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Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior Writer
It’s been a quiet start to the 2024-25 women’s basketball season, going undefeated among the Associated Press’ top 10 teams so far. But that is about to change. Two of the most anticipated matches on the November schedule happen this weekend in Los Angeles.
USC hosts Notre Dame on Saturday, and UCLA hosts South Carolina on Saturday. It’s a chance to see four of the best teams in the country — a quartet that could make the Final Four next spring — and some of the most exciting players.
Who will shine among the sophomore super guards when the Trojans face the Irish: USC’s JuJu Watkins or Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo? Both teams also have 2025 WNBA draft lottery picks in USC senior forward Kiki Iriafen and Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles, a draft-eligible junior.
The defending champion Gamecocks and Bruins will test their inside game. Forward Chloe Kitts (17.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG) leads South Carolina and center Lauren Betts (21.5, 11.5) leads UCLA.
We’re still in the “learning about” phase with the team this season, so the AP poll and ESPN’s women’s basketball power rankings are pretty static. Some teams such as TCU have made an early splash — the Horned Frogs aren’t quite in our rankings yet, but they’re getting close — while others are still in the shallow waters of a bleak nonconference schedule.
With this weekend’s show and next week’s holiday tournament, the action should be on.
Previous ranking: 1
The Gamecocks picked up recent wins over Coppin State and East Carolina, scoring 90 points in both games. South Carolina’s depth will be a problem for opponents this season.
The next seven days: @ Clemson (Nov. 20), @ UCLA (Nov. 24)
Previous ranking: 2
In the first meeting with a ranked team, the Huskies defeated North Carolina 69-58 on Saturday, led by Paige Bueckers 29 points. Freshman Sarah Strong stood out with 14 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks. Coach Geno Auriemma earned his 1,217th victory on Wednesday, which would be the championship lead in both men’s and women’s NCAA basketball.
The next seven days: vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Nov. 20), vs. Oregon State (Nov. 25) at Bahamas
Previous ranking: 3
The Trojans had no problem with Santa Clara on Saturday, recording 23 assists in an 81-50 victory. Watkins had 22 points and has led USC in scoring every game so far this season.
The next seven days: vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 23)
Previous ranking: 4
With wins against three undermatched opponents, the Longhorns are averaging 101.7 PPG. Transfer Laila Phelia did not play in Texas’ opener, but she has seen action in the past two wins, against Lamar and DePaul.
The next seven days: vs. Tarleton State (Nov. 20)
Previous ranking: 5
The Bruins routed Arkansas 101-52 on Sunday and have a week to prepare for a matchup with even stronger SEC foe South Carolina. Timea Gardiner, a transfer from Oregon State, was 7-of-12 from behind the arc against the Razorbacks.
The next seven days: vs. South Carolina (Nov. 24)
Previous ranking: 6
The Tigers got recent wins over Murray State and Troy, with Flau’Jae Johnson (23.8 PPG), Mikaylah Williams (17.6 PPG) and Aneesah Morrow (17.0 PPG, 12.4 RPG). The Tigers could be tested in the upcoming Baha Mar tournament.
The next seven days: vs. Tulane (Nov. 20), vs. Washington (Nov. 25) at Bahamas
Previous ranking: 7
The Irish beat James Madison and Lafayette and averaged 97.8 PPG. Kate Koval, a 6-foot-5 freshman from Ukraine, averaged 13.0 rebounds. He is ESPN’s HoopGurlz’ No. 5 recruit from the Class of 2024.
The next seven days: @ USC (Nov 23)
Previous ranking: 8
The Cyclones have swept four opponents and have two of their three annual games with in-state rivals this week. It’s all a buildup to face No. 1 South Carolina on November 28.
The next seven days: @ Northern Iowa (Nov. 20), vs. Drake (Nov. 24)
Previous ranking: 10
The Sooners scored a program record 122 points as they beat Western Carolina, shooting 63.2%. They followed that up with a win Tuesday over Wichita State. Transfer center Raegan Beers averaged a double for Oklahoma.
The next seven days: @ UNLV (Nov. 22), vs. DePaul (Nov. 25) in Las Vegas
Previous ranking: 13
The Terps are coming off wins over Syracuse and Towson and are led by Rutgers transfer guard Kaylene Smikle (18.6 PPG). He is one of 10 newcomers for Maryland this season.
The next seven days: against St. Francis (Pa.) (Nov. 24)
Previous ranking: 11
No one has come close to the Wildcats yet. Center Ayoka Lee had 28 points to lead them past Creighton and then 16 in a win over Little Rock. Better competition is on the road at the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas, where they will play Duke and could also face Oklahoma.
The next seven days: vs. Milwaukee (Nov. 20), vs. Duke (Nov. 25) in Las Vegas
Previous ranking: 12
The Buckeyes won 67-63 at Belmont on Sunday. Cotie McMahon had a team-high 21 points, but Ohio State’s offense had a rough day (34.3% shooting).
The next seven days: @ Ohio (Nov. 20), vs. Bowling Green (Nov. 24)
Previous ranking: 14
Duke bounced back from a November 10 loss at Maryland with wins over Dayton and South Dakota State over the past week. Sophomore Jadyn Donovan had 23 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals against the Jackrabbits.
The next seven days: vs. Belmont (Nov. 21), vs. Kansas State (Nov. 25) in Las Vegas
Previous ranking: 15
The Mountaineers are coming off wins over Texas A&M and Bowling Green. Sydney Shaw, a transfer from Auburn, fits right in with fellow guards JJ Quinerly and Jordan Harrison.
The next seven days: vs. Lafayette (Nov. 22)
Previous ranking: No
new coach Kenny Brooks has achieved something great: 71-61 overtime victory over archrival Louisville on Saturday. That was followed by a win over Purdue Fort Wayne. Kentucky could have some challenges in its next three games, two of them against ranked teams.
The next seven days: vs. Arizona State (November 26) in Nashville, Tennessee
Previous ranking: No
The Huskers took on South Dakota, winning 113-70 on Saturday. They followed that up with a win at North Alabama on Tuesday. However, sophomore Natalie Potts, Nebraska’s leading scorer and rebounder, suffered a non-contact knee injury on Tuesday and played just 10 minutes. He returned to the bench on crutches. Coach Amy Williams did not have a postgame update on Potts’ status.
The next seven days: @ Creighton (Nov. 22), vs. Kansas City (Nov. 26)
