Women’s College Basketball Showdowns: Unmissable Games Next Week

In the world of women's college basketball, every game counts, and next week is no exception. From intense rivalries to top-ranked showdowns, these games are set to showcase the best in collegiate talent. Coming up, are several games that are going to keep fans on the edge of their seats! Teams are gearing up to secure their place in the standings and make a statement on the court. Whether you're a dedicated fan or relatively new to college hoops, make sure to tune in and witness the action unfold.

Ain’t No Love In Knoxville

The first showdown of the 2024-2025 season between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Tennessee Lady Vols takes place this Monday. These teams last faced off in early 2024 during the Southeastern Conference Semifinals, where the Gamecocks secured a narrow one-point victory with a clutch three-pointer from Kamilla Cardoso. Now, under the leadership of head coach Kim Caldwell, the Volunteers aim to deliver South Carolina their second loss of the season. Both teams are in the top-25 rankings, with Tennessee ranked 17th and the Gamecocks holding the number two spot.

Heading into the matchup, Joyce Edwards and Talaysia Cooper are the standout scorers for their teams. Edwards, a forward for South Carolina, averages 12.1 points per game, while Cooper, a guard for the Lady Vols, is averaging nearly 18 points. The Gamecocks have a rebounding advantage with Chloe Kitts, who is pulling down 7.5 rebounds per game this season. On the assists front, Raven Johnson and Samara Spencer have been key contributors to their squads. Tennessee has been outscoring South Carolina by an average of 11.5 points, but the Gamecocks lead in both field goal and free throw percentages.

North Star Meets the Golden State

On Thursday night, the USC Trojans will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Trojans are riding a wave of success, having won their last five games, while the Gophers have only won three. A home victory for Minnesota against the second team in the Big Ten Conference would be a significant morale booster. This matchup marks the first time these teams have met in over two decades, as USC joined the conference in 2024. The renewed competition is sure to bring fresh energy to the court!

Guards Grace Grocholski and Amaya Battle are leading Minnesota in points over the last 20 games, with Battle also topping the assists chart. In terms of rebounds, Mallory Heyer is averaging 6.8 per game for the Gophers. On the USC side, JuJu Watkins, who is third in points across the nation, is scoring nearly 25 points per game. She also leads the Trojans in assists and steals, making her a potent force on both ends of the court. In rebounding, senior Rayah Marshall has USC covered, with an impressive average of 9.1 rebounds per game. The Trojans have been outscoring the Gophers in every category except three-point shooting, where Minnesota holds a one percent advantage.

Battle of Blue and Gold

Also, on Thursday night, the North Carolina Tar Heels will face off against the California Golden Bears in a much-anticipated matchup. Ranked 13th and 22nd in the nation, respectively, UNC remains unbeaten on the road, while California holds a perfect 11-0 record at home. I expect this game to be closely contested, as both teams are fairly close in scoring averages this season. However, California has displayed greater shooting efficiency, especially from the free throw line. The Tar Heels have done a better job handling turnovers, which might be their key advantage in securing the win.

In their most recent game, the UNC Tar Heels defeated Wake Forest with a final score of 76-51. Lexi Donarski led the charge with 17 points, while Grace Townsend and Lanie Grant contributed a combined 23 points off the bench. Senior guard Alyssa Ustby is a key player to watch, as she leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Meanwhile, in California's last game against Stanford, the Golden Bears edged out a two-point victory. Kayla Williams led the team with 18 points, with Ioanna Krimili and Marta Suarez also scoring in double digits. Krimili is the team’s top scorer, while Ugonne Onyiah leads in rebounds, and Williams in assists.

Wildcats and Sooners

Next Sunday, the 15th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners will take on the 11th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The Wildcats, with only two losses this season, will be coming into the game after a narrow six-point defeat to Texas A&M. Oklahoma’s last loss was a tough one against South Carolina on January 19th, with a final score of 101-60. ESPN Analytics gives Oklahoma a 76.6% chance of winning on their home turf. The Sooners joined the Southeastern Conference last year. Historically, Kentucky has had the upper hand in their matchups, winning three out of the last four encounters against Oklahoma.

A key player for the Oklahoma Sooners is Raegan Beers, who is currently leading her team with averages of 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Another notable player is Payton Verhulst, who secures top honors in rebounds with 5.6 and ranks second in points per game. For Kentucky, Georgia Amoore and Clara Strack are the players to watch, both consistently scoring in double digits this season alongside three of their teammates. Although Oklahoma's 19.4 turnovers are significantly higher than Kentucky's. Their defensive efforts stand out with averages of 9.6 steals and 3.9 blocks compared to Kentucky's 5.3 steals and 6.7 blocks. In terms of shooting accuracy, the Wildcats excel at free throws, while both teams have similar field goal and three-point shooting percentages.

Where to Watch

The game between South Carolina and Tennessee will be streamed live on ESPN2, offering fans a front-row seat to the action. Meanwhile, the matchup between Minnesota and USC can be watched on Peacock, ensuring that Gophers and Trojans supporters won't miss a beat. For those following the North Carolina Tar Heels versus the California Golden Bears, the game will be available on ACC Extra. Finally, the showdown between Kentucky and Oklahoma will be broadcast on the SEC Network. With these games spread across multiple streaming platforms, there are a variety of options to catch all the live action! Which teams do you think will come out on top?