Which Conference Really Runs Women's Hoops?

Zena, Sabreena, and Ben recap the weekend in the Association, discussing matchups like USC vs. Washington and UCLA vs. Oregon, and breaking down the ACC/SEC Challenge. They then dive into the ACC’s competitive landscape, Big 12 standouts, Big Ten competition, and SEC dominance, highlighting key players such as Audi Crooks and Olivia Miles, as well as programs like Maryland, Iowa, and Michigan—while offering predictions for this year’s tournament season. They cap it all off with their fun game: She Traveled! No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/ 00:00 Intro 00:53 UCLA defeats Oregon, 80–59 01:14 What’s interesting about UCLA? 03:55 Who is UCLA’s most important player? 06:22 USC defeats Washington, 59-50 07:08 A look at USC 10:56 A look at Washington 13:16 Examining Gerda Raulusaityte coming off the bench 14:26 The ACC/SEC Challenge was a blowout 15:40 What should we make of the ACC/SEC Challenge? 16:26 Louisville keeps impressing 21:45 Ole Miss adjusted effectively vs. Notre Dame 29:20 How many ACC teams will make the tournament this season? 34:03 Examining the competitiveness in the ACC 35:45 Is Audi Crooks the best player in the Big 12? 37:09 Could Taliah Scott be the best player in the Big 12? 37:27 Is Olivia Miles considered the top player in the Big 12? 39:05 Comparing Olivia Miles and Audi Crooks 44:42 Which team do you believe in most: Maryland, Michigan, or Iowa? 50:32 Why isn’t Nebraska included among the teams to watch in the Big Ten? 52:27 Could the SEC snag three of the four Final Four spots? Related links and articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6872046/2025/12/08/womens-college-basketball-power-rankings-duke-nc-state-acc/ by Sabreena Merchant Follow and listen to the audio podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-offseason-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/id1699815468 Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason [https://www.instagram.com/tanooffseason] -TikTok: @no_offseason [https://www.tiktok.com/@no_offseason] Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Produced by Taneka Burrell -Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott and Cassius Flemming Thumbnail: Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/?guccounter=1 Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm7txmok7cpMB3YlgkwrT2E0 Shorts Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm72uhBjsd24rsh5teZtgUpS Thumbnail: Sam Hodde / Contributor / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images Justin Casterline / Stringer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images