December has arrived, bringing with it warm fires, hot chocolate, and a multitude of ranked basketball games.

This week in women’s college basketball, the SEC/ACC challenge showcases several teams competing for national championships. Additionally, FOX Sports will present the inaugural Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn, home to the reigning WNBA champions.

Already, this season has seen several surprises, with lower-ranked teams achieving victories over ranked opponents, indicating a growing equality in women’s basketball. The competition is heating up, and selecting which games to watch has proven to be quite difficult, suggesting that the ongoing conference season and March Madness will be unparalleled in their unpredictability.

No. 3 Texas vs. No. 10 Notre Dame

Thursday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

Previously, Notre Dame defeated USC on the Trojans’ home turf, but then faltered against TCU and were taken by surprise by Utah. How they will perform against Texas remains uncertain. This matchup highlights the top two two-way guards in the nation: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo (23.9 ppg, 4.6 spg) and Texas star Rori Harmon (9.4 ppg, 6.6 apg). It will also be intriguing to see Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles (16.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 6.4 apg) face off against Texas’ Madison Booker (16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

No. 6 USC at Oregon

Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network

Due to the size of the conferences, the league play has started earlier than usual, leading to USC and Oregon’s first Big Ten matchup this season. JuJu Watkins (25.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Kiki Iriafen (18.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg) will be up against an Oregon team that has already won a game against a ranked opponent. Ducks guard Deja Kelly (11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg) is among the top transfers this season, but she’ll need support from her teammates for Oregon to start their conference journey undefeated.

Tennessee vs. No. 20 Iowa

Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on FOX

The opening game of the Champions Classic at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center features Iowa, a team believed to be potentially stronger and more well-rounded than their previous Final Four squads, facing off against a Lady Vols team that forces opponents into an average of 28 turnovers. Tennessee has been impressive under new head coach Kim Caldwell, ranking just outside the top 25 in the YSL News Sports Coaches Poll, receiving substantial votes. An upset against Lucy Olsen (17.3 ppg, 5.3 apg) and the Hawkeyes in primetime could propel Talaysia Cooper (19.7 ppg, 3.0 spg) & Co. into the rankings.

No. 22 Louisville vs. No. 2 UConn

Saturday, 9 p.m. ET on FOX

The second game of the Champions Classic showcases two leading programs from the past decade. This matchup also offers a glimpse into the future of the sport. UConn’s Paige Bueckers (20.4 ppg, 4.6 apg) is heavily favored to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, while Louisville freshman Tajianna Roberts (12.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg) is already showing promise of being an All-American. However, this game could hinge on contributions from under-the-radar players like UConn’s Sarah Strong (15.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Louisville’s Olivia Cochran (9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg).

No. 4 South Carolina at No. 13 TCU

Sunday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2

One of the most compelling aspects of both teams just weeks into the season is their readiness to embrace challenges. Following a tough road loss against UCLA, South Carolina is set to play against TCU, which has recently pulled off victories against ranked teams NC State and Notre Dame. TCU stands undefeated, largely thanks to an outstanding duo in forward Sedona Prince (19.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg) and guard Hailey Van Lith (19.4 ppg, 6.6 apg). Meanwhile, the Gamecocks counter with their own powerful pair: forward Chloe Kitts (10.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and guard Te-Hina Paopao (12.0 ppg, 43.8% 3FG).