Charlie Creme, ESPN.com
November and December supplied one of the vital maximum compelling early season faculty basketball we’ve observable in an extended date.
The South Carolina Gamecocks‘ lineup had a makeover, and it didn’t alternate this system’s point of luck in any respect. The UConn Huskies are persevering thru some other current of accidents however nonetheless conquering the Heavy East. Newbies, led via the USC Trojans‘ JuJu Watkins, have remodeled into stars nearly right away. The nationwide participant of the yr race is Caitlin Clark‘s to lose as she pursues the NCAA profession scoring report.
However what about the ones convention participant of the yr battles? We preserve the ones and extra with a have a look at the height storylines in each and every league around the nation as convention play games strikes into overdrive.
American Athletic Convention
Extensive revealed race: UConn tore during the first seven years of the AAC with no blemish. When the Huskies returned to the Heavy East in 2021, the South Florida Bulls and UCF Knights took over and mixed to win the after 3 regular-season titles. With the Knights now within the Heavy 12 and the Bulls coping with commencement losses and shock, the American race is broad revealed for the primary date in its historical past. Issues glance so other that league freshmen Charlotte and UAB are the wave leaders within the standings.
One alternative alternate that isn’t such excellent information for the AAC: With simply two groups within the height 100 of the NET, and none within the height 75, the AAC shall be a one-bid NCAA event convention. The league’s postseason destiny will to descend to these 5 days in Citadel Utility on the AAC event.
The usa East Athletic Convention
Teammates match for participant of the yr: Anne Simon gained The usa East participant of the yr in 2022. Later with Simon scuffling with accidents in 2023, Maine Black Bears sophomore Adrianna Smith emerged because the convention’s supreme participant. The query now could be which teammate will fracture the connect.
They’re the front-runners this season as Simon leads the The usa East in scoring (18.8 PPG) and Smith ranks 6th (15.4 PPG). Smith leads the league in rebounding (10.9 RPG) and is 3rd in assists (4.5 APG). Simon’s 2.6 steals consistent with competition are excellent for second-best. Smith is also moment with a 77.6% isolated throw share, and so they each explode 46% from the farmland. Maine is aiming for its 3rd American East regular-season championship in 4 years.
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FSU’s Sara Bejedi knocks ill fifth 3-pointer
Sara Bejedi places up a profession majestic 31-points with 5 treys as FSU takes ill Virginia Tech 89-81.
Atlantic Coast Convention
The rustic’s maximum compelling race: Right here comes the Florida State Seminoles as soon as once more to start up chaos within the ever-changing ACC. Later a splendid day with wins over the North Carolina Tar Heels and Virginia Tech Hokies, the Seminoles have probably the most wins in convention play games at 5-1. That is then they have been decided on 5th within the preseason ballot. And that’s one yr then they have been picked 9th and completed fourth. As soon as once more led via Ta’Niya Latson, Florida Atmosphere is the second-highest-scoring group within the ACC.
And the Seminoles aren’t even the league’s largest miracle. That honor is going to the NC State Wolfpack. Picked 8th within the convention within the preseason, the Wolfpack briefly become probably the most supreme groups within the nation. They’ve already overwhelmed the Seminoles in extra time, and their handiest blemish is a last-second highway loss to the Hokies. With 9 groups already with no less than 3 convention wins, the ACC shapes as much as be the inner most race within the population.
Atlantic Solar Convention
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles‘ persisted dominance: Incorrect college has ruled its convention the way in which FGCU has within the generation decade. Age inauguration themselves as probably the most preeminent mid-major systems within the nation, the Eagles below Karl Smesko have gained 12 of the generation 13 ASUN regular-season titles, shedding simply 10 league video games for the reason that 2010-11 season. Within the generation 5 seasons with an ASUN event (2020’s was once canceled because of COVID-19), the Eagles have double-dipped with a regular-season and event identify. They’re large favorites to do it once more.
This isn’t the blistering 3-point taking pictures group of final season, and struggling 4 losses within the first two months wasn’t the best nonconference run. However FGCU was once nonetheless excellent plethora to overcome North Carolina and has gained all 3 of its ASUN video games via double figures.
