There can be tons of upsets all through the 2023-24 faculty basketball season, in fact, however we’re betting the final groups standing subsequent April can be some acquainted names. Don’t @ us.
Right here’s our official 2023-24 Ladies’s School Basketball season preview.
1. LSU: No person can predict what Tigers coach Kim Mulkey can be sporting whereas prowling the sidelines, however all people is aware of All-American Angel Reese is an unstoppable pressure. Louisville switch Hailey Van Lith is a standout, and the backcourt is top-shelf.
2. Connecticut: Paige Bueckers is again and wholesome and can be a part of Azzi Fudd within the nation’s high backcourt. Help machine Nika Mühl is one other high guard, whereas ahead Aaliyah Edwards is a big-time expertise up entrance. If she will get assist in the paint, UConn might dangle one other banner.
3. Iowa: In the event you don’t find out about Caitlin Clark, you need to have been watching hockey all final winter. The high-scoring guard is likely one of the nation’s greatest, however she wants assist. Guards Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall are high candidates, however Clark is the massive present.
4. UCLA: Guards Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice are the massive names, however the Bruins welcome again eight gamers from final yr’s rotation and add 6-7 heart Lauren Betts from Stanford. Ahead Emily Bessoir is able to bust out.
5. South Carolina: Daybreak Staley’s Gamecocks at the moment are Remaining 4 fixtures, and there’s no motive to assume they gained’t get there this yr. Oregon switch Te-Hina Paopao is a big-time guard, and Kamilla Cardoso can be unstoppable inside.
6. Utah: No person knew concerning the Utes earlier than final yr, however they know now. A Candy 16 look and the return of all 5 starters, led by star ahead Alissa Pili, means Utah will entice far more consideration this time.
7. Ohio State: The Buckeyes might have a while for the offense to develop, however OSU will play some nasty D from day one. Including a backcourt ballhawk like Celeste Taylor from Duke will make Ohio State even harder to deal with.
8. Texas: Some would possibly assume it is a bit excessive for the ’Horns, but when ahead Aaliyah Moore’s knee is healed, it won’t be excessive sufficient. Rori Harmon is a two-way dynamo at guard, and Shaylee Gonzales is one other harmful backcourt weapon.
9. Indiana: Sure, Grace Berger is gone, however have you ever met Mackenzie Holmes? If not, get acquainted together with her. She’s a giant menace inside, and will opponents double her, there are a bunch of shooters outdoors to loosen up the D.
10. Virginia Tech: The Hokies are loaded with expertise, and if all people will get alongside like final yr, look out. Heart Elizabeth Kitley will crew with standout guards Georgia Amoore and Cayla King in a troublesome, inside-out combo, whereas Minnesota switch Alanna Micheaux will assist a lot inside.
11. Tennessee: It’s exhausting to imagine the Vols haven’t gained the SEC in 10 years, however this crew will mount a giant problem. Ahead Rickea Jackson is a standout, whereas 6-6 pivot Tamari Key can lock down the center. Belmont level guard switch Destinee Wells can dish and rating.
12. Notre Dame: It’s all concerning the backcourt in South Bend, and the highest guard is Olivia Miles—supplied her knee is healed. Sharpshooter Sonia Citron is a superb weapon, whereas freshman Hannah Hidalgo might be particular straight away.
13. Baylor: These Bears will pile up the factors, due to a roster loaded with bucket-getters. Guard Sarah Andrews leads the best way, however Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Aijha Blackwell, Jada Walker and Dre’Una Edwards can all fill it up.
14. Mississippi: Not all people on the Insurgent roster began at Ole Miss, however followers are certain comfortable they got here to campus. Marquesha Davis, Madison Scott, and Snudda Collins are the core of a troublesome defensive unit fortified by gifted transfers.
15. Louisville: Sure, the Playing cards misplaced Hailey Van Lith to the portal, however they added slick level guard Jayda Curry to a crew with high-scoring guards Sydney Taylor and Kiki Jefferson. U of L will miss Van Lith, however this yr’s aggregation could be particular.
16. North Carolina: The Tar Heels are deep, skilled and harmful. Anticipate newcomers Lexi Donarski and Maria Gakdeng to contribute straight away, whereas Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are again after incomes first-team All-ACC honors a yr in the past.
17. Florida State: Ta’Niya Latson’s damage late final yr damage the Seminoles significantly. However she’s again, together with high-scoring Makayla Timpson and Sara Bejedi, an inside-out tandem. Look out for switch guard Alexis Tucker.
18. Maryland: You by no means have to fret concerning the Terps making sufficient outdoors pictures. They’ll launch. The arrival of switch Jakia Brown-Turner will make Maryland much more harmful. Shyanne Sellers is a high quality distributor, however depth might be an issue.
19. Colorado: All people’s speaking about Coach Prime and the CU soccer crew, however the Buffs must be robust on the hardwood, too, thanks to 6 high returnees, most notably guard Jaylyn Sherrod and ahead Quay Miller.
20. Stanford: The Cardinal misplaced a ton of gamers from final yr’s squad, and Tara VanDerveer’s rotation can be skinny, however ahead Cameron Brink is a star, and Talana Lepolo has lots of potential on the level.
21. USC: The massive information can be made by the newcomers. Former Ivy League snipers McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla have expertise, however the large title is freshman JuJu Watkins, who is nearly unstoppable off the dribble.
22. Creighton: Defending the Bluejays is hardly a straightforward job as a result of they transfer the ball so nicely and find yourself with a bunch of open three-pointers. 4 key gamers—Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly, Emma Ronsiek and Molly Mogensen—are again to fireplace away.
23. Washington State: The Coogs are hoping to get their first-ever NCAA tourney win this yr, and a deep returning forged, led by Charlisse Leger-Walker, might nicely make it occur. Wazzu is knocking. It’s time to get by way of the door.
24. Nebraska: Cornhusker followers choose to neglect the tip of final season, however the returning duo of Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski ought to make ’23-24 memorable. Montana State switch Darian White is first-rate.
25. Kansas State: Gabby Gregory determined another yr in Manhattan was a good suggestion, and which means large issues for the Wildcats. If 6-6 heart Ayoka Lee is wholesome, Ok-State can be a serious Massive 12 issue.
Pictures through Getty Pictures. LSU portrait by Marcus Stevens.