ACC’s Finest: Top Players to Watch in Women’s Basketball Next Week
Next week promises more exciting action for women’s basketball teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference! The conference is led by Notre Dame, currently boasting a 19-game winning streak. Following closely are NC State, North Carolina, Louisville, and Florida State. All five of the ACC’s top teams will be in play, each harboring their own secret weapons. This week could see some unexpected upsets as teams battle for dominance in the ACC. Gear up for an exhilarating week of basketball! Keep a lookout for my top five players to follow.
Seminole Sensation
Junior guard Ta’Niya Latson has scored double-digits in every game this season with Florida State except for one. She is already averaging more points, assists, and steals than in her past two seasons and is one of Florida State’s best shooters from beyond the arc. In the team’s last two wins, Latson totaled a combined score of 52 points. In their 101-68 victory over Virginia, she finished with a double-double, tallying 27 points and 12 assists. Even in the team’s last loss against Louisville, Latson delivered an impressive 29 points. As the leading scorer in women’s college basketball, Latson has propelled her team to the top in scoring offense. Her consistent ability to contribute to the scoreboard makes her a must-watch player. You can expect her to deliver offensively every time she steps on the court. Latson has been sidelined for two consecutive games against the University of Miami and the University of Pittsburgh. Should she take the floor next week, you can look forward to an exceptional performance.
Fly Cardinal Fly
The Louisville Cardinals recently went on a five-game winning streak, largely thanks to Jayda Curry. In three of their last four games, she scored over 20 points. Despite their loss to UNC, Curry led the Cardinals with 18 points and six rebounds in their last game. This season marks Curry's second with Louisville for the senior from Corona, California. She currently holds a 93.3% free throw percentage, her highest since her 2021-2022 season with California. Curry's consistency in scoring double-digits since December is noteworthy, highlighting her ability to step up. The Cardinals have only lost four games when she has scored over 10 points. With Louisville facing Notre Dame next week, the challenge to secure a victory will be tougher than ever. Nonetheless, Curry will undoubtedly show up for her team.
The Tarheel Hero
Reniya Kelly is the player to watch for North Carolina. The sophomore from Alabama is averaging 9.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists, but her potential extends far beyond these numbers. Earlier this month, she scored 20 points against Virginia Tech, 23 against NC State, and 17 against Clemson. In UNC’s last game at Louisville, she finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists, placing her second on the scoreboard. Helping the Tar Heels maintain their status as the only undefeated team in the country is no easy task. Given another opportunity to shine, Kelly can be a game-changer next week. North Carolina will face Duke on Thursday night and will need all the help they can get against the 11th-ranked team. Although the Blue Devils are favored to win, I believe that Kelly can help the Tar Heels secure a victory.
Leader of the Pack
NC State features several outstanding players, with Aziaha James leading the way. On February 3rd, she set a new career-high with 36 points against Duke. Averaging 17.7 points and 4.8 rebounds across 26 games, she played a pivotal role in their victory over Notre Dame. She turned heads with a behind-the-back layup in double overtime. James ended as the second-highest scorer in the intense 104-95 game. Wake Forest will face a daunting task against James and her teammates on Thursday. An upset win over the top team in the country could significantly boost their confidence. Look out for another exceptional performance from James, possibly even a double-double.
The Fighting Irish
Hannah Hidalgo has been making waves in women's college basketball all season. She and her Notre Dame teammates have been taking care of business this season, with only three losses so far. Recently, Hidalgo and the Fighting Irish went on a 17-game winning streak. Hidalgo has scored over 20 points in more than half of those games and at least 30 points in four of them. She currently ranks second in the nation in both points and assists. With at least two more years of college basketball ahead, the rest of the division will need to get used to seeing her dominate the court. When Hidalgo gets into her rhythm on the court, she becomes nearly unstoppable. The future looks exceptionally promising for this talented guard.
