South Carolina has work to do, UConn is back as a title contender and Texas might be the hottest team of all

Women’s College Basketball: Upsets, Performances, and Title Contenders

As the excitement of March Madness looms on the horizon, the past week in women’s college basketball has been nothing short of thrilling. With upsets and shake-ups dominating the scene, fans have been treated to some incredible individual performances and surprising results, especially in the top-10 matchups.

In just four days, the landscape of women’s college basketball saw significant changes. The USC Trojans pulled off a stunning upset against the previously unbeaten UCLA Bruins. Meanwhile, the UConn Huskies delivered a commanding performance against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena. The Texas Longhorns showcased their resilience by rallying at home to defeat the LSU Tigers. The Bruins, without their star Lauren Betts due to a foot injury, had to fight hard to fend off the Michigan State Spartans to avoid a second consecutive 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 a consistent force for Texas, averaging 21.5 points over her past six games. Azzi Fudd of UConn was on fire, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 28 points to end the Gamecocks’ 71-game home winning streak.

Texas has been on a roll, ending an eight-day stretch with victories over three top-10 teams, including South Carolina on February 9. This impressive run has positioned the Longhorns as strong contenders for the regular-season title in their first season in the SEC. Despite a setback with a 67-50 loss at South Carolina on January 12, Texas has bounced back with 10 victories, six of which were against ranked teams, silencing any doubts about their championship potential.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Notre Dame, unbeaten in the ACC, is eyeing 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 taken a closer look at the national title race following this recent slate of games.

The National Championship Race is Wide Open

Philippou: The past four days have solidified just how open the race for the national championship is going to be. Before last Sunday, UCLA, South Carolina, and Notre Dame were considered the top three teams, with one of them likely to emerge victorious in Tampa. However, the Bruins and Gamecocks have shown vulnerability, 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 put them firmly in the title conversation, especially if Watkins continues her stellar performances. UConn’s stunning upset in Columbia has shown that the Huskies are capable of beating anyone.

Texas, however, has been the standout team, defeating three consecutive ranked opponents, including South Carolina and LSU, and proving to be as dangerous as any team in the country.

These six teams, along with Notre Dame, have established themselves as the top contenders for the national championship.

Azzi Fudd and UConn Peaking at the Right Time

Philippou: Coach Geno Auriemma knows that one win in February doesn’t define a national championship run, but UConn’s dismantling of the Gamecocks has put them back in the conversation. Their improved transition play, rebounding, and 3-point shooting were evident, and Fudd’s 28-point performance demonstrated her ability to shine in big games.

Voepel: Fudd’s talent has been hampered by injuries, but she is now showing her full potential. Averaging 26.3 points in her past three games and shooting 63% from 3-point range, Fudd’s performance is crucial for UConn’s success.

South Carolina’s Challenges and Opportunities

Creme: South Carolina’s recent losses have exposed vulnerabilities, with Texas and UConn defeating them in different ways. Rebounding has been a common issue, with both teams outclassing the Gamecocks on the glass.

Voepel: Coach Dawn Staley sees UConn as a benchmark for her team’s readiness for the NCAA tournament. Despite the losses, South Carolina remains a strong contender, but they must address their weaknesses to compete for the national championship.

The Depth of Talent in Women’s College Basketball

Voepel: The depth of talent in women’s college basketball is impressive, with multiple contenders for player of the year and freshman of the year. The remaining regular-season games and conference tournaments promise to be exciting, with players like Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes making headlines.

The Fluidity of No. 1 Seeds

Creme: The top seeds remain the same, but the margin for error has decreased for UCLA and South Carolina. UConn has closed the gap with their recent performance, and the upcoming games will be crucial in determining the final No. 1 seeds.