The 'Ball-Knowers' NCAA Weekly Watch Guide: Week of November 18-22
There's a couple of big matchups this week but the next few days are really for the hardcore 'ball-knower' of NCAA women's basketball. No Cap Space WBB curates your watch list for games this week.
At No Cap Space WBB, we want you to know ball. We want you to be able to look at other folks who may not know ball and not look down on them but instead educate them because you do, in fact, know ball. But during the college basketball season that can be hard. There’s, at any point, 10+ games happening on the same day in a variety of time windows.
So on Mondays and Fridays, we will be releasing what we call the ‘Ball-Knowers’ NCAA Watch Guide. Essentially, it’s a handful of games that our staff picks for each day based on a couple different metrics: how competitive the game might be, if there’s a player we like or find interesting involved, if there’s a team to watch or if the game has implications for NCAA selection in March. It’s basically a guide to help you see the forest through the trees so that by the spring you’ll have a good idea of who is a threat to make a run in the Dance.
It’s a bit of a lean week in terms of ‘must watch’ matchups but there are a couple gems if you know where to look. We got a good mix of mid-major, high-major and Top 10 games to get you through the next handful of days!
Monday, November 18
Grand Canyon (WAC) vs. No. 25 Oregon (Big Ten): 9:00 pm ET, B1G+
Why it’s worth a watch: GCU got a major win against Arizona State that, while not a Quad 1 type victory, was important for their tournament resume. What’s big for mid-majors isn’t just beating better high-major teams but avoid losing to really bad ones as well. The Lopes managed the latter and now try for the former. Oregon, for their part, cruised to a fourth straight win over North Texas 66-35. What’s impressive is how much of a change it looks like Kelly Graves has made early in the year. The benches have always emptied in blowouts but, for a long time, KG has trended towards slimmer rosters and concentrated minutes among 7 or so players. But he’s managing to rotate a lot of players especially at the guard position early and there’s a lot of versatility to utilize. The Ducks have the advantage up front and that’s likely where the game will be won but I’m gonna enjoy seeing how Oregon handles GCU’s defensive guard play.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
Tuesday, November 19
Rutgers (Big Ten) vs. Virginia Tech (ACC): 6:00 PM ET, ACC Extra
Why it’s worth a watch: If you haven’t been up on game, Destiny Adams has had arguably the best start to a season of any player in the nation. Through four games the senior, who once played for North Carolina before transferring to Piscataway, is averaging 27 points, 13 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on nearly 49% shooting. But Virginia Tech is going to be the first major test the Scarlet Knights have seen this year. Conversely, the Hokies did get a taste of the elite competition in the Ally Tip-Off and have since won their last two games comfortably. This is a good speculative watch because if Adams continues to keep pace, you get to say you’ve been in on her since the start.
Must-Watch Score: 7/10
Wednesday, November 20
No. 1 South Carolina (SEC) vs. Clemson (ACC): 5:00 PM ET, ESPN2
Why it’s worth a watch: There’s a great meme video from the movie ‘The Campaign’ starring Will Ferrell. He sits down, looks at his opponent and whispers ‘welcome to the f***ing show’. That’s how I picture this Palmetto matchup to go between South Carolina and Clemson. Shawn Poppie’s Tigers have had a nice start to the year but the Gamecocks are a level he’s aspiring to, not one where his program is particularly close just yet. Since the return of Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, everything is coming up SC. The Gamecocks look every bit like the world beaters they were last year and this feels like another ‘hey…it could be close….aaaaand South Carolina is up 20’ type matchups.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
Kansas (Big 12) vs. Iowa (Big Ten): 7:00 PM ET, Big Ten Network
Why it’s worth a watch: Probably one of the most even matchups in a week without a ton of them. I’m personally gonna be invested in the guard battle between Kansas’ S’Mya Nicholas and Iowa’s Lucy Olsen. The Jayhawks might not be a second weekend NCAA team but this games has fun ‘8-9’ or 7-10’ first round vibes to it. Really interested in seeing how KU utilizes 6’1 sophomore Brittany Harshaw, who has proven to be a steady rebounding presence and reliable scorer. It’s another good litmus test — as Virginia Tech and Drake were — to see what the ceiling of this Hawkeye team is and can be.
Must-Watch Score: 8/10
No. 23 Oregon vs. Auburn: 9:00 pm ET, B1G+
Why it’s worth a watch: The Ducks again find themselves on the weekly watch guide because this is a ‘styles make fights’ kind of game. Auburn has scored the ball in bunches against lower-tier competition but they are a defensive unit, first and foremost. The one knock on Oregon has always been, even on those great Sabrina Ionescu teams, how they perform against opponents that dictate a slower, tougher and more half court oriented game. This is a great test for the Ducks and a really solid preview of what they could see in March if this type of success continues. For Johnnie Harris’ team, it’s a tough road trip — first to Eugene and then Berkeley with late night tip offs — that will teach her a lot about how the Tigers respond to unique adversity. Arkansas transfer Taliah Scott is the name to remember here. She’s one of the most electric guards in the SEC and likely will be in the mix for that all conference first team.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
Thursday, November 21
Belmont (MVC) vs. No. 14 Duke (ACC): 7:00 PM ET, ACC Network
Why it’s worth a watch: Don’t let the early season record fool you on Belmont. The Bruins are 2-2 to start the year but those losses came to two top 15 units in Kansas State and Ohio State. It’s worth noting that the Buckeyes were awfully close to being upset by this group over the weekend. All that to say, don’t underestimate this group and don’t count on another 2-9 game out of Tuti Jones. That said, Duke managed to go into the Temple of Doom that is South Dakota State and escape with a 75-71 win. Kara Lawson is giving this group plenty of tricky games and situations early and anytime you get to see Toby Fournier against high end competition it’s worth turning the television on for.
