Dec 27: Women’s college basketball is one of the most exciting and competitive sports in the NCAA. Every year, talented teams and players battle for the national championship, showcasing their skills, ion, and determination. In this blog post, I will review some of the highlights of the 2023-24 season so far, and make some predictions for the March Madness tournament.
The season started with a bang, as the defending champions, Stanford Cardinal, faced off against the perennial powerhouse, UConn Huskies, in a rematch of the 2023 Final Four. The game was a thriller, with both teams trading leads and making clutch plays. Stanford’s star guard, Kiana Williams, scored 25 points and hit a game-winning three-pointer with 1.4 seconds left to lift the Cardinal to a 78-77 victory. UConn’s freshman phenom, Paige Bueckers, had 22 points and 10 assists in her debut but missed a potential game-tying free throw at the buzzer.
The game set the tone for a season full of drama, upsets, and surprises. Some of the notable storylines include:
- The rise of South Carolina Gamecocks, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the AP poll and have won 15 straight games. Led by senior forward Aliyah Boston, who averages 18.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, the Gamecocks have dominated their opponents with their defense, rebounding, and depth. They have beaten six ranked teams, including No. 2 NC State, No. 3 Baylor and No. 4 Maryland.
- The resurgence of Tennessee Lady Vols, who are back in the top 10 for the first time since 2018. Under second-year coach Kellie Harper, the Lady Vols have improved their record to 16-1 and have won nine consecutive games. Their only loss came against UConn in January, when they led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter before falling 67-61. Tennessee’s balanced offense features five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by junior guard Rae Burrell with 16.9 points per game.
- The fall of Oregon Ducks, who were expected to be one of the contenders for the title after reaching the Final Four in 2019 and 2020. However, the Ducks have struggled to find their rhythm and identity after losing three All-Americans to the WNBA draft: Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Ruthy Hebard. Oregon is currently 11-6 and unranked in the AP poll, having lost four of their last five games. Their leading scorer is sophomore guard Taylor Mikesell with 13.4 points per game.
With less than two months left until the March Madness tournament, there are still many questions to be answered and games to be played. Who will emerge as the favorite for the title? Who will be the Cinderella stories and the dark horses? Who will be the stars and the busts? Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on women’s college basketball.
By
Sujata Muguda
Shreyas WebMedia Solutions