Women's basketball watchlist: 11/15 edition

Today feels like Christmas morning. It’s a heck of a slate with more ‘must-watch’ games than there have been in the past two weeks of play.

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.

4pm: Notre Dame vs. Michigan (NBC/Peacock)

This game is going to tell us a lot about two of the most talked-about teams this season. It’s Michigan’s young core vs. Hannah Hidalgo and Co. Hidalgo has gone off over these past couple of weeks, but this is a matchup that could really test the Irish’s depth.

4pm: Washington at Utah (ESPN+)

Former Pac-12 foes can’t get away from each other. This is a fun one, as it’s both teams first real test of the year. Utah’s freshmen have a ton of potential, while Washington’s core remains one of the best in the country. Elle Ladine has yet to play this season, so I’ll be intrigued to see if she’s able to suit up.

6pm: Fairfield vs. North Carolina (ESPN+)

Fairfield is off to a hot start this season and has been known to challenge some really strong teams. Meanwhile, North Carolina is coming off a loss to UCLA. This game will be a great look into how they respond and if Fairfield’s Meghan Andersen can challenge the Tar Heels.

7pm: Richmond at Columbia (ESPN+)

Two of the best mid-majors in the country facing off — what more could you ask for? Richmond entered the season with sky-high expectations and Columbia is a fairly evenly-matched opponent on paper at their place.

7pm: Missouri at Kansas (ESPN+)

It’s time for the Border War. With new head coach Kellie Harper at the helm, it’s time to see if the Tigers can challenge a young Kansas group with a ton of potential.

9pm: South Carolina at USC (FOX)

It’s finally time for the battle of “USC.” Both teams enter the game with high expectations and this will make headlines no matter which way it falls. Depth may wind up being key in this one.

THIS COULD BE COMPETITIVE/FUN

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.

1pm: Vermont at Lehigh (ESPN+)

1pm: Ball State at Memphis (ESPN+)

1pm: Boston College at Providence (ESPN+)

3pm: MTSU at Rice (ESPN+)

5pm: Howard at Elon

5pm: Southern Utah at Idaho (ESPN+)

5:30pm: Albany at URI (ESPN+)

6pm: Charlotte vs. Cal (ACC Extra)

9pm: USF vs. UCLA (ESPN+)

A DECENT LOOK AND/OR AT OPTIMAL TIMES

These games will either be a solid look at a 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. 

1pm: Kentucky at Marshall (ESPN+)

2pm: Coastal Carolina at Virginia Tech (ACC Extra)

4pm: Fresno State at BYU (ESPN+)