Women’s College Basketball: Upsets, Performances, and a Wide-Open Title Race
February is often a month of anticipation in the world of women’s college basketball, with the promise of March Madness looming just around the corner. This past week, the sport delivered a series of upsets and shake-ups that have left fans buzzing. From big-time individual performances to surprising results in top-10 matchups, the landscape of women’s college basketball is as dynamic as ever.
In just four days, the USC Trojans pulled off a stunning upset against the previously unbeaten UCLA Bruins. Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies routed the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena, no less. The Texas Longhorns rallied at home to beat the LSU Tigers. The Bruins, without their star Lauren Betts due to a foot injury, had to battle to the end to hold off the Michigan State Spartans to avoid a second straight loss.
One of the standout performances came from JuJu Watkins of USC, a national player of the year contender, who dazzled with 38 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 5 assists in the win over No. 1 UCLA. Madison Booker has been on fire for Texas, averaging 21.5 points over her past six games. Azzi Fudd of UConn hit six 3-pointers and scored 28 points, helping the Huskies end the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak.
Texas ended an impressive eight-day stretch by defeating three top-10 teams in a row, including South Carolina on February 9. This performance has positioned them as strong contenders for the regular-season title in their first season in the SEC. Despite a 67-50 loss at South Carolina on January 12, Texas’ 10 victories since, six of which were against ranked teams, have silenced many doubters.
Meanwhile, No. 2 Notre Dame, unbeaten in the ACC, is looking for its 18th consecutive win as it faces No. 13 Duke on Monday.
With Selection Sunday less than a month away, ESPN’s Michael Voepel, Charlie Creme, and Alexa Philippou have reexamined the state of the national title race following this recent slate of games.
The National Championship Race is Wide Open
Philippou: The past four days have shown just how open March and April are going to be, at least among the top teams. Before last Sunday, I considered UCLA, South Carolina, and Notre Dame the top three teams in the country, with one of them most likely to cut down the nets in Tampa. But the Bruins and Gamecocks looked mortal over the past eight days, with UCLA suffering its first loss of the season and South Carolina dropping two of three games for the first time since 2019.
USC’s victory over a No. 1-ranked opponent for the first time since 1983 has reaffirmed its place in the title conversation, especially if Watkins continues her stellar performances. UConn’s stunning upset in Columbia on Sunday showed that the Huskies are capable of beating anyone.
However, no team has had a better stretch than Texas. The Longhorns have defeated three consecutive ranked opponents, including South Carolina and LSU, and are proving to be as dangerous as any team.
These six teams, along with Notre Dame, have solidified themselves in a tier above the rest.
Azzi Fudd and UConn Peaking at the Right Time
Philippou: Coach Geno Auriemma knows that one win in February doesn’t make or break a national championship run. He and his players spoke postgame about the importance of building from this performance and not getting complacent. With an uncompetitive Big East slate remaining, UConn must maintain its momentum.
Most believed UConn hadn’t yet proved it was a true championship contender, but their dismantling of the Gamecocks has changed that perception. Their transition play, rebounding, and 3-point shooting were significantly better than just 10 days ago when they were upset by Tennessee. Fudd’s 28-point effort demonstrated her ability to excel in big games, boosting her confidence moving forward.
If the Huskies can continue to play with aggression, determination, and confidence, they could cut down the nets for the first time since 2016.
South Carolina’s Vulnerabilities Exposed
Creme: There should be concern in Columbia. South Carolina’s recent losses have exposed vulnerabilities. Texas and UConn beat the Gamecocks in different ways, highlighting weaknesses in rebounding and defense.
Both Texas and UConn outclassed South Carolina on the glass, with UConn dominating the rebounding battle 48-29. This is unusual for Dawn Staley’s teams, and it was shocking to witness.
Voepel: Staley has a good reason for scheduling UConn in February: it serves as a reference point for how ready her team is for the NCAA tournament. Despite the loss, it provides valuable insights into how her team matches up against offensively gifted opponents.
The SEC is a grind, especially with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. The loss of forward Ashlyn Watkins in January has impacted South Carolina, particularly in rebounding and defense. They are relying on freshman Joyce Edwards to be the go-to player, but the team has struggled in key matchups.
The Depth of Talent in Women’s College Basketball
Voepel: Concerns about a lack of individual stars after Caitlin Clark’s departure to the WNBA have been alleviated. There are multiple contenders for player of the year and freshman of the year, making the national championship race unpredictable.
There are still significant regular-season games ahead, including Notre Dame’s matchups against ranked ACC teams and the USC-UCLA rematch on March 1. The conference tournaments will also be crucial in determining the top contenders.
Outside the top teams, players like Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, who has scored 53 and 55 points in games this season, are making waves. With WNBA expansion on the horizon, the future looks bright for these talented athletes.
The No. 1 Seeds Are Still Up for Grabs
Creme: The top seeds remain the same as last week, but the margin for error has decreased. UCLA and South Carolina’s losses have weakened their hold on a top seed, while UConn has closed the gap with its recent performance.
UConn will need help to secure a No. 1 seed, such as South Carolina losing again and USC stumbling. LSU’s hopes for a top seed are slim, with an SEC tournament title being their only chance. Texas has strengthened its position, and Notre Dame has an opportunity to do the same against Duke.
The gaps among these teams have compressed, making upcoming games and tournaments crucial in determining the final No. 1 seeds.
Originally Written by: Michael Voepel,Alexa Philippou,Charlie Creme