Atlantic 10 Convention
Unpredictability reigns: The Atlantic 10 is just like the ACC with extra at stake. The ACC can rely on more than one NCAA event bids. Now not the A-10. Two seems to be the max — and only one is a robust chance. However it has already been an unanticipated get started. First, the Davidson Wildcats gained on the Duke Blue Devils and just about dissatisfied North Carolina. Now the Richmond Spiders, off to a 5-0 get started in convention play games, are the recent group. Neither the Wildcats nor Spiders have been forecast to complete within the height 3. 8 groups have already got 3 league wins or extra, and the league race may shoot many twists and turns sooner than March.
However hour a difficult race shall be humorous, it most likely gained’t aid the A-10 get more than one groups into the Heavy Dance. The convention’s supreme probability to ship multiple consultant to the NCAA event for the simply the second one date in 5 years could be for a group just like the Spiders to fail to win the convention event — and hope their dominant steady season was once excellent plethora to earn an at-large bid.
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Nika Muhl racks up 13 assists in UConn’s blowout win over Windfall
Nika Muhl notches a double-double of 10 features and 13 assists in UConn’s 85-41 win vs. Windfall.
Heavy East Convention
UConn nonetheless stands ideally suited: Accidents proceed to shoot their toll at the Huskies. Aubrey Griffin is now the fourth participant to be misplaced for the season. Geno Auriemma is basically all the way down to a seven-player rotation once more. But it hasn’t prohibited UConn from punishing the remains of the Heavy East. Via six video games, which incorporates Manage 25 warring parties Marquette and Creighton, the Huskies are beating convention foes via a median of 36 features consistent with competition. Six avid gamers are taking pictures over 50% from the farmland towards Heavy East festival, led via Aaliyah Edwards‘ 60.3%. Paige Bueckers is averaging a extremely environment friendly 19.2 features consistent with competition and a 4.6 assist-turnover ratio in Heavy East play games. An unbeaten Heavy East season is at the desk for UConn.
Heavy Sky Convention
Eastern Washington Eagles proceed for his or her first identify since 2010: Postseason play games is a dearth for the Eagles. Their résumé comprises only one NCAA event, 3 journeys to the WNIT and one ask over to the WBI. However tardy 3 20-point video games from sophomore Aaliyah Alexander and the all-around manufacturing of graduate Jaime Loera, Jap Washington has matched this system report with a seven-game successful streak. If the Eagles can live to tell the tale two video games towards co-preseason favourite Northern Arizona, they may seize their moment Heavy Sky identify.
Heavy South Convention
League became the wrong way up: It’s now not steadily {that a} group is going from an undefeated convention champ one yr to being picked to complete final the after. That’s precisely what took place to the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, who misplaced all 5 starters and their tutor. Later successful 29 video games and going 18-0 in convention play games, Gardner-Webb is 2-14 below first-year tutor Scott Merritt, attach for the bottom win overall within the Heavy South. It misplaced via 53 to North Carolina, 50 to Charlotte and 78 to the Florida Gators.
It’s been a unique roughly turnaround for the South Carolina Upstate Spartans, who completed 7th a yr in the past and feature by no means gained a convention championship since becoming a member of Section I in 2007 however are in first park at 3-0.
0:26
Texas’ Madison Booker baffles defender with candy dribbles strikes
Madison Booker amazes her Texas teammates with an notable behind-the-back dribble right into a layup.
Heavy 12 Convention
Accidents solid a dim cloud: Age the sudden begins via the Baylor Bears and Kansas State Wildcats had been a obese a part of the Heavy 12’s first two and a 1/2 months, accidents had been the tale of the convention. Two, specifically, shook the Heavy 12. When Rori Harmon went ill with a knee shock simply then Christmas, the Texas Longhorns seemed like the group to overcome, and Harmon was once striking in combination a profession season and was once the front-runner for league participant of the yr.
The similar might be mentioned for Sedona Prince, who was once main the Heavy 12 in scoring (21.2 PPG) when she beggarly a finger that required surgical procedure. Extra importantly, she had helped flip across the TCU Horned Frogs below first-year tutor Mark Campbell. TCU gained 8 video games a season in the past and are at 13 wins now. However the Horned Frogs are winless since Prince’s shock.
