South Carolina Gamecocks named top favorites for 2026 women's title
South Carolina and UConn lead the odds for the national championship, while USC returns star JuJu Watkins to its roster.
By Yuki Melnyk ·
The South Carolina Gamecocks are the top favorite to win the 2026-27 NCAA women's basketball national championship, according to sportsbooks. They hold odds of +250 at BetMGM, placing them ahead of all other teams in the field.
The season begins at noon on Sunday in Rome. The AP preseason poll ranks South Carolina in the top spot, followed by the Connecticut Huskies. UCLA, the defending champion, sits just outside the top 10 in that poll.
South Carolina has appeared in the title game four times since 2022 and won two of those matches. UConn has reached the final twice and won the championship two seasons ago, defeating South Carolina in that game. Both programs retained their key players for the new season. Joyce Edwards returns for the Gamecocks, and Sarah Strong is back for the Huskies.
A major shift occurs in Los Angeles with the return of JuJu Watkins to the USC roster. Last season, with Watkins sidelined, USC advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman guard Jazzy Davidson led that effort. The Trojans now possess the third-best odds to win the title. They also added Saniyah Hall, the top-ranked high school recruit, to their lineup.
Texas is the only other team with odds inside 10/1. The Longhorns reached the final four last season, coming closest to upsetting UCLA. They return Madison Booker, an All-American who is coming off her best college season.
The remaining teams in the top 10 of the odds board face stiff competition from South Carolina and UConn. UConn posted many large-margin victories last season. South Carolina typically enters the tournament after a grueling SEC schedule. Dawn Staley, the South Carolina head coach, has led her teams to consistent success on both ends of the floor.
The matchup between South Carolina and UConn will likely define the depth of the tournament. South Carolina's experience in high-pressure environments may provide an advantage. The betting market reflects this confidence in the Gamecocks' ability to maintain their dominance.
Source: New York Post
