LSU vs. Kentucky could have an impact on NCAA Tournament seeding, while Saint Joseph’s vs. George Mason could help the Atlantic-10 get multiple bids.
I’ve already told you why you should pay attention to the Ivy League this weekend. And you already know that players like Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles and South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley are box-office must-watches.
But as the season winds down, there’s a lot of important games worth paying attention to this weekend. Conference races are still in-flux, at-large bids are being hunted for, and resumes are being padded. But there’s also some games that might have no impact on NCAA Tournament seeding whatsoever, but you should check out anyways because of some of the great and interesting players involved.
This is your weekend watch guide for women’s college basketball. Let’s dive in, y’all.
Best Game of the Weekend: No. 1 Notre Dame at No. 13 N.C. State
Sunday, 12 p.m. ET – ESPN/Disney+
Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images
This clash between two ACC contenders is getting the College GameDay treatment from ESPN, which means Chiney Ogwumike, Andraya Carter and Elle Duncan will be broadcasting live from the historic Reynolds Coliseum before tip-off.
It might be premature to call the clashes between the Fighting Irish and the Wolfpack a rivalry, but these matchups have been split – three wins for N.C. State and three wins for Notre Dame – in their last six meetings, where the outcomes were decided by an average margin of just six points. The Irish have eliminated the Wolfpack from the last two ACC Tournaments, but N.C. State defeated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 in 2022, and then successfully defended its home court in Raleigh the following season. The Irish haven’t won in Reynolds since 2019.
All eyes in the matchup will be on the guards, where one side is armed with Miles, Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron, and the other has Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Zoe Brooks. N.C. State is aiming for a top four seed – and a double-bye – in the ACC Tournament, while the Irish are on a quest to complete an undefeated run in conference play. Expect a fast-paced game, several 3-pointers and a tight finish.
Game that could have a big impact on NCAA Tournament seeding: No. 7 LSU at No. 14 Kentucky
Sunday, 4 p.m. ET – ESPN
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
When the NCAA Selection Committee unveiled its top 16 seed projection for March Madness a week ago, LSU checked in at No. 6 and Kentucky at No. 13. This game could mean a lot to both teams.
The Tigers still have a chance to play their way into a No. 1 seed with games against Kentucky, Alabama, and Ole Miss left, plus games at the SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. Should the Tigers win their remaining regular season games and capture a few victories in Greenville – and depending on what happens with UCLA, Texas, Notre Dame, USC and South Carolina – they could play their way into one of the top four spots.
Kentucky, meanwhile, looks like one of the teams in danger of falling out of the top 16, therefore losing the opportunity to host games in Lexington during the tournament’s opening weekend. The Wildcats, coached by Kenny Brooks in his first season there, have won two games since the seed reveal, but not against teams that really help their seeding – Georgia and Missouri. Kentucky is 21st in the NET rankings and could use a marquee victory to help solidify their resume. The good news is that they’re going to get the chance to do that. The Wildcats’ final three games are against LSU, Tennessee and South Carolina. Winning at least one of those should help keep the Wildcats in the top 16.
Awesome mid-major clash that deserves your attention: George Mason at Saint Joseph’s
Sunday, 4 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
After the Ivy League, the Atlantic-10 probably has the next best chance of being a multi-bid mid-major league this season. Three teams – Richmond (34), George Mason (44) and Saint Joseph’s (52) – all rank in the top 55 of the NET. The result of this game is going to give one of these teams a marquee victory. For George Mason, a win give them their first of the season in Quad 1, while St. Joe’s could take a Quad 2 victory as the home team.
The player to watch here in St. Joe’s forward Laura Ziegler, who is sixth in the nation in rebounding and is the only player in the country this season who is averaging at least 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game.
Must-watch player against an interesting opponent: No. 6 South Carolina at Vanderbilt
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET – SEC Network+
Since 2009, here’s the list of freshmen who have scored at least 50 points in a single game:
- Mikayla Blakes
- Elena Delle Donne
- JuJu Watkins
For Vanderbilt’s Blakes, that’s pretty good company, right? But consider this: Blakes has done this twice this season, dropping 53 points on Florida and then posting an NCAA freshman record 55 last week at Auburn.
Let’s look at another list. Since 2009, here are the players who have averaged at least 23 points, three assists and three rebounds per game in a single season:
- Mikayla Blakes
- Caitlin Clark
- Kelsey Mitchell
- JuJu Watkins
Again, pretty exceptional company for Blakes. Can she score 50 and lead Vanderbilt to an upset of South Carolina? It’s worth tuning in to see her try.
Sickos Guilty Pleasure Game on a weird streaming service: South Dakota at St. Thomas-Minnesota
Saturday, 2 p.m. ET – Summit League Network
Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK
Unfortunately, with an 8-17 record, South Dakota is probably not going to make the NCAA Tournament. Which means we won’t get to see a supremely talented scored in Grace Larkins play in March Madness.
So, it’s time to watch Larkins while we can, even if it means figuring out how to watch the Summit League Network. Larkins is third in the nation in scoring this season with 24.4 points per game and is the only player in the nation averaging at least 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists per game. She is also 18th nationally in offensive win shares.
Also watch…
No. 17 West Virginia at No. 10 TCU — Sunday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 3 UCLA at Iowa — Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, Peacock
No. 9 North Carolina at Louisville — Sunday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 25 Illinois at No. 4 USC — Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FS1
