Big East women's basketball preview: Power rankings

The women’s college basketball season is now less than one month away, which means it’s time to start diving into some preseason coverage. The Big East will be the third league we break down at On3, with others to come in the following weeks.

While there are plenty of new pieces and unknowns for several Big East teams, let’s break down On3’s preseason power rankings.

Title contenders

1. UConn

Even after losing Paige Bueckers to the WNBA, UConn once again enters this season as the team to beat in the Big East – and the nation, for that matter. The Huskies return a loaded core headlined by Sarah Strong, the reigning Big East Freshman of the Year who averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while proving she can score from anywhere on the floor. She’ll be joined by a healthy Azzi Fudd, one of the nation’s most efficient perimeter shooters, as the core of this team. They also bring back several players who have been sidelined by injury over the past few seasons, including Caroline Ducharme and Morgan Cheli. 

The frontcourt gets a massive boost with Serah Williams, the Wisconsin transfer who averaged 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds and will make an impact immediately. They also added USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel to the mix. Returning guard KK Arnold is a player whose growth and role will be worth monitoring as well. 

With Fudd healthy, Strong emerging into a star, and Williams boosting the post play, UConn once again has the personnel to contend nationally. 

X-FACTOR: Serah Williams

NCAA Tournament teams

2. Marquette

Marquette looks poised to stay near the top of the Big East after returning nearly its entire core from a 21-win season. The Golden Eagles are led by one of the league’s most underrated duos in Lee Volker (12.6 PPG, 42% from three) and Skylar Forbes (15.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG), who give head coach Cara Consuegra consistent production inside and out. Add in Halle Vice (11.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG) and Marquette brings back experience, size, and shooting that few teams in the conference can match.

Depth is another strength. Jaidynn Mason and Olivia Porter both provide veteran guard play, while Butler transfer Jordan Meulemans adds more perimeter scoring after averaging 8.1 points per game and shooting 42 percent from deep.

X-FACTOR: Skylar Forbes

Bubble teams

3. Seton Hall

Seton Hall quietly put together one of the most underrated offseasons in the Big East. The Pirates return two major contributors in Jada Eads (13.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG) and Savannah Catalon (13.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG). That backcourt foundation gives head coach Tony Bozzella plenty to build around, and the additions from the portal should only make this group more balanced.

Florida State transfer Mariana Valenzuela brings valuable Power Five experience at the forward position, while Jordana Codio from Texas adds length and veteran experience. Cam Rust from Penn State deepens the options with another young forward. 

If Seton Hall’s newcomers settle in quickly, the Pirates could make a legitimate push for the NCAA Tournament. They’ve got scoring, toughness and energy. 

X-FACTOR: Jada Eads

4. Villanova

Villanova enters the season with optimism after revamping its roster around star guard Jasmine Bascoe, who had a phenomenal freshman season averaging 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. She’ll once again be a focal point of Denise Dillon’s offense.

Around her, the Wildcats add critical frontcourt size and experience in Kylee Watson from Notre Dame, a 6-4 forward who brings plenty of winning experience, and add Kelsey Joens from Iowa State, a very capable perimeter scorer. 

Ryanne Allen provides another offensive threat, while a talented freshman group could push for early minutes. With Bascoe’s return and newcomers that adds size and versatility, Villanova looks capable of climbing back into NCAA Tournament contention.

X-FACTOR: Kylee Watson

The rest

5. Georgetown

Georgetown has completely reshaped its roster under coach Darnell Haney, mixing returning veterans with one of the most intriguing transfer classes in the Big East. The Hoyas bring back Victoria Rivera (10.5 PPG) and Khadee Hession (8.1 PPG, 37% 3PT), while adding several players from the portal. 

Brianna Scott returns healthy after averaging 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds two years ago, and her presence inside should add plenty of value. Around her, Laila Jewett from UCF adds perimeter shooting and experience and Cristen Carter from Butler gives the Hoyas size and rim protection. Twin transfers Indya and Summer Davis from Georgia add even more guard depth, rounding out a rotation that’s versatile.