The Oklahoma Sooners additionally haven’t somewhat recovered from shedding chief Liz Scott to a shoulder shock in the beginning of the season.
Heavy Ten Convention
Clark’s report keep watch: The countdown is on for when, now not if, Clark breaks Kelsey Plum’s NCAA record for many profession features. Clark is 221 features away and is projected to cross Plum in mid-February — most likely at house. The Iowa Hawkeyes host the Michigan Wolverines on Feb. 15 and the Illinois Fighting Illini on Feb. 25. Clark become the Heavy Ten’s all-time assists chief previous this season and is the primary Section I participant to report 3,000 features, 900 assists and 800 rebounds.
Amid the entire numbers to look at is Iowa’s pursuit of an outright Heavy Ten identify, one thing the Hawkeyes haven’t begun to do with Clark (they shared the identify with Ohio Atmosphere in 2022). Later Saturday’s convincing win over the Indiana Hoosiers buoyed via Clark’s 30 features and 11 assists, Iowa is within the driving force’s seat.
Heavy West Convention
Hawaii Rainbow Wahine looking to run, slowly, to a 3rd directly identify: If Hawaii goes to constitute the Heavy West within the NCAA event for a 3rd directly yr, it is going to be completed slowly. Methodical has been the way for 12-year tutor Laura Beeman in successful the generation two Heavy West tournaments. Endmost season the Rainbow Wahine ranked 340th in possessions consistent with 40 mins. This season they’re 343rd, and so they rank twenty seventh in features allowed (56.1 consistent with competition). Holding the age gradual has translated to group luck. Hawaii doesn’t have a double-figure scorer or a participant who ranks within the height 15 within the Heavy West in farmland objective share however extra only a half-game out of first park.
Coastal Athletic Affiliation
Stony Brook Seawolves at the stand: At this date final yr, Stony Brook was once 10-6 and averaging 67.9 features consistent with competition. The addition of Khari Clark from Loyola Marymount and the development of fifth-year senior Gigi Gonzalez have ignited the offense and resulted in additional wins. The Seawolves (14-1) are scoring 76.6 features consistent with competition and feature emerged because the clean favourite to win the CAA. Gonzalez leads the convention in scoring (16.7 PPG) and she or he and Clark, who’s sixteenth within the nation in farmland objective share (60.9%), are each contributors of the 1,000-point membership.
Convention USA
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders‘ bid for NCAA event berth: Center Tennessee got here into the season as the overpowering favourite to win CUSA. However what if the Blue Raiders slip up within the convention event? Can they nonetheless succeed in the NCAA event? Which may be probably the most compelling questions of Variety Sunday. Firmly at the bubble presently as an at-large candidate, Center Tennessee’s NET (53) places it in sturdy attention, and the Blue Raiders scheduled neatly within the nonconference, enjoying Michigan, the Princeton Tigers, Houston Cougars, Belmont Bruins and Tennessee Lady Volunteers. Beating the Woman Vols, some other possible bubble group, may grow to be important. However as a result of nobody else in CUSA is even akin to the height 100 within the NET, the Blue Raiders may not be have the funds for multiple loss in league play games sooner than March.
Horizon League
The Green Bay Phoenix‘s push towards March: Kevin Borseth’s moment stint because the Phoenix tutor has been just about as a success as the primary, which integrated seven NCAA event appearances in 9 seasons. However then getting Inexperienced Bay to 5 NCAA tournaments in his first six years again, the Phoenix haven’t performed in March Insanity since 2018. Due to offensive steadiness and high-level potency, plus nonconference wins over Creighton and Washington State, that are meant to alternate despite the fact that they will have to lose within the Horizon League event like they did a yr in the past then going 27-5. Inexperienced Bay has six avid gamers averaging no less than 7.6 features consistent with competition, is moment within the nation in assist-turnover ratio and 7th in 2-point farmland objective share. The Phoenix proportion the ball and get excellent pictures regardless of having simply two avid gamers taller than 6-foot-2.
