UConn coach Geno Auriemma uses a lone dissenting vote on the AP's 2026‑27 Preseason All‑America women's basketball team to critique media bias. While 30 of 31 voters named Sarah Strong a top‑five player, one voter omitted her, prompting Auriemma to warn his players not to trust media accolades. The article also notes the All‑WNBA team snub of every Golden State Valkyries player, despite their potential championship run, and discusses the voting controversies surrounding MVP and All‑America selections, highlighting standout performances by A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and Strong’s all‑around stats. Auriemma and The Ringer’s Seerat Sohi argue narratives often outweigh talent in voting.
Pope Leo XIV is officially taking a neutral stance on Villanova and Notre Dame's season opener in Rome despite his connection to the Wildcats.
Women's Basketball Hosts Howard in 2026-27 Season Opener Monday
The start of the 2026-27 North Carolina women's basketball season is here, with the Tar Heels going international for the 2026 Oui Play vs. No. 21 Oklahoma on Monday, Nov. 2.
By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor LSU basketball coach Will Wade just added a five-star prospect to the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2027-28 season. Xavier Young, the No. 4 center in the country [...]
The post Will Wade Reels In Another 5-Star Commitment As No. 4 Center Xavier Young Commits appeared first on TigerRag.com .
No. 23 Illinois women’s basketball thrashed Illinois‑Springfield 88-44 in a preseason exhibition on Oct. 31, showcasing depth that coach Shauna Green calls an X‑factor. Gretchen Dolan and Aaliyah Guyton each led with 14 points, while bench players Maddie Webber and Manuella Alves contributed 11 apiece. The Illini built a 27-11 first‑quarter lead, extended a 54-22 halftime edge, and forced 14 steals and 27 turnovers despite shooting only 3‑for‑19 from three‑point range. Illinois rebounded 49‑28 overall and will open the regular season against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 4.
LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade lands another five‑star recruit, 6‑foot‑10 center Xavier Young, who was the No. 11 overall player in the 2028 class before reclassifying to 2027. The Dallas native chose LSU over offers from Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee and TCU, bolstering LSU’s claim to the nation’s top recruiting class and signaling a potentially historic era for the Tigers. The announcement, posted on October 31, 2026, underscores Wade’s recent recruiting surge and raises questions about sustaining this momentum.
Will Wade won't be dealing with any roster uncertainty when he begins the second season of his second tenure in Baton Rouge.
The post LSU basketball lands 2027 commitment from elite big man appeared first on Saturday Down South .
The Crimson Tide basketball team secured a commitment from a player who slots among their top 10 all-time commits.
The post Alabama basketball lands 5-star 2027 commitment appeared first on Saturday Down South .
Dani Carnegie, a versatile transfer guard from Georgia, brings her high-octane offense to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The post How transfer Dani Carnegie has impressed early at Iowa appeared first on The IX Sports .
Illinois opens its 2026‑27 season against Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday at 7 p.m., airing on BTN and streaming on B1G+. Coach Brad Underwood’s Illini, coming off a 101‑66 win over UIC and a Final Four run, hold the fourth‑highest odds to win the national title. The Knights, led by fourth‑year coach Jack Castleberry, enter 0‑0 after a 11‑21 campaign last season. Illinois leads the all‑time series 2‑0, most recently crushing FDU 104‑71 on Dec. 29, 2023 despite Terrence Shannon Jr.’s suspension. The game offers a chance to see emerging stars Dain Dainja and Justin Harmon in action.
Boston College (4‑3, 2‑2) heads to Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, for a 12 p.m. showdown with Duke (5‑2, 2‑2). The Eagles arrive on a two‑game winning streak, bolstered by tight end Kaelen Chudzinski, who is listed as a game‑time decision after a promising week of practice. Fans can watch live on CW Network. The preview highlights the Eagles’ emerging rushing identity and offers a breakdown of Duke’s offense and defense, making the matchup a key early‑season test for both programs.
LSU head coach Will Wade is on his way to having the best recruiting class in 2027 after landing his second major commitment of the week.
