Often, we think of the SEC and ACC as the best and deepest conferences in women’s college basketball. But in the first two weeks of this season, the Big 12 has put folks on notice.
The Big 12 is 5-1 against ACC squads this season, a mark that includes two big results from this past weekend. First, unranked West Virginia upset formerly ranked No. 15 Duke 57-49 at the Greenbrier on Friday night in a game that the Mountaineers played the entire second half with just five players after six were ejected in a pre-halftime scuffle. That win was remarkable, improbable, and incredibly impressive for Mark Kellogg’s team as they improved to 4-0 in the post-J.J. Quinerly era.
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And then, TCU went into Reynolds Coliseum and beat N.C. State by double digits. It was the first time the Wolfpack lost at home since Feb. 8, 2024, when Kenny Brooks’ Virginia Tech — armed with Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore — won in Raleigh by 11 points. TCU point guard Olivia Miles was previously 0-2 in that historic building, but had 15 points, 14 rebounds and five assists to help the Horned Frogs notch a signature win on Sunday.
Baylor, Oklahoma State and Iowa State are all undefeated too. The Lady Bears own a win over Duke and have been powered by the trio of Taliah Scott, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy, all of whom are averaging double figures in scoring. Oklahoma State is 5-0 and might have one of the most efficient offenses in the nation, as they rank in the top five nationally in assists per game, total 3-pointers made, effective field goal percentage, points per play, points per scoring attempt and points per 100 possessions. And Audi Crooks from Iowa State might be the frontrunner to win the scoring title this season.
Some crucial contests loom for the Big 12. 4-0 Kansas meets 4-0 Minnesota on Wednesday, and Baylor faces Iowa on Thursday — the same night 5-0 Texas Tech faces 4-0 Mississippi State.
Here’s what my AP Top 25 ballot looks like after Week Two of the season…
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Just missed: Fairfield, Louisville, Richmond, Michigan State, Indiana
25. Notre Dame
24. Stanford
23. Washington
22. Vanderbilt
21. Duke
20. Iowa
19. Ole Miss
18. West Virginia
17. Iowa State
16. Tennessee
15. Maryland
14. N.C. State
13. Baylor
12. Michigan
11. Oklahoma State
10. North Carolina
9. USC
8. Kentucky
7. Oklahoma
6. Texas
5. TCU
4. LSU
3. UConn
2. UCLA
1. South Carolina
Games to watch this week:
Oklahoma State at St. John’s: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+
This is the first road game for Jaci Hoyt’s Cowgirls this season, and their first game against a team from a conference that could get multiple bids to the NCAA Tournament this season. Expect the 3-pointers to fly in Queens.
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Iowa vs. Baylor: Thursday, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Both teams put their undefeated records on the line at the WBCA Showcase in Florida. It’ll be the second opportunity for Nicki Collen’s Bears to beat a ranked opponent.
Michigan at UConn: Friday, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
The Wolverines and Huskies have both blown out pretty much every team they’ve faced this season, which include the likes of Harvard, Notre Dame, Florida State and Ohio State. This should be the first legitimate measuring stick game for both sides.
Kentucky at Louisville: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET on The CW
Kentucky might have the longest front court in the country with Clara Strack, Teonni Key and Amelia Hassett. The Cardinals will need Laura Ziegler to have one of her best games against their biggest rival.
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Navy at Richmond: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+
This is possibly the best mid-major matchup of the weekend. The Midshipmen — preseason favorites in the Patriot League — are coming off a double-digit win over the Florida Gators, marking their first victory over an SEC team since 1998. Despite losing by a wide margin to Texas, Richmond still looks every bit as good as last season’s team, the one that earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and beat an ACC squad in the first round. Zanai Barnett-Gay going head-to-head with Maggie Doogan should be a lot of fun.
