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I am beyond thrilled that the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is about to tip off. The sport has more visibility, more opportunities for growth and a larger platform than ever before. This is shaping up to be another incredible year of hoops.
The list of intriguing storylines I’ll be following in the months ahead goes on and on, but below are 10 that really stand out. I did the exact same exercise a year ago and was pleased with the results. That definitely puts the pressure on for this season!
1. Incredible star power
Women’s college basketball is loaded with superstars this year, especially with USC’s JuJu Watkins set to return from injury. UConn’s Sarah Strong, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, Texas’ Madison Booker, Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge, South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards and Oklahoma State’s Audi Crooks were all either First or Second Team AP All-Americans last season. Watkins swept the National Player of the Year awards in 2024-25, then Strong did the same in 2025-26. Overall, we are going to see some unbelievable talent on the floor this season.
2. NCAA Tournament expansion
With the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams, I’m curious to see what the impact will be on the women’s side. First of all, they are reducing the size of the field in the WBIT, which I think is important because we don’t have 100 good teams in women’s college basketball. It seems like all the changes could present a programming conundrum for ESPN, but I’m sure Director of Programming Dan Margulis will figure out the right formula.
The other important thing to note regarding tournament expansion is that the women’s teams are now earning units (shares of tournament revenue) just like the men’s teams. Does that put more pressure on the committee when awarding bids? That leads me to one of my big ideas: I want to reshuffle the bottom of the bracket so that teams with automatic bids from lower-level conferences can actually have a chance to win and make more money. The question is, should we prioritize giving those teams and conferences an opportunity to get units or keep the focus on the other side of the business, which is ratings, sales, inventory, etc.? It’s a good conversation to have.
In terms of mid-major sleepers, keep an eye on Murray State in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Racers were fifth in the nation in scoring last year and have their core back. The A-10 has several new coaches who could make a splash. That league should have tremendous balance, but I’d like to give a nod to Saint Joseph’s coach Cindy Griffin, who is one of the most experienced and well-liked people in our game.
3. The year of the point guard
We already know some of the big names at the point guard position, such as Hidalgo, Cambridge and UConn’s KK Arnold. I’m not just talking about them when I say that 2026-27 will be “the year of the point guard.” I’m talking about the next tier — players who I could see making a leap and helping lead their teams go on big runs.
Here are some of the under-the-radar floor generals I’m really high on for this season: Vanderbilt’s Aubrey Galvan, Oklahoma State’s Liv McGill, Nebraska’s Britt Prince, Oregon’s Katie Fiso, TCU’s Jadyn Wooten and NC State’s Zoe Brooks.
4. How far can Hannah Hidalgo and Madison St. Rose take Notre Dame?
With two-time ACC Player of the Year Hidalgo back, there are going to be a lot of eyes on Notre Dame this season. I haven’t seen our TV schedule yet, but I’m guessing it’ll have a heavy dose of the Fighting Irish. We know how great Hidalgo is, but I’m fascinated by the addition of Madison St. Rose. The former Princeton guard might be the most important transfer in the country. Last year, Hidalgo had an excellent running mate in Cass Prosper, who went on to be selected in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft. Can St. Rose fill that role and also emerge as a pro prospect? If so, the Irish could reach the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
5. Which team will rise to the top of a crowded ACC?
Hidalgo, St. Rose and the Irish will have plenty of competition in the ACC. Back-to-back champion Duke is returning most of its 2025-26 roster, which made a run to the Elite Eight. There aren’t many teams in the country that can match the size of Kara Lawson’s squad. Louisville is also bringing back its core, and it ranked second nationally in bench scoring last season. Jeff Walz has the best resume in the conference (17 NCAA Tournament appearances, four trips to the Final Four), and I’m excited to see what he does with a veteran group led by an excellent backcourt. The Cardinals are my pick to win the league.
North Carolina has been to two straight Sweet Sixteens under Courtney Banghart and added one of the top high school players in the nation in guard Kate Harpring, the daughter of former NBA forward Matt Harpring. And NC State has to be mentioned because of senior guard Zoe Brooks and senior forward Khamil Pierre. The Wolfpack are the only team in the conference returning two First Team All-ACC players.
6. UConn’s quest to bounce back
After an undefeated regular season, the Huskies suffered a disappointing 62-48 loss to South Carolina in the 2026 Final Four. As I wrote last year, with all the great programs in women’s basketball today, we’re no longer asking “UConn or the field?” in the preseason. That said, no one has more experience than Geno Auriemma. His 2026-27 roster features 10 returnees and the reigning National Player of the Year, junior forward Sarah Strong.
Trust me, no team wants to see the Huskies on its side of the bracket come March. If there was a metric in the NET called “How to Avoid UConn,” I think everybody would sign up for it. The Regionals are in Philadelphia and Las Vegas this year, and UConn will most likely end up in Philly. Other programs won’t want to go there, no matter how good they’ve been in the regular season. That’s the respect that Auriemma and the Huskies command.
7. Which “SC” will steal the spotlight?
Southern California and South Carolina are absolutely stacked this season. Both have All-Americans, incredible recruiting classes and Final Four expectations. They are projected as top-five programs, but some questions remain.
For Lindsay Gottlieb and the Trojans, the biggest question is, how fast can JuJu Watkins get acclimated and return to dominating? I don’t anticipate it will take very long. Of course, she has another star beside her in sophomore guard Jazzy Davidson, the reigning National Freshman of the Year.
As for the Gamecocks, Dawn Staley has a lot of talent — including junior forward Joyce Edwards, a two-time All-SEC selection — but is still figuring out the point guard spot. Raven Johnson jumped to the WNBA this summer, and Maddy McDaniel stepped away from the team to focus on her mental health.
8. Can Michigan take the next step?
Michigan advanced to the Elite Eight last season for just the second time in program history. It has a chance to soar even higher in 2026-27. All-Big Ten First Team guards Olivia Olson and Syla Swords are in their third year together. They took a step up as sophomores and I expect them to do the same as juniors.
I had Michigan during the first and second rounds of last year’s NCAA Tournament. At some point before their opening game, the players called coach Kim Barnes Arico from the back of the bus and said, “We’re not going anywhere, coach. We’re all coming back.” Two players did end up transferring — guard McKenzie Mathurin (Missouri) and forward Brooke Quarles Daniels (South Carolina, pending eligibility) — but everyone else is back, and the Wolverines have a chance to be really special as a result.
9. Brenda Frese’s 25th season at Maryland
The Terrapins will be celebrating Frese all season long, and rightfully so. Twenty-five years at one school is a big deal. Frese has a Hall of Fame resume. She’s already been to three Final Fours and won a national championship. She has adapted to the changes in college basketball and continued to find success. Her teams have dealt with injuries the last few years, but if the 2026-27 Terps can stay healthy, they have a chance to make some noise.
Senior guard Oluchi Okananwa enters her second season at UMD after averaging a team-high 17.8 points. You may remember her viral interaction with Frese during the NCAA Tournament. “I believe in you,” Frese yelled, “but you’ve got to want this moment!” That’s real. That’s Brenda Frese. I loved it.
10. The depth of the Big Ten
The Big Ten is probably the deepest league in the country this season. In addition to USC, Michigan, Maryland and reigning national champion UCLA, the conference has several other possible contenders.
Iowa is still led by junior center Ava Heiden and will get a boost from Georgia transfer Dani Carnegie, who reunites with former teammate Chit-Chat Wright. Ohio State will be a force once again behind the Cambridge sisters, Jaloni and Kennedy, and sophomore forward Kylie Kitts, the younger sister of Chloe. The Buckeyes run a full-court press and are probably one of the nation’s fittest teams. After a Sweet Sixteen run, Minnesota is returning a good portion of its core and plays a very efficient style that should have it back in the mix. I also think Washington could be a major sleeper — Tina Langley has some elite talent on her squad, including senior guard Sayvia Sellers and junior guard Avery Howell.
Meet your guide
