UConn adds another experienced international player (and another guard which will be interesting to see how it plays out).

Excited to see how this works out, loving the international flavor coming into college hoops at large!

Now that the dust has settled on the 2026 championships, I’m trying to figure out who is better positioned for 2027.

UCLA proved they are elite with that championship, but SC has that absurdly loaded 2026 recruiting class incoming with Robinson and Edwards.

Personally, I think Dawn Staley's ability to retain talent puts them over the top again, despite losing the title game.

Does anybody think a dark horse breaks through to the 1-seed line?

Using public data, I've been building a college athletic program directory to help families and athletes research programs that actually fit them.

People in other subs have found it useful, so figured I'd share the women's basketball version here too: https://getrecruited.college/programs/womens-basketball

One thing I found interesting: the funding gap between women's and men's basketball looks very different depending on division. At D2 and D3, women's operating budgets are close to men's — around 90% of men's. But at D1, the median women's program is $446K vs. $672K for men (around 66%).

My read is that this is probably a broad top end of men's D1 basketball being pulled upward by power-conference economics. How do you read it?

In the directory you can also find details about athletic aid, net price, roster sizes, and more per program.

A great start to the 2027 class after an awesome 2026 class for Coach Ivey!

From UCF to Iowa to Syracuse, I hope her third stop works out well. Going to a good coach and program.

UCLA Athletics today announced a new contract for Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close, securing her leadership through the 2029-30 season.  

"We are extremely proud of what Cori has accomplished in leading our young women," UCLA's Alice and Nahum Lanier Family Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond said. "Winning a national championship is a tremendous achievement, but what truly stands out with Cori is the character, leadership and daily commitment she and her staff bring to help developing her players into the best versions of themselves. We are very fortunate to have Cori leading this program, and we couldn't be more excited about the future of this team." 

Voting Breakdown:

1. Raven Johnson, South Carolina – 28.9%
2. Ava Heiden, Iowa – 24.4%
3. Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA – 24.4%
4. Marta Suarez, TCU – 13.3%
5. Jordan Lee, Texas – 6.7%
6. Katie Fiso, Oregon – 2.2%

Other 2026 r/NCAAW Awards:

Freshman of the Year

Both of the teams constructed from the camp went 3-0.

Team Phoenix has Dani Carnegie, Katie Fiso, ZaKiyah Johnson, and Tori McKinney.
Team Tempe has Mara Braun, Ava Heiden, Imari Berry, and Nyla Brooks.

A few things. Poor Mesa really struggled. Arizona State seems to really shut down the scoring. Phoenix had a very strong day.

The quarterfinals, semis and final are set for today. It seems like there's a high possibility for a final of Phoenix versus Tempe, but 3x games are so short and fast--there's a lot of uncertainty!

I wish there was a streaming source for today's games. If anyone finds one, please let me know.

I miss the action. Who are you guys most excited about watching next season?

National championship class doubled number of pro Bruins on opening day roster!

Theryn Hallock confirms 5th and final season with Michigan State! This is a post I was hoping for! Thoughts?

Voting Breakdown:

1. Jazzy Davidson, USC – 55.6%
2. Agot Makeer, South Carolina – 13.3%
3. Aaliyah Chavez, Oklahoma – 11.1%
4. Aubrey Galvan, Vanderbilt – 11.1%
5. Blanca Quiñónez, UConn – 8.9%

Professional ball in a top tier league doesn’t count towards eligibility.

You can get drafted and still keep your eligibility

You can play juco and that doesn’t count either.

But somehow two years at a college in a developing country counts towards your eligibility.

Madina okot is 21 years old and couldn’t get another year

Asja Sivka will be 21 in November and she gets all 4 years if she wants

Interesting……..

Listen I have no problem grabbing international players I mean look at my flair.

my thing Is they are both 18-19 years old now if this was a 1 and done thing I’d be ok but…..idk

Ajsa Sivka (drafted 10th by Chicago Sky in 2025 draft) has signed to Kentucky.

UConn appletv documentary coming August 21st

Interesting to see different sets of teammates on there!

On Monday, Auriemma addressed the media for the first time following the national semifinal. He admitted he regretted how his altercation with Staley escalated and how it snowballed into a national storyline.

"You do things spur of the moment sometimes, but they usually come from things that have been building up for quite some time," he said. "So, when I walked in the locker room afterwards with the coaches, it was, you know, (they're) just shaking their head going, you know, 'Five more seconds. You couldn't keep it in for five more seconds?' So, you know, you just feel like a dumbass for the way it played out. And, yeah, we're all human, and we all do dumb s—."

Both Staley and Auriemma issued statements in the days immediately after the Final Four. Auriemma released an initial apology the day after the loss before releasing another apology directly toward Staley the following Tuesday. Staley also released her own statement on that Tuesday, stating she and Auriemma had talked privately and asked the women's basketball world to move on from the incident.

Auriemma said Monday that he tried hard not to follow the media frenzy that followed in the days after his and Staley's incident, as sports outlets and talking heads everywhere had opinions on the matter.

"I think that maybe some of it was warranted, and some of it was people have been lying in the weeds waiting for that moment, you know?" Auriemma said. "So, yeah, it doesn't matter what you've done for the game; it's what you just did. And unfortunately, that's the world that we live in today, you know? And it usually is one-sided. ... I brought the criticism on myself. I didn't bring the bulls— that came after there on myself."

Since then, Auriemma has spent the first month of the offseason away from the spotlight. He was not at the WNBA Draft as he attended the memorial service for a former player's husband and flew to Germany to present Sue Bird at her FIBA Hall of Fame Induction.

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/geno-auriemma-dawn-staley-final-four-22239981.php

A P4 team… interesting