As Women’s college basketball season is approaching, There are lots of topics about who will seize the throne in the spring. But beyond potential champions, sports illustrated is thinking of someone who has a chance to level up this year. Things have changed for these five teams since last year, and each has the potential to host his breakout tournament in March.
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LSUs
Do Hall of Fame coaches guarantee winning programs? LSU asks. Kim Mulkey entered his second season with Baton his rouge and left Baylor with three of his NCAA titles and numerous Big 12 Tournament wins. Her first season ended with a 26–6 record, which LSU has not seen since 2007–08. The excitement was cut short by a loss in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament and her NCAA Tournament ejection in the second round after losing to Ohio State. And this year will definitely be different with four top-scoring starters graduating.
Returning as a starter, Alexis Morris studied under Markey during his freshman year at Waco and reunited with his coach at LSU. The fifth grader was averaging 15 points per game before suffering a knee injury near the end of his regular season. A fully recovered Morris makes the reload alongside long-awaited transfer Angel Reese. The former Maryland star was the top transfer this offseason, and her decision could impact LSU basketball for years to come. Last season she averaged 17.8 points and 10.6. He rebounded and had a player efficiency rating of 39.7. With her three years remaining, Reese has plenty of time to shape and solidify her front court. Reese will be joined by former five-star recruit Ladadia Williams, top Juko player in the nation Lasttia Poa, and top 100 recruits Frauje Johnson (No. 26) and Samaire Smith (No. 58). As the chemistry between veterans and rookies develops, LSU could easily surpass last year’s record.
UCLA
UCLA last hosted a Star Recruit class in 2014, when the team reached three NCAA regional semifinals and qualified for the Elite Eight. In 2022, the Bruins are looking to rebound from missing last year’s tournament in the nation’s top freshman class. UCLA picked up his three top 100 recruits: No. 2 Kiki Rice, No. 22 Londyn Jones and No. 49 Christine Iwaala. Rice’s resume includes 22 years Gatorade Girls’ High School Athlete of the Year and her senior season averaging 15.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals. Gard is her UCLA’s highest-rated prospect, committing for over 15 years. Her elite-level court recognition is behind other rookies Lina Sontag (#4 in the Premier Basketball WorldWideHoops international rankings) and Gabriela Jaquez, who averaged 34.2 points, 15.7 rebounds and 4.7 steals in her senior season. can be combined well.
Injuries kept the team from reaching the big dance last year and could be a deciding factor this season. Forward Angela Dugaric will miss the season with a torn ACL, while sophomore Emily Bessoir and senior Bryn Masikewicz have fully recovered from last season’s injuries. Senior charismatic Osborne will also return to the court. She scored with 16.4 points and her throw percentage in her free skates of .875 last season, and she finished third in the Pac-12. If the rookie lives up to expectations and combines with a returning player, the Bruins could make him a Pac-12 contender against Stanford and Oregon.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma surpassed last year’s expectations and has the potential to dominate the Big 12 before moving to the SEC. In his second year under coach Jennie Baranczyk, the Sooners end his first tournament run since 2018. With the return of the top five scorers, the team will lose his one player from last year’s roster. Unlike other teams on this list, Oklahoma will be back with on-court connections. Maddy Williams and Taylor Robertson have decided to stay for another year, and Ana Llanosa has fully recovered from knee surgery and missed all but 10 games last year. The Big 12 record holder Robertson has only 51 3-point shots from him to get caught in the NCAA record.
Fifth grade Williams is a leader on and off the court. He had 249 rebounds last season, making him the only Big 12 player under 6 feet tall to have over 200 rebounds. Freshman additions of 6’3″ Beatrice Culliton and his 6’4″ Kirsten Johnson add much-needed height to the roster. The Big 12 has multiple competitive programs, and knowing how to finish a match strong is essential. Texas and Iowa are all eyes on the league, but Oklahoma may have a shot at averaging his 83.3 points per game last year.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech went from a tournament team to an ACC title contender in less than two months. On March 18, the Hokies lost in his first round to the Florida Gulf Coast, making it his second tournament appearance since 2006 and the best season in ACC history. In April, the Hokies landed Maryland star Ashley Owusu, one of the nation’s top shooting girlfriends at her guard, and a ’21 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award winner. Her ability to navigate the frontcourt could propel VT from good to great.Thirteen days later, Boston University forward Taylor Soul, who has more than 1,500 career points, beats the Blacks. announced his move to Berg.
Alongside new additions to the team, returning players are ready to add to their resumes. 6’6″ center Elizabeth Kitley was named her ACC Player of the Year while Aisha Shepherd shattered the school scoring record and his ACC 3-point record. The program earned her 13th place in the AP, the highest preseason ranking in program history. This team may be what Virginia Tech needs to end his 23-year Sweet 16 drought.
Iowa
This season’s Big Ten competition is nothing short of dogfighting. The conference front is in Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ success is no secret, but this year’s team could top the national title. Iowa trails South Carolina, Stanford and Texas, and he ranks fourth in preseason AP polls. Elite point guard Kaitlin Clark leads her NCAA in both points (27.0 per game) and assists (8.0 per game), and her presence leads the team in all five of her starters. and is gaining national attention.
The Hawkeyes are an offensive powerhouse with the second-highest offensive score in the nation last season, but rank 306th in league scoring defense. A defensive blunder in the backcourt drags the team down. On average, the team allowed him 70.2 points per game. Defensive chemistry and winning the rebounding battle on the board are top priorities for the team. Clark leads in rebounding, but his seniors Monica Chinano and McKenna Warnock are also good at possession, each averaging six or more rebounds per game. Senior guard Gabby his marshals have contributed defensively by leading the team in stolen bases the past two seasons. Lisa Brooder With his coach’s emphasis on his play strong defense, the Hawkeyes hope to finally cut the net in his March.
More college basketball coverage:
• 10 Games That Round This Women’s College Basketball Season
• Stamford, South Carolina Top Preseason Women’s AP Top 25
• 5 breakthrough men’s team contenders for 2022–23
