After Sunday’s Gamecock victory, News-Gazette AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey has the Huskies atop his way-too-early ballot for 2017-18:
1. UConn
The Huskies lose just one starter, return three All-Americans and add the No. 2 recruiting class stocked with four five-star prospects. Cue Geno Auriemma’s next 100-game winning streak.
2. South Carolina
One more season of All-American A’ja Wilson anchoring the defending champion Gamecocks’ lineup all but guarantees Dawn Staley will have one of the best teams in the country again.
3. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish have to find a new point guard with Lindsay Allen’s graduation, but returning six of their top seven scorers, including All-American Brianna Turner, bodes well in South Bend.