All articles tagged with #womens college basketball
UConn women's basketball team is on track for an undefeated season, with a strong 10-0 start and key players like Azzi Fudd leading the charge. The team is poised for a historic run, potentially facing Texas in a collision course for an undefeated season, amidst a year of parity in women's college basketball.
Hannah Hidalgo set an NCAA record with 16 steals and scored 44 points in Notre Dame's win over Akron, leading to a dominant performance that included a school record and a significant impact on the game.
The article highlights five key storylines for the opening day of women's college basketball, including Ole Miss's new transfer-heavy team, high-profile international games in Paris featuring Baylor vs. Duke and Vanderbilt vs. Cal, the debut of highly-touted freshman Aaliyah Chavez, Kiyomi McMiller's transfer to Penn State, and Molly Miller's first game coaching Arizona State.
The AP Top 25 preseason poll for women's college basketball 2025-26 season has been revealed, with UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and LSU ranked as the top five teams, reflecting expectations based on returning players, transfers, and coaching. The season begins on November 3rd, with teams adjusting to roster changes and new talent.
The article previews the upcoming 2025-26 women's college basketball season, highlighting top teams like UConn and South Carolina, key players, transfers, and potential storylines, with predictions including UConn's possible undefeated run and SEC dominance in the Final Four.
UConn coach Geno Auriemma expresses strong disapproval of a potential one-and-done rule in women's college basketball, stating that it could "ruin the game" and lead to a transactional approach similar to men's basketball. He emphasizes the value of players staying in college to grow the women's game and opposes the idea of players leaving after their freshman year. Auriemma's comments come amid discussions about when college players should be allowed to go pro, with current WNBA rules allowing players to be drafted after graduating or turning 22.
Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking face of women's college basketball, was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft. The Los Angeles Sparks chose Stanford's Cameron Brink at No. 2, and Chicago selected South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3. Clark, a prolific scorer, is set to join forces with last year's No. 1 overall pick, Aliyah Boston, in an effort to change the trajectory of the Fever, who haven't made the playoffs since 2016.
The South Carolina Gamecocks celebrated their NCAA championship with a victory parade in Columbia, where coach Dawn Staley rode in a Rolls-Royce Dawn and was presented with a wrestling belt by the mayor. The parade featured a float with tombstones representing the teams they defeated, and players expressed unity and gratitude to fans. Staley spoke about the team's "uncommon favor" and the emotional journey to winning the title, emphasizing the extraordinary love and support from the fans.
Iowa retires Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey, immortalizing her in the school's history after a record-breaking college basketball career. Clark, named the National Player of the Year, led in points and assists per game, drawing monumental viewership gains for women's college basketball. Her final season saw 30 sold-out or record-setting games, with the Iowa-South Carolina national championship game drawing a record 18.9 million viewers. This makes Clark the third Iowa women's basketball player to have her jersey retired, joining Michelle Edwards and Megan Gustafson.
South Carolina Gamecocks top CBS Sports' way-too-early women's college basketball power rankings with a deep roster and strong recruiting class, while UConn Huskies and NC State Wolfpack also feature prominently. Iowa Hawkeyes, without Caitlin Clark, plummet in the rankings, but are banking on potential from younger players and a strong recruiting class to stay in the top 25.
The NCAA tournament national title game between South Carolina and Iowa shattered the ratings record for a women’s college basketball game, averaging 18.7 million viewers and peaking at 24 million. South Carolina's victory marked their third national title under head coach Dawn Staley, and the game was the most-watched basketball game since 2019. Iowa's Caitlin Clark played a significant role in attracting viewers, with the game drawing 89% more viewers than last year's edition and 285% more than in 2022.
South Carolina's win over Iowa in the women's college basketball national championship game drew a record 18.7 million viewers, marking the most-watched basketball game (men's or women's, college or pro) since 2019. The interest in Caitlin Clark's journey and the sport at large resulted in unprecedented viewership numbers throughout the tournament, with Iowa's games consistently drawing millions of viewers. The significant increase in viewership is seen as an inflection point for women's college basketball, with potential for continued growth and increased investment from major sports networks.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley earned $680,000 in bonuses after her team's NCAA championship win, reaching the maximum bonus under her contract. Other head coaches, including Iowa's Lisa Bluder, UConn's Geno Auriemma, and NC State's Wes Moore, also received significant bonuses for their teams' performances in the women's college basketball season.
Caitlin Clark's impact on women's college basketball will be felt long after her departure, as she leaves behind a legacy of transforming the sport and creating a surge in popularity. With her departure to the WNBA, the challenge now is to sustain this momentum and interest in women's basketball, with hopes of building on the newfound popularity and creating lasting rivalries and narratives in the WNBA. The recent surge in viewership and interest in women's college basketball, fueled by stars like Clark, presents an opportunity to propel the sport forward and create a sustained momentum.
South Carolina's victory over Iowa in the women's college basketball national championship set sports-betting records, with multiple sportsbooks reporting it as their most bet-on female sports event. The game attracted double the money bet compared to the previous record, largely due to the highly anticipated matchup and the presence of two-time AP Player of the Year Caitlin Clark, who is expected to be the No. 1 selection of the WNBA draft.