Ivy League
Abbey Hsu‘s and the Columbia Lions‘ NCAA event quest: Earlier than Hsu arrived, Columbia had one successful season since 1986. The Lions haven’t had a shedding season since Hsu stepped at the courtroom in 2019-20, and so they i’m ready program data for wins in each and every of the generation two. To mention Hsu is probably the most impactful participant in Columbia historical past could be underselling it. She is already the Ivy League’s all-time chief in made 3-pointers, and the countdown is on till she turns into Columbia’s all-time main scorer. She is solely 115 features shy of Camille Zimmerman’s mark. An NCAA event look is the only factor lacking from her résumé. Getting the Lions there for the primary date may come all the way down to beating Princeton within the Ivy League event.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Convention
Fairfield Stags are off and operating: Apparently Carly Thibault-DuDonis wanted only one season to reset the Fairfield program following the leaving of long-time tutor Joe Frager. Thibault-DuDonis went 15-15 in her first yr then Frager took Fairfield to its first NCAA event in 21 years. Now she has the Stags on a trail to go back to the Dance. The Stags have the most productive offense and second-best protection within the MAAC, in addition to its height scorer in freshman Meghan Anderson (17.9 PPG). They’ve began the season 14-1 and feature overwhelmed their first six MAAC warring parties via a median margin of just about 20 features.
Mid-American Convention
Quinesha Lockett‘s fitness holds the important thing: Whether or not the Toledo Rockets can ship on their condition because the Mid-American favourite hinges at the wholesome go back of Lockett, the reigning convention participant of the yr. Later depart the Rockets’ Dec. 17 competition with a sprained knee, Lockett — who’s averaging a team-leading 15.3 features and six.0 rebounds — hasn’t performed. She is predicted again once in a while this generation. With the exception of a blowout loss to Duke, Toledo has survived with out her. On the other hand, the center of the MAC season awaits, together with an noteceable shuttle to the Ball State Cardinals on Sunday. Lockett shall be wanted if the Rockets are to compare final yr’s second-round NCAA event look.
Mid-Jap Athletic Convention
The affluent prosperous get richer: The Norfolk State Spartans have been already the favorites to win the MEAC with out Diamond Johnson. As soon as the NCAA dominated in December to permit two-time transfers rapid eligibility, the hopelessness for the alternative seven systems grew exponentially. The previous Rutgers and NC Atmosphere level safe has averaged 19.7 features, 7.3 rebounds and three.5 assists in six video games, and Norfolk Atmosphere has long past 5-1. Johnson is definitely the most productive participant within the MEAC. The query is: Can a participant who sat out 10 video games nonetheless win convention participant of the yr?
Missouri Valley Convention
Belmont taking it to the Banks: In a extremely aggressive, veteran-dominated convention, freshman Jailyn Banks could be the difference-maker for the Belmont Bruins. 2d at the group in scoring (12.7 PPG) and assists (3.4 APG), Banks has gained 4 MVC freshman of the day awards and has a year as probably the most Valley’s supreme avid gamers. Her use was once on show within the waning moments of Sunday’s competition at Indiana Atmosphere. With 13 seconds left and the Bruins ill via one, Banks made a thieve and scored thru an intentional foul. Sovereign throws sealed the win. She left the sport with an obvious shock then the foul, and that shall be an MVC storyline to observe if Banks should pass over date.
Mountain West Convention
A two-player race: As soon as once more, the UNLV Lady Rebels seem like the category of the Mountain West, however the participant of the yr race isn’t as uncomplicated. Desi-Rae Young gained it two years in the past when UNLV started its dominance of the convention. However Colorado State Rams level safe McKenna Hofschild took the {hardware} final yr. If she continues her wave age, Hofschild shall be tricky to overcome. She leads the rustic in assists consistent with competition (8.4) and the MWC in scoring at 23.9 PPG. That quantity jumps to 29.0 in convention video games. Younger is the league’s second-best scorer (19.5 PPG) and rebounder (8.7 RPG) and performs at the league’s supreme group, making this probably probably the most closest participant of the yr races within the nation.
