According to FanDuel and ESPN, the South Carolina Gamecocks are the early betting favorite to win the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, and for good reason. The Lady Gamecocks may have lost some key starters from last season, but Dawn Staley has reloaded the roster with transfers, freshmen, and the return of some of the elite contributors from the Final Four squad. Staley's ability to blend talent and culture within the program is once again being put to the test, but all the signs point toward another dominant season in Columbia.
Elite Additions and Remaining Questions
The biggest additions to the roster include transfer guard Ta'Niya Latson, the nation's leading scorer last year, and Madina Okot, a double-double threat from Mississippi State.