South Carolina was viewed as a second-tier contender, not one of the clear favorites, entering last season. Oddsmakers aren't doubting the Gamecocks this season.

South Carolina tips off as the clear-cut favorite to win the women's college basketball national championship, listed at +175 at ESPN BET, ahead of UConn and USC (both +415).

The Gamecocks began last season around 15-1 to win the national championship but quickly emerged as the team to beat. They capped an undefeated season with a convincing win over Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the championship game, taking their second national title in the past three years.

South Carolina returns four starters and 87% of the minutes played from last season and is riding a 38-game win streak, the third longest in SEC history.

The Gamecocks account for more than 25% of the money that has been wagered on ESPN BET's odds to win the national championship. But there's also plenty of support for UConn and USC, which feature the top two candidates to win the Wooden Award in Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins. UConn has attracted the most bets, while USC has the most money at Caesars Sportsbook.

Bueckers is the favorite at +140 to win the Wooden Award at ESPN BET, with Watkins right behind at +155.

Notre Dame (+600) and Texas (+850) round out the teams with national title odds shorter than 10-1 at ESPN BET.