Women’s basketball is gearing up for an exciting weekend with two significant matches occurring in Los Angeles, alongside a special event in Connecticut honoring a legendary coach.
On Sunday, the top-ranked South Carolina gamecocks will take on the fifth-ranked UCLA Bruins. This matchup follows Saturday’s battle between the third-ranked USC Trojans and the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both games will be broadcast nationally and are expected to showcase some of the finest young talent in the sport, including JuJu Watkins for USC and Hannah Hidalgo representing Notre Dame.
The packed schedule kicks off on Wednesday in Connecticut, where Geno Auriemma is anticipated to eclipse the career wins record he shares with former Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer. Both have achieved a remarkable milestone of 1,216 victories.
Auriemma’s Huskies are preparing to welcome back more than 60 former players from his four decades at UConn for a commemorative ceremony preceding their game against Fairleigh Dickinson.
Meanwhile, over in Texas, the TCU Horned Frogs, managed by Mark Campbell, are witnessing a renaissance. Campbell took over a team that finished last season with a dismal 1-17 record in the Big 12. Under his leadership, TCU is currently ranked 19th, its highest position in 16 years.
Last season, although TCU started strong with a 14-0 record, injuries forced the coach to hold open tryouts mid-season to secure a competitive roster. “Last year’s journey was unique, but I’m thankful for it,” Campbell reflected. “In a 10-day window, we lost our three best players. Those who came through the tryouts showed incredible resolve, finishing the year on a high note and marking the biggest turnaround in the Power Four conference.”
TCU has kicked off this season with four consecutive wins, including a notable victory over then-No. 13 NC State, marking the program’s return to the rankings and breaking a 24-game losing streak against ranked teams. “The ranking is significant for our program and what we’re building,” Campbell remarked. “It’s a great boost for our fans and our team.”
The Horned Frogs have benefited from the addition of six transfer players, including standout guard Hailey Van Lith. “She’s a playmaker who can score 30 points or dish out 10 assists,” Campbell noted. “Hailey is a fierce competitor with an unwavering desire to win. Integrating her into our system has been exciting to see.”
As for personal achievements, No. 10 Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee currently sits just behind Kendra Wecker in the school’s all-time scoring list with 2,245 points. Additionally, JuJu Watkins marked an impressive milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point last week during her 38th game, just shy of the record for the fastest to achieve that feat.
Expect big things in the world of women’s college basketball as the season continues to unfold!