AP Poll - November 18, 1981
Preseason poll of the 1981-1982 season; Louisiana Tech starts at No. 1.
| Rank | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Louisiana Tech | Independent |
| 2. | Tennessee | SEC |
| 3. | Old Dominion | Independent |
| 4. | South Carolina | Independent |
| 5. | USC | WCAA |
| 6. | Long Beach State | WCAA |
| 7. | Cheyney | Independent |
| 8. | UCLA | WCAA |
| 9. | NC State | ACC |
| 10. | Rutgers | AIAW Region 1B |
| 11. | Maryland | ACC |
| 12. | Georgia | SEC |
| 13. | Kentucky | SEC |
| 14. | Oregon | NWBL |
| 15. | Kansas | Independent |
| 16. | Clemson | ACC |
| 17. | Texas | AIAW Region 4 |
| 18. | Stephen F. Austin | Independent |
| 19. | Drake | MVC |
| 20. | Penn State | Independent |