Northeast Convention
The most productive participant in convention historical past? Sacred Heart Pioneers sophomore Ny’Ceara Pryor is definitely on her technique to changing into the most productive participant in NEC historical past. Only a season and a 1/2 into her profession, she may have already got claimed the identify. One yr then successful NEC participant of the yr, defensive participant and freshman of the yr, she’s on age to seize extra {hardware} this season. The 5-foot-3 Pryor leads the convention in scoring, steals, assists and assist-turnover ratio. She’s additionally 5th in rebounding, moment in farmland objective share and 3rd in isolated throw share. Capturing 20.0% from the 3-point series is Pryor’s sole shortcoming, and on account of her talent to get to the rim, she has taken handiest 25 3-pointers all season. The NEC has 5 two-time participant of the yr winners in its historical past. Pryor will have to fix that record simply two years into her profession.
Ohio Valley Convention
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles bounce to the height: Southern Indiana is the tale of the primary 1/2 of the season within the OVC. In simply their moment season in Section I, the Screaming Eagles have grabbed the early convention manage. Later going 6-12 in convention play games a yr in the past, they’ve began 5-0 tardy the play games of youth Vanessa Shafford. Southern Indiana gained’t be eligible for the NCAA event till 2027 and gained’t play games within the OVC event, however the Eagles’ fast starting to regular-season convention play games makes them one of the crucial progressed groups within the nation.
1:37
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Stanford Cardinal – Sport Highlights
Guard the Sport Highlights from Colorado Buffaloes vs. Stanford Cardinal, 01/14/2024
Percent-12 Convention
Percent-12 going out with a bang: The Percent-12 doesn’t glance adore it’s in a position to mention see you later, no less than in girls’s basketball. The league has been the top-rated NET convention within the nation since USC and Colorado pulled off surprising upsets at the identical courtroom in Las Vegas at the first age of the season. This day the Percent-12 has 4 groups within the height 10 and is a valid blackmail to have two — or perhaps even 3 — Incorrect. 1 seeds within the NCAA event. As well as, Stanford‘s Tara VanDerveer may turn into the all time winningest tutor in NCAA historical past this day.
Later there’s the participant of the yr race. Stanford’s Cameron Brink, Utah‘s Alissa Pili and USC’s JuJu Watkins all may end the season as first-team All-American citizens. Watkins is environment freshman data on a weekly foundation. The height groups aren’t simply scuffling with for a league championship. Each and every Friday and Sunday for the remains of the season, Percent-12 play games will have an effect on NCAA event seeding. The Percent-12 event in March would be the maximum noteceable convention tourney within the nation.
Patriot League
Weimar’s dominant run: Boston University senior ahead Caitlin Weimar was once decided on because the Patriot League’s preseason participant of the yr, however her personal coaches couldn’t have observable this dominance coming. Because the Terriers combat the American University Eagles, Colgate Raiders and Holy Cross Crusaders for the league identify and struggle to achieve simply their moment NCAA event (2003), it is going to even be a laugh to look what number of statistical sections the 6-4 Weimar can height. She leads the Patriot League in scoring (18.7 PPG), rebounding (8.3 RPG) and restrained pictures (2.1 BPG). She’s additionally moment in farmland objective share (53.4%) and mins (35.0 MPG) and 3rd in isolated throw share (72%).
5:42
Staley discusses have an effect on of VP Harris visiting Gamecocks
Following Incorrect. 1 South Carolina’s win over Kentucky, First light Staley dives into the importance of Vice President Kamala Harris visiting along with her group sooner than the sport.
Southeastern Convention
Reconstructed Gamecocks are even higher: Catching South Carolina appears adore it generally is a larger activity this yr than it was once a yr in the past — and the 2022-23 Gamecocks didn’t lose a competition till the Ultimate 4. First light Staley’s remodeled lineup is more youthful, nimbler and a lot better offensively hour now not shedding anything else on protection. Take into account within the nationwide semifinals when Iowa sagged off all of South Carolina’s perimeter avid gamers? Now the Gamecocks are the most productive 3-point-shooting group within the nation. If truth be told, they’re the population’s supreme offensive and defensive group, doing all of it towards the Twelfth-most-difficult time table.
For excellent measure, additionally they grasp extra rebounds consistent with competition than any alternative group. No person within the SEC appears akin to competing with South Carolina. Staley warned us how excellent this team could be, and the avid gamers are backing up each and every word of honour.
