Women’s College Basketball Season Kicks Off: Key Questions Unfold

UPDATE: The women’s college basketball season has officially commenced, igniting excitement among fans and teams alike. With No. 15 Notre Dame leading the charge, crucial storylines are emerging as teams prepare for their quest towards the NCAA Tournament. Here are the burning questions that fans will be following closely this season.

1. Can Hannah Hidalgo Propel Notre Dame to New Heights?
The Fighting Irish have been seeking a breakthrough after facing disappointments in the Sweet 16 for four consecutive seasons, with last year’s 71-62 loss to TCU lingering in the memory. This season, head coach Niele Ivey faces a roster overhaul as star guard Olivia Miles has transferred to TCU, and key players like Kate Koval have moved to LSU. However, Hannah Hidalgo, a preseason All-American and ACC Player of the Year, remains a beacon of hope. She averaged an impressive 23.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.7 steals last season.

Notre Dame faces tough early challenges, including matchups against three ranked teams: No. 13 Michigan on November 15, No. 18 USC on November 21, and No. 12 Mississippi on December 4. Ivey insists that the expectations remain high, stating, “Notre Dame is the standard… the expectation never changes.”

2. Will Illinois Rise with a Young Roster?
The Illinois Fighting Illini are looking to build on their recent NCAA Tournament appearance, but they face a significant challenge after losing five seniors, including top scorer Kendall Bostic. With an average team age of just 19.91, head coach Shauna Green is counting on juniors Gretchen Dolan and Jasmine Brown-Hagger to step up. Freshman Destiny Jackson, named Ms. Basketball of Illinois, and Cearah Parchment, a 6-foot-3 forward, are expected to make an immediate impact. Green embraces the youth on her squad, remarking on their enthusiasm and coachability.

3. How Will Northwestern Honor Coach Joe McKeown?
As Joe McKeown prepares for his final season at Northwestern, the Wildcats hope to send him off with a memorable campaign. After three seasons of nine wins, McKeown’s squad will rely on senior forward Grace Sullivan, who averaged 10.1 points last season. McKeown has expressed confidence in Sullivan’s potential, highlighting the team’s chemistry and offensive execution.

4. Can Jill Pizzotti Lead DePaul Beyond Legacy?
Former assistant Jill Pizzotti takes the helm at DePaul after the retirement of long-time coach Doug Bruno. Pizzotti aims to revitalize the Blue Demons, who have struggled recently. Despite injuries sidelining key players like Kate Clarke, Pizzotti has brought in fresh talent, including six transfers. She remains optimistic about competing for a top-four finish in the Big East, emphasizing the need for her new roster to gel quickly.

5. Who Will Dominate the Big Ten?
The Big Ten Conference showcases six teams in the preseason AP Top 25, including No. 3 UCLA and No. 10 Maryland. With star JuJu Watkins sidelined for USC, all eyes are on UCLA’s Lauren Betts, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. Last season, Betts averaged 20.2 points and is poised for another stellar campaign. UCLA coach Cori Close is excited about Betts’ development, noting her commitment to excellence.

As the season unfolds, these storylines will captivate basketball fans. With games approaching rapidly, the urgency for teams to establish themselves is at an all-time high. Keep an eye on key matchups and rising stars as they shape the future of women’s basketball.