The Phil Knight Invitational and Phil Knight Legacy Tournament kick off in Portland this week, bringing together many of the nation’s top college basketball programs. And for the first time, eight women’s teams will compete in her two separate four-team brackets.
The Women’s Tournament will feature the top 10 ranked teams of the AP Top 25. All eight teams will play their first game at the Chiles Center on the University of Portland campus. On Thanksgiving she has two games and two more on Friday. The winner advances to two championship games at the Moda Center on Sunday, while the first-round loser will play for the third place at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
of oregon ducks Part of Thursday’s PK Invitational Bracket. oregon state beaver Play in the PK Legacy bracket on Friday.
Here are some key numbers to know to prepare for the New Year weekend.
Number of NCAA championships won by coach Geno Auriemma in 38 seasons at UConn.
The Huskies are still among the sport’s elite every season, but the growth of the women’s sport has given them more depth at the collegiate level and they haven’t won a national title since 2016.
UConn made it to the championship game last season, but standout guard Paige Bookers missed the entire season after suffering his first major knee injury in two years. The current Huskies, who ranked him No. 3 in his AP poll this week, are led by guard Azifad, who is averaging 30 points in three games this season.
Duke will wait for UConn on Friday at 3pm in the PK Legacy bracket. The Blue Devils, coached by former Tennessee native and WNBA star Carla Lawson since 2020, haven’t advanced to the NCAA Tournament since 2018, but are off to a 5-0 start to the season.
All-time scoring average for Iowa guard Caitlin Clarke, who the Hawkeyes are heading to Portland this week.
The 6-foot junior is a relentless force on the court, averaging 6.9 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game with an impressive scoring total. The Hawkeyes averaged 84.2 points per game last year, making him one of the nation’s top offensive teams. But last season ended poorly as the No. 2-seeded Hawkeyes got upset by Clayton in the second round of his NCAA Tournament.
Iowa, currently ranked No. 9 in AP voting, will face Oregon State University in the Penalty Legacy bracket on Friday at 5:30 PM. The Beavers are trying to get back on track after missing his NCAA Tournament for the first time since his 2013 last season. OSU is 4-0 early in the season, with freshman forward Raegan Beers delivering his breakout performance in the previous game, adding him 28 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Prairie View A&M. Recorded.
Attendance averages for the Iowa State Cyclone last season ranked second in the nation behind national champion South Carolina.
Led by 28th-year head coach Bill Fennelly, the Cyclones are ranked No. 5 in the nation and have big goals this season after making their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010.
Iowa State will play Michigan State in the Penalty Invitational at 4:30 on Thanksgiving. The last time the Cyclones and Spartans met was at his 2021 NCAA Tournament, where Iowa State won his 79-75 victory.
The Spartans have started 6-0 this season and are outscoring their opponents by an average of 86-46. Michigan went 15-15 last year and missed the NCAA Tournament.
Last year, North Carolina was ranked in the AP Top 10 until this week.
The Tar Heels are rolling into Portland, which ranked 8th in the polls, looking to further strengthen their appearance in last season’s Sweet 16. North Carolina now has his five players averaging double-digit points. That’s the same number as their PK Invitational opponents, Oregon. The Ducks and Heels play Thursdays at 2pm.
Oregon is ranked 18th in this week’s polls and is yet to be tested with four wins to start the season. Freshmen Chance Gray, Jenna Isai and Grace Vansloten were able to help Oregon return to elite level after a disappointing first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Related: Phil Knight Tournament Brings Dozens of Elite Men’s Teams to Portland
— Scott Sepich of The Oregonian/OregonLive
