Women’s college basketball conference champion winner predictions
Women’s basketball has been growing in popularity this season and more eyes have been on the game. With the conference tournaments approaching fast, old and new fans are eager to see what happens next. Read my predictions below.
ACC- Virginia Tech. The ACC is one of the most competitive conferences in women’s college basketball this season. With 5 teams being ranked in the top 25, the race to the top will be a test. Virginia Tech is standing at the top of the ACC and ranked 11 in the nation. The Hookies won the ACC last year versus Louisville. Senior center Elizabeth Kitley leads the Hookies averaging 22.8 PPG followed by Georgia Amoore who averages 18.7 points per game. As talented as the team is, a loss of either of these players could be harmful. Virginia Tech will have to compete hard this year as this is a conference where anything can happen.
Big 12- Texas. The Texas Longhorns are a team that seems to be underrated and not talked about enough despite being 6 in the nation and 2nd in the Big 12. Forward Madison Booker leads the team in points and assists averaging 16.5 PPG and 4.9 APG. The Lady Longhorns will have to look out for rival Oklahoma and Kansas State.
Pac 12- USC. The Pac 12 is the most competitive conference this year in women’s college basketball. 6 of the teams are ranked in the top 25 and with the last year of the Pac 12, everyone wants the crown. Stanford is at the top of the conference and sitting nice at number 2 in the nation. USC has some star power and can cause some real disruption in the conference. Freshman guard Juju Watkins has started to capture the nation's attention with her shooting ability. Watkins leads the team 27.8 points a night and has impressive defense leading the team in steals. If Watkins is able to handle the pressure of March, the Trojans have the ability to win the conference.
Big East- UConn. UConn has dominated the Big East all season and remains undefeated in conference play. UConn is ninth in the nation and has a rooster full of star players that have contributed to the team's success. Guard Paige Bueckers, who recently announced that she will be returning for another year leads the team in points averaging 20.7 PPG. Forward Aaliyah Edwards also has been a dominant force leading the teams in rebounds. The Huskies will have to keep an eye out for number 21 Creighton.
SEC- South Carolina. Despite losing all of their starters from last year and having a new lineup, South Carolina is undefeated and the top team in the nation. Center Kamilla Cardoso leads the team in points averaging 14.1 PPG and guard Raven Johnson leads the team in assists and steals. The team is led by head coach Dawn Staley who has something to prove after losing to Iowa last year in the final four. The major threat to the Gamecocks ability to claim a SEC title in number 8 and defending national champions LSU.
BIG 10- Iowa. It seems like everyone around the country knows who the Iowa Hawkeyes are and what led scorer Caitlin Clark has been doing. Clark leads the team in almost every area in points, assists, rebounds, assists and steals. While Clark is definitely the star, she’s not the only notable player as forward Hannah Stuelke has been stepping into her role averaging 23.8 PPG. However, this team must be careful as the top team in the Big 10, Ohio State is a team that has given their all everytime they step on the court. The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes have played each other twice this season, with both teams winning one game.
