The NCAA Tournament is a whirlwind of excitement, but not every team that tasted March Madness last year will get a return ticket. While powerhouses like UConn, South Carolina, and UCLA seem to have their spots reserved, the landscape of women's college basketball is ever-changing. Some teams face an uphill battle to replicate their success. Let's dive into six teams that might find the road back to the tournament a bit tougher this season.
1. Florida State:
Florida State's impressive 24-win season was fueled by the talents of Ta'Niya Latson, the nation's leading scorer, and the solid play of Makayla Timpson. However, both are gone. Timpson graduated to the WNBA, and Latson transferred to South Carolina. The Seminoles now face a challenging ACC. While they've added Texas Tech transfer Jasmine Shavers, it's a tall order to expect her to fill Latson's shoes. It's a testament to how difficult it will be to replace Latson.
2. Kansas State:
The Ayoka Lee era has ended in Manhattan. Lee's presence was instrumental in leading the Wildcats to the Sweet Sixteen. But Lee isn't the only key player Kansas State lost. Serena Sundell also graduated, leaving significant gaps to fill. Taryn Sides, the leading returning scorer, averaged just 9.2 points per game last year. However, the Wildcats have a strong freshman class, including guard Jordan Speiser, one of ESPN's top recruits. The success of these young players will be crucial.
3. Utah:
Utah managed to overcome the loss of Alissa Pili and head coach Lynne Roberts, thanks to Gianna Kneepkens. Kneepkens has transferred to UCLA. Utah needs Virginia Tech transfer Lani White to step up as a primary scoring option. Freshman guard Leonna Sneed will also need to quickly adjust to college play.
4. Cal:
Cal had a great season, winning 25 games, their best since 2013. But now, the path to repeating that success looks difficult. Marta Suárez transferred to TCU, and the team will miss her contribution of 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. They've also lost three other top scorers. With only Lulu Twidale returning among the top scorers, the team will need to find new offensive firepower, potentially from Morgan State transfer Naya Ojukwu.
5. Notre Dame:
This is where things get interesting. Notre Dame has undergone significant changes, losing nearly everyone except Hannah Hidalgo. Olivia Miles transferred to TCU, and Sonia Citron, Liatu King, and Maddy Westbeld all left for the WNBA. Hidalgo is an elite scorer, but the supporting cast is now a question mark. The Irish have added Wake Forest center Malaya Cowles and Vanderbilt guard Iyana Moore, but it's hard to know how the team will perform.
6. USC:
With star guard JuJu Watkins set to miss the entire season, USC will likely take a step back. Kiki Iriafen is in the WNBA, and Avery Howell and Kayleigh Heckel have transferred. For USC to return to the tournament, Georgia Tech transfer Kara Dunn must fill Watkins' shoes, and freshman Jazzy Davidson needs to live up to her top ranking.
So, what do you think? Which of these teams do you believe has the best chance of defying the odds and making it back to the tournament? Are there any other teams you think might struggle to return to March Madness? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