Southern Convention
Notable get started for all of the convention: It was once a excellent first two months for the SoCon. Propelled via the Chattanooga Mocs‘ dissatisfied of the Mississippi State Bulldogs in early December, the league is as sturdy as it’s been in recent times. The SoCon ranks twentieth within the NET, its best possible for the reason that NCAA started the use of the NET as its analysis instrument. 4 of the league’s 8 groups got here out of the nonconference time table above .500, and Wofford Terriers youth safe Rachael Rose is within the height 15 within the population in scoring (21.2 PPG).
Southland Convention
The Playing cards’ fast get started: Sabria Dean and the Lamar Cardinals have made the remains of the Southland shoot understand. The Cardinals have been picked to complete a decent 3rd within the preseason however have been slightly of an afterthought to the SE Louisiana Lady Lions within the vote casting. Dean was once given a second-team nod however has proved that was once a obese pass over. She has captured participant of the day honors 4 instances and leads the convention in scoring at 15.4 features consistent with competition. Dean has guided Lamar to a 4-0 get started, a excellent step towards getting this system again to the NCAA event for the primary date in 14 years.
Top League
The door is revealed: If some other group goes to tumble the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, this could be the yr. The Jackrabbits have long past unbeaten in Top League play games two of the generation 3 seasons. They’ve gained 3 regular-season titles in a row and 4 of the generation 5. This version is a ways from Aaron Johnston’s supreme group. Failing to pick out up a signature nonconference win, South Dakota Atmosphere was once simply 6-5 pre-Top League play games. Age the protection extra elite, the explosiveness on offense isn’t there. The Jackrabbits are simply 6th within the league in scoring. The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, who haven’t completed upper than 3rd since becoming a member of the Top in 2015, generally is a challenger using the league’s supreme newcomer in sophomore Taleyah Jones.
Solar Belt Convention
Terren Ward may problem the population’s supreme scorers: Ward might be the solution to a trivialities query one age. Within the yr Caitlin Clark i’m ready the NCAA scoring report and led the population in scoring, who was once moment? At the moment, Ward is the proper resolution. Most effective Clark has scored extra features this season than the Georgia Southern Eagles senior. Ward’s 23.3 features and 10.3 rebounds consistent with competition have the Eagles in competition within the Solar Belt, a convention during which they’ve by no means completed upper than fourth.
Southwestern Athletic Convention
What comes then some splendid nonconference upsets? Incorrect SWAC group recently has a successful total report towards Section I festival, however that doesn’t heartless the convention didn’t display the rustic one thing all the way through November and December. The Southern Jaguars beat Oklahoma, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Yellowish Lions knocked off the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Grambling Atmosphere Woman Tigers surprised the Arizona State Sun Devils, and the Jackson State Lady Tigers, along with enjoying probably the most supreme nonconference schedules within the nation, dissatisfied the St. John’s Pink Hurricane. The Woman Tigers have been probably the most examined, have been the preseason favorites and feature gained 3 directly regular-season titles, however the race has a probability to be extra fascinating than it’s been the generation few years.
Western Athletic Convention
A possible first-time consultant in March: The Grand Canyon Lopes and California Baptist Lancers have arguably been the WAC’s two supreme groups over the generation 3 seasons. But neither has performed in a Section I NCAA event competition. They each and every misplaced within the convention event championship competition, and when the Lancers gained the event in 2021, they weren’t but eligible for the NCAA event of their final season of transition to Section I. This could be the season one among them breaks thru. Each and every are sitting atop the standings this season. In Chloe Webb, Cal Baptist has the league’s supreme participant thus far, and the Lopes have the WAC’s supreme taking pictures group and its stingiest protection.
West Coast Convention
Gonzaga Bulldogs can proceed to the after point: In her 9 seasons as Gonzaga tutor, Lisa Fortier has did not win the WCC handiest two times. She has had excellent groups, together with one who reached the Candy 16 in 2015. This one could be her supreme. The Zags have the rustic’s sixth-best offense, consistent with HerHoopStats.com, and one among its supreme avid gamers in Yvonne Ejim. Wins over Stanford, Arizona, the California Golden Bears and the Alabama Crimson Tide highlighted a aggressive first two months. Does Gonzaga proceed unbeaten in WCC play games? How a couple of top-four seed within the NCAA event? Will the Zags succeed in the Candy 16 once more? All the ones issues are at the board.
