Undefeated Teams in Women’s College Basketball

This season, two teams stand out in women’s college basketball: No. 1 UConn and No. 5 Vanderbilt, both boasting an impressive, unblemished record of 19-0. They’ve followed different paths to success, yet they share more similarities than one might initially think.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that UConn’s strong performance was pretty much anticipated. The reigning NCAA Champions kicked off the season with renewed confidence, fresh off their first WNBA title since 2016. Even with the loss of Paige Bueckers to the draft, they have redshirt senior Aji Fudd, who seems ready for a breakout season after dealing with injuries. Plus, there’s Sarah Strong, a sophomore talent whose skills are complemented by a confidence that seems a bit beyond her years.

When looking closely, one might struggle to find a team capable of toppling the UConn Huskies this season. So far, they’ve lived up to the expectations. Their only truly challenging game was a nail-biter against then-No. 6 Michigan, where they managed to win by just a single possession. Currently, they hold the top spot in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll and are likely on track for the conference title, especially given the relatively light competition in the Big East Conference.

Outside that Michigan game, it appears they haven’t really had to give their all. Take Sarah Strong, for instance: she became the third-fastest player in UConn history to reach 1,000 points, accomplishing this in just 59 games—a record only Paige Bueckers and Maya Moore have matched. Strong averages 18.6 points per game with impressive shooting stats while logging around 27.3 minutes each game. Similarly, Fudd is putting up 17.3 points in just under 28 minutes of play, showcasing the depth of talent without needing to push themselves hard every game.

This kind of excellence doesn’t come as a surprise to UConn fans. They’ve long been a program that attracts top athletes. On the flip side, Vanderbilt’s success is quite remarkable when you consider their historical struggles, but it’s interesting to see the connection to UConn.

Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt’s head coach, played for UConn between 1996 and 2001, winning an NCAA Championship in 2000. After serving as an assistant coach at UConn during their dominant years with Brianna Stewart, Ralph took on the challenge at Vanderbilt, aiming to leverage her UConn experience to craft her own legacy.

Building a competitive program takes time, but Ralph hit the jackpot with recruit Mikayla Blakes. In her freshman year, she averaged an impressive 23.3 points per game, with standout performances of 53 points in her SEC debut and 55 points against Auburn. Blakes also repped Team USA at the Women’s America Cup, helping clinch a gold medal and earning tournament MVP honors.

Now in her second season, Blakes has contributed significantly to Vanderbilt’s perfect start, shooting 46.0 percent from the field while averaging 25 points and leading the team with 3.3 steals per game. Currently, she’s the second-highest scorer in the nation, just behind Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, and clearly, she’s improving.

Both UW and Vanderbilt faced strong opponents recently to maintain their winning streaks. UW played against their historic rival, Notre Dame, and secured an easy 85-47 victory despite Notre Dame’s struggles this season. Vanderbilt also faced a tough test against No. 7 Michigan, winning narrowly, 72-69.

The connection to Ralph is evident for both teams, but what stands out is the presence of remarkable sophomore players, likely to shape the future of women’s basketball. As they continue their seasons undefeated, it’s worth noting that while UW might extend their streak longer due to the SEC’s competitiveness, the parallels between the two teams this season are intriguing. Strong and Blakes could certainly find themselves in the running for top draft picks in the years ahead, competing against each other at the highest level.