Two Months Until the Women’s College Basketball Season
With just two months to go before the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season begins, many fans are buzzing with questions.
We reached out through platforms like X, Bluesky, and Facebook MailBag, and received some intriguing insights regarding the upcoming season. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond!
The inquiries ranged from assessing the ceilings and expectations for various Power 4 programs to exploring underrated teams and gauging how one particular league deals with home settlements.
What’s the Ceiling for Maryland This Year?
In short, if all goes well, Maryland under Brenda Frese is aiming for both a Big Ten title and a potential Final Four berth, assuming they avoid major injuries.
While Shyanne Sellers, one of the program’s standout players, has gone pro, the Terps ended last season with a solid 25-8 record. They bring back the crux of a roster that narrowly lost to South Carolina in the Sweet 16. Adding to that mix is Bri McDaniel, who is healthy and set to take over as the point guard.
Maryland’s roster has only grown stronger thanks to the transfer portal and their recruitment strategy. Frese added Duke’s ACC Tournament MVP, Oluchi Okananwa, as well as Yarden Garzon, a three-time All-Big 10 selection from Indiana. These additions provide depth and versatility for the Terps. With five new recruits, including three international players, the potential for unforeseen impact is there. Among the two American newcomers, Wisconsin’s Rainey Welson is noted as an ESPN Top 100 recruit.
Gracie Markle might have been pivotal last season, but the overall roster seems designed for a deep postseason push.
Can Kansas Compete for the Big 12 Championship?
I’m not sure they will, but the Jayhawks seem set to improve.
Last season was a bit of a step back for Kansas after years of steady progress. They won the WNIT in 2023 and the NCAA Tournament in 2024, but finished with a 16-14 record last year. This season, head coach Brandon Schneider has introduced an impressive signing class that includes three of ESPN’s top 45 recruits.
Alongside this promising freshman trio, Kansas retains key scorers, S’mya Nichols and Wing Elle Evans, and third-leading rebounder Regan Williams, who is geared up for their sophomore year. Indiana transfer Lily Meister, boasting an impressive 58.4% shooting from the floor, adds even more strength to the lineup.
Kansas may not be on everyone’s radar this offseason, but they possess a roster capable of contending in the competitive Big 12.
And speaking of teams that might not get enough attention…
Which Program is Most Underrated This Season?
Several teams come to mind, and it’s quite surprising that the Jayhawks aren’t among the most discussed.
Michigan, for instance, is bringing back an impressive sophomore trio: Olivia Orson, Sillasode, and Mira Holloway. They’re also merging with strong transfers like Kendall Dudley from UCLA and Ashley Sophir Kanich, a former Patriot League player of the year. After three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, Michigan feels poised for a strong postseason this time around.
Then there’s Washington. Under Tina Langley, the Huskies broke a long drought by recently securing spots in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Let’s not forget about Miami, either. Tricia Cullop’s first year in Coral Gables had its ups and downs, but they’ve now revamped their roster through the transfer portal to acquire some impactful players. Leading the charge is a freshman from Quinnipiac, averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Other promising additions include SMU forward Jessica Peterson, who averaged 12 rebounds per game, and Ra Shaya Kyle, a towering 6’6″ center from Florida.
Thoughts on Robin Pingeton’s Roster in Madison and Expectations for the Badgers?
Honestly, I’m a bit uncertain about this one. An experienced coach like Pingeton should uplift Wisconsin’s performance, but it still raises questions about the program’s commitment to women’s basketball, especially given the recent hiring of a well-known coach rather than a rising star from mid-major leagues.
That said, a few players are noteworthy. Destiny Howell is a top scorer in Howard’s MEAC, while Laci Steele from NC State shines off the bench. Shay Bollin, a former top-30 recruit, has faced injury setbacks, and Kyrah Daniels is a two-year starter from Missouri. Breauna Ware also brings impressive scoring from Stony Brook, averaging 14.7 points per game.
Through the transfer portal, Wisconsin has managed to bring in genuine talent that can contribute at a high level. The challenge for Pingeton will be to unify all these pieces—a task that some programs, like Missouri, struggled with in the past. I suspect that reasonable expectations for Wisconsin this year would be to finish at about .500 overall.
ACC Programs in a New Era of Revenue Sharing: Is it Working?
It seems a bit early to make definitive claims, but honestly, the early indicators for the ACC don’t look great.
Take Notre Dame, for instance. As key players like Olivia Miles and Kate Cobal departed, the program struggled to replace that talent. This leads to questions about roster management under Niele Ivey—whether it’s due to funding issues or something else entirely.
In North Carolina, Courtney Banghart was seeking to boost funding from the athletic department, requesting at least $1.5 million for the Tar Heels. In a strange twist, she only received $250,000.
Look into NC State’s offseason; they lost out on several transfer targets. Although they managed to snag Kamil Pierre late in the game, coach Wes Moore admitted he hadn’t been the best manager in terms of recruitment.
The transfer portal this year has seen significant movement, with top players like Olivia Miles leaving ACC schools for others across big conferences. Interestingly, of the top four players in my arbitrary transfer ranking, all departed ACC institutions.
The ACC hasn’t lifted a national championship since 2018, and I doubt this year will break that streak.
How Will Tennessee Fare in Year Two Under Kim Caldwell?
The uncertainty surrounding Ruby Whitehorn complicates projections for Tennessee, but I do think the Lady Vols will improve under Caldwell’s guidance. The returning players are more familiar with her coaching style and pace, which should prepare them better for a grueling season ahead.
I believe this roster is more talented than last year’s, even without Whitehorn. Caldwell has managed to bring in two top transfers: Janiah Barker from UCLA and Nya Robertson from SMU, as well as several ESPN Top 100 recruits, including Mia Pauldo.
Tennessee will need to aim for a top-third finish in the SEC and vie for a top 16 seed as the NCAA tournament approaches.
If Juju Watkins is Out This Season, What’s the National Player of the Year Race Look Like?
Lauren Betts of UCLA seemed like a frontrunner for the award last season until Watkins made waves in February. Meanwhile, Olivia Miles enjoyed a standout season at TCU and is likely to be in the mix. Both her former teammate Hannah Hidalgo and Ta’niya Latson, a leading scorer last year, are also worth mentioning. In the SEC, watch for LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes as they could boost their chances with strong performances.
Let’s not overlook the reigning national champions, either; Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong could both have seasons that place them among the front-runners for the title.