Must-Watch Score: 7/10
Rice (AAC) vs. Gonzaga (WCC): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN+
Why it’s worth a watch: Again, some slim pickings on Thursday but this game matters for both teams in terms of projecting out their tournament resume. Rice is 4-1 and lost to South Dakota State on a Haleigh Timmer three pointer with 8 seconds left. Gonzaga is still trying to figure out which of their guards can lead the way the Truong sisters and Brynna Maxwell did last year. There isn’t much of a doubt that the Bulldogs will be right back in the mix to win a WCC title but matchups like this one can give us some insight into how close their competition (teams like Washington State or BYU) might be. As for the Owls, Lindsay Edmonds managed to turn a five game losing streak last year into an AAC Tournament Championship run and an NCAA Tournament berth. A win here could be a nice statement that Rice could be a legit contender this regular season.
Must-Watch Score: 6.5/10
Friday, November 22
No. 21 Nebraska (Big Ten) vs. Creighton (Big East): 5:00 PM, FloHoops
Why it’s worth a watch: This feels like a pretty big one for Creighton. You have to expect that UConn is gonna run the Big East but suddenly that second position doesn’t feel nearly as secure for the Bluejays as I thought at the start of the year. While both road games, Creighton has lost to South Dakota State (understandable) and Kansas State (also, understandable). But the chances for that non-con signature win are starting to fade and this game against Nebraska feels like one of the last ones before December when they see No. 5 UCLA. The Cornhuskers have been absolutely cruising to open the year as Natalie Potts has become a nice running mate with Alexis Markowski. First big road trip of the year and there’s a little more to lose if you’re Creighton. Wide spectrum of possibilities in this one, from blowout Nebraska win to Creighton upset. Worth a watch just for the variance.
Must-Watch Score: 7/10
Florida (SEC) vs. Florida State (ACC): 7:00 PM ET, ACC Network
Why it’s worth a watch: Personally I think this game is going to help me understand what tier the Gators will be in once SEC play comes along. The ten point loss to Miami on Saturday told us some things but this matchup against Florida State has a chance to complete the picture. Jeriah Warren is the player to watch for Florida, finishing with 25 points, 3 rebounds and 4 steals against the Hurricanes. On the FSU side, these are the types of games you have to win especially with the next four games — Texas Tech, Missouri State, Gonzaga and Tennessee — being something of a gauntlet. TaNiya Latson is the show for the Seminoles and a player that is always a must-watch. But Makayla Timpson has emerged as a really fun frontcourt foil as well. She finished with 38 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks against Samford. ‘Samford?’ I’m sure you’re saying. But here’s another data point for you: 22 points and 14 rebounds against a Top 25 Illinois team. Is FSU the best team in America? Not necessarily. But do they have two of the most exciting players currently in the sport? Absolutely.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
St. Joe’s (Atlantic-10) vs. Utah (Big 12): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN+
Why it’s worth a watch: This one feels like an upset special, if you would consider it that in the first place. The Utes lost to Northwestern in a surprise last week and are very much trying to figure out a world post Alissa Pili. In fairness, that’s a hard player to replace so some bumps are to be expected. St. Joe’s, on the other hand, has had a nice start to the year knocking off Syracuse and Penn, both on the road. I expect a nice guard show between Hawks leader Mackenzie Smith and Utah’s star Gianna Kneepkens. Talya Brugler (21 PPG, 10 RPG) against that Utes front of Maya Toure, Jenna Johnson and Reese Ross will be interesting. Bubble watch type matchup.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
Auburn (SEC) vs. California (ACC): 9:00 PM ET, ACC Extra
Why it’s worth a watch: Man, if our dearly departed Pac-12 was still around I’d be talking about how massive this game would be for Cal. But the Bears, now in the ACC, have a little more wiggle room within their conference schedule than in years (and leagues) past. But this feels like another bubble watch matchup and that alone makes it worth a watch. To me, I really value the games that pit two opponents of similar caliber against each other. Great vs. Great, Good vs. Good, and so on. This is a Good vs. Good. LuLu Twidale is an early contender for one of the most improved players in the country while Marta Suarez and Ugonne Onyiah have become quite the board sweepers. Auburn’s DeYona Gaston, who is averaging 23.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, will make this a battle on the block. Wouldn’t be surprised if this one came down to the last couple minutes .
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10
No. 9 Oklahoma (Big 12) vs. UNLV (MWC): 9:30 PM ET, Mtn West Network
Why it’s worth a watch: This matchup was one of the early upsets in the 2023-2024 season. The Rebs ran it up on Oklahoma in Norman, earning them a spot in the next week’s Top 25. But both teams feel very different from what they were a year ago. The Sooners have gotten significantly better and UNLV has taken a bit of a step back as they try to navigate a season after the best player in school history graduated. That said, Lindy La Rocque’s team can get out and score in bunches. Even in their loss to Arizona, they were in it for pretty much the entirety of the game. OU has sprinted out of the gate so I expect another win here but how they do on the road against a plucky UNLV squad will be a nice way to gauge the Sooners early.
Must-Watch Score: 7.5/104