Big East Women’s Basketball Games of the Week, Dec. 6 - 12: Butler looks for first win as Villanova hosts top-25 foe

The name, image and likeness era in college sports has spawned a new beginning in how student-athletes market and project themselves.

It was one of the most surreal moments following a game Olivia Nelson-Ododa had ever experienced as a UConn Huskie. The team had just seen their 2020-21 season come to a screeching halt with a 69-59 loss to Arizona in the NCAA Final Four.

As the non-conference slate dwindles and the first full month of the college basketball season lies ahead in December, league play in the Big East will tip off in full force.

DePaul Head Coach Doug Bruno has built one of the best programs in college basketball, amassing over 1,000 wins during his tenure pacing the sidelines in Chicago. The Blue Demons have become synonymous with high-level success as well as consistency throughout the Bruno-era. Under Coach Bruno, DePaul has managed to capture the attention of the Chicago sports fans, despite competing in a gridlocked sports landscape that overwhelmingly  leans into professional sports.

A new runaway national title favorite has been identified, and it plays its games in garnet and black.

Take one look at the women’s side of the field at the Gulf Coast Showcase and you’ll break a sweat. The schedule is fierce.

It’s always great to have college basketball on the screen again, but November basketball certainly isn’t the most polished version of it.

Death, taxes, UConn women’s basketball being elite. The three certainties in life.

Between nine games featuring five reigning NCAA Tournament teams over three days, the women’s Daytona Beach Invitational—held in the city’s Ocean Center within walking distance of the shore—is sure to provide an early-season test for schools and players vying for resume building and statement making.

There’s plenty that goes into what makes a good power forward, but the names who can check off those boxes in women’s college basketball are limited.

COVID halted numerous outstanding college basketball events in 2020, including the Cancun Challenge, which consistently features some of the best teams in basketball and makes for great hoops-watching as the calendar motors toward Thanksgiving.

Megan Duffy’s squad will certainly have to “attack transition” as well as attack “in transition” to enjoy success this season. After finishing second in the Big East last season and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the Golden Eagles will have to work to attack the chemistry and cohesion issues that result from roster turnover.

It sure was good to be back, wasn’t it?

It’s not easy to view a major injury as a blessing in disguise until you take a step back. Upon reflection, Villanova Wildcats forward Maddy Siegrist can now say with certainty the broken ankle she suffered during her true freshman year has made her a better player.