2024-2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Schedule Overview

2024-2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Schedule Overview

Posted on by Max Clark

The 2024-2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball season promises to be an exciting journey from the first tip-off in November to the national championship game in April. The schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups, intense conference rivalries, incredible displays of athletics, and the relentless pursuit of March Madness glory. With increased media attention and growing fan support, the NCAA Women’s Basketball schedule showcases the best teams, players, and coaches as they battle for conference titles and a chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Key Dates in the 2024-2025 Season

The 2024-2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball season follows a structured timeline similar to the 2023-24 Women’s Basketball schedule, with several key dates that define the path to the NCAA Tournament:

  1. Regular Season Start: The season begins on November 5, 2024, with non-conference games that set the stage for early rankings and provide teams with the opportunity to establish themselves and impress with their box scores. This early part of the season features a mix of powerhouse clashes, up-and-coming teams making statements, and new faces looking to shine on the collegiate stage.
  2. Holiday Tournaments and Invitationals: From late November through December, several key tournaments take place, including the Battle 4 Atlantis, Maui Invitational, Gulf Coast Showcase, and the Paradise Jam. These tournaments are crucial for teams seeking to boost their resumes against quality opponents. High-profile matchups in these tournaments often provide early tests that can shape a team’s season trajectory.
  3. Conference Play Start: Conference play begins in late December, kicking off a crucial stretch of the season where teams compete within their leagues. Conference games are vital for securing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and gaining momentum heading into March. Rivalries intensify, and each game becomes more critical as teams battle for positioning in their respective conferences.
  4. Conference Tournaments: Conference tournaments are scheduled to take place from March 3-9, 2025. These tournaments offer teams the chance to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning their conference title. The intensity of single-elimination play often leads to unexpected outcomes, with lower-seeded teams making surprising runs and top-seeded teams fighting to prove their dominance.
  5. Selection Monday: On March 10, 2025, Selection Monday will reveal the 68-team field for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Teams will learn their seedings, matchups, and regions, setting the stage for March Madness. This day is highly anticipated as it marks the beginning of the tournament journey, filled with hopes of a deep run to the Final Four.
  6. NCAA Tournament (March Madness): The NCAA Tournament starts on March 21, 2025, with the First Four games, followed by the First and Second Rounds, the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four. The single-elimination format of March Madness creates a thrilling atmosphere where every game is win-or-go-home, and upsets are always a possibility.
  7. Final Four and National Championship: The season culminates with the Final Four on April 4, 2025, and the National Championship game on April 6, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. The Final Four (which includes the semifinals and championship games) showcases the best teams in the nation and is the pinnacle of women’s college basketball, drawing immense viewership and media attention.

Notable Non-Conference Matchups

The 2024-2025 schedule features a variety of intriguing non-conference games that provide early-season drama and set the tone for the rest of the year. These matchups often pit top teams against each other in neutral sites or home-and-home series, offering fans a preview of potential NCAA Tournament showdowns.

  1. UConn vs. South Carolina: A clash between these two perennial powerhouses is always a highlight of the season. UConn, led by legendary coach Geno Auriemma, and South Carolina, under the guidance of Dawn Staley, consistently rank among the nation’s best. Their matchup is expected to be a battle of elite talent, coaching strategies, and fierce competitiveness.
  2. Stanford vs. Tennessee: Stanford and Tennessee are two storied programs with rich histories in women’s basketball. Their non-conference game will feature a blend of veteran leadership and emerging young stars, making it a must-watch for fans of the sport.
  3. Iowa vs. Louisville: Both teams are known for their dynamic offenses and star players. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, one of the most electrifying guards in the game, will look to showcase her scoring prowess against Louisville’s strong defensive schemes.
  4. Texas vs. Baylor: This Texas showdown is not just a battle for state bragging rights but also a contest between two teams with national championship aspirations. The intensity of this rivalry makes it one of the standout games of the non-conference slate.

Key Conference Clashes and Rivalries

Conference play is where the season truly heats up, with rivalries renewed and championship aspirations on the line. Each major conference boasts its share of must-watch games that can define the season for teams.

  • ACC: The ACC is loaded with talent, and matchups like North Carolina vs. Duke, Louisville vs. Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech vs. NC State will be pivotal in determining conference standings. Other solid teams in the ACC include: Wake Forest, Clemson, and Stanford, among others.
  • SEC: The SEC remains one of the most competitive conferences in women’s basketball. Key games include South Carolina vs. LSU, Tennessee vs. Kentucky, and Ole Miss vs. Georgia. South Carolina will look to defend its conference crown, but numerous challengers are eager to dethrone them.
  • Big Ten: The Big Ten features some of the nation’s top programs, including Iowa, Maryland, and Indiana. Games like Iowa vs. Ohio State and Maryland vs. Indiana will be critical as teams jostle for the top spot in the conference. Other well-known teams in the Big Ten include: Michigan, UCLA, and USC, among others.
  • Big 12: Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma lead the charge in the Big 12. The fierce competition between these programs ensures that every game is vital for postseason positioning. Other notable teams in the Big 12 include: Utah, West Virginia, and Colorado, among others.
  • Big East: UConn. Villanova, DePaul, and Creighton are all powerhouse teams with intense intra-conference rivalries. The rivalry between Xavier and Butler has been growing as well in recent years, with both teams aiming to make a mark in the Big East.

The 2024-2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball schedule is packed with excitement, from non-conference clashes to intense conference battles and the thrill of March Madness. With a season filled with high-stakes games and standout performances, fans can look forward to another incredible year of women’s college basketball. The journey to the Final Four in Tampa promises to be full of surprises, upsets, and unforgettable gameday moments that define the sport’s continued growth and popularity.