Women's Basketball 2025-26

[Marquette Fan]

Some great games today - former Marquette player Nicki Collen's Baylor team handed Iowa State their first loss of the season at Iowa State in a close game.  Iowa State also has former MU player Kenzie Hare on their team.

Vanderbilt remained undefeated by beating visiting LSU in a close game.  Vandy is coached by former UCONN star Shea Ralph.

And Wisconsin made a big comeback late against former MU coach Carolyn Kieger's Penn State team.  Penn State is now 0-4 in the Big 10 and I don't see how Kieger remains at PSU after this season.

The remaining undefeated teams are Texas Tech, UCONN, Vanderbilt and Texas.  There were 12 undefeated teams 6 days ago though - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6924493/2025/12/29/womens-college-basketball-undefeated-uconn-lsu/

I don't see anyone beating UCONN this season - could see them having an undefeated season on their way to another National Championship.

[MU82]

Wisconsin made a big comeback late against former MU coach Carolyn Kieger's Penn State team.  Penn State is now 0-4 in the Big 10 and I don't see how Kieger remains at PSU after this season.

Yet another coach finds out the grass isn't always greener.

[WhiteTrash]

Yet another coach finds out the grass isn't always greener.

Didn't she double her salary going to PSU? I can't blame anyone for making that choice even if she loved being at MU.

[JWags85]

Speaking of ISU, obviously the biggest story in WBB this year has been Audi Crooks.  Really interesting story cause she's obviously been unstoppable but it also kind of displays a HUGE glaring issue tactically in women's CBB with how they teach post defense as well as how they deploy (or fail to deploy) double teams.  So much of her success has been taking advantage of completely overmatched defenders left on an island, which is fueled by ISU having multiple snipers on the perimeter if teams try to collapse on her.

Also, might be the first women's star I can think of where its clear her game won't translate to the WNBA.  It happens often in the mens game, but not so much in college.  She won't be able to simply shoot over/brute overpower WNBA centers, she won't see endless single coverage deep in the post, and they will force her out of the paint relentless on defense.

[MU82]

Speaking of ISU, obviously the biggest story in WBB this year has been Audi Crooks.  Really interesting story cause she's obviously been unstoppable but it also kind of displays a HUGE glaring issue tactically in women's CBB with how they teach post defense as well as how they deploy (or fail to deploy) double teams.  So much of her success has been taking advantage of completely overmatched defenders left on an island, which is fueled by ISU having multiple snipers on the perimeter if teams try to collapse on her.

Also, might be the first women's star I can think of where its clear her game won't translate to the WNBA.  It happens often in the mens game, but not so much in college.  She won't be able to simply shoot over/brute overpower WNBA centers, she won't see endless single coverage deep in the post, and they will force her out of the paint relentless on defense.

I have only seen a few bits and pieces of their games. I guess they have good shooters so opponents are reluctant to double-team her?

If I had a tall defender, even if she's slight, I'd absolutely do some fronting - make them have up attempt difficult passes over the top.

[Marquette Fan]

Iowa State continues their free fall today losing their 5th straight game after starting 14-0 - today they lost at Oklahoma State and it wasn't even close - 86-58.  I'd think they'll fall out of the rankings this week.

UCONN and Vanderbilt are the only remaining undefeated Women's Basketball teams.  I think UCONN has a good shot at staying undefeated through the national championship.  Former UCONN star Shea Ralph is doing pretty well as the Vanderbilt coach - they have a tough test tomorrow versus Michigan in a game on Fox tomorrow at 1:30P central.

Penn State is now 0-8 in the Big 10 in last just behind 0-7 Indiana (wow have they fallen in the last few years).

[MU82]

Exciting upset victory for Oklahoma over South Carolina last night.

Nobody will deny that Dawn Stalely is one of the great coaches in the sport, but S.C. failed to get off a shot at the end of regulation despite having plenty of time to do so.

Remember that the next time it happens to your favorite women's, men's, NBA or WNBA team and you want to scream about how bad your coach is. Sometimes, even on great teams coached by one of the greats, good players fail to execute. Also, the opponent has good players and a good coach, too.

