Focus on JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Key Women’s Games This Week
Even though Feast Week is still three days away, the women’s college basketball scene is buzzing with exciting matchups that avid fans won’t want to miss.
This week’s biggest games are happening in Los Angeles, confirming that the city indeed attracts the finest talents. The matchups between USC and Notre Dame, along with UCLA and South Carolina, are sure to grab the spotlight, but don’t overlook some under-the-radar teams that could surprise us. November is an excellent month to discover lesser-known teams that might create a buzz come March Madness.
Here’s a list of five key women’s college basketball games to catch this week.
Belmont at No. 14 Duke
Thursday, 7 p.m. on ACC Network
Don’t underestimate Belmont, even with their 2-2 record. They nearly upset No. 11 Ohio State last week, and their head coach Bart Brooks is recognized as one of the top coaches in the nation. The Bruins have a well-rounded scoring lineup, featuring five players who average over 8.0 points. For an upset at Duke’s famed Cameron Indoor Stadium, Kendall Holmes (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Emily La Chapell (11.5 ppg, 3.0 apg) will need to shine. Duke also has impressive offensive depth, with Ashlon Jackson (13.2 ppg, 40% 3FG) and Reigan Richardson (11.4 ppg, 41.2% 3FG) capable of shooting from long range.
No. 9 Oklahoma at UNLV
Friday, 3:30 PM ET on Mountain West Network
This game has potential. UNLV has been a dominant force in the Mountain West in recent years and usually ends the season ranked. However, they seek to make a memorable mark in the NCAA tournament despite being a frequent upset pick. A victory over a top 10 team could provide the confidence they need. To do so, they’ll have to manage junior center Raegan Beers (21.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg), who is considered one of the top transfers in the nation.
Harvard at Northwestern
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network+
Harvard already defeated a Big Ten opponent this season, having taken down then-ranked Indiana in Bloomington. With senior guard Harmoni Turner averaging 23.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.1% from the floor, the Crimson have a strong chance of grabbing another significant road win.
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 3 USC
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
Get ready for a showdown between the top two sophomores in women’s college basketball: USC’s JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. This matchup might shatter scoring records given both players’ fast-paced playing style. Watkins (21.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 spg) looks ready for the professional stage in her second year, while Hidalgo (25.0 ppg, 5.2 spg) is known for being a tenacious defender who can turn steals into scores. They’re surrounded by strong teammates like Kiki Iriafen (17.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg) for USC and Olivia Miles (18.3 ppg, 6.8) for the Irish, who is back and healthy after missing last season. Grab your snacks for this electrifying game!