Maybe it was the energy around Indiana football. Maybe it was the lack of marquee home-and-home non-conference games. Whatever it is or was, the NCAA women’s basketball season felt like it needed a little bit of ramp-up time to remind people why it’s one of the most exciting sports products on television right now. Thankfully, that slow burn has finally heated up into the conflagration of incredible ball that we were treated to this past week.

These next few days promise more of the same, from high-end AP Top 25 matchups to Ball-Knower Specials in the mid-major leagues. There’s something for everyone and, to help you sift through the endless amount of games you see on your ESPN app, the Watch Guide has never been more necessary. So let’s get rolling and walk you through which games you need to get eyes on…

Rice (15-3, 5-0 AAC) vs. Tulsa (12-5, 4-1 AAC): 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: The Golden Hurricane Mady Cartwright were run off the floor in their first major AAC challenge of the year against East Carolina. I can’t imagine that will happen twice. But they will see a stiff challenge from Rice, who have quietly built themselves into a mid-major power program in recent years. The Owls do it by committee, with four players in double figures, and their head coach Lindsay Edmonds is one to watch for future high-major jobs this upcoming hiring cycle.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Davidson (14-6, 6-1 A-10) vs. Rhode Island (16-2, 7-0 A-10): 6:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: I am in full on “RANK THE A-10 YOU COWARDS” mode from here on out. It’s got the juice to be a three bid league this year and watching national media try to downplay the parity at the top of the conference may turn me into The Joker. Rhode Island has enjoyed great performances from Patrice Mbu and Brooklyn Gray in recent weeks while Davidson’s Charlise Dunn would be an A-10 Player of the Year in almost any other season. This will have NCAA First Four energy to it, easily.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

UMass (13-3, 5-1 MAC) vs. Ball State (14-4, 6-0 MAC): 6:30 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: UMass used to be another team in the mix of underrated A-10 programs but the athletic department moved to the MAC recently and already we’re seeing the returns. The Minutemen have been a great add to the league and are a title threat alongside Ball State and Miami (OH). There’s a MAC POTY contender on each team too: Yahmani McKayle (16.1 PPG, 5.3 APG) for UMass and Ball State guard Bree Salenbien (15.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG).

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Arizona State (17-2, 4-2 Big 12) vs. No. 22 West Virginia (15-4, 5-2 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Arizona State is going to be a heavy underdog in this matchup but Molly Miller has managed to surprise us already this season. The Sun Devils have refined their scoring touch and coalesced around the trio of Gabby Elliott (16.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG), McKinna Brackens (14.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG) and Heloisa Careera (10.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG). ASU’s big issue is that they still lack the depth of a high-end Big 12 team. So if you see the Mountaineers pull away in the second half after playing a devastating press defense and winning the turnover battle, you’ll know why.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Minnesota (12-6, 3-4 Big Ten) vs. Oregon (14-6, 2-5 Big Ten): 9:00 PM ET, B1G+

Why it’s worth a watch: Oregon’s loss to Wisconsin was a hit to the Tournament resume but the Ducks still have time to make up ground. The issue now is that the margin of error against teams like Minnesota is near zero. Oregon’s Katie Fiso (15.7 PPG, 7.0 APG) is the best player you haven’t heard of yet while Minnesota runs their offense through the tandem of Amaya Battle and Grace Grocholski. I’m surprised that Mara Braun hasn’t had the breakout year some expected now that she’s fully healthy. But games like this can absolutely serve as launch pads for a player of her ceiling.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

No. 10 Iowa (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 15 Maryland (17-3, 5-3 Big Ten): 6:00 PM ET, NBC

Why it’s worth a watch: We’ve gotten a pretty good idea of where Maryland’s ceiling is, especially after that blowout loss last week to UCLA in Pauley Pavilion. It looks, at least in terms of common caliber of opponent, similar to Iowa’s ceiling. That’s what makes this game particularly interesting. The Hawkeyes and Terrapins have the look of a Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight outfit and are a clear step below the current tier of Final Four contenders. Evenly matched teams with fun players on both teams make for good games. Don’t need to say much more than that.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 11 Kentucky (17-3, 4-2 SEC) vs. No. 17 Tennessee (13-3, 5-0 SEC): 6:30 PM ET, SEC Network

Why it’s worth a watch: Kentucky is clearly missing Teonni Key and you can tell. The senior forward dislocated her elbow against Missouri a couple weeks ago and is expected to return at some point this season, just not now. What will that mean against a Tennessee team that is starting to figure itself out after a tumultuous start to the year? It’ll require a big night from Tonie Morgan (15.0 PPG, 8.7 APG) and Clara Strack (16.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG).