Georgetown may take some time to build chemistry, but the talent and experience are there to make some noise in the middle of the conference. If the new pieces mesh quickly, this team could surprise and move toward the postseason picture.

6. Creighton

Creighton enters the season with plenty of uncertainty but intriguing upside. Returners Kennedy Townsend (5.8 PPG) and Kiani Lockett (6.1 PPG) bring experience in the backcourt, but the Bluejays return no other significant contributors. 

They added just one player from the transfer portal: Northern Iowa’s Grace Boffeli. The 6-1 senior averaged 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds before missing most of last season. The majority of this Creighton roster, though, consists of highly-ranked freshmen. They’ll have to contribute from the jump, but if they transition quickly to the college ranks, the ceiling is certainly higher.

X-FACTOR: Grace Boffeli

7. Butler

Butler may be one of the most transformed teams in the Big East heading into the new season. The Bulldogs overhauled nearly their entire roster, landing an impressive mix of experienced transfers.

Twins Nevaeh and Saniya Jackson from Valparaiso will instantly boost the Bulldogs’ defensive presence, while ASU transfer Mallory Miller gives Butler a strong post presence to rely on. They also return two contributors from last year in Lily Zeinstra and Lilly Stoddard, who will be expected to see increased responsibility this year. 

The two freshmen, Anna Wypych and Addison Baxter, are also worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses. If this team can stay healthy, they could very well land in the top-half of the conference. 

X-FACTOR: Mallory Miller

8. St. John’s

St. John’s reloaded through the transfer portal this offseason, adding depth and experience alongside their returners. The Red Storm brought in Sa’Mya Wyatt from Austin Peay, who averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds, along with Shaulana Wagner from Troy, a triple-double threat who averaged nine points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. They also brought in Miami’s Daniela Abies, who excelled at Wichita State but suffered a season-ending injury just eight games into her lone season with the Canes. 

The returning group includes veterans Skye Owen (7.7 PPG, 38% from three) and Kylie Lavelle (7.7 PPG), who give St. John’s capable scoring threats.

X-FACTOR: Skye Owen

9. DePaul

A new era begins at DePaul as longtime head coach Doug Bruno retires after nearly four decades with the Blue Demons, handing the program over to associate head coach Jill Pizzotti. Kate Clarke (11.9 PPG, 36% 3PT) is the team’s top returning scorer, and Meg Newman (7.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG) anchors the paint with experience. 

Pizzotti and her staff hit the portal, landing Kate Novik (Morehead State), a playmaker who averaged 13.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, alongside Aizhanique Mayo from Xavier and a few others. 

X-FACTOR: Kate Clarke

10. Providence

Providence enters the season with an overhauled roster after an aggressive offseason in the transfer portal. While they lost plenty, the Friars added multiple double-double threats in FDU’s Teneisia Brown (15.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG) and George Mason’s Nalani Kaysia (7.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG). 

Louisville transfer Eseosa Imafidon (6-5) adds rim protection and, along with Virginia transfer Peyton Dunbar, P5 experience. If Imafidon takes on a bigger role, her size will rival anyone in the conference. The challenge here is that there are so many unknowns on how their new talent will transition to bigger roles in the Big East.

X-FACTOR: Teneisia Brown

11. Xavier

Xavier enters the season looking to turn a corner after a difficult stretch, and there’s some reason for optimism with a more experienced roster. The Musketeers return Meri Kanerva (11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG), who emerged as their leading scorer last season as a freshman, and now have a deeper supporting cast around her. The biggest additions come from the transfer portal, where head coach Billi Chambers added a mix of P5 experience and length across positions.

Audia Young from Auburn and Mariyah Noel from Ole Miss strengthen the backcourt, while Mya Moore from Cleveland State and Savannah White from Indiana State bring size to the frontcourt.

X-FACTOR: Meri Kanerva