What to watch: Feast week edition
The best Thanksgiving weekend matchups in NCAA women's basketball
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Happy Thanksgiving! In addition to the holiday, this weekend also the host of some of the best non-conference matchups of the NCAA women’s basketball season. Whether you’re looking for some entertainment between courses, trying to get the most of the FloSports subscription you purchased to watch your favorite team, or are overwhelmed by the slate of action available - here’s the breakdown of this weekend’s must watch games.
All times Eastern Standard Time (EST) | Potential upsets noted by “Upset Watch” below
Thanksgiving Day (November 23)
Game of the Day
#19 Tennessee vs # 21 Indiana | 6:00 pm | FOX
Both of these teams lost their first marquee non-conference matchups of the season, with Tennessee narrowly falling to Florida State and Stanford being too much for Indiana to handle. That should leave both the Vols and the Hoosiers hungry for a chance to prove themselves and make for a great Thanksgiving evening matchup. The availability of Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, who is day-today with a right foot injury, is likely to play a big role in the outcome of this one.
Honorable Mention
#22 Oklahoma vs Princeton | 3:00pm | Livestream
Upset Watch
Princeton looked like a top-25 team when they lost by just three points on the road at UCLA. The Tigers will have two chances to prove it in the Fort Myers Tip-Off, starting with Thursday’s game against Oklahoma.
Black Friday (November 24)
Game of the Day
#2 UCLA vs #6 UConn | 7:30 pm | FloSports
Upset Watch
The second ranked Bruins have Final Four expectations this year after senior Charisma Osborne decided to stay for her fifth year and Stanford transfer Lauren Betts headed to Westwood. UCLA has started the season 4-0, but has yet to play a top-25 opponent. UConn has rebounded nicely from a loss to NC State in the second game of its season, including a stomping of Maryland on the Huskies home court to start the season 3-1. This top-10 matchup might be the game of the weekend.
Honorable mention
#9 Virginia Tech vs Kansas | 5:00pm | FloSports
Upset Watch
Virginia Tech fell short of Iowa in their opening week matchup, but has another chance to be tested against a Kansas team that took home the WNIT title last season. The battle in the lane between Elizabeth Kitley for the Hokies and Taiyanna Jackson for the Jayhawks should be particularly fun to watch.
(Potentially) #4 Stanford vs. #13 Florida State | 9:30pm | FloSports
Stanford and Florida State need to win their Wednesday afternoon games first, but should both teams take care of their opponents, they’ll meet in the Ball Dawgs Classic Championship on Friday night.
Saturday (November 25)
Game of the Day
#3 Colorado vs #10 NC State | 1:00pm | ESPN+
Upset Watch
Both Colorado and NC State skyrocketed in the polls after pulling off early season upsets. The Buffaloes took down preseason top-ranked LSU in Vegas on opening day, and the Wolfpack defeated UConn on their home court to close out the first week of the season. Now they’ll face each other at Paradise Jam. Both teams have athletic and experienced guards, including Colorado’s Jaylyn Sherrod and NC State’s Saniya Rivers, that should make for a fun backcourt matchup.
Honorable mentions
#21 Indiana vs Princeton | 11:00 am | Livestream
In addition to another chance to prove they belong in the top-25, Princeton has opportunities to pick up quality wins to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament against both Indiana and Oklahoma. Indiana also has another chance to respond to their loss at Stanford with a quality opponent here.
#19 Tennessee vs #22 Oklahoma | 1:30 pm | Women’s Sports Network
The Fort Myers Tip-Off is giving no shortage of great games, with anther top-25 matchup here between the Lady Vols and the Sooners.
#7 LSU vs Virginia | 5:00pm | FloSports
While Virginia is not ranked, it’s still one of the top three opponents on the Tiger’s non-conference schedule. This matchup should be an interesting barometer of how LSU has progressed since their opening night loss to Colorado. Of course, all eyes will also be on if Angel Reese has made the trip to the Cayman Islands, and if she’ll return to the court for the Tigers.
Sunday (November 26)
Game of the Day
#20 Louisville vs Gonzaga | 1:45pm | ESPN+
Upset Watch
Gonzaga returns an experienced roster, including the Truong twins in the backcourt. That has led them to a 4-1 start, with their only loss being in overtime to Washington State (a top-25 opponent). This will be the Cardinals’ first big test of the season, and a chance to see how well all of Jeff Walz’s new pieces are meshing so far.