Welcome to Conference Play, Ladies and Gentlemen…

The Big Ten has already given us some banger matchups this week with No. 4 UCLA holding off No. 19 Ohio State in Columbus, No. 6 Michigan avoiding an Oregon upset in double overtime chaos and No. 17 USC handling No. 20 Nebraska on the road.

Now, it’s everyone else’s turn to show us what madness lies ahead between now and March. So let’s get to it and prioritize your streaming and watching schedule this week…

Richmond (11-3) vs. Rhode Island (10-2): 6:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: A true Ball-Knowers pick here. If there was a fourth mid-major team behind Richmond, Fairfield and Princeton that has the vibe of being an upset special, it’s Rhode Island. Not only is this one a matchup of two of the better programs in the country, it’s also a rather pivotal early season Atlantic 10 battle. While the Spiders are expected to cruise to a double championship with Maggie Doogan (23.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 5.3 APG), URI has the players to make things hard. The Rams manage to always find talent abroad and 6’1 French sophomore Palmire Mbu (13.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG) is the latest to come stateside and make an A-10 title push.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 22 Baylor (11-3) vs. Oklahoma State (12-2): 3:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Taliah Scott (20.8 PPG) played just a few minutes in Baylor’s upset loss to Texas Tech so her status for this matchup against Oklahoma State is still a bit touch-and-go. Obviously, the Lady Bears are a completely different team with their leading scorer healthy and so the intensity of this matchup hinges on her availability. It’s also a great test for the Cowgirls and an opportunity for Stailee Heard (9.6 PPG), one of their leading scorers in 2025 but slumping out of the gate this year, to get right against a high-profile opponent.

Must-Watch Score: 8/10

Arizona State (14-0) vs. Utah (10-3): 4:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: It’s put-up-or-shut-up time for Arizona State. The Sun Devils have a collection of good-not-great wins (Colorado, Oregon State, Gonzaga) but still haven’t seen a true challenge just yet. Utah is not the same team they were in 2023 but there’s still plenty of talent starting with Lani White (14.2 PPG) and forward Reece Ross (9.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG). There won’t be a major test for ASU until they see TCU later in the month but every win over a contemporary strengthens the case that Molly Miller’s team may be a bit further along in year one than expected.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

No. 24 Michigan State (12-1) vs. Indiana (11-3): 12:00 PM ET, BTN

Why it’s worth a watch: Indiana has reminded me a lot of Oregon in that after a transformational class, the Hoosiers fell into the background of their conference picture. And yet, here is Teri Moren’s team at 11-3 with one of the top scorers in the country (Shay Czieki, 23.7 PPG) leading the way. UCLA transfer Zania Socka-Nguemen (13.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG) has been a revelation for IU as well and may be the X-Factor player against Michigan State. The Spartans righted an upset loss to Wisconsin with a huge resume victory over No. 15 Ole Miss. Now, the task for Grace VanSlooten (14.0 PPG) and co. is not slipping up in Big Ten play.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

West Virginia (11-2) vs. Kansas (10-3): 1:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Kansas has flown under the radar and right on the periphery of the NCAA Tournament picture for the last two seasons now. But with a healthy S’Mya Nichols (20.0 PPG) and a young core of exciting talent, the Jayhawks may surprise some people this upcoming year. If they’re able to get Jaliya Davis (17.7 PPG over her first three games) back from injury, Kansas could be a true Ball-Knowers team. As for West Virginia, no one plays the press like the Mountaineers. Norfolk State transfer and former HBCU Player of the Year MeMe Wheeler (13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG) has been exactly what Mark Kellogg has needed on his team and I expect them to defensively frustrate a young KU team.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Alabama (14-0) vs. No. 3 South Carolina (13-1): 2:00 PM ET, SECN+

Why it’s worth a watch: How good is Alabama? I have no idea. I’m going to say the same about Georgia a bit further down here. Would it surprise me if the Tide got run out of the gym by South Carolina? Not at all. But I think the intrigue of this game lies in whether or not there’s more to Bama than we think. Jessica Timmons (15.5 PPG) has emerged as a nice running mate for Essence Cody (15.4 PPG) and maybe that’s enough to contend with a Gamecock team that’s been crushed by injuries. Ta’Niya Latson (16.9 PPG) is still up in the air after suffering an ankle injury but SC has managed to rediscover their double-big secret sauce with Joyce Edwards (21.4 PPG) and Madina Okot (15.8 PPG, 11.2 RPG).

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

No. 20 Nebraska (12-1) vs. No. 14 Iowa (11-2): 2:00 PM ET, BTN

Why it’s worth a watch: Iowa played hard against UConn but it’s clear that the Hawkeyes don’t have the depth or the horses to hang with the best four teams in the country. What does that mean? Well, nothing. Iowa is still fun as hell and now enters Big Ten play where they’ll have a bit more freedom to run and gun. The question is how they decide to defend Cornhusker guard Britt Prince (18.5 PPG), who has emerged as a legit star in Lincoln. Expect her to get what’s hers while, on the other end of the floor, Iowa star forward Ava Heiden (15.5 PPG) does the same.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

Florida (12-3) vs. No. 23 Tennessee (8-3): 2:00 PM ET, SECN+

Why it’s worth a watch: This is a game for fans that have a legit investment in the Player of the Year race. Florida guard Liv McGill is a high-usage stat-stuffer (24.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 3.7 SPG) who is in need of a signature win to really cement her candidacy. The Lady Vols have been limping lately but have gotten a nice boost from leading scorer Janiah Barker (14.6 PPG) as they try to stabilize for SEC play. A loss here would be devastating for a season that already felt on a razor’s edge after Ruby Whitehorn’s suspension and subsequent dismissal from the team. It may not be the biggest matchup of the day but it quietly may be the most compelling.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Georgia (14-0) vs. No. 15 Ole Miss (13-2): 3:00 PM ET, SECN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Much like Alabama, I have no idea what to think of Georgia. Katie Abrahmson-Samuelson’s Bulldogs are 14-0 with their biggest victory coming over Kansas earlier in the non-con. Georgia Tech transfer Dani Carnegie (17.1 PPG) has been the difference maker and now gets her first taste of true SEC defense. Ole Miss has the advantage upfront with Cotie McMahon (18.6 PPG) and Christeen Iwuala (15.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG) and that’s likely where this game will be won. But Carnegie is a hooper and I always have to root for a kid from New York’s very own Section I.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

No. 7 Maryland (14-0) vs. Illinois (12-1): 4:00 PM ET, BTN

Why it’s worth a watch: Outside of South Carolina, has anyone gotten clipped by the injury bug quite like Maryland? Bri McDaniel, Lea Barthelme, Kaylene Smikle and more are already in street clothes for the rest of the year. Luckily for Terp fans, Brenda Frese stuffed the cupboards so much in the transfer portal that there’s plenty of depth to be okay. Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa (16.4 PPG) is running the show in College Park while Illinois will lean heavily on Berry Wallace (17.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG) to get them a win at home.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 6 Michigan (11-1) vs. Washington (11-2): 4:00 PM ET, BTN

Why it’s worth a watch: Michigan avoided an upset loss to Oregon in one of the most chaotic and utterly ridiculous games I’ve ever seen. I don’t expect them to be so bad from the free throw line again nor do I anticipate such bad games from Olivia Olson and Mia Holloway at the same time. But Washington is a shade better than Oregon right now and the PNW road trip is nothing to sneeze at. If you like guard battles, there won’t be many better than this one. Olson (18.3 PPG) and Syla Swords (14.4 PPG) on one side, Sayvia Sellers (19.2 PPG) and Avery Howell (13.2 PPG) on the other. Game on.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 11 Kentucky (13-1) vs. No. 5 LSU (14-0): 8:00 PM ET, SECN+

Why it’s worth a watch: After beating up on the little sisters of the poor for the better part of the last two months, LSU gets a test at last. Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey would argue that the soft non-con schedule was to keep legs fresh for the gauntlet that is the SEC. No time like your opener to test that. Kentucky may not be the team they were last year but Clara Strack (16.8 PPG, 9.9 RPG) has taken a step forward at the center spot. How the rest of their backcourt handles this high-flying LSU attack of Flau’jae Johnson (15.1 PPG), MiLaysia Fulwiley (15.1 PPG) and Mikaylah Williams (12.6 PPG) will be another story.

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Cleveland State (12-3) vs. Green Bay (8-5): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: This game is going to, in all likelihood, be one of the two deciding matchups for the Horizon League regular season title. Cleveland State and Green Bay have gone back and forth in recent years with Purdue-Fort Wayne also playing the role of spoiler/dark horse from time to time. While there isn’t a breakout star for GB so far this year, the Phoenix manage to win by committee with Meghan Schultz (13.8 PPG) leading the way. I expect them to have their hands full with Cleveland State’s three pronged scoring attack led by pure bucket Colbi Maples (16.0 PPG).

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Richmond (11-3) vs. Rhode Island (10-2): 6:00 PM ET, ESPN+

No. 6 Michigan (11-1) vs. Washington (11-2): 4:00 PM ET, BTN

No. 11 Kentucky (13-1) vs. No. 5 LSU (14-0): 8:00 PM ET, SECN+