Tar Heel Blog outlines the 2026‑27 UNC basketball outlook under new coach Michael Malone, weighing best‑ and worst‑case scenarios. The worst case hinges on rebounding woes—with Cameron Fens ineligible—and turnover problems from Neo Avdalas and Terrence Brown, potentially leaving the Tar Heels in the ACC middle of the pack, a quarterfinal ACC exit, and a first‑round NCAA loss to VCU. The best case requires Fens' eligibility, a solid backcourt from Avdalas, Brown and Matt Able, and leadership from Jarin Stevenson, allowing UNC to compete for an ACC tournament run and a deeper NCAA appearance. The article highlights which fixes are within reach and which depend on roster upgrades for the 2027‑28 season.
The 267th Pope has a special connection to both college basketball teams ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Week one of the Big East season kicks off with high‑profile matchups: Villanova faces Notre Dame in both men’s and women’s games in Rome on Nov. 1, and the #2 Connecticut Huskies clash with #5 Michigan on Nov. 5 (5:30 pm CT, FS1) before a rematch the next night on TNT. Other key contests include DePaul vs South Florida (Nov. 5, truTV), Marquette vs #17 Minnesota (Nov. 7, ESPN+), Georgetown vs Maryland (Nov. 7, Peacock), and #2 Connecticut vs #10 Iowa on Nov. 8 (FS1). The preview highlights coaching storylines, preseason rankings and early tests for the new‑year squads.
A new TCR Reacts poll reveals that 74% of Illinois fans expect the Illini men's basketball team to chase a national championship in the 2026-27 season, with another 19% betting on a Final Four run. FanDuel ranks Illinois fourth in championship odds for 2027. Coach Brad Underwood returns a talented roster, including standouts David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, and promising freshman Ethan Brown, despite losing key players like Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell. The poll underscores the lofty optimism surrounding the program after last year's Final Four appearance.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats lands 2027 five‑star forward Zion Green, a 6‑foot‑9, No. 16 overall prospect and the 3rd‑ranked power forward on the 247 composite. Green chose Alabama over offers from Ole Miss, Oklahoma and others, bolstering Oats' recruiting momentum. Known for elite ball handling, shooting and playmaking as a stretch‑four, his highlight reel highlights a versatile wing with range. The commitment adds another elite wing to the Crimson Tide’s roster as they look ahead to future seasons.
One of the top college basketball recruits in the class of 2027 is headed to the University of Alabama.
Roberson Named to Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Watch List
Ranking the head coaches in the Summit League as part of our larger project ranking all 365 D1 head coaches this season
A 40-point defeat is not something any team can easily move on from. For the USC Trojans, their 101-61 loss to South Carolina in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament was a particularly painful way to end their season. And while Jazzy Davidson led the Trojans in scoring with 16 points, the freshman […]
The post “Thinking About That Game Every Day Since We Lost”: Jazzy Davidson Reveals What Has Kept South Carolina Loss on Her Mind Ahead of Rematch appeared first on EssentiallySports .
Ranking the head coaches in the Southland Conference as part of our larger project ranking all 365 D1 head coaches this season
Long Island Nets announce Shawn Swords as their eighth head coach for the 2026‑27 G League season. A native of Ottawa and former associate head coach, Swords brings 15 years of college coaching and a decade of pro playing experience, plus a personal tie to Long Island through his daughters—Syla, a Michigan forward and WNBA prospect, and Savvy, a Kentucky freshman—both LuHi alumni and Canadian national team stand‑outs. Swords aims to develop young talent while deepening the franchise’s roots in the local basketball community.
Indiana guard Jaiden Mustaf arrives from Georgia Tech as a key upgrade to Darian DeVries' backcourt, bringing size, athleticism and a slashing style the Hoosiers lacked last season. The 6‑foot‑6 junior, who was once a high‑school recruit for Indiana, will start on the wing alongside Darren Harris, offering versatile guard‑forward play. Mustaf posted a 72.2% free‑throw rate and nearly 39% from three (42.1% in ACC play) while showing a strong ability to drive to the rim, though he averages just under four fouls per 40 minutes. His defensive length adds a new perimeter option for Indiana in 2026‑27.