one of those tough games last week at Michigan, then made Iowa pay. Sarah Strong handed out most of the pain to the Hawkeyes, getting a career-high 39 points as well as 10 rebounds. UConn is on the road Thursday (Ohio State) and Sunday (Louisville) for two more good measuring stick games.
Last nine days: W 85-65 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov. 4), W 91-29 vs. Northern Colorado (Nov. 7)
These early games mostly have been about how the Longhorns look without three of their starters from last season’s Final Four team: Rori Harmon (drafted by WNBA), Jordan Lee (transferred to South Carolina) and Justice Carlton (transferred to Houston, but out with a knee injury). The verdict: Returning starters Madison Booker and Breya Cunningham will have big seasons, and the Longhorns’ freshman class could make a sizable impact.
1:08
Madison Booker records third career 30-point, 5-assist game for Texas
Last nine days: W 119-47 vs. Bellarmine (Nov. 2), W 87-35 vs. Stetson (Nov. 4), W 80-57 @ Southern Indiana (Nov. 8), W 71-35 vs. vs. Lindenwood (Nov. 10)
The Cardinals have a good mix of players who have been with Louisville multiple years such as Tajianna Roberts, Elif Istanbulluoglu and Imari Berry and transfers who are making an immediate impact such as Zamareya Jones, Amiya Joyner and Carys Baker. Louisville’s only test in November will be a big one when it hosts UConn on Sunday.
1:19
Lindenwood Lions vs. Louisville Cardinals: Game Highlights
Last nine days: W 76-60 vs. Green Bay (Nov. 3), W 78-56 @ Florida Atlantic (Nov. 8)
The Blue Devils beat traditional Horizon League power Green Bay, which is a good win. But then they had to scramble for their next game: Duke’s originally scheduled Nov. 8 game against North Texas in The Foundry Classic in San Antonio was cancelled, although neither school nor the event specified why. Still, Duke was able to get a game with FAU to fill in. The Blue Devils’ schedule gets much tougher at the end of the month, which starts with a three-week stretch against five teams currently in the top 10.
1:26
Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida Atlantic Owls: Game Highlights
Last nine days: W 112-53 vs. Lipscomb (Nov. 2), W 100-42 vs. Queens (Nov. 4), W 102-50 vs. Morehead State (Nov. 9)
The Commodores have hit the century mark against three overmatched foes, led by star Mikayla Blakes, who had a combined 76 points, 17 rebounds and 15 assists. Fellow guard Aubrey Galvan had a combined 47 points and 27 assists. Vanderbilt’s first test comes Sunday against Iowa.
0:16
Mikayla Blakes moves into 7th place on Vandy’s all-time scoring list
Last nine days: W 129-35 vs. SE Louisiana (Nov. 2), W 131-22 vs. Texas Southern (Nov. 5), W 100-43 vs. McNeese (Nov. 10)
LSU is known for devouring weaker competition in nonconference play, so none of the scores above are surprising. The Tigers will have interesting upcoming matchups — NC State, North Carolina and UConn — before SEC play. But there also will be more blowouts.
1:16
McNeese Cowgirls vs. LSU Tigers: Game Highlights
Last nine days: W 85-42 vs. Morehead State (Nov. 2), W 79-28 vs. Northern Kentucky (Nov. 5), W 93-78 vs. NC State at Charlotte, North Carolina (Nov. 8)
Ajsa Sivka can be a game changer for a Wildcats team that is already good. The 6-foot-5 Slovenian, who turns 21 later this month, is in her first season of college but has plenty of experience playing in Europe and was drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2025. Sivka had 32 points against the Wolfpack. Senior Clara Strack, another 6-5 player, is off to a strong start after averaging a double-double last season.
Last nine days: W 91-79 vs. North Carolina in Paris (Nov. 2), W 95-38 vs. Morgan State (Nov. 8), W 98-44 vs. San Jose State (Nov. 10)
The Sooners lost three starters from last season’s Sweet 16 team, but they are still talented. Even with second-year point guard Aaliyah Chavez out the past two games with an illness, Oklahoma scored in the 90s. The Sooners’ season-opening win against the Tar Heels at the Oui Play event in France was eye-opening, especially the performance of freshman LeeLee Bell, who had 25 points and eight rebounds.
4:32
Baranczyk details how Stewart’s ‘infectious personality’ lifts No. 14 OU
Last nine days: W 73-53 vs. Lehigh (Nov. 2), W 78-42 vs. UC Irvine (Nov. 5)
The defending national champions lost six players to the WNBA draft, but they feel good about the players they have back. Led by Sienna Betts, who had a combined 32 points to get UCLA started this season. Because they are so different from a year ago, these Bruins have a chance to develop their own identity.
Last nine days: W 73-45 vs. Towson (Nov. 2), W 80-39 vs. Eastern Illinois (Nov. 5), L 91-79 @ UConn (Nov. 8)
The Hawkeyes have had three different leading scorers, as transfers and freshmen adjust. Iowa had the misfortune of playing UConn after the Huskies lost to Michigan, and there was no stopping Sarah Strong. But Iowa has another chance against a ranked foe Sunday. The Hawkeyes face Vanderbilt in Sioux City, Iowa, at Tyson Events Center, which is across the state from their home in Iowa City.
Last nine days: L 91-79 vs. Oklahoma in Paris (Nov. 2), L 84-39 vs. South Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina (Nov. 8)
In the Power Rankings, we don’t necessarily punish teams for losses as much as what usually happens in the Associated Press poll. In this case, the fact that the Tar Heels opened the season with two very difficult opponents from the SEC works in their favor. UNC and its blue-chip freshman Kate Harpring should be able to pick up a couple of wins and some confidence against NC Central and Penn this week.
Last nine days: W 99-75 vs. Villanova in Rome (Nov. 1), W 123-40 vs. Stonehill (Nov. 6), W 108-60 vs. Detroit Mercy (Nov. 10)
The Irish got the college season started in Italy, and senior guard Hannah Hidalgo already looks in peak form. She compiled 82 points, 23 rebounds and 15 assists in the three victories. Transfers Madison St. Rose (Princeton) and Anaya Hardy (Louisville) look like key additions for Notre Dame.
1:17
Detroit Mercy Titans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Game Highlights
Last nine days: W 79-63 vs. UC San Diego (Nov. 2), W 75-54 vs. Pacific (Nov. 5)
Senior Sayvia Sellers got the season started with a triple-double (25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) against the Tritons. Sellers and fellow guard Avery Howell are the Huskies’ top returning scorers, but Washington also should have a good front line with returner Brynn McGaughy and transfer Tilda Trygger (NC State).
