Why UConn opens at No. 1

One of the most tumultuous offseasons in terms of coaching changes and player movement is behind us. And the start of the 2021-22 women’s college basketball season is less than two weeks away.

The coaching carousel and transfers have had a significant impact on these rankings. However, our top three teams from April’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, and three of the four teams in the 2021 Final Four, remain on top: UConn, South Carolina and defending champion Stanford. The Huskies and Gamecocks each have all five starters back and added significant talent, which is why they lead the way. Their matchup in Columbia, South Carolina, on Jan. 27 will be the one of the most anticipated games of the season — and they could meet next month if both teams reach the final of the inaugural women’s Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.

Thanks to an influx of new players, Arizona — the fourth Final Four participant last spring — jumped back into the rankings after missing the cut in April, giving the Pac-12 five teams in the top 25.

The Big Ten also has five, and four of those teams landed in our top 10 (and reached the Sweet 16 a year ago), perhaps making the Big Ten the most intriguing conference race in the country.

The ACC led the way with six teams in these rankings. The season opens Nov. 9.

1. UConn Huskies

Geno Auriemma has already talked this preseason about how it’s going to be tough getting everyone on his deep roster enough minutes to keep them happy. That’s generally a good problem to have, but he has a point. The Huskies are loaded. If the freshmen live up to billing, this might be the deepest team Auriemma has ever had. Paige Bueckers (20.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.8 APG), who won the majority of national player of the year awards last season, won’t have to worry about playing time, but even senior guards Christyn Williams (16.3 PPG) and Evina Westbrook (9.4…