Hello to women’s college basketball fans, and women’s college basketball fans only.
The 2024-2025 college hoops season just started, and there’s already some chaos. If you enjoyed last year, I suggest you buckle up. It’s going to be a rollercoaster. Monday was ALL GAS and no breaks. There weren’t any opening day upsets like 2023. But there were some REALLY close calls, and I might argue that’s just as nerve-wracking.
From JuJu Watkins‘ bloody nose to freshman Syla Swords and Michigan nearly upsetting No.1 ranked South Carolina, the opening day of college basketball was a good one. If you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered, including some things you may not have seen.
These are the five best moments from women’s college basketball opening day:
1. USC’s JuJu Watkins balling out in Paris, France
Caitlin Clark has moved on to the WNBA. So, there’s been a lot of chatter about who will step into the spotlight without her in the college ranks. JuJu Watkins was quietly doing it last season, but she showed she’s potentially more than ready to do it full-time on Monday.
After a slow start against a gritty Ole Miss team, JuJu got going quickly, dropping some tough buckets on her way to an impressive stat line of 27 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals. JuJu, her bloody nose, KiKi Iriafen and the Trojans were able to survive a scare from the Ole Miss Rebels, 68-66, and get out of Paris with a win.
2. Syla Swords and Michigan nearly upsetting No. 1 ranked South Carolina
Whew, boy. South Carolina had a nail-biting 68-62 win over Michigan.
From the beginning of the matchup, Michigan went right at South Carolina, starting with a 7-0 run and carrying the lead into the second half. South Carolina had a lot of work to do to get out of its deficit. Chloe Kitts had a masterful 19-point and 14 rebounds day, but starting guard Raven Johnson and forward Sania Feagin only had four combined points, making it really hard for the Gamecocks to pull away.
South Carolina also had a massive problem on its hands, and it was named Syla Swords. Her last name is fitting for how she sliced through the Gamecocks defense for 27 points, including an ice-cold step-back 3 with the game on the line. Dawn Staley and her crew eventually squeaked out of Las Vegas victorious. However, they’ll need to adjust fast because a top-ten matchup with NC State awaits on Sunday, November 10.
3. Syla Swords leads a fearless freshmen class during their college basketball debuts
Another year and another freshman class full of hoopers.
Syla Swords lead the way Monday with an impressive 27 points and 12 rebounds in her debut, just the third player in the last 15 years to have that sort of production against South Carolina. But she wasn’t the only freshman to show some flashes of brilliance.
While so many people have been rightfully talking about JuJu Watkins and transfer Kiki Iriafen, Kennedy Smith was right there in the mix, too. Smith had a solid 12 points, seven rebounds and a block, potentially making her case to make USC’s dynamic duo a big three.
Some other first-year players also made waves, including No. 2 recruit Joyce Edwards of South Carolina and Taj Roberts of Louisville, who scored 21 points, including four three-pointers, against UCLA.
4. Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles triumphant return to basketball with a triple-double
Few college basketball players have had a more challenging journey than Olivia Miles. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to play regular season basketball since February 26, 2023, when she tore her right ACL while playing Louisville.
But during Notre Dame’s season opener, nothing held her back as she glided her way to an effortless triple-double, the fourth of her career. Per OptaStats, Olivia Miles is the only NBA, WNBA or Division I player in the last 25 years to miss an entire season and then have a 20-point triple-double in their first game back — incredible stuff.
5. LSU’s Kim Mulkey already in mid-season form
Where would college basketball be without Kim Mulkey content? You knew there was no way we wouldn’t get too deep into the season without an outrageous outfit or Kim likely getting fired up about something.
Amazingly, both have already happened. Kim promptly received a technical foul during an LSU win for arguing about a charge call, and she did it wearing a sequined sweater adorned with neon butterflies.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 top moments from Day 1 of women’s college basketball, including JuJu Watkins balling out in Paris
