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Good morning and happy opening day of the women’s college basketball season! ☕️
Today’s Overtime section features the three most-clicked links from October, in case you missed them.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The 2025-26 Women’s College Basketball Season Tips Off Today 🏀
Does it feel like Christmas Day for anyone else? The 2025–26 women’s college basketball season officially begins today, with 39 Division I games on the schedule. (NCAA)
WHY IT MATTERS: A new season means a clean slate for every team across the country, each with the hopes of developing into a title-contending team by March. Among the 39 matchups tomorrow, we recommend trying to catch these three:
Baylor vs Duke (Paris, 12 PM ET, ESPN): Duke enters as an ACC favorite, while Baylor could surprise with its reloaded roster.
Cal vs Vanderbilt (Paris, 2:30 PM ET, ESPNU): Both had phenomenal seasons last year but are debuting fresh lineups.
Grand Canyon at South Carolina (7 PM ET, SECN+): A fun subplot here: GCU head coach Winston Gandy faces his former boss, Dawn Staley, in his first game leading the Lopes.
2. Michigan to Retire Naz Hillmon’s Jersey 💙
Michigan will retire Naz Hillmon’s No. 00 jersey on February 15, 2026, during its matchup against rival Michigan State. (M Live)
WHY IT MATTERS: Hillmon became the first All-American in program history and remains the only Wolverine, men’s or women’s, to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Now a standout with the Atlanta Dream, she capped off this past WNBA season as the league’s Sixth Player of the Year.
3. Lisa Bluder Joins NBC’s College Hoops Team 🎙️
Former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder will join NBC’s College Countdown studio team this season, covering Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East games on NBC and Peacock. (Sports Illustrated)
WHY IT MATTERS: After 24 seasons at Iowa, including two straight trips to the national championship, Bluder brings her wealth of experience to the broadcast booth. We’ll get a chance to learn from this popular coach as she brings her insight and personality as an on-air analyst.
🤝 From Our Partners: We occasionally share sponsored resources our readers might enjoy:
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Today’s Overtime looks back at the three most-clicked stories from our October issues 👇
Coaches Preseason Poll: The top 25 women’s teams as voted by DI coaches.
ESPN Preseason Top 25: Another look at how the national field stacks up before season tipoff.
Forbes Most Powerful Women in Sports: The publication’s new 2025 list features Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Dawn Staley, and Becky Hammon.
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