After a record-breaking and exