Women's basketball takeaways: 11/23 edition

This was a much more exciting day of hoops than anticipated. We had a major upset and a huge day for some elite mid-majors.

1. The A-10 looks darn good

The A-10 might be the best league outside of the Power 4 – heck, they’re certainly better than several P4 programs. Just yesterday, they went 4-1 (and the only loss was to a Top 10 team). 

Rhode Island pulled off the biggest win of the day, taking down No. 16 NC State on the road. But Richmond also handed Navy their first loss. 

The conference feels like it could be deeper than ever and may very well be a multi-bid league in the NCAA Tournament this year. 

2. James Madison earns a big one

James Madison, who’s already played a challenging schedule, earned a big home win against Virginia Tech yesterday. Peyton McDaniel had a phenomenal showing and JMU showcased the fact that they’re still up there with the best of the mid-majors. 

This was also Virginia Tech’s first loss of the year. 

3. Notable results

Michigan 81, Syracuse 55

Rhode Island 68, NC State 63

Purdue 79, Miami (OH) 68

James Madison 65, Virginia Tech 56

Richmond 69, Navy 56

Illinois 86, Florida State 63

Houston 67, High Point 57

4. Key stat lines

Quinnipiac’s Jackie Grisdale: 19 points, 5/9 from deep, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

UCLA’s Kiki Rice: 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block

TCU’s Olivia Miles: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal

Washington’s Sayvia Sellers: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Miami (OH)’s Tamar Singer: 21 points, 11 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal

Cal State Fullerton’s Nicole Steiner: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals

Purdue’s Madison Layden-Zay: 21 points, 6/8 from deep, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Brown’s Grace Arnolie: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Michigan State’s Kennedy Blair: 25 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals

Vanderbilt’s Aubrey Galvan: 16 points, 15 assists, 3 rebounds, 9 steals

Rhode Island’s Vanessa Harris: 15 points, 3/5 from deep, 1 steal

Tennessee’s Nya Robertson: 32 points, 10/16 from deep, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block

UConn’s Azzi Fudd: 24 points, 4/4 from deep, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

George Mason’s Zanirah Walton: 27 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block

Maryland’s Oluchi Okananwa: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

James Madison’s Peyton McDaniel: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

Richmond’s Ally Sweeney: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists

Clemson’s Mia Moore: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Illinois’ Gretchen Dolan: 25 points, 3 rebounds

Cincinnati’s Reagan Jackson: 23 points, 5/10 from deep, 2 assists, 1 steal

Fordham’s Alexis Black: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals

Georgia’s Dani Carnegie: 23 points, 4/4 from deep, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

UL Monroe’s Jazmine Jackson: 25 points, 5/6 from deep, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

Oral Roberts’ Anna Trusty: 26 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Wisconsin’s Lily Krahn: 18 points, 6/7 from deep

Louisiana Tech’s Paris Bradley: 18 points, 3/5 from deep, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Marshall’s Timaya Lewis-Eutsey: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal

Fresno State’s Ashlyn Rean: 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block

Stanford’s Nunu Agara: 24 points, 10/10 from the field, 4 rebounds

Oregon State’s Kennedie Shuler: 8 points, 14 assists, 4 steals

Eastern Washington’s Elyn Bowers: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals

North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks: 18 points, 7/7 from the field, 3/3 from deep, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block