The data combines the total audience from Nielsen Big Data + Panel with the teams’ followers on both Facebook and Instagram. ESPN saw a 19% increase in viewership across its networks during the regular season, while FOX posted its second-best season on record behind. Caitlin Clark’s senior campaign in 2023-24.
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Nielsen’s 10 most popular teams in men’s college basketball are different from the most-watched teams of the season. The most recent rankings still include the same networks: ABC, CBS, CNBC, The CW, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, ION, NBC, truTV, TNT and USA Network.
1.Iowa
One of the top brands in women’s college basketball tops Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Popular Teams list. Iowa saw her social media following skyrocket, especially as Caitlin Clark dominated during her time with the Hawkeyes, and the program is still in a great place with Jan Jensen in her second season as head coach.
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On Facebook and Instagram, Iowa has more than almost 570,000 followers, including 288,000 on Instagram alone. The Hawkeyes also played one of the most-watched games of the 2025-26 regular season when 1.03 million viewers tuned in for the Jimmy V Classic against Iowa State.
2. South Carolina
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All eyes were on South Carolina this women’s basketball season, as the Gamecocks played their three best games of the year. They are also ranked No. 2 on Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Popular Women’s College Basketball Teams this year.
South Carolina has approximately 473,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, putting the program nearly 100,000 behind Iowa. When it comes to television, three Gamecocks games surpassed 1 million viewers this year, led by the Feb. 14 matchup against L.S.U. on ABC.
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3. L.S.U.
Another great brand in women’s college basketball, L.S.U. He has more than 530,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. That helped the Tigers rank third in Nielsen’s Top 10 most popular teams in the sport during the regular season.
LSU’s loss to South Carolina It was the most watched game during the regular season as part of a packed Valentine’s Day schedule. The Tigers’ game against Texas February 5 was also a notable game with 817,000 viewers on ESPN.
4. Tennessee
Although it was a year of ups and downs for Kim Caldwell in Tennesseethe Lady Vols were still a big draw. Two of their games have surpassed one million viewers and they also have a large following on Facebook with 161,000 followers.
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The February 8 game between Tennessee and South Carolina It averaged 1.46 million viewers, the second most watched of the year, according to On3 data. As a result, the Lady Vols are ranked No. 4 on Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Popular Women’s College Basketball Teams.
5. Roof tiles
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One more time, Texas was a force throughout SEC play en route to a conference tournament championship. The Longhorns also attracted a lot of attention, both on social media and from a television ratings standpoint.
On Facebook and Instagram, Texas has more than 155,000 followers. However, on the court, the Longhorns played two of the five most-watched games of the year, led by a matchup against South Carolina on March 8, which averaged 1.40 million viewers.
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6. University of Connecticut
Just won another national title, University of Connecticut put together another dominant performance in the regular season. The Huskies went undefeated and won the Big East Tournament to become the No. 1 seed overall, and are ranked No. 6 on Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Popular Women’s College Basketball Teams.
UConn has more than 875,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, boosted by 600,000 on Instagram alone. The Huskies also played two of the most watched games of the year, led by a win over Tennessee which averaged 1.21 million viewers. Six of its regular season games were also on Peacock and therefore were not measured by Nielsen.
7. Notre Dame
It was not an easy start to the conference for Notre Dame this season, but the Fighting Irish got hot at the right time. Niele Ivey The group won seven of its last eight games heading into the conference tournament, where the Irish won two of three.
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On social media, Notre Dame has almost 200,000 total followers on Facebook and Instagram. The Fighting Irish also attracted a lot of attention on television, especially with the matchup against USC in November, which drew 639,000 viewers on ESPN.
8.Oklahoma
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Oklahoma It was another team that got hot before the NCAA Tournament. The Sooners reeled off seven straight wins before falling to L.S.U. in Greenville, and are ranked No. 8 on Nielsen’s most popular teams in women’s college basketball.
OU has more than 87,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, and their rivalry plays against Texas It was one of the most watched games of the year. An average of 1.102 million viewers tuned in to the Feb. 1 showdown on ABC.
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9. Iowa State
After a dominant start to the year, Iowa State struggled to start Big 12 play. However, the Cyclones got back on track and became the eighth seed in the NCAA Tournament with a 22-9 overall record.
ISU is also ranked No. 9 on Nielsen’s Top 10 Most Popular Women’s College Basketball Teams, which includes its more than 90,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram. CyHawk wins Iowa In December it was also the first game of the season that exceeded one million viewers.
10. Michigan
Rounding out the Top 10 most popular teams in women’s college basketball, Michigan became the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, led again by Olivia Olson. The Wolverines’ non-conference matchup against University of Connecticut It was also one of the most watched games of the season.
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An average of 967,000 viewers tuned in to FOX to watch the high-profile showdown. Michigan also has more than 105,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram, which helped the show make the Nielsen list.
Wednesday night marks the start of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament with the First Four. From there, the round of 16 will begin on Friday and Saturday.