Paige Bueckers and UConn miss out as Dawn Staley's South Carolina take no.1 spot in 2024-25 AP Top 25 Poll

Despite much anticipation for Paige Bueckers' final college season, the UConn Huskies came second in the AP Preseason Top 25 Poll. South Carolina took the top spot as it is favored to win the NCAA championship again. Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley has retained most of her players from last season, only losing Kamilla Cardoso to the WNBA.

On Tuesday, Staley talked about the Gamecocks' ranking and shared that this only pushes the team to work even harder.

"We knew we'd have a target on our backs this season as the reigning champions and this preseason ranking just confirms that," Staley said, via the Associated Press. "We appreciate the recognition, but I know our coaching staff and our team are more focused on what we see in the gym every day. And that's every player working extremely hard to get better individually and as a team."

Although in second place, the UConn Huskies are entering the season with heavy expectations after last year's Final Four run. Sportswriter Erica Ayala joined CBS Sports on Wednesday where she discussed their outlook as they are set to play in their 40th season with Huskies coach Geno Auriemma in charge.

Well, everyone's looking to see if this is the year that UConn can stay healthy," Ayala said (timestamp 2:27). "Specifically, looking at Bueckers, as well as Azzi Fudd. I got to speak with Azzi a at a conference in New York City at the top of the summer, and I can tell you that, Azzi and from what it sounds like, Paige Bueckers as well, they're tire of talking about the narratives of injury."

"They are tired of trying to kind of talk up how good UConn is going to be. They are all about business, you know. They are all about acts and not just the words. And so I'm really curious to see what this UConn team can do."

UConn Huskies fans will have to wait for a fully healthy roster

The UConn Huskies were hampered by injuries during their run to the Final Four as Azzi Fudd, Ashley Griffin and Caroline Ducharme were sidelined early into the season. Paige Bueckers, along with Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl, took charge in leading the Huskies to victories.

UConn fans will need to wait longer before they see their team back at full strength. Auriemma revealed that Fudd, Griffin and Ducharme are still recovering from their injuries and that it will take some time before they return to the court.