This week’s women’s basketball slate kicked off with No. 3 UCLA defeating No. 6 Oklahoma in a battle of two Final Four contenders. Then, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks set a program record with 43 points in just 20 minutes of play as her team cruised to a lopsided win over Valparaiso. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s Hanna Hidalgo had her own monster stat line with 44 points, 9 rebounds and an NCAA-record 16 steals in a victory over Akron.
If you missed the fun, don’t fret — this weekend’s games are set to be just as exciting, with top-25 matchups, midmajor battles and potential upsets. Here are the games you should be watching.
No. 18 Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Michigan
Saturday, 5 p.m., NBC
It’s clear through three games that Notre Dame’s success is in the hands of Hidalgo. She’s averaging 34.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.7 steals and 5 assists per game. But one player won’t be enough to defeat the Wolverines’ multifaceted offense, led by the sophomore trio of Mila Holloway (19 points per game), Olivia Olson (18 points per game) and Syla Swords (11.5 points per game). Both squads are relatively undersized, so look out for big guards Olson (6-foot-1) and Notre Dame’s Cassandre Prosper (6-foot-3); whoever has the better performance could lead their team to victory.
Fairfield vs. No 11 North Carolina
Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN+
There’s no rest for the Tar Heels after coming off a 78-60 loss to UCLA. In fact, if they aren’t careful, this has all the makings of a trap game. The back-to-back MAAC champions are one of the country’s premier mid-major programs, led by 6-foot-1 junior Meghan Anderson, who is averaging 23.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and 5-foot-6 junior guard Kaety L’Amoreaux, who is averaging 20.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. For UNC, 6-foot-4 sophomore forward Ciera Toomey could be the difference. Fairfield doesn’t have anyone with her size, and Toomey’s ability to stretch the defense should help UNC’s offense get going.
Richmond vs. Columbia
Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN+
This matchup features two of the country’s top mid-major players in Richmond’s Maggie Doogan and Columbia’s Riley Weiss, both of whom are on the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watch list. Doogan, a 6-foot-2 senior, is averaging 25 points and 10.7 rebounds, while Weiss is posting 22.5 points per game. Doogan and Weiss each have solid players around them, like Columbia’s Perri Page (16 points, 9.5 rebounds per game) and Richmond’s Rachel Ullstrom (14 points, 4 rebounds per game), which should make this a close matchup.
Debbie Antonelli’s Notebook: UConn’s Hype, SEC’s Depth and Transfer Stars
Plus: South Carolina needs to overcome injuries, a mid major rises and no more complaining about ticket prices!
No. 2 South Carolina vs. No. 8 USC
Saturday, 9 p.m., FOX
Dubbed “The Real SC,” South Carolina and USC are facing off to see who truly has the rights to the SC moniker. The Trojans are led by the country’s No. 1 freshman, 6-foot-1 Jazzy Davidson, who has already impressed through her first two games, including a 21-point, 5-block performance in a win over then-No. 9 NC State. Her ability to slash to the hoop and defend multiple positions will lead the Trojans through this matchup. Meanwhile, South Carolina still enjoys its trademark depth. The Gamecocks hold an advantage over the Trojans in the paint, where 6-foot-3 sophomore Joyce Edwards (18.3 points per game) and 6-foot-6 senior Madina Okot (12.3 points per game) will be nearly impossible to stop.
Ohio State vs. No. 1 UConn
Sunday, 12 p.m., Peacock
The Buckeyes are knocking on the door of the AP poll, largely because of their backcourt duo of sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (20.5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists per game) and senior Chance Gray (15.5 points). An upset over the No.1 team would certainly get Ohio State ranked, but that’s much easier said than done. Between National Player of the Year favorite Sarah Strong, who does everything (17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game), and dynamic guard Azzi Fudd (17.3 points, 41.2 percent shooting from three-point range), the Huskies are already a formidable opponent. Add in a roster full of elite-level role players that can step up at any time, and you have a team that looks poised to go undefeated this season.
Princeton vs. No. 8 Maryland
Sunday, 1 p.m., BIG+
Maryland will have its hands full with Ivy powerhouse Princeton, which has long set the standard for mid-major programs, reaching 12 NCAA Tournaments since 2010. The Tigers are led by another Becky Hammon watch-lister in guard Madison St. Rose. The 5-foot-10 senior missed all but four games last year with an ACL injury, so she’s looking to make the most of her final season at Princeton. St. Rose is a quick and crafty scorer (15 points per game) and a disruptive defender (2.5 steals per game). Meanwhile, Maryland is celebrating the return of last season’s top scorer, senior guard Kaylene Smikle, who averaged 17.9 points in 2024-25 but missed the start of this season with a leg injury.
No. 17 TCU vs. No. 10 NC State
Sunday, 1 p.m., ESPN
This game has the potential to be the best of the weekend. Both teams boast elite, but very different guard play. TCU is led by flashy passer Olivia Miles (18.3 points, 8.7 points per game) and a high-IQ guard in junior Donovyn Hunter (17.7 points, 4 assists per game). Both can score, but they do it within an offense that loves to move the ball with creative passing. NC State, meanwhile, relies on isolation and dribble creation to score. Guards Zoe Brooks (17 points per game) and Zam Jones (12 points per game) will lead the way in this clash of styles.
