Women's basketball opening day watchlist

It’s officially here. We are just one day away from regular-season women’s college basketball – and it’s a marathon of opening day games. 

If you’re like me, you’ll be seated all day long itching to get a first glimpse at each program. But if you have to work, go to class, or just don’t have the time to sit around all day watching hoops, I’ll give you the games you *must* watch and where to watch them. 

*The ones I’m looking forward to the most are marked with an asterisk, but these are all games I’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the day.

BE SEATED AT ALL COSTS

These are the games you’re going to want to skip work for – the ones that will tell us a whole lot about the best of the best. 

*12pm: Baylor vs. Duke in Paris (ESPN)

In theory, this is the best game of the day. Duke is my favorite to win the ACC this season and Baylor is an under-the-radar squad with a ton of new talent.

What I’m most excited for: A first look at Duke freshman Emilee Skinner and seeing Taliah Scott back in action for the Bears

*2:30pm: Cal vs. Vanderbilt in Paris (ESPNU)

This game is super intriguing. Both of these teams had phenomenal seasons last year, but they both look significantly different.

What I’m most excited for: Seeing Mikayla Blakes’ sophomore season begin against a new-look Cal team

*5:30pm: Belmont at Oklahoma (SECN+)

Belmont is a team that can easily force some upsets this year. They’re consistently one of the best mid-majors in the country and they’ll face an Oklahoma team with sky-high expectations.

What I’m most excited for: Seeing Aaliyah Chavez go up against a real mid-major threat in her debut

*7pm: Grand Canyon at South Carolina (SECN+)

Well this is a fun one, isn’t it? Former South Carolina assistant coach Winston Gandy took over at Grand Canyon and will face Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks in their first game of the year.

What I’m most excited for: Seeing how Gandy’s portal haul looks and getting a look at Ta’Niya Latson with the Gamecocks

THIS COULD BE COMPETITIVE

These matchups are more than just your run-of-the-mill easy blowouts. While some of them have the potential to be, these games are an opportunity to see good teams test themselves early. 

*12pm: Norfolk State at Ole Miss (SECN)

5:30pm: Auburn at Charlotte (ESPN+)

*6pm: Kent State at James Madison

7pm: South Dakota State at Creighton (ESPN+)

7pm: George Mason at Temple (ESPN+)

A DECENT FIRST LOOK AND/OR AT OPTIMAL TIMES

These games will either be a solid first look at a P5 team or they just fall at optimal times. If you’re in need of basketball to watch all day (like me), these are games to add to your list. 

11am: NC Central at UNC (ACC Extra)

11am: SC Upstate at Clemson (ACC Extra)

11am: Wright State at Butler (ESPN+)

*5pm: Bucknell at Penn State

7pm: Purdue FW at West Virginia (ESPN+)

*7:30pm: Davidson at Mississippi State (SECN+)

*8:30pm: Coppin State at Arizona State

9pm: West Georgia at Oregon (Big Ten+)

10pm: UNCG at Stanford (ACC Extra)

*10pm: San Diego State at UCLA (Big Ten +)

WATCH YOUR TEAM WIN A BLOWOUT

The rest of the games here will likely provide no true competitive value – but you never know. These games are your first look at some P5’s playing teams they should beat with ease. 

*12pm: St. Thomas at Iowa State (ESPN+)

12pm: Winthrop at Marquette (ESPN+)

1pm: Northwestern State at Nebraska

5pm: Radford at Wake Forest (ACC Extra)

*5pm: Hofstra at Miami (ACC Extra)

5pm: Alabama State at Georgia (SECN+)

5pm: Stetson at Alabama (SECN+)

6pm: Florida A&M at Florida State (ACC Extra)

6pm: Holy Cross at Boston College

6pm: Bethune-Cookman at UCF (ESPN+)

*6:30pm: Morehead State at Kentucky (SECN+)

7pm: Loyola (MD) at Maryland (Big Ten+)

7pm: NC A&T at Texas Tech (ESPN+)

7pm: North Florida at Florida (SECN+)

*7:30pm: Southern at Iowa (Big Ten+)

7:30pm: Omaha at Kansas State (ESPN+)

7:30pm: New Orleans at Oklahoma State

7:30pm: Central Arkansas at Missouri (SECN+)

*8pm: Incarnate Word at Texas (SECN+)

*8pm: Seattle at Washington

JUST A FEW MORE MID-MAJOR GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON

2pm: Idaho at Washington State (ESPN+)

*6pm: FIU at USF (ESPN+)

7:30pm: Dayton at Illinois State (ESPN+)

7:30pm: Saint Louis at Missouri State (ESPN+)

8pm: Ball State at Arkansas State (ESPN+)