The 2024-25 women's college basketball season is less than a month away, and there are plenty of dates that should be circled on your calendar. The non-conference part of the year will see a few rematches from the NCAA Tournament, as well as some battles between the top stars in the sport.
The USC Trojans have been on the rise and JuJu Watkins is fresh off a historic freshman season. They will get things started on Nov. 4 with a game against Ole Miss in Paris. This marks the second consecutive year that an official NCAA women's basketball game is taking place in France.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on South Carolina as the Gamecocks just completed a perfect 38-0 season on their way to another national championship win. South Carolina has only lost three games in three years, but it can't take anything for granted as plenty of tough matchups await them before SEC play even begins.
Here is a look at the top-10 non-conference matchups of the 2024-25 season, sorted by date:
USC vs. Ole Miss (Paris, France) -- Nov. 4
This will be the first time JuJu Watkins plays alongside Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen, who Watkins said deserves to be talked about more. The Trojans have a fun challenge ahead as Ole Miss just made the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Rebels coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin returns a veteran group that includes Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Kharyssa Richardson.
South Carolina vs. NC State -- Nov. 10
A rematch of the Final Four is quite a treat this early in the season. One of South Carolina's strengths last season was depth, and the Gamecocks got to keep most of their key pieces -- minus 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso. Her size and abilities in the paint will be missed, but NC State is also in a similar situation without 6-foot-5 center River Baldwin and 6-foot-3 guard Mimi Collins. However, the Wolfpack return their strong backcourt of Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Zoe Brooks.
Notre Dame vs. USC -- Nov. 23
This is more than just a matchup between a Sweet 16 team and an Elite Eight team. Hannah Hidalgo and Watkins were the two most impressive freshmen last season, and this will be the first time they face each other. The Fighting Irish will unfortunately have to start their season without senior Maddy Westbeld, who is recovering from foot surgery. However, the team is still pretty strong with Hidalgo, Sonia Citron and the return of Olivia Miles, who hasn't played since February 2023 because of a knee injury.
South Carolina vs. UCLA -- Nov. 24
USC has skyrocketed into the spotlight, but UCLA should not be slept on. The Bruins are fresh off their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, and they returned most of their starters including Lauren Betts, who led the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Cori Close also added some solid transfers in Texas A&M's Janiah Barker, Washington State's Charlisse Leger-Walker and Oregon State's Timea Gardiner (Oregon State).
South Carolina vs. Iowa State -- Nov. 28
Iowa State didn't get past the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but they were not an easy out as they took Stanford to overtime. They will only get better as their now-sophomores Audi Crooks and Addy Brown continue to develop. The Cyclones also returned the program's all-time assist leader, Emily Ryan, for a fifth season. Crooks is one of our top 10 players ahead of the 2024-25 season, along with South Carolina's MiLaysia Fulwiley.
Texas vs. Notre Dame -- Dec. 5
These are two teams who were already strong last season, but will get stronger with the return of star players who were injured. Texas was one of our offseason winners because of the return of Rori Harmon, who tore her ACL last December. Texas coach Vic Schaefer said she has recovered nicely and is looking like "a million dollars" ahead of the season. It will be fun to see how she is playing in December, and the same goes for Olivia Miles.
UConn vs. Notre Dame -- Dec. 12
The Fighting Irish stunned UConn in Storrs, 82-67, in January behind a 34-point performance by Hannah Hidalgo and 23 points from Maddy Westbeld. It's unclear if Westbeld will be available for this game, but no matter what, it will be a big challenge for the Fighting Irish. The Huskies will be hungry for redemption, especially Paige Bueckers, who typically shoots well over 50% but struggled in that game going 5-for-17 from the field.
UConn vs. Iowa State -- Dec. 17
These two teams haven't faced each other since 2010, and the next meeting should be worth the wait. There is plenty of talent on both rosters, and they will get to play Mohegan Sun arena, home of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. It won't be an official home game for UConn, but the Huskies will have plenty of support in their own state.
USC vs. UConn -- Dec. 21
Get your popcorn ready for this Elite Eight rematch. Despite being shorthanded, the Huskies reached their 15th Final Four in 16 years thanks to a dominant effort in the fourth quarter. Bueckers led the way with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, USC struggled and shot under 33% from the field, but Watkins wrapped up a historic freshman career with 29 points. After that game, Bueckers encouraged Watkins to keep her head held high and said the USC star is "one of the best players in the country."
UConn vs. South Carolina -- Feb. 16
UConn is the most successful women's college basketball program ever with 11 national championships. Meanwhile, South Carolina is also on its way to becoming a dynasty under Dawn Staley. The last time they faced each other was in February, and the Gamecocks' deep roster was too much too handle for a shorthanded UConn team. South Carolina won that one 83-65, but things could be different this time around if the Huskies get back some of their key players to help Bueckers. Azzi Fudd (torn ACL), Caroline Ducharme (head/neck) and Aubrey Griffin (torn ACL) will not be ready to start the season, but February will likely give at least Fudd -- who Auriemma said was closest to returning -- enough time to get back on the court.