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 2 South Carolina (19-1, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 16 Oklahoma (14-4, 2-3 SEC): 7:30 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: I would be genuinely very surprised if Oklahoma managed to hang with South Carolina for the entire game on Thursday. It’s just not been in their DNA in recent years to not wilt under the pressure that the Gamecocks defense brings every night. But maybe Aaliyah Chavez will force a different edge and attitude out of the Sooners this year. OU’s Raegan Beers (16.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG) will have to battle against Madina Okot (14.5 PPG, 11.0 RPG) and so I’d anticipate Dawn Staley will go to Joyce Edwards (20.6 PPG) to be the x-factor star that Oklahoma just can’t replicate or do much with.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

Gonzaga (14-6, 6-1 WCC) vs. Oregon State (14-6, 6-1 WCC): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Gonzaga has managed to turn an unremarkable non-conference record (8-6) and gauntlet early season schedule into a positive, leading the WCC standings alongside Oregon State. Lauren Whittaker (19.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG) has stepped into a role that was once expertly played by Yvonne Ejim as the Bulldogs continue to try and put shooters around their center. Oregon State is once again succeeding with the system that made them contenders in the Pac-12. While they don’t have the top-end talent this year, Jenna Villa (16.0 PPG) has emerged as a nice scoring option for the Beavs.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Murray State (16-2, 7-0 MVC) vs. Northern Iowa (9-8, 5-2 MVC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: The Ball-Knowers of last season would remember Northern Iowa as the team that inexplicably knocked off Iowa State in 2024-25 non-conference play. It’s a different UNI team this year but they’ve spun off five wins in their first seven MVC games and now see the current standard bearer of the conference. Murray State has been quietly building to this season with Hannah Poock (20.1 PPG) and Sharnecce Currie-Jelks (19.3 PPG, 12.4 RPG) leading the way. I’m not sure what their NCAA Tournament ceiling is, but if you haven’t watched the Racers play yet this year, consider this your sign to check in.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

Army (14-3, 5-1 Patriot League) vs. Navy (10-6, 5-1 Patriot): 11:00 AM ET, CBSSN

Why it’s worth a watch: The Patriot League winner may be one of the service academies this year as Army and Navy meet with a chance to take a lead in the standings on the line. This game revolves around a singular star for each of our military branches. Navy’s Zanai Barnett-Gay (17.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.3 APG) is a do-it-all 5’8 guard that has quietly been one of the most consistent scorers in women’s college basketball over the last three years. 6’1 forward Kya Smith (14.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG) is Army’s answer. It’s pretty rare that you have both Army and Navy playing this well at the same time and in the same year, so take advantage of it while you can.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Miami (OH) (14-4, 6-0 MAC) vs. Ball State (14-4, 6-0 MAC): 11:00 AM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: UMass and Miami (OH) is a tough weekend for Ball State but if the Cardinals manage to make it past both teams then their hold on the MAC regular season title race becomes much firmer. You’ve already read about BSU’s Bree Salenbien and the role she’ll play in the UMass game but she’ll have an as-big-if-not-bigger challenge come the weekend. Miami’s Amber Tretter (13.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG) has been efficient and effective this year but notably has struggled on the road. A big week of MACtion for those that observe.

Must-Watch Score: 7/10

Western Illinois (15-2, 7-1 OVC) vs. Southern Indiana (13-4, 7-1 OVC): 2:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: The OVC has almost silently housed one of the most statistically dominant players in women’s basketball this year and now we get a real chance to see her hoop. Mia Nicastro (24.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG) is a contender for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major of the Year and has exploded onto the scene so far this season. She’s been the sun, moon and stars for Western Illinois and a Southern Indiana team that is rolling on the heels of two gutty wins on the road in Tennessee. If you haven’t watched Nicastro yet, now is your chance.

Must-Watch Score: 7.5/10

No. 19 Texas Tech (19-1, 6-1 Big 12) vs. Utah (14-5, 5-2 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Why it’s worth a watch: Texas Tech finally got caught slipping in classic Big 12 fashion: in a weird, gritty struggle against Jeff Mittie’s Kansas State Wildcats. The hard part of TTU’s schedule begins here as the Red Raiders play BYU and Utah on the road before hosting Iowa State and TCU. Bailey Maupin has been at her best on the road (18.5 PPG when away) but the Utes have already taken one ranked team out while in the confines of the Hunstman Center. We might get some Big 12 After Dark here.

Must-Watch Score: 8/10

No. 12 Ohio State (17-2, 6-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 10 Iowa (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten): 2:00 PM ET, Peacock

Why it’s worth a watch: Arguably one of my favorite matchups of the weekend. Ohio State, for the first time in awhile, looks like a legit deep Tournament contender. They held their own against UCLA while beating West Virginia, Maryland and TCU already this year. If we already established that Iowa is a Sweet Sixteen/Elite Eight caliber team, now we get to see if the Buckeyes ceiling is even higher than that. As usual, watch Jaloni Cambridge and remember that Player of the Year is not a pre-determined outcome in terms of who wins. Just saying!

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Richmond (16-4, 6-1 A-10) vs. George Mason (12-6, 7-0 A-10): 2:00 PM ET, ESPNU

Why it’s worth a watch: Another national Player of the Year candidate, Richmond’s Maggie Doogan, also is playing a showcase game in the A-10 at the same time as Cambridge and Ohio State. George Mason made a surprise run to the NCAA Tournament last year and have immediately jumped into conference play looking poised to push for the same result this year. Richmond is playing catch up and will need all of Doogan (23.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.6 APG) to walk away from this one as winners.

Must-Watch Score: 8.5/10

No. 5 Vanderbilt (19-0, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 2 South Carolina (19-1, 5-0 SEC): 3:00 PM ET, ESPN

Why it’s worth a watch: I almost don’t need to write anything more than ‘Mikayla Blakes vs. the Gamecock Defense’. But I will. The Commodores impressed me with their Monday win over Michigan because they did it off of somebody other than their superstar guard. Aubrey Galvan played a great game while Sacha Washington’s activity on the boards is exactly what keeps Vanderbilt in games. But South Carolina is a different beast entirely and Raven Johnson will stick to Blakes for most of the game, I’d imagine. This will be worth the price of admission.

Must-Watch Score: 9.5/10

No. 17 Tennessee (13-3, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 18 Ole Miss (16-4, 3-2 SEC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPNU

Why it’s worth a watch: An amazing ‘styles make fights’ game. Coach Yo and this Ole Miss team have shooters and yet haven’t sacrificed any of the defensive intensity that’s been the calling card of her last few teams in Oxford. Tennessee likes to run, get out in transition and dribble-drive-to-three-ball you to death. How will Coach Yo and Kim Caldwell win the chess match? That’s the most interesting thing to watch in this one. A schematic nerd’s matchup if ever there was one.

Must-Watch Score: 9/10

Tuesday: Rice (15-3, 5-0 AAC) vs. Tulsa (12-5, 4-1 AAC): 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+

Wednesday: Arizona State (17-2, 4-2 Big 12) vs. No. 22 West Virginia (15-4, 5-2 Big 12): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Thursday: Gonzaga (14-6, 6-1 WCC) vs. Oregon State (14-6, 6-1 WCC): 9:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Friday: Murray State (16-2, 7-0 MVC) vs. Northern Iowa (9-8, 5-2 MVC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Saturday: Western Illinois (15-2, 7-1 OVC) vs. Southern Indiana (13-4, 7-1 OVC): 2:00 PM ET, ESPN+

Sunday: No. 5 Vanderbilt (19-0, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 2 South Carolina (19-1, 5-0 SEC): 3:00 PM ET, ESPN

Monday: No. 17 Tennessee (13-3, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 18 Ole Miss (16-4, 3-2 SEC): 7:00 PM ET, ESPNU