WATCH: South Carolina’s Raven Johnson ranks UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd as the No. 1 backcourt in college basketball
Two-time NCAA champion Raven Johnson ranks UConn's Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd as the best backcourt in women's college basketball. Appearing on the "Sometimes I Hoop" podcast with Atlanta Dream guard Haley Jones, Johnson was asked about the best point guard and shooting guard in the Women's division, excluding South Carolina's backcourt duo.
Johnson quickly put the Huskies duo at the top. Sophomore KK Arnold was also given a shoutout as another backcourt partner of Bueckers, who currently starts as Fudd recovers from an ACL injury.
NC State Saniya Rivers and Aziyah James were placed in the No. 2 spot while Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame took third. Baylor's Jada Walker and Sarah Andrews were put in fourth, as Johnson reasons out that they are good but she has not sat down and watched them.
Johnson regretted not putting Texas duo Rori Harmon and Madison Booker higher on the list, but she acknowledged that they are a good duo.
The Huskies are 1-0 after securing an 86-32 win over Boston University in their opening game. Meanwhile, NC State won 80-55 over East Tennessee State while Notre Dame secured a 105-61 win over Mercyhurst. Baylor delivered an 85-33 win over Incarnate Word while Texas plays Southeast Missouri State in its season opener on Sunday.
South Carolina is considered the best team in the NCAA women's college basketball rankings
The South Carolina Gamecocks remain the best team in women's college basketball. Under coach Dawn Staley, they aim to build from their undefeated national championship season and continue their 38-game winning streak.
Despite the departure of Brazilian center Kamilla Cardoso, who was drafted third overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, and the transfer of Sahnya Jah to Arizona, South Carolina has continued to build.
The Gamecocks recruited Joyce Edwards, Madisen McDaniel and Adhel Tac, who are among the top 28 recruits of the 2024 class. They also have an incoming transferee in Maryam Dauda, a junior from Arkansas.
In the new campaign, the Gamecocks are off to a good start, securing a 68-62 win against No. 9 Michigan to open the season. Chloe Kitts rose to the occasion for the garnet and black, tallying 19 points and 14 rebounds. Bench sparkplug Joyce Edwards was the second-highest scorer with 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
The Gamecocks are atop the NCAA women's college basketball rankings and will look to remain there all season. South Carolina has a three-game schedule between now and the end of next week, facing NC State (Sunday), Coppin State (Thursday), and East Carolina (November 17).