If you have been following the women’s basketball world since the beginning, you know that the year 2022 was a landmark year for the sport. It was the year that Brittney Griner returned home after nearly two years in Russia, and it was the year that the NCAA announced that the “Big Ten” will host the women’s NCAA tournament in Indianapolis for the first time in school history.
It was also the year that the University of Virginia women’s basketball team welcomed the venerable Pitt-Johnstown Cougars to the Colonial Commonwealth. As part of the festivities, the UVA basketball program hosted an exhibition game at the KFC Yum! Center. Tickets to this event went on sale at 10 am Monday morning. Ticket prices start at $24 and are available for purchase online, by phone, or in person.
The NCAA has also introduced a new rule that allows for players to earn money for playing in the NIL, or non-interscholastic league, which is a nice touch. This will help the next generation of stars like Kelsey Squires and Azia Jones.
Despite a slew of injuries and a slew of off-court issues, the UConn women’s basketball program is still a top five contender in the ACC. Its marquee star, Brittney Griner, is back in the US after a two-week stint in Russia, but that hasn’t stopped the Huskies from making a splash on the national stage. Among the notable wins has been a 76-71 overtime win over Stanford. Another victory was a 76-65 win over West Virginia.
In the world of women’s basketball, there are no shortage of worthy achievments. In the big picture, it’s a fact that the top three teams in the Midwest are the best in the country. Not only that, but the ACC has some depth to speak of as well. Despite a disappointing non-conference schedule, Louisville did make the ACC Final Four last season.
Of course, the best way to tell if your team has what it takes is to see if they are able to make the Big Dance. While the ACC is still the heavy hitter in the conference, there are several intriguing programs out there that may be the next great college hoops team. With the right mix of talent, some of these teams could make a run at the national title.
Although the NCAA has not officially announced the rules for the women’s basketball championship, it seems like this will be a very good year for the sport. Even in the current climate, many of the top programs are still scouting talent behind the scenes. For example, the University of Virginia is hosting an exhibition game against Division II rivals Pitt-Johnstown on Monday. All of these games count towards their overall standings. These teams will be looking to add to their resumes with a trip to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament in the near future.
One of the most exciting aspects of the women’s basketball season is the way that coaches will connect with their recruits. In addition to the traditional methods, such as recruiting trips and in-person interviews, many of the more active coaches will actually reach out before the official contact dates.
