The 2021-22 women’s college basketball season tips off Tuesday as the march to Minneapolis and the women’s Final Four begins.
South Carolina, which is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, and UConn, which topped ESPN’s ranking of the 25 best teams in the country, are back among the favorites seven months after both lost in the national semifinals.
What are the expectations for defending NCAA champion Stanford? And what’s next for Baylor, in its first season without Kim Mulkey in 21 years?
With the new season nearly upon us, our panel — ESPN writers Katie Barnes, Charlie Creme and Mechelle Voepel, and The Undefeated’s Sean Hurd — dissects some of the biggest storylines and top players and teams we’re watching in 2021-22, and makes its predictions for the Final Four and more.
The Gamecocks and Huskies are unanimous picks to reach Minneapolis in April. But the voters are split on who will take home top honors as the national player of the year.
No. 6 NC State helps open the season Tuesday, hosting No. 1 South Carolina (5 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App).
Jump to Final Four and player of the year predictions
What player are you most looking forward to seeing play, whether it’s a returner, a highly touted recruit making her college debut or a transfer?
Creme: We have been hearing about Azzi Fudd for over two years. Whether it’s her skills as a shooter, her demeanor in big moments or the efficiency with which she plays, Fudd enters her freshman season at UConn with a reputation as a future star. Now I want to see it all, game after game against and with the best talent Fudd has ever seen. That isn’t meant to sound skeptical, but rather eager. Greatness is fun to watch. If she is truly great, it’s time to enjoy it.
Other curiosities await when Fudd steps on the floor for the first time. How does she fit into a loaded UConn lineup? How much will the chemistry she already has with good friend Paige Bueckers help the Huskies? Will Fudd have the same impact that Bueckers did as…
Source : espn
