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Good morning!
Circle this one tonight: No. 5 LSU travels to Austin to face No. 4 Texas in a nationally televised SEC matchup with real NCAA tournament implications. Tip-off is at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. UConn–Tennessee Still Moves the Needle 📺
Sunday’s matchup between UConn and Tennessee pulled in 1.21 million viewers on FOX, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game of the season so far. (CT Insider)
WHY IT MATTERS: The game itself wasn’t especially close. UConn came in as heavy favorites and won 96–66. But the audience still showed up in a big way. Even without a down-to-the-wire finish, this rivalry continues to draw national attention. It’s a reminder that history and easy access on big networks play an important role when it comes to growing the women’s game.
🗳️ Did you watch UConn–Tennessee on Sunday?
2. Naismith Names Midseason Top 10 for Cheryl Miller Award 👀
Naismith dropped its midseason Top 10 candidates for the Cheryl Miller Award, which honors the best small forward in women’s college basketball. The list includes Mikaylah Williams (LSU), Olivia Olson (Michigan), Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA), and last year’s winner Madison Booker (Texas).
WHY IT MATTERS: The small forward might be the most versatile role on the court, blending guard skills with the size and strength of a forward. You’ll see them involved in just about everything. This list will be narrowed to five finalists in March, with a winner announced later in the season. And this award means something. Past winners include current WNBA players Satou Sabally, Bridget Carleton, and Gabby Williams.
3. Mountain West Lands Historic Media Deal 📡
The Mountain West Conference announced a new six-year media rights agreement with CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Kiswe, and The CW, beginning with the 2026–27 season. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Valued at at least $300 million, this is the largest media deal in conference history and a real visibility boost for mid-major women’s basketball. This means programs like UNLV, San Diego State, Boise State, and Colorado State will be easier to find and easier to follow, something non-Power 4 teams rarely get.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Still Got It: Veteran Tina Charles opened her Athletes Unlimited debut with 17 points and 9 rebounds.
Prep for Paris: Follow Caitlin Clark, Chelsea Gray, and the rest of the Team USA hopefuls as they took the floor last December in Durham for the first training camp of the new Olympic cycle.
Ripple Effect: Transfers are reaching the high school level too, with a top prospect moving to California powerhouse Sierra Canyon just ahead of the postseason.
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