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Women’s college basketball is nearly back.
Much was made of the parity in the women’s game last season. Expect more of the same this season.
UConn is the team to beat until proven otherwise. Luckily for opponents, Paige Bueckers is out of the picture this season as she moved on to wreaking havoc in the WNBA and — believe it or not — acting.
Then again, the Huskies have a ton of star power, including Sarah Strong, who many expect to be the best player in the country this season.
UCLA, Texas and South Carolina are all in the mix to contend for a championship. And who knows — maybe another team will force its way into the conversation.
With that in mind, here’s The Post’s preseason Top 25:
1. UConn
No Bueckers, no problem? We’ll see if that is the case. But the Huskies are the team to beat until proven otherwise. Their championship core — minus Bueckers — remains intact, with Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong and KK Arnold back. Strong is coming off a breakout freshman campaign and Geno Auriemma has touted that she’s even better this year. UConn also may have won the transfer portal by adding USC’s Kayleigh Heckel and Wisconsin’s Serah Williams.
2. UCLA
UCLA won the Big Ten Tournament title, was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and danced all the way to the Final Four before being blasted by eventual champion UConn. But the Bruins are stronger and perhaps even more determined than a year ago, with their eyes set on winning the program’s first national championship since the Bee Gees’ “Night Fever” topped the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Texas
Texas has its sights set on dethroning South Carolina as queens of the SEC. Madison Booker, the conference’s reigning player of the year, and Rori Harmon are back. The SEC is once again expected to be a gauntlet, but that doesn’t seem to faze Vic Schaefer and his squad.
4. South Carolina
South Carolina was ranked second in the Associated Press’ preseason Top 25 poll. But then Chloe Kitts was ruled out for the season after she tore the ACL in her right knee. Perhaps dropping last year’s runner-up to fourth is aggressive, especially considering it added Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson, the top player in the transfer portal, Joyce Edwards has a year of experience and Dawn Staley is the mastermind behind the operation.
5. LSU
LSU’s season ended in the Elite Eight at the hands of UCLA. But Kim Mulkey once again has a stacked team, headlined by Flau’jae Johnson, Mikaylah Williams and transfers MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina), Kate Koval (Notre Dame) and Amiya Joyner (East Carolina.)
6. Oklahoma
The Sooners boast the top incoming freshman in the country in point guard Aaliyah Chavez. She’s expected to be a Day 1 contributor in Oklahoma’s high-octane offense that’s also welcoming back last year’s leading scorer, Raegan Beers.
7. Duke
Kara Lawson had the Blue Devils a win short of making the Final Four in March. The return of last season’s leading scorers, Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson, has Duke as the favorite to win the ACC for the first time since 2013.
8. N.C. State
The Wolfpack added Vanderbilt transfer Khamil Pierre to help fill the voids left by Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers, who turned pro after last season. Pierre averaged 20.4 points and 9.6 rebounds last season.
9. Tennessee
Kim Caldwell dipped into the portal to add a trio of transfers, including reigning Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Janiah Barker. Tennessee also has the second-best freshman class, according to ESPN.
10. Maryland
The Terrapins are back in the national spotlight with a team blended of newcomers and returners. Bri McDaniel is coming back from a torn ACL. But she and Kaylene Smikle have the potential to be one of the most exciting backcourt tandems in the country.
11. North Carolina
UCLA transfer Elina Aarnisalo should be in the running to replace guard Lexi Donarski, who graduated after last season.
12. Ole Miss
Ole Miss reloaded its roster with eight new players. The name to know is Cotie McMahon, who averaged 15.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals for Ohio State last season.
13. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish took some transfer portal hits, but Hannah Hidalgo — one of the country’s most exciting point guards — stayed put.
14. TCU
TCU was a win away from reaching the Final Four in Mark Campbell’s second season. Let’s see what he has in store for Year 3.
15. Michigan
Sophomore guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords earned coaches preseason All-Big Ten team honors.
16. Iowa State
The Cyclones, anchored by Audi Crooks, were underwhelming last season. Might this year be different?
17. USC
It’s a bummer we won’t see JuJu Watkins this season. But even with her sidelined and Kiki Iriafen in the WNBA, there’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic about USC this season.
18. Louisville
Cardinals newcomer Laura Ziegler was a top-15 rebounder last season, averaging 10.4 boards per game with St. Joseph’s. Louisville opens the season against UConn.
19. Baylor
Keep an eye on Auburn transfer Taliah Scott, who might just be the Big 12’s breakout player of the year.
20. Kentucky
Georgia Amoore, now in the WNBA, was a huge loss. Expect Georgia Tech transfer Tonie Morgan to get the keys to the Wildcats’ offense.
21. Oklahoma State
The Cowgirls turned heads in the Big 12 last season. Will they do it again?
22. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt welcomed back its leading scorer and reigning SEC Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes, who averaged 23.3 points last season.
23. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have only an 11-player roster, headlined by sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge, who posted 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season.
24. Kansas State
There’s been a lot of turnover from last season’s Sweet 16 team. The name you might recognize is sharpshooter Jaelyn Glenn, who posted the eighth-best turnovers/assist ratio (2.97) last season.
25. Richmond
Richmond has picked up steam over the past two seasons, which were the program’s best campaigns to date. The Spiders are a mid-major poised to make noise.
Kenney’s predictions
Final Four
UConn, UCLA, Texas and Duke
National champion
UCLA
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