Women’s College Basketball Season Preview: Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Leads a Star-Studded Field
Women’s college basketball is preparing for another exciting season, with returning superstars, high-profile transfers, promising freshmen and significant coaching changes creating plenty of storylines. Among the biggest attractions is South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and her top-ranked Gamecocks, who are determined to return to the top of the sport after falling short in last season’s national championship game.
JuJu Watkins Returns to Headline a Talented Field
One of the most anticipated developments is the return of USC standout JuJu Watkins, who is set to play again after missing the entire previous season while recovering from an ACL injury. Her comeback gives the Trojans a major boost and provides fans with another opportunity to watch one of the sport’s most exciting talents.
Watkins will be part of an impressive collection of stars expected to shape the season. UConn’s Sarah Strong, the Associated Press Player of the Year, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards are among the players expected to attract significant attention.
For South Carolina, Edwards represents an important part of the program’s future as Staley works to keep the Gamecocks among the nation’s elite. Following their championship-game defeat to UCLA, the Gamecocks will enter the new campaign with motivation to respond and reclaim the national title.
South Carolina Seeks Redemption as UCLA Rebuilds
South Carolina’s pursuit of another championship will be one of the season’s central storylines. Staley has established the Gamecocks as a consistent national contender, and the program’s expectations remain high heading into the new campaign.
Meanwhile, defending champion UCLA faces a substantial roster challenge. The Bruins lost their top six players to the WNBA Draft, leaving head coach Cori Close with the difficult task of replacing a championship-caliber group.
Close has turned to the transfer portal to bring fresh talent into the program. Although replacing so much production is never easy, UCLA will attempt to remain competitive and demonstrate that its championship success can continue despite significant personnel changes.
International Openers Set the Stage
The new season will begin with several teams traveling overseas for high-profile matchups. Notre Dame, led by Hidalgo, is scheduled to face Villanova in Rome on November 1 as part of the Eternal City Tip-Off.
The international spotlight will continue the following day in Paris, where South Carolina is scheduled to meet No. 20 Maryland. No. 12 North Carolina will also face No. 21 Oklahoma in the French capital.
These early contests will provide valuable opportunities for teams to assess their progress against quality opposition before conference play intensifies.
The season will conclude with the national championship game scheduled for April 4 in Columbus, Ohio. Another notable change is the expansion of the NCAA Tournament to 76 teams for the first time, giving more programs an opportunity to compete for the national championship.
Transfers Reshape the National Landscape
Player movement has once again transformed the college basketball landscape. Oklahoma State added former Iowa State standout Audi Crooks, while Addy Brown moved to UCLA. Talaysia Cooper transferred from Tennessee to Ole Miss, and South Carolina strengthened its roster by bringing in Jordan Lee from Texas.
Other notable moves include Nunu Agara transferring from Stanford to Maryland, Liv McGill leaving Florida for Oklahoma State and Aaliyah Crump moving from Texas to Duke.
These transfers could significantly influence the national rankings, particularly as new teammates adjust to different systems and coaching philosophies.
Freshmen Ready to Make Their Mark
Despite the increased opportunities for players to remain in college for a fifth season, the incoming freshman class still features several prospects capable of contributing immediately.
North Carolina’s Kate Harpring, USC’s Saniyah Hall and Iowa’s McKenna Woliczko are among the newcomers worth watching. Their performances could help determine how quickly their respective programs establish themselves as contenders.
Coaching Changes Bring New Opportunities
Several programs will also begin the season under new leadership. Northwestern hired former Princeton coach Carla Berube following Joe McKeown’s retirement. Berube arrives with an impressive coaching record of 531-125 across her stops at Tufts and Princeton, including five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with the Tigers.
Penn State appointed former player Tanisha Wright as its new head coach, while Ayla Guzzardo took charge at Georgia. Virginia also hired Aaron Roussell after his tenure at Bucknell.
With elite returning players, major transfers, talented freshmen and new coaches entering the picture, the upcoming season promises plenty of competition. For Staley and South Carolina, the objective remains clear: turn last season’s disappointment into another championship run.
About The Author