[Marquette Fan]

Exciting upset victory for Oklahoma over South Carolina last night.

Nobody will deny that Dawn Stalely is one of the great coaches in the sport, but S.C. failed to get off a shot at the end of regulation despite having plenty of time to do so.

Remember that the next time it happens to your favorite women's, men's, NBA or WNBA team and you want to scream about how bad your coach is. Sometimes, even on great teams coached by one of the greats, good players fail to execute. Also, the opponent has good players and a good coach, too.

There were some good games last night.  I switched over to this one after finishing up the Maryland-Iowa game viewing.  I was rooting for Oklahoma coach Jenny Baranczyk (Lillis) who used to be an assistant coach at Marquette (think she overlapped with Consuegra on the MU staff for a bit and think they shared at least one season playing together at Iowa - Consuegra is older).  I enjoyed watching this game - Oklahoma looked like they'd blown this one in regulation but got it to OT and took care of business then.  Wow are there a lot of good teams in the SEC.  But it may not really matter though as I don't think anyone can come close to competing with UCONN this season.

There's a good SEC game coming up on Sunday - Vanderbilt at South Carolina at 2P central on ESPN.  Vanderbilt and UCONN are the only two undefeated women's basketball teams right now.  Former UCONN standout Shea Ralph is the Vanderbilt coach.

[MU82]

There were some good games last night.  I switched over to this one after finishing up the Maryland-Iowa game viewing.  I was rooting for Oklahoma coach Jenny Baranczyk (Lillis) who used to be an assistant coach at Marquette (think she overlapped with Consuegra on the MU staff for a bit and think they shared at least one season playing together at Iowa - Consuegra is older).  I enjoyed watching this game - Oklahoma looked like they'd blown this one in regulation but got it to OT and took care of business then.  Wow are there a lot of good teams in the SEC.  But it may not really matter though as I don't think anyone can come close to competing with UCONN this season.

There's a good SEC game coming up on Sunday - Vanderbilt at South Carolina at 2P central on ESPN.  Vanderbilt and UCONN are the only two undefeated women's basketball teams right now.  Former UCONN standout Shea Ralph is the Vanderbilt coach.

Real possibility that UConn goes undefeated this season. No weaknesses on that team as long as they stay healthy.

[Marquette Fan]

I fully expect UCONN to go undefeated and win another national championship.  I'm not sure if any team can even be competitive with them.  They are scary good.

[Marquette Fan]

All the 1 seeds are favored by double digits for the Elite 8 games.  I'm just hoping at least one of the games can be competitive.

Heading into the tournament, I thought UCLA was the only team who could even be competitive with UCONN. 

[Billy Hoyle]

I fully expect UCONN to go undefeated and win another national championship.  I'm not sure if any team can even be competitive with them.  They are scary good.

UConn has won 53 straight games, and it's only the 4th longest winning streak in its program history.

[MU82]

All the 1 seeds are favored by double digits for the Elite 8 games.  I'm just hoping at least one of the games can be competitive.

Heading into the tournament, I thought UCLA was the only team who could even be competitive with UCONN.

Yes, for all the talk about big schools dominating the men's tournament, it REALLY happens in this tourney. There are no High Points or St. Peter's EVER in the women's tournament.

[Marquette Fan]

Yes, for all the talk about big schools dominating the men's tournament, it REALLY happens in this tourney. There are no High Points or St. Peter's EVER in the women's tournament.

Yeah they were talking about a 10 beating a 7 in the first round and hi-liting that as an upset as there aren't many upsets in women's bball at all. 

Two #1 seeds onto the Final 4 and expecting the other two #1 seeds to advance tomorrow.

I jokingly said to someone before the tournament we should just skip to UCLA-UCONN in the final.  It's not a give UCLA will make the final game but do think it is a given UCONN will be in the championship game and guessing they'll finish off another undefeated season.

[tower912]

I had the distinct pleasure of attending double digit games of the DII Womens National Champions, Grand Valley State Lakers. (Son in the pep band)  74-2 over the last two seasons.  5 straight 30+ win seasons.  Miles ahead of the competition.   A joy to watch.

[Marquette Fan]

I had the distict pleasure of attending double digit games of the DII Womens National Champions, Grand Valley State Lakers. (Son in the pep band)  74-2 over the last two seasons.  5 straight 30+ win seasons.  Miles ahead of the competition.  A joy to watch.

Nice - that's an impressive run.  And I love band stuff - about to have my second kid participate in marching band in HS.

[Jay Bee]

I had the distinct pleasure of attending double digit games of the DII Womens National Champions, Grand Valley State Lakers. (Son in the pep band)  74-2 over the last two seasons.  5 straight 30+ win seasons.  Miles ahead of the competition.   A joy to watch.

#GAP

I'm all in on Michigan tonight!! Go, Liv!!!

[Marquette Fan]

Wow - expected another blowout by UCONN tonight.  Congrats to South Carolina for their win in the semis tonight and UCONN's 54 game winning streak comes to an end.

[The Sultan]

Wow - expected another blowout by UCONN tonight.  Congrats to South Carolina for their win in the semis tonight and UCONN's 54 game winning streak comes to an end.

Really classless by Geno at the end.

[Tarragona]

UConn was 356th in Free Throw rate this season. And they were 363rd in % of points on Free Throws.

Out of 363 teams.

[MU82]

South Carolina's D was next level. Played harder, was tougher, made the plays down the stretch. Well deserved win.

[MU82]

Madison Booker, a first-team All-American, went 3-for-23 in Texas' 7-point loss to UCLA. No team could overcome a game like that from its star.

[MuggsyB]

South Carolina's D was next level. Played harder, was tougher, made the plays down the stretch. Well deserved win.

What exactly was Auriemma pissed about?  From the little I saw it just looked like South Carolina beat them like a drum.   

[cheebs09]

What exactly was Auriemma pissed about?  From the little I saw it just looked like South Carolina beat them like a drum.   

I think that's what he was pissed about.

[MU82]

After doing quite a bit of reading on the Geno situation, I'm legit concerned about his mental health.

He ranted and raved about the officials like a lunatic during the break between the 3rd and 4th quarters, and he was completely unhinged in his post-game diatribe against Staley. He was pissed that she didn't shake his hand before the game, but there is video evidence that she actually did. So ... he apparently forgot? He was screaming about an SC player ripping Sarah Strong's jersey, but Strong admitted she ripped it herself in frustration. He sounded demented.

Even if it was just a matter of him having gotten outcoached and his team having gotten its arse kicked, it doesn't make his behavior any less concerning.

[MuggsyB]

After doing quite a bit of reading on the Geno situation, I'm legit concerned about his mental health.

He ranted and raved about the officials like a lunatic during the break between the 3rd and 4th quarters, and he was completely unhinged in his post-game diatribe against Staley. He was pissed that she didn't shake his hand before the game, but there is video evidence that she actually did. So ... he apparently forgot? He was screaming about an SC player ripping Sarah Strong's jersey, but Strong admitted she ripped it herself in frustration. He sounded demented.

Even if it was just a matter of him having gotten outcoached and his team having gotten its arse kicked, it doesn't make his behavior any less concerning.

It sounds like he was a sore loser and had a tantrum. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

What exactly was Auriemma pissed about?  From the little I saw it just looked like South Carolina beat them like a drum.   

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

[Marquette Fan]

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

Yes he pointed out there had been 6 fouls called on UCONN and zero on South Carolina in the previous quarter.  It doesn't help his cause that he complained about Strong's jersey getting ripped when she's the one who tore it herself out of frustration.

I'd also say there's already no love lost between Geno and Dawn Staley.

I thought UCLA had a good chance playing in the championship game as they are doing but I just thought they'd be facing UCONN.

[MuggsyB]

Staley didn't do the
ceremonial half court pregame handshake and he thought the foul call differential was out of line with the physicality of the game.

Was he right about the foul discrepancy or did he act like a toddler?  From what I saw South C erased his offense, they weren't hacking UCONN.   Lots of bricked shots and missed bunnies. 

[cheebs09]

Was he right about the foul discrepancy or did he act like a toddler?  From what I saw South C erased his offense, they weren't hacking UCONN.   Lots of bricked shots and missed bunnies. 

I think Sultan posted how UCONN doesn't really draw fouls and get to the line. Also, it was one quarter. Sometimes there's 10 min stretches of a team not being called for a foul.

They also did shake hands pregame, so not sure his issue there.

[Tarragona]

Yes he pointed out there had been 6 fouls called on UCONN and zero on South Carolina in the previous quarter.  It doesn't help his cause that he complained about Strong's jersey getting ripped when she's the one who tore it herself out of frustration.

I'd also say there's already no love lost between Geno and Dawn Staley.

I thought UCLA had a good chance playing in the championship game as they are doing but I just thought they'd be facing UCONN.

I posted above that UConn didn't draw fouls all season. It's not what they do, and it isn't what they needed to do much of the season to be successful.

Geno is good when he is the boss and when he is winning. Geno is bad when he's losing, especially to strong Women.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

[WhiteTrash]

I posted above that UConn didn't draw fouls all season. It's not what they do, and it isn't what they needed to do much of the season to be successful.

Geno is good when he is the boss and when he is winning. Geno is bad when he's losing, especially to strong Women.

You can legitimately dislike Geno, but you're going to prove your claim he is sexist.

[MuggsyB]

Having now seen the video, here's my take.  And I write this as someone who isn't really a fan of Dawn Staley:

Geno Auriemma acted like a classless, entitled, and gargantuan douchebag.  Totally inexcusable garbage.  I've decided to nullify his lame day after apology.  He does not pass go, nor does he collect $200.   That "ripped my player's jersey comment?"  What a load of excrement. 

[Marquette Fan]

Iowa State has 10 players who have entered the transfer portal - 4 of them starters including former MU player Kenzie Hare.  Wow - that is a heck of a lot of transfers.

https://www.foxsports.com/articles/wcbk/iowa-state-star-audi-crooks-entering-the-transfer-portal-the-latest-to-leave-team-in-mass-exodus

[The Sultan]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

"She (Staley) appeared to take exception to his comments..."

Ya think??!!!??

[MU82]

Semi-apology. Does not mention Staley by name, just to SC staff.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7172055/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-apologize-final-four-uconn-south-carolina/?source=user_shared_article

Lame.

I like Staley's concise response to the apology, kind of like telling a trash-talker on a losing team to look at the scoreboard:

"Concentrating on winning a national championship."

[MuggsyB]

Very impressive performance by UCLA thus far.  A well coached and well balanced team. 

[The Sultan]

Will the Big Ten sweep both the men's and women's championships?

[MuggsyB]

Jaquez is like a better version of her brother.  The girl is everywhere.   

[The Sultan]

It's kinda strange they keep showing him too.

[MU82]

I had been looking forward to a UCLA-UConn final. Unfortunately, UConn didn't show up for its semifinal.

[Tarragona]

Very impressive performance by UCLA thus far.  A well coached and well balanced team. 

UCLA was great. Happy for Cori Close, a great representative of the game. A fun, good team.

[MU82]

Jaquez is like a better version of her brother.  The girl is everywhere.   

Yeah, Jaime is really bad. He only had 32 points for the Heat yesterday, and is averaging just 15 this season. If only he could be anywhere near as good as "the girl."

[Marquette Fan]

So I'm sure there won't be a trophy for the MOP at the men's championship tomorrow night, right 🙄? 

https://www.aol.com/articles/ncaa-blasted-over-embarrassing-lauren-222719068.html

[Tarragona]

All of these schools have 7 or more players in the transfer portal:

Miami
Pittsburgh
Syracuse
Butler
DePaul
Xavier
Arizona
Iowa State
Oklahoma State
UCF
Penn State
Purdue
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee

[BM1090]

Geno's second apology was a lot better than the first.

[Tarragona]

Texas had 10 players who averaged double digit minutes this past season, for their Final Four team.

4 are out of eligibility.
4 more are in the portal.

2 remain for now.

[Tarragona]

https://x.com/haiti_boiii/status/2044260430873280733?s=46

[MU82]

Meh. They're eating the cats! They're eating the dogs!