As women’s college basketball has surged in popularity in recent years, it’s getting easier to watch it. Whether you have cable, a combination of streaming services, or a digital antenna, you’re going to be able to watch hoops this week.
ESPN will broadcast more than 240 games on its linear networks this season and some 3,000 more on ESPN+. But other media companies are getting in on the action too. UConn, for example, is going to have games on FS1, FOX and truTV. The CW will continue to carry some ACC games this season, and Peacock will have some Big Ten and Big East action as well. CBS Sports Network will carry some games as well, including a matchup between Davidson and N.C. State in December.
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Kara Lawson’s Duke Blue Devils and Geno Auriemma’s Huskies are tied for the most national TV games on linear channels this season with 24 each. South Carolina will have 23, North Carolina will have 22, and N.C. State, UCLA and Iowa will each have 20.
Here’s a guide to the games you have to watch during the opening week of the season.
Game that could shake up AP Top 25 poll: No. 8 Tennessee vs. No. 9 N.C. State
Tuesday, Nov. 4 — 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2
This is the lone matchup featuring two teams ranked inside of the top 10 of the AP Top 25 Poll — played at a neutral site in Greensboro, North Carolina — and it’ll be a real measuring stick for both sides. N.C. State will be adjusting to life without two first-round WNBA Draft picks and will be leaning heavily on the trio of Zoe Brooks, Tilda Trygger and Vanderbilt transfer Khamil Pierre. Meanwhile, following the dismissal of Ruby Whitehorn, Kim Caldwell’s Tennessee returns just two starters from their Sweet 16 team and will be working in transfers and a highly-touted freshman class. In her last two contests against the Lady Vols, Pierre has averaged 18.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals per game.
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We should learn a lot about these two teams: No. 7 Duke vs. No. 16 Baylor
Monday, Nov. 3 — 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Blue Devils and Lady Bears begin their season in Paris, France in a matchup that should tell us a bit about both teams. Kara Lawson’s Duke is the favorite in the ACC after winning the conference tournament and making the Elite Eight last year. The Blue Devils return four starters, plus ACC Rookie of the Year Toby Fournier. They also added the fourth-ranked recruit in the nation in guard Emilee Skinner. In Nicki Collen’s fifth season at the helm in Waco, Baylor returns double-double machine Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and will be working in Auburn transfers Yuting Deng and Taliah Scott.
Matchup featuring a box office player: Cal vs. No. 19 Vanderbilt
Monday, Nov. 3 — 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU
The second game in Paris features a pair of teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season in the Cal Golden Bears and the Vanderbilt Commodores. All eyes will likely be on sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes, who last year was named the winner of the USBWA’s Tamika Catchings Award for the nation’s top freshman. Blakes averaged 23.3 points per game last season, which ranked eighth nationally. Following the departure of Pierre, she might be asked to score even more this season. For Blakes, this game could be the beginning of a fireworks-filled sophomore encore.
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Awesome mid-major matchup worth watching: William & Mary at Davidson
Thursday, Nov. 6 — 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Erin Dickerson Davis guided the Tribe to their first-ever March Madness appearance last season, while Gayle Fulks led the Wildcats to a program-record 13 wins in A-10 play last season. This year, with Australians Charlisse Dunn and Katie Donovan spearheading the attack, Davidson is aiming to take the historic step forward of making the NCAA Tournament. Davidson follows this game up by taking on another mid-major that made the tournament last season by playing at Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, also on ESPN+.
Sickos Game of the Week: No. 5 LSU at Georgia Southern
Sunday, Nov. 9 — 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+
This game shouldn’t be all that close, but if you’re interested in seeing how Kim Mulkey might use transfers MiLaysia Fulwiley, Kate Koval and Amiya Joyner, tune in. It’s also a chance to see Flau’Jae Johnson do her thing relatively close to her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
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Also watch…
Belmont at No. 6 Oklahoma: Monday, Nov. 3 — 5:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+
No. 20 Louisville vs. No. 1 UConn (in Annapolis): Tuesday, Nov. 4 — 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
No. 24 Richmond at No. 4 Texas: Friday, Nov. 7 — 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network+
Kansas State at SMU: Saturday, Nov. 8 — 5 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra
No. 18 USC vs. No. 9 N.C. State (in Charlotte): Sunday, Nov. 9 — 3 p.m. ET on ESPN
