Welcome to the 2024-2025 women’s college basketball season madness. For The Win is bringing you several storylines you might have forgotten about after seven months away.
It feels like a lifetime since Dawn Staley and South Carolina won a national championship and Caitlin Clark picked up a basketball in an Iowa Jersey. Of course, Staley and her “daycare” will try to run it back for another chance at postseason glory. However, Clark’s move to the WNBA means the quest for Player of the Year is up for grabs. (Hello, Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins.)
But those stories aren’t the only thing to look out for ahead of what should be a spectacular season. Several coaching changes occurred, including Tara Vanderveer and Lisa Bluder‘s retirement. Also, the transfer portal had so much movement that it was hard to track.
Here are the six storylines to watch ahead of the 2024-2025 women’s basketball season:
1. South Carolina’s repeat tour for another championship
For the entire 2023 season, Dawn Staley coached circles around the rest of the college basketball world as she and South Carolina rattled off a perfect season, 38-0. Staley’s feat was terrific as she marched to the postseason with five brand-new starters. The Gamecocks’ relentless pursuit earned them a national championship and bragging rights for the foreseeable future.
However, losing Kamilla Cardoso to the WNBA impacts the starting lineup and South Carolina’s repeat tour chances if assumed starter Sania Feagin can’t keep up with Cardoso’s production. Additionally, what happens with Ashlyn Watkins (a key role player and another possible starter) this season bears watching after parts of Watkins’ personal life recently became national news.
There’s also something else to keep an eye on. If the field has anything to say about it, South Carolina won’t be holding up another championship at the end of the season. Several teams from last year’s March Madness run — including NC State, Uconn, Notre Dame, USC and UCLA — all have their eyes on a title.
2. Paige Bueckers versus JuJu Watkins for Player of the Year
Paige Bueckers is EASILY the immediate frontrunner for Player of the Year. Finally healthy, Bueckers had a stellar season and magnificent 2024 March Madness run, averaging 26 points, eight rebounds and nearly five assists during the tournament. Despite having her overall best season in a Huskies jersey, she turned down the chance to go pro and returned to UConn to help coach Geno Auriemma win another title.
While many will rightfully be monitoring Bueckers’ progress, USC’s JuJu Watkins should also be in consideration for Player of the Year honors because she is a WALKING BUCKET. Watkins’ emphatic entrance to college basketball catapulted USC back to the upper echelon of national rankings and straight into an Elite Eight appearance. USC ultimately lost to Bueckers’ UConn team, but JuJu was a highlight, dropping where she had 29 points,10 rebounds and two blocks. DON’T SLEEP ON JUJU.
Other considerations: Kiki Iriafen (USC), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), Madison Booker (Texas)
3. College basketball without Lisa Bluder and Tara VanDerveer
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. What in the world will Iowa look like without Lisa Bluder? Bluder’s replacement, Jan Jensen, spent seven years with Bluder at Drake and another 24 years with her at Iowa. Jensen is obviously familiar with Iowa standards and expectations. But the learning curve could be STEEP without Bluder (and no Caitlin Clark or Kate Martin). Also, after making the national championship last year, Iowa didn’t make the top 10 of the preseason AP Poll rankings. OUCH.
Also, Stanford, without Tara VanDerveer, will likely feel criminal. (Honestly, Tara, what gives?) VanDerveer spent 38 seasons with the team, winning over 1,200 games and three national championships before retiring in April. VanDerveer’s former associate coach, Kate Paye, leads the program after 17 years on staff and being there for two of the Cardinals’ national championships (one as a player and as a coach). I don’t expect Kaye to be Tara, but another program title wouldn’t hurt.
4. Transfer portal impact, including USC’s Kiki Iriafen
The transfer portal had so much movement that it was hard to keep up with ― hundreds of players moved teams ― but nobody seemingly had a better offseason than USC. With Tara VanDerveer retiring from Stanford, Kiki Iriafen sent shockwaves through the college basketball ranks by transferring to team up with JuJu Watkins. Excuse me for yelling, but WHO ALLOWED THIS?!
With JuJu Watkins’ right hand — McKenzie Forbes — gone, Kiki immediately provides a GIGANTIC upgrade. I expect SO MANY BUCKETS and a potential Final Four appearance. I’m not even trying to be dramatic, but this has the potential to pay dividends for USC. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Across the hoops landscape, Iriafen’s move wasn’t the only one that turned heads. Other players bear watching, like Haley and Hanna Cavinder at Miami, Hailey Van Lith at TCU, Lucy Olsen at Iowa and Raegan Beers at Oklahoma. The Cavinder Twins are out of retirement ― yeah, that actually happened ― Van Lith needs redemption after LSU, Olsen deserves her own legacy and Beers has unfinished business.
5. LSU head coach Kim Mulkey and her absurd outfits
This is a totally unserious, but actually kind of serious, storyline. What’s bigger than Kim Mulkey’s controversies? Kim Mulkey’s outfits, and it’s not even close. Nobody in college hoops can make you love and hate a look at the same time better than Kim.
If you think I’m kidding, LSU held a “Dress like Kim Mulkey” night, and believe me, there were some GEMS. My favorites from last season are the neon-green peacock jacket and the cursive sweater vest. It’s just TREMENDOUS stuff, and I’m so stoked about what she pulls out this year.
6. Memes, memes, and more college basketball memes
No college basketball season is complete without memes. While everyone will rightfully be talking about women’s hoops, I’ll also be enjoying the countless memes that will grace the internet.
If you need a refresher on some of the best from last season, here’s a hysterical list:
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 6 most exciting women’s college hoops storylines, including Paige Bueckers vs. JuJu Watkins for Player of the Year
