Everything is on the line in the last two weeks of the NCAA women’s basketball regular season. There’s conference titles at stake, tournament resumes to bolster and the allure of hosting the opening two rounds of March Madness pushing the best programs to win out down the stretch.

This coming week has a little bit of everything from mid-major heavyweight matchups to power conference battles that could tilt the NCAA Top 16 picture one way or another.

But before we get to the watch guide…a special announcement!

Are you in the Austin, Texas area and love women’s basketball? Well No Cap Space WBB is gonna be in your city this weekend. For the first time ever, NCS is hosting a live panel in conjunction with UT women’s basketball.

Longhorn Legends Live honors the 40th anniversary of the legendary 1986 NCAA national champion Texas Longhorns (the first NCAA women’s basketball champion to end the year undefeated, I might add) with a panel discussion stuffed to the gills with Hall-of-Famers, foundational Texas sports figures and, of course, your favorite folks from No Cap Space WBB. It’s free admission, from 2-4 pm on Saturday, February 21st at Moody College Auditorium on the UT campus.

Keep an eye on our social media channels as we’ll have more details and information coming later this afternoon and into the weekend. Now, let’s take a look at what you should prioritize watching this week!

₂₁Tennessee (16-7, 8-3 SEC) vs. ₁₇Ole Miss (20-6, 7-4 SEC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPNU

Why it’s worth a watch: In spite of the emotional rollercoaster Tennessee has put us on this season, Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols aren’t that far out of the Top 16 picture. Hosting at Thompson-Boling Arena is still in play but, in order to make that case, there has to be a serious run of wins to end the regular season. It’s a clash of styles between Tennessee and Ole Miss. Pace vs. plodding. Dribble-drive vs. dynamic defense. The big test here is if UT’s Talaysia Cooper can rise to the occasion while freshman guard Mia Pauldo remains sidelined with an injury.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

South Florida (16-10, 9-4 AAC) vs. Rice (22-3, 12-0 AAC): 8:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Jose Fernandez left South Florida earlier this year to take the Dallas Wings WNBA head coaching job but his Bulls have remained competitive. They are a sizable underdog against Rice, who has just demolished everyone in the American this year, but USF has the pedigree and talent to push the Owls into uncomfortable territory. If you’re looking for coaches who will be hot commodities come the offseason, use this as a chance to get familiar with Rice and head coach Lindsay Edmonds, someone on my short list for any upcoming vacancies at the power conference level.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

₁UConn (27-0, 16-0 Big East) vs. Villanova (21-5, 14-3 Big East): 7:00 PM ET, Peacock

Why it’s worth a watch: I want the Big East fans in my life to know that I’m genuinely trying. I don’t want to write off a whole conference as less-than-watchable for an entire year. It’s just when the second best team in your league loses to the best team by 49 points, you start to wonder how exciting the rematch will be. With that in mind, Villanova is going to have to work to keep it close with UConn. Blowout losses kill your team in NET rankings and the Wildcats right now need all the help they can get to make a case to sneak into the Tournament.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

₁₅Baylor (22-5, 11-3 Big 12) vs. ₂₀Texas Tech (23-4, 10-4 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: As of right now, two games are all that separates first and sixth in the Big 12 regular season standings. While fans can wonder about how high the ceiling is on several of these teams this year, you can’t doubt that the parity has filled the month of February with must-watch matchups. Texas Tech has cooled off slightly since their 19-0 start, losing four of their last seven games. But there’s no time like the present to reset oneself and take it to one of the co-leaders at the top of the league. I promise TCU is going to be watching this one closely.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

Arizona State (21-6, 8-6 Big 12) vs. Iowa State (20-6, 8-6 Big 12): 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Molly Miller’s Arizona State Sun Devils are one of the best stories in women’s college basketball this year. With something of a patchwork roster and in her first year at the helm, Miller’s team is not only in the mix for the NCAA Tournament but not that far out of a top four seed for the conference bracket. Can they handle Audi Crooks and Jada Williams, who have won six of their last seven? They’ll have to, as ESPN’s Charlie Creme lists ASU as one of the first four out of the 68 team March Madness field.

Must-Watch Score: 8/10

₁₀Ohio State (22-4, 11-3 B1G) vs. ₂₃Minnesota (20-6, 11-4 B1G): 8:00 PM ET, B1G+

Why it’s worth a watch: Dawn Plitzuweit has been waiting for a season like this at Minnesota. Since arriving from West Virginia, the Golden Gophers have dealt with back-to-back seasons of kneecapping injuries. In spite of that, the Ball-Knowers have been monitoring UM, who made it to the WNIT title game in 2024 and won the WBIT a year later. Now, with a fully healthy complement of players, Minnesota is fifth in the Big Ten standings and can hop Ohio State with a win here. They’re ranked 23rd in the AP poll but maybe it’s time to think of them as more than that…

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

UNLV (17-8, 12-3 MWC) vs. San Diego State (20-4, 14-1 MWC): 9:00 PM ET, MWNetwork

Why it’s worth a watch: San Diego State doesn’t have a singular star leading the way, instead relying on scoring-by-committee to get things done in the Mountain West. Don’t knock it until you try it, I guess, because it’s working in southern California. Stacie Terry-Hutson has been at SDSU since 2013 but since 2022, the Aztecs have gone from middling mid-major program to the class of the Mountain West. They defeated the previous standard bearer, Lindy La Rocque’s UNLV, once already this season. Can San Diego State go for the sweep and get one step closer to clinching their first conference regular season title since 2013?

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

₂₂North Carolina (21-6, 10-4 ACC) vs. Virginia Tech (20-7, 10-5 ACC): 6:00 PM ET, ACC Network

Why it’s worth a watch: According to Charlie Creme, Virginia Tech is one of the last four byes into the NCAA Tournament at this very moment. Do they deserve to be in over a Richmond, Princeton, or South Dakota State? That’s not for me to decide but I think longtime readers will know where I stand. The one way for the Hokies to shut me up is to win this one against North Carolina. If you haven’t seen much of VT this year, the high-low tandem of Carleigh Wenzel and Carys Baker has been one of the more underrated duos in power conference basketball this year. Win this game and you make that last four bye case much stronger.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Marshall (22-6, 12-3 SBC) vs. Georgia Southern (19-6, 12-2 SBC): 6:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Kim Caldwell’s former Marshall Thundering Herd continue to Thunder on. Believe it or not, the Sun Belt is awesome this year. First and fifth is separated by 1.5 games and all of the teams inside that cluster would be adequate representatives to send to the NCAA Tournament. What makes this game so noteworthy is that face that Georgia Southern is tied with Troy for the Sun Belt lead while Marshall is a half game back. These games are not just for seeding in the conference tournament but de facto play-in matchups. So, tune in accordingly.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Southern Indiana (18-7, 12-4 OVC) vs. Western Illinois (21-4, 13-3 OVC): 6:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: While the Sun Belt sorts out their logjam, Western Illinois has a chance to solidify their hold on the OVC with just a handful of games left in the regular season. If you’re a regular reader, you know I have been trying all year to get people to pay attention to WIU’s Mia Nicastro. The 6’2 senior is averaging 24.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game on nearly 50-40-90 splits (she’s at 38.2% from 3). The Leathernecks losses are downright bizarre — particularly losing to last place Tennessee State by 10 — but they’ve shown up when it’s counted. Doubtless, Southern Indiana wants to some revenge for their loss earlier in the year and the chance to draw level in the standings.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

₁₁Oklahoma (19-6, 7-5 SEC) vs. ₂₄Georgia (20-6, 6-6 SEC): 6:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Why it’s worth a watch: Aaliyah Chavez has hit a bit of a shooting slump and the Sooners are playing worse as a result. They decided (finally, some might argue) that the proper response was to feed their All-American center Raegan Beers as much as possible inside. That’s how they managed to beat Alabama and probably the way they intend to beat Georgia. But don’t count out the Bulldogs. They just upset Vanderbilt over the weekend and I still have Bulldog guard Dani Carnegie on my hypothetical first-team-All-SEC ballot.

Must-Watch Score: 8/10

NC State (17-8, 10-4 ACC) vs. ₉Duke (19-6, 14-0 ACC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: It’s not high on the must-watch list but, out of every game on Thursday, I think this has the best chance to be a banger. Duke, as mentioned in Five Out yesterday, is surging and Kara Lawson seems to have figured out whatever vexed the Blue Devils at the start of the season. I know there’s an argument about the ACC being down this year but it feels like NC State is the last big test for Duke before seeing North Carolina in the regular season finale.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

₃South Carolina (25-2, 11-1 SEC) vs. ₂₅Alabama (20-6, 6-6 SEC): 8:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Why it’s worth a watch: I’m really not sure what to think about this one. It’s pretty clear that Alabama is not only not the same team they were last year, but I do wonder if they’re getting a bit of an SEC bump by staying in this week’s Top 25. South Carolina won the first matchup 83-57 and I’d be somewhat surprised if it didn’t go similarly in Tuscaloosa this Thursday. Dawn Staley, once again, has this team humming and looking like the perennial Final Four contender we know the Gamecocks to be.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

₇LSU (22-4, 8-4 SEC) vs. ₁₇Ole Miss (20-6, 7-4 SEC): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: How does LSU plan on responding to an emotional loss to South Carolina last weekend? Will the Bayou Bengals be able to refocus and outlast an Ole Miss team that is schematically designed to make you throw your Xbox controller at a wall and rage quit in frustration. We’ve seen coaches that have called their teams out in the media (Kim Caldwell, Vic Schaefer) perform well the next game. Kim Mulkey hasn’t gone that far with her LSU team but will she be able to get them up and active in a game with Top 16 implications for both teams?

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Washington (19-7, 9-6 B1G) vs. ₂UCLA (25-1, 15-0 B1G): 10:00 PM ET, BTN

Why it’s worth a watch: The Huskies have, more or less, found their center this year as a team that will land somewhere around the 7 or 8 seed line. Is that enough to challenge a UCLA team that has thoroughly dismantled everyone in the Big Ten this year? I doubt it. But you’ll never get me to say no to watching a pair of things: The Husky backcourt of Sayvia Sellers and Avery Howell as well as this model of efficiency known as the UCLA Bruins.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Murray State (22-3, 13-1 MVC) vs. Bradley (18-8, 11-4 MVC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: If you haven’t seen any of Murray State this year, give them a good, long look. Not only does the program have a great story — head coach Rechelle Turner is an MSU alum that coached 21 years at the local high school before taking the job at her alma mater — but they’re also positively crushing it in a typically cutthroat Missouri Valley Conference. They may not go 10 deep into their bench but they’re one of the few mid-major teams with three different players that can match most power conference teams. Meanwhile, Bradley has won seven of their last eight games and can control their own destiny if they upset MSU and Belmont in back-to-back meetings.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Navy (18-6, 13-1 Patriot) vs. Army (20-5, 11-3 Patriot): 11:00 AM ET, CBSSN

Why it’s worth a watch: Gotta pay your respect to the troops, am I right? All jokes aside, it’s been a really long time (if ever) since Army and Navy were good at women’s basketball at the same time. The Midshipmen won the reverse fixture, 60-44, and are riding a 12 game winning streak behind one of the most underappreciated players in women’s college basketball. You may not have heard of Zanai Barnett-Gay but you may come Tournament time. She leads Navy in just about every statistical category and has been a force multiplier in the Patriot League for three straight seasons now.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Ball State (21-5, 12-1 MAC) vs. Miami (OH) (20-5, 11-1 MAC): 1:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: What do you know about that MACtion, baby? The return of UMass to the conference actually helped bolster the league, who now have four teams in title contention with just a couple weeks left to play. At the top of the pyramid is Ball State and Miami (OH), who are separated by just a half a game and face off on Saturday at Millett Hall. Cardinal guard Bree Salenbien has been Ball State’s engine this year and making a case for MAC Player of the Year.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

North Dakota State (23-2, 12-0 Summit) vs. South Dakota (20-6, 10-2 Summit): 2:00 PM ET, MidCo Sports Network

Why it’s worth a watch: Jory Collins and NDSU may be one of the best stories in women’s college basketball this year. The Bison have never made the NCAA Tournament and have typically been chasing South Dakota State’s coattails in the Summit League. But Collins finally got the monkey off his back after seven years in Bismarck, winning the Dakota Marker over the Jackrabbits earlier this season. Now, they see 20-6 South Dakota and 20-6 SDSU back-to-back. If they drop both, you’re looking at a three way tie for the Summit League title with two games left in the season. So yeah, lot of stakes here.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

UC Irvine (21-4, 12-2 Big West) vs. UC San Diego (18-7, 13-2 Big West): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Make no mistake, UC Davis is lurking in the shadows and ready to pounce on whichever team loses this Big West matchup. Both UC San Diego and UC Irvine are at the top of the table and, typically, the winner of this game goes on to win the league. It would’ve been fun to see this UCSD team with leading scorer Erin Condron and last year’s star Sumayah Sugapong (who transferred to Arizona) but that’s just the way of the sport these days. In any case, this was a two point game the last time these two teams met in January. There’s no more Pac-12 After Dark but maybe the Big West can give us what we need.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

₂₀Texas Tech (23-4, 10-4 Big12) vs. Colorado (18-8, 9-5 Big 12): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Folks, do not count out my Buffaloes. I’ll admit, I had no clue what this Colorado team was going to look like at the start of the year. They graduated some foundational players and word on the street was that they may not be able to contend with the NIL spending of the best teams in the Big 12. While they may not be world beaters, the Buffs have knocked off Iowa State, Oklahoma State and TCU while losing to Baylor and West Virginia by four and six points, respectively. This is the only meeting between Colorado and Texas Tech, so there’s fresh perspectives on both ends. But if you wake up Sunday morning and see CU won, just know I may have told you so. Sko.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

₁₇Ole Miss (20-6, 7-4 SEC) vs. ₃South Carolina (25-2, 11-1 SEC): 12:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: I think it’s fair to ponder the following: is Dawn Staley such a hero to Yolette McPhee-McCuin that there’s a bit of Tiger-Woods-in-red-on-Sunday happening when these two teams meet? The Gamecocks have almost always had the better roster, that much is true. But if I’m to believe in Ole Miss as more than a regular Sweet Sixteen entrant that gets bounced with the same regularity as Nicki Collen’s Baylor, I need to see the toughness on display in this game. Don’t get shook. Don’t get caught up in gratitude. If we’re to believe the Rebels can do this on big stages, I have to see the fight in this particular game.

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

₆Michigan (22-4, 13-2 B1G) vs. ₁₃Iowa (20-5, 11-3 B1G): 12:00 PM ET, FOX

Why it’s worth a watch: Michigan and Vanderbilt feel very similar in that both teams have backcourts and wings that are good enough to take you to an Elite Eight. Maybe even further. But the lack of frontcourt firepower is the difference between them being fun March Madness teams and legit title threats. Iowa, on the other hand, might not have the guards to bring you that deep into the Tournament but their frontcourt sure is good. If you have been sleeping on Ava Heiden all year, tune into FOX. The Iowa center is the best frontcourt player the Hawkeyes have had since Megan Gustafson and could have a big game here.

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Virginia (18-8, 10-5 ACC) vs. ₈Louisville (24-4, 14-1 ACC): 12:00 PM ET, CW Network

Why it’s worth a watch: This was something of a put-up-or-shut-up year with Virginia, as Coach Mox finally started to see an influx of NIL/Rev share money that helped her retain talent and bring in some as well. As of this writing, Virginia is one of the first four out in Charlie Creme’s bracketology alongside Colorado, Arizona State and Richmond. Personally, I want to see Kymora Johnson finally get a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament but you have to win the games in front of you to do that. It’s the toughest three game stretch of the Cavaliers year, so no time like the present to make your case.

Must-Watch Score: 8/10

USC (16-9, 8-6 B1G) vs. ₁₀Ohio State (22-4, 11-3 B1G): 2:00 PM ET, FS1

Why it’s worth a watch: USC is very much on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament but there’s still so much talent on this team that I don’t want to just write them off entirely. Aubrey Galvan has pulled ahead in the national Freshman of the Year race but Jazzy Davidson still has a few big games, including a seismic Battle of LA matchup in early March, to show that she’s the focal point superstar that we believe she can turn into. I’m also really looking forward to Trojans guard Kennedy Smith defending Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge in a pure 1v1 hooper vs. hooper matchup.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

₂₁Tennessee (16-7, 8-3 SEC) vs. ₁₁Oklahoma (19-6, 7-5 SEC): 2:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: If both teams are shooting the ball at just an average clip, this game is going to be a banger. Pace, space, and shooting. If you like your matchups to be free-flowing and featuring a lot of fast transition points, this may be a Game of the Week for you. Much like the Lady Vols, Oklahoma is also fighting for a Top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament as well. In the most recent reveal, the Sooners are narrowly clinging to a 4 seed but that could change with a couple bad losses here and there. With Tennessee trying to leap up the seed line, this game will promise some legitimate stakes if nothing else.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

₁₆Kentucky (20-7, 7-6 SEC) vs. ₅Vanderbilt (24-3, 10-3 SEC): 3:00 PM ET, SECN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Vanderbilt, even after their loss to Georgia, is chasing a 1 seed while Kentucky is hoping to flip with Michigan State on the 4/5 bracketology line. With Teonni Key back in the lineup, the Wildcats have a legit shot to do just that. Vandy’s problem all year has been a lack of interior offensive presence. That will be put to the test as the Commodores have to see not just Key but Clara Strack, who has taken over in recent weeks as Kentucky continues to surge. This one could be another potential banger and one we (tentatively) will have Boots on the Ground for.

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Belmont (16-9, 12-2 MVC) vs. Bradley (18-8, 11-4 MVC): 3:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: This game could get a lot more interesting depending on if Bradley can pull a major Friday upset against Murray State. In spite of Belmont head coach Bart Brooks not thinking his team was NCAA Tournament caliber just a few weeks ago, the Bruins are just a couple of possessions away from once again being the MVC’s top seed in the conference tournament. It would be one hell of a last ride for Tuti Jones, who means so much to Belmont’s program and could do with one more March Madness trip.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Iowa State (20-6, 8-6 Big 12) vs. ₁₂TCU (23-4, 11-3 Big 12): 4:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: If there were ever a time for Iowa State to live up to their lofty expectations, it’s in this game right here. The Cyclones stumbled significantly out of the gate in Big 12 play as they tried to adjust to life without Addy Brown for a time. But now, ISU is starting to roll again and sees a TCU team that is good but has some pretty notable holes. Marta Suarez is the Horned Frogs big interior presence but that signature center Mark Campbell usually has on his teams is just not there in the same way. Sounds like a place for Audi Crooks to shine, eh? Potentially. But even beyond the Cyclone superstar, the Jada Williams - Olivia Miles point guard battle may be one of the best single player matchups you’ll see in women’s basketball this year.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

₁₈Michigan State (20-6, 9-6 B1G) vs. ₂₃Minnesota (20-6, 11-4 B1G): 6:00 PM ET, FS1

Why it’s worth a watch: If Minnesota can grab a win early in the week then this game becomes even more important to them. Michigan State has started to tail off recently but still has plenty of juice to compete with and beat most teams across the country. I love this game as a nice little second round simulation. I’m not sure both of these teams are Sweet Sixteen caliber but I can tell you this: I’ll have a much better idea of which one is by the end of this one and you will likely too.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

Kansas State (14-13, 7-7 Big 12) vs. ₁₅Baylor (22-5, 11-3 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2

Why it’s worth a watch: Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Doesn’t look all that appetizing on paper, does it? But squint a little harder and you can see the makings of a potentially chaotic Monday night matchup. Yes, Kansas State has had a rough conference slate but they’ve also nearly knocked off West Virginia (5 point loss), Arizona State (3 points), TCU (2 point loss) and Oklahoma State (1 point loss). I fully expect Baylor to win this game and yet I can’t shake the idea that the basketball Gods have one last bit of madness to throw our way before the regular season ends.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Tuesday: ₂₁Tennessee (16-7, 8-3 SEC) vs. ₁₇Ole Miss (20-6, 7-4 SEC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPNU

Wednesday: ₁₀Ohio State (22-4, 11-3 B1G) vs. ₂₃Minnesota (20-6, 11-4 B1G): 8:00 PM ET, B1G+

Thursday: NC State (17-8, 10-4 ACC) vs. ₉Duke (19-6, 14-0 ACC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN

Friday: Murray State (22-3, 13-1 MVC) vs. Bradley (18-8, 11-4 MVC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Saturday: North Dakota State (23-2, 12-0 Summit) vs. South Dakota (20-6, 10-2 Summit): 2:00 PM ET, MidCo Sports Network

Sunday: ₆Michigan (22-4, 13-2 B1G) vs. ₁₃Iowa (20-5, 11-3 B1G): 12:00 PM ET, FOX

Monday: Kansas State (14-13, 7-7 Big 12) vs. ₁₅Baylor (22-5, 11-3 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2