2026 women's college basketball season starts with JuJu buzz and bracket shake-up

The 2026 women's college basketball season is 100 days from launch, and ESPN’s early read has the sport walking into a deliciously messy title chase: JuJu Watkins is expected back at USC, UCLA is defending a championship with a remade roster, and the NCAA tournament is getting bigger.

ESPN writers Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland and Michael Voepel laid out the key teams, players and questions in a July 27 season preview, with South Carolina framed as a likely national title favorite after reaching the championship stage last season.

The Gamecocks’ case starts in the paint. Voepel cited Joyce Edwards, who averaged 19.2 points as a sophomore, 6-foot-7 Alicia Tournebize, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, with Kitts and Watkins expected back after missing last season with knee injuries. South Carolina also added top post recruit Oliviyah Edwards.

There is one notable backcourt development. ESPN reported that junior guard Maddy McDaniel recently said she is stepping away from basketball for an indefinite period to focus on her mental health. The Gamecocks still return Tessa Johnson and added Jordan Lee from Texas after losing Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson to the WNBA.

What changes in the 2027 NCAA women's tournament?

The women’s and men’s NCAA tournaments will both grow from 68 to 76 teams this season, according to ESPN. The women’s event will keep opening-round games at home sites before moving to two regionals, scheduled for Philadelphia and Las Vegas, with the Final Four set for Columbus, Ohio.

ESPN also reported a seeding change: the top 16 teams will be placed into the bracket without regard to conference affiliation. That means major conference opponents could meet earlier than in past tournaments, a bigger possibility after realignment packed more power teams into leagues such as the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC.

Can JuJu Watkins return to player-of-the-year form?

Watkins has not played a college game since March 24, 2025, when she suffered a knee injury during the second round of the NCAA tournament, ESPN noted. In that season, she was the consensus national player of the year after averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

USC went 18-14 without Watkins last season and lost to South Carolina in the NCAA second round. ESPN pointed to positive comments from Watkins and coach Lindsay Gottlieb during USC’s summer practice as reason to watch for a strong return.

The Trojans are not just waiting on Watkins. ESPN listed USC among the contenders, with sophomore Jazzy Davidson, junior Kennedy Smith, international five-star recruits Sitaya Fagan and Sara Okeke, and incoming 6-foot freshman Saniyah Hall part of the picture.

Who else is chasing the title?

UConn remains squarely in the hunt, though ESPN noted the Huskies lost Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, and center Serah Williams. Sarah Strong, who helped UConn win the 2025 title and reach last season’s Final Four, is central to the Huskies’ hopes, though she said in mid-June that Achilles soreness had been bothering her since the previous summer.

UCLA has the crown, but ESPN said the Bruins lost their top six scorers from the title team, all of whom were drafted into the WNBA. The program added transfers and will look for more from Sienna Betts and Timea Gardiner.

Texas is also back in the conversation behind senior Madison Booker after consecutive national semifinal appearances. ESPN noted the Longhorns lost point guard Rori Harmon to the WNBA, along with three transfers.

Other teams highlighted by ESPN include Duke, Michigan, Iowa and Louisville. Duke is watching the health and impact of Emilee Skinner, Michigan is chasing its first Final Four, Iowa has reshaped around high-rated recruit McKenna Woliczko, and Louisville brings back all five starters plus ACC Sixth Player of the Year Imari Berry.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.