Big 12 Women’s Basketball Shines Early This Season
While the SEC and ACC are usually seen as the leading conferences in women’s college basketball, the Big 12 has made quite an impression in the opening weeks of this season.
The Big 12 boasts a 5-1 record against ACC teams so far, with notable victories occurring over the weekend. Unranked West Virginia pulled off a stunning win against former No. 15 Duke, edging them 57-49 at the Greenbrier. Remarkably, the Mountaineers managed to play the second half with just five players after a brawl led to six ejections before halftime. This unexpected outcome was a testament to Mark Kellogg’s team, which improved to 4-0 in the post-JJ Quinerly era.
Meanwhile, TCU visited Reynolds Coliseum and defeated North Carolina State by a significant margin, marking the Wolfpack’s first home loss since February 2024. TCU’s Olivia Miles, after experiencing two previous defeats in that venue, contributed significantly to the win with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists.
Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State also remain undefeated. The Lady Bears triumphed over Duke with contributions from Talia Scott, Dariana Littlepage-Buggs, and Vera Fauntleroy, all of whom are scoring in double digits. Oklahoma State, sitting at 5-0, has one of the most efficient offenses nationwide, ranking among the top five in various metrics like assists per game and effective field goal percentage. And watch out for Iowa State’s Audi Crooks—she may just be the top scorer this season.
Looking ahead, some exciting matchups are on the horizon in the Big 12. Kansas (4-0) is set to play Minnesota (4-0) on Wednesday, with Baylor facing Iowa the next day. Additionally, 5-0 Texas Tech takes on 4-0 Mississippi State on the same day.
My AP Top 25 poll after week 2 is forming, and it includes a few surprising omissions…
Featured Games This Week:
Oklahoma State vs. St. John’s: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
This game will mark Jaycee Hoyt’s Cowgirls’ first road contest of the season, and it’s against a conference that could potentially have multiple NCAA Tournament entries this year. Fingers crossed for some exciting 3-point action in Queens.
Iowa vs. Baylor: Thursday, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Both teams will put their unbeaten records at stake during the WBCA showcase in Florida. This matchup gives Nikki Collen’s Bears a second opportunity to secure a win over a higher-ranked opponent.
Michigan at UConn: Broadcast Friday, 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Both the Wolverines and Huskies have faced off effectively against numerous opponents this season, including teams like Harvard and Notre Dame. It’s set to be a valuable early test for both squads.
Kentucky at Louisville: Saturdays, 2 p.m. ET on The CW.
With a towering frontcourt featuring Clara Stracke, Theonni Key, and Amelia Hassett, Kentucky looks formidable. The Cardinals will depend on Laura Ziegler to shine against their fierce rival.
Richmond at Navy: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+
This clash stands out as a prime mid-major matchup for the weekend. The Midshipmen, chosen as the Patriot League’s preseason favorite, recently notched a double-digit victory over Florida, marking their first win against an SEC team since 1998. Despite a significant loss to Texas, Richmond retains its strong form from last season, which saw them clinch an NCAA Tournament bid and beat an ACC opponent in the first round. It’s shaping up to be an exciting battle between Zanai Barnett-Gay and Maggie Dougan.
