College women’s basketball figures to have a campaign unlike any other

It could be a women’s college basketball season like no other.

With the COPID-19 pandemic changing everything about how teams schedule and play. There is plenty of uncertainty, but also an abundance of excitement. But these postponed schedules that had teams lining up other opponents could also be a factor, and the women could follow the men to locate one small geographical location in which many teams will lose the luxury of having home games, but hoping to have first and second round games closer to home in the Regionals.

Thus far, the national rankings in Division 1 have served an example. South Carolina began as No. 1, but along came a visit from 8th-ranked North Carolina State to upset the Gamecocks. Stanford had been second, but the top spot was instead given to Louisville. University of Connecticut hasn’t played yet due to positive testing on its staff, but is still ranked No. 3.

Defending champion Baylor holds down the 4th spot, South Carolina is next, followed by Stanford, Oregon, NC State, Arizona. and UCLA. That’s the current top 10, but things could change quickly in a country of top-notch teams. Baylor and Arizona have the edge over Texas in the Big 12, South Carolina has the upper hand in the SEC, North Carolina State and Louisville should be the top two in the ACC, and in the Big East that returns UCONN, which went 18-0 in its final season there to also dominate the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Huskies of Gino Auriemma have won a record 11 national championships, but in their last Final Four appearances lost on buzzer-baskets three times, the last in 2019. They finally take the court in an actual season opener Saturday against visiting UMass Lowell. Then comes a visit from Butler Dec. 15, the same when Xavier hits the road to Stoors Dec. 19, before the first road trip to Villanova on Dec. 22.

For now, the rest of the early slate has the Huskies traveling to Baylor in what should be their initial test, and that’s in the new year on Jan. 7. Then comes the break followed by UCONN’s Jan. 21 game at long-time rival Tennessee. and on Feb. 9, South Carolina makes a visit to the Huskies in yet another test.

Predictions have already been made by those who cover the women nationally. Others might agree or disagree, but it is much too early to chose the Final Four, but they did, and now share them.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gamecocks have already tasted defeat, but are still in the spotlight with a talented, deep lineup, a good balance of youth and experience, and a one-two punch of center Aliyah Boston and point guard Zia Cooke. This team can run the floor behind Cooke and control the boards with Boston. The loss to the Wolfpack was followed by a rout over a good Iowa State team.

CONNETICUT: Auriemma has brought in six quality freshmen, with the best being 5-foot-11 freshman Paige Buckers, the Player of the Year and fourth in the last five years for this program. The Huskies also get back starting shooting guard Christin Williams and 6-5 stating center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, but can also bank on other players like Aubrey Griffin, Anna Makurat, and Evina Westbrook, now eligible after transferring from Tennessee.

OREGON: The Ducks are also deep and talented. They lost three starters, but have a terrific group of freshmen to line up with returning Jaz Shelly, Erin Boley and Taylor Chavez. The 5-10 Chavez will probably run the offense, with her coming on strong down the stretch of last season that was brought to a half by the coronavirus, while 6-3 Shelly is likely to be the inside force, the 6-2 Boley as a quality guard/forward, plus the freshmen.

ARIZONA: The Wildcats now look as the top team in the PAC-12. They are a newcomer to the high list of ranked teams, but are now strong, deep and talented and have have a highly touted point guard in 5-7 Te-Hina Paocao to join up with returnees Aari McDonald, Cate Roesler and Samantha Thomas, with 6-3 McDonald probably its best-advertised starter, Roesler and Paocao to engineer its offense, and Thomas can play guard or forward.

They also picked the championship game, UCONN over South Carolina. The consensus here is that Nelson-Ododa can offset Boston inside as long as she doesn’t get into foul trouble, Buekers at this time should be running the show with talent and now experience, and Cook will be tested by the quick Husky guards, but the difference could be Williams.

But right now, these are only early predictions, and a lot can happen along the way. Hopefully, the virus doesn’t hamper the campaign again.