Thanksgiving week has wrapped up, and with it the parade of MTEs that always dominate the holiday schedule. In this edition of Monday Morning Musings — or as I like to call it, Walkabout with Wellbaum — here are the biggest takeaways from a chaotic week in women’s college basketball.
What frustrated me: the ACC’s performance, Tennessee vs. ranked foes
What I’m still unsure about: UCLA, Texas A&M, Colorado, awkward reunions
What impressed me: The Players Era Championship, top-25 clashes, and Audi Crooks
Preseason Favorites Are Slipping Fast
Let’s start with the ACC — a league currently being held up by North Carolina, Louisville, and, surprisingly, Wake Forest.
North Carolina’s only acceptable loss came to UCLA, but the Tar Heels still lack a signature ranked win. Louisville has two respectable losses. Notre Dame beat Southern Cal, but that accomplishment was completely overshadowed by the 40-point blowout loss to Michigan. And Wake Forest? The Demon Deacons haven’t faced real competition yet, but at 9-0, they’re off to their best start in 17 years. Colorado transfer Grace Oliver is rapidly becoming the breakout name of their season.
NC State’s win over Tennessee a month ago feels like ancient history. Both teams opened in the preseason top ten — yet both could fall out of the top 25 entirely this week. Duke, the team many expected to anchor the ACC, is “a train wreck with no end in sight.” The league’s women’s basketball story is beginning to mirror its football season: simply put, bad.
Tennessee’s struggles intensified with a 99–77 loss to UCLA, even though the Bruins were shorthanded and playing on minimal rest while Lauren Betts wasn’t near full strength. The Lady Vols are 0-2 against ranked opponents, one of them being an NC State squad destined for the unranked pile. Coach Kim Caldwell is now 3–9 vs. ranked teams at Tennessee, with much of her credibility still stemming from last year’s win over UConn.
The Season of Head-Scratching Results
With rosters undergoing major offseason turnover every year, early-season basketball often feels like guesswork. And we’ve seen plenty of puzzling outcomes.
UCLA fell behind Texas by 20 points before storming back in the fourth quarter — then demolished Duke by 30 without Betts and beat Tennessee by 22. Texas A&M lost to UT Arlington one day and toppled Colorado the next… only for Colorado to turn around and lose to Montana State.
Notre Dame might be the biggest wildcard of all. Their success depends entirely on whether Hannah Hidalgo is playing at superhuman levels that night.
Right now, the only sure thing is that nobody quite knows who they are yet.
Best vs. Best Always Delivers
Thanksgiving week traditionally ensures elite non-conference battles thanks to MTEs, even forcing LSU to face at least one team outside the bottom tier.
The fireworks began late last week with Southern Cal–Notre Dame and Michigan–UConn. Then we got a true throwback with UCLA and Tennessee hosting each other in consecutive seasons. Maryland and Kentucky delivered a strong contest in Puerto Rico.
But the undisputed main event was the Players Era Championship, featuring consecutive top-five matchups that weren’t decided until the final minute.
Some fans criticized the event — especially on the men’s side — pointing out half-empty arenas and forced theatrics. But as the article notes, “let’s not pretend the Fort Myers Tipoff is played in front of 20,000 fans.” These complaints could be leveled at nearly every MTE.
In truth, the Players Era Championship was smoothly run, fan-friendly, and filled with quality basketball. “It isn’t going away anyway, so enjoy it.”
Audi Crooks Is Having a Historic Start
A massive salute to Audi Crooks, who looks every bit like the superstar Iowa State expected last season.
After a shaky year in 2023–24, Crooks and the Cyclones are finally living up to their preseason hype. Crooks exploded for 47 points against Indiana on Sunday — her second 40-point outing in just nine games.
She’s averaging 27.3 points, but the real shocker is her efficiency: she’s shooting 73.8% from the field. Only one opponent has held her below 63.6%, and even then she still shot 57.1% against Marquette.
A dominant season may be unfolding before our eyes.
