As the WNBA season concluded, fans like myself are looking for more basketball to watch. If basketball is something that you’re interested in, I would start watching this upcoming Women’s NCAA Basketball season! Here is a brief rundown of important players, teams, and games to look out for this season.
Players:
Paige Bueckers
Whether you have heard of her name or seen the numerous Tiktok edits of her, Paige Bueckers is coming for vengeance in her 5th and final season of collegiate basketball. After battling two knee injuries in her Sophomore and Junior seasons, she came back as better than ever. She averaged a career-best 21.9 points and made over 53% of her shots. She was also one of 7 players in the nation to average 2+ steals and 1+ blocks per contest. The expectations for her and the UConn Huskies are high, but she seems willing to take on the challenge!
Juju Watkins
The reigning national freshman of the year is expected to have a monster sophomore campaign. Watkins was 2nd in the nation in scoring, averaging a whopping 27.1 points per game, and broke the freshman single-season scoring record, putting up 920 points. The University of Southern California looks to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season, and they will not be able to do it without the efforts of Watkins.
Teams
South Carolina
The reigning national champions in South Carolina have returned all but one player on their roster, and are expected to repeat as collegiate basketball champs. They have experience in players like Raven Johnson (the best perimeter defender in women’s basketball) and Tehina Paopao (3rd in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage). They also bring in the #2 recruit in the nation, Joyce Edwards, as well as key transfer Maryam Dauda. The Gamecocks hope to extend their undefeated streak and dominate in the Southeastern Conference.
Notre Dame
After being riddled with injuries last season, Notre Dame has filled the holes in their roster. They return one of the best freshmen in Hannah Hidalgo (22 points per game & 5 steals per game), and Sonia Citron (17.3 points and 35% from the three-point line). The Fighting Irish hope to finish first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a great chance of doing so. They returned point guard Olivia Miles (averaged 7 assists), who had been sidelined with an ACL tear. and got key transfers in Liza Karlen (Marquette) and Liatu King (Pittsburgh). Notre Dame is not a team to underestimate!
Games:
UConn vs. South Carolina: 2/16/2025 at 1:00 p.m. on ABC
Texas vs. Notre Dame: 12/5/2024 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN
UCLA vs USC: 2/13/2025 at 10:00 p.m. on Peacock
Duke vs NC State: 2/3/2025 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2
LSU vs. South Carolina: 1/23/2025 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN
Iowa State vs UConn: 12/17/24 at 8:30 p.m. on FS1
As this article concludes, I hope you as the reader took one thing away; this upcoming college basketball season is one you won’t want to miss!
