Women's basketball takeaways: 11/16 edition

It was an absolutely loaded day of women’s hoops. Between Top-25 matchups and upsets, there’s a lot to discuss from the slate.

1. TCU looks like they could reach another Elite Eight (maybe even a Final Four)

TCU has now beaten NC State in back-to-back seasons with two completely different rosters. This new Horned Frogs group certainly doesn’t lack size, but also has the skill to back it up. 

With Olivia Miles on roster, consistent playmaking is a given. But this is a team that can stretch the floor as well as dominate down low. In TCU’s 69-59 road win in Raleigh, Marta Suarez was the star of the show. She had 26 points, was 4-of-8 from deep and added three rebounds, a steal and two blocks. 

Depth is the only concern for me, but with the talent TCU has, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a return to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

2. Penn State is definitely much-improved

I had my doubts about Penn State, but they’ve started the year off with a 4-0 record that includes a couple of 50/50 wins. With victories over Cincinnati and now Saint Joseph’s, this team is better than I expected. 

Rutgers transfer Kiyomi McMiller has been consistently impressive, but bringing back Gracie Merkle was the key for the Nittany Lions this year. She had 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in their road win at Saint Joseph’s. 

I’m not sure yet how this team will fare in highly-competitive Big Ten play, but they’ve certainly improved from last season. 

3. Surprising results

Scranton (D3) 69, Pittsburgh 63

Navy 69, Florida 54

Marist 78, Holy Cross 77

Texas A&M 77, Kansas State 72

UAB 79, Chattanooga 66

Jacksonville 69, Georgia Tech 64

Faulkner 77, Alabama State 71

4. Key stat lines

UConn’s Sarah Strong: 29 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks

Texas’ Aaliyah Crump: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Baylor’s Taliah Scott: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals

Iowa State’s Addy Brown: 11 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists

Michigan State’s Kennedy Blair: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals

North Dakota State’s Avery Koenen: 26 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block

Navy’s Zanai Barnett-Gay: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3/5 from deep

Villanova’s Brynn McCurry: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals

Penn State’s Tea Cleante: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 5/6 from deep

Miami (OH)’s Amber Scalia: 26 points, 5/8 from deep, 4 rebounds

High Point’s Aaliyah Collins: 27 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal

Texas A&M’s Ny’Ceara Pryor: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists

Cleveland State’s Jada Leonard: 27 points, 3/5 from deep, 9 steals

UAB’s Eleecia Carter: 25 points, 4/7 from deep

Jacksonville’s Priscilla Williams: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Arizona State’s Gabby Elliott: 20 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal

Indiana’s Lenee Beaumont: 23 points, 3/3 from deep, 5 rebounds

Charlotte’s Zoe Best: 19 points, 5/8 from deep, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block