What to watch: NCAA women's basketball week #1
Breaking down the best games of the first week of the NCAA women's basketball season
Welcome to View from the Top, a NCAA women’s basketball newsletter focused on the title contenders and championship picture.
View from the Top covers the top teams in the country with an eye towards March all season long. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the top teams in the country, who the true title contenders are and more throughout the season. Thanks for following along!
We’re now just days from the 2023-24 NCAA women’s basketball season tipping off, with the action starting on Monday, November 6th. There’s a stacked lineup of games and chances to see this year’s top contenders in the first week of the season. I’ve broken down my picks for the games to tune in to during the first week below.
(All times EST)
Opening Day (November 6th)
Notre Dame vs South Carolina 1:00pm, ESPN
With an afternoon tip-off from Paris, this game is the perfect way to start off the season. It’s a first look at a new era in South Carolina, after the departure of Aliyah Boston and the rest of the Gamecocks’ starting lineup for the WNBA. Olivia Miles’ status might be questionable for Notre Dame, but the Irish still have high expectations for their squad including freshman point guard Hannah Hidalgo. This matchup will be a great measuring stick of where both teams are at early in the season.
Southern California vs. Ohio State 2:00pm, TruTV
Another afternoon tip-off and great way to start the season. Ohio State starts off the season with a formidable opponent. The Buckeyes rather infamously smothered Tennessee with their press to start off last season, and have now added ACC Defensive Player of the Year to their backcourt. Plus, we’ll get a first look at No. 1 recruit JuJu Watkins for USC in this matchup.
Colorado vs. LSU 7:30pm, TNT
Aside from a matchup with Virginia Tech in the SEC/ACC challenge later this month, this is the most exciting matchup we’ll see for the reigning champions before SEC play. It also provides a great first look at what should be considered one of the most exciting and intriguing teams in the country, and the trio of Angel Reese, Aneesah Morrow and Hailey Van Lith on the floor together. Colorado’s Quay Miller and Jaylyn Sherrod should make for interesting matchups and an exciting opening day game in Vegas.
Under the radar: Harvard at Maryland 7:00pm, Big Ten Plus
We’ll get a better look at the Terps on Sunday when they play South Carolina, but this matchup shouldn’t be overlooked. Harvard could compete with Princeton and Columbia atop the Ivy League this season, and is a solid mid-major opponent to give Maryland a test in their opener.
November 9th
Tennessee at Florida State 6:00pm, ESPN2
This Tennessee team is more intriguing than most are giving it credit for. Leading scorer Rickea Jackson is back, Tamari Key will also suite up for the Vols after missing last season and Kelly Harper made some strong additions in the transfer portal. Florida State and last year’s freshman of the year Ta’Niya Latson should provide a fun matchup here in week one.
Iowa vs Virginia Tech 8:00pm, ESPN2
Perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the first week of the season features two of last year’s Final Four squads. This provides an early test for both the Hawkeyes and Hokies, both of which have some key pieces from last year’s squads they need to replace - but also both of which return their stars in Caitlin Clark and Elizabeth Kitley. The matchup between Clark and Tech’s Georgia Amoore should be particularly fun.
Under the radar: Gonzaga at Washington State 10:00pm, Livestream
This one doesn’t feature any national title contenders per se, but should be a fun matchup if you’re looking for a late night game. Last year’s Pac-12 tournament Cinderellas vs. one of the country’s best mid-major teams. This one will certainly have NCAA tournament seeding implications come March.
November 11th
Under the radar: Illinois at Marquette 3pm, FloSports
This is the game of the day on Saturday. Illinois is coming off a much improved 2022-23 season and Marquette also returns many of its key pieces from last year’s squad that upset UConn in the regular season. This Big East / Big Ten clash should be entertaining.
November 12th
Maryland at South Carolina 1:00pm, ABC
The Gamecocks make this list twice, returning from France for a Sunday matchup with the Maryland. This series has provided plenty excitement over the last couple of meetings, and this year should be no different. Notably, both of these teams are working through having to replace key contributors (Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke for the Gamecocks, Diamond Miller and Abby Myers for the Terps), and this will be a good opportunity to see who can step up for each team early in the season.
UConn at NC State 3:00pm, ABC
NC State might not be a fixture at the top of the ACC this season as they have been in the past, but the Wolfpack should still provide a solid road matchup for the Huskies. Additionally, this list of what to watch in week one wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t contain a glimpse at Paige Bueckers’ much anticipated return to the court for UConn.
Indiana at Stanford 5:00pm, ESPN
With Mackenzie Holmes returning for the Hoosiers, expectations should once again be high in Bloomington this season. They’ll start off the season with a good test, heading to Stanford to take on a Cardinal team that looks much different than last year. Stanford still has Cameron Brink, however, which will set up a fun battle of the All-Americans in the frontcourt for this top-15 matchup.
Her Hoop Stats Bracketology Update
If you have followed my bracketology content on Her Hoop Stats before, I have some exciting news. We’ve launched a Bracketology page on herhoopstats.com which includes my full preseason field of 68 prediction. I’ll be updating the bracket throughout the season there, with increasing frequency as we get closer to March.