Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks decisively sealed an undefeated season in the NCAA women’s championship on Sunday. It’s no surprise that they’re the 2025 favorites to win it all again, with odds of +150 at BetMGM. With only one player confirmed as a starter so far — Kamilla Cardoso declared for the WNBA draft — Staley’s third championship could usher in the era of a true dynasty. (Counterpoint: With a win in 2022 after another undefeated regular season, they’re already one.)
Behind the Gamecocks, the odds favor Texas (+325) and UConn (+475). Both teams are expected to bring back key starters for the 2024-25 season. Notre Dame +700, USC +1000 and UCLA +1200 round out the top tier of favorites before the odds start to clear up with NC State at +2200 and LSU at +3000.
All of the top five teams have shorter odds than the favorite in the men’s tournament, reflecting the persistent gap in parity between the two.
But a change is coming for next year’s women’s tournament. Conference realignment will alter rivalries and create new challenges for dominant teams – with USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington joining the Big Ten; Oklahoma and Texas join South Carolina in the SEC; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah join the Big 12; Oregon State and Washington State to the COE; and Stanford, Cal and SMU join the ACC with Notre Dame and NC State.
In the top tier of favorites – South Carolina, Texas, UConn, Notre Dame, USC and UCLA – there isn’t much change in the air for the offseason yet.
Texas should return Madison Booker and Rori Harmon to what could be the best backcourt in the country, with Aaliyah Moore and DeYona Gaston up front, plus two top-10 recruits, Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee, added to the roster. list.
UConn, of course, will have Paige Bueckers again, although it will no longer have the stellar support of Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl. If the Huskies can avoid injuries, they have a solid team with Azzi Fudd, Aubrey Griffin and Caroline Ducharme and top recruit Sarah Strong.
Notre Dame, USC and UCLA all return the bulk of their young rosters, with JuJu Watkins for USC, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles for Notre Dame, and sophomores Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Londynn Jones and many others leading UCLA into the upcoming season.
The biggest change in this year’s opening odds compared to last year is the absence of Iowa at the top. With the departure of Caitlin Clark and two other key starters, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, the Hawkeyes are entering a key transition period during the offseason.
LSU is another team whose odds have dropped from last year, but they are still in contention with +3000 odds behind NC State. Kim Mulkey and the Tigers will say goodbye to Angel Reese (WNBA Draft) and Hailey Van Lith (transfer portal). But the move might just allow stars like Flau’jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams and Aneesah Morrow to shine.
Expectations aside, one thing is certain in women’s college basketball: the future looks bright.
2025 Women’s College Basketball National Title Odds
(Dawn Staley Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)