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Defending champion UConn picked up where it left off as the No. 1 team in the country in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason women's basketball poll released Tuesday.

The No. 1 pick in the draft by the Dallas Wings had lost the first four games as a pro and couldn't remember a longer losing streak in her storied basketball career. She wouldn't let it get to five.

The former UConn star will play in the state of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø for the first time since helping the Huskies win the school’s 12th national championship nearly two months ago.

As the presumptive No. 1 pick in Monday's WNBA draft, Bueckers’ deal will be worth just over $78,000 in base salary. Talks between the league and players union are ongoing about a deal when the current collective bargaining agreement expires next season.

UConn is back on top of women’s basketball, winning its 12th national championship by routing defending champion South Carolina 82-59 on Sunday behind Azzi Fudd’s 24 points.

That pressure can come from high expectations, social media attention, sports bettors, the transfer portal or the grueling solitude when rehabbing from an injury.

Paige Bueckers is in a class by herself in the Big East, becoming the first player to win the most outstanding player of the conference tournament three times.

Bueckers is the third player in conference history to win the award three times, also claiming the honor as a freshman and last season.

The WNBA's career scoring leader and a three-time league champion, Taurasi announced her retirement on Tuesday in an interview with Time magazine. The Phoenix Mercury — the only WNBA team she played for — also confirmed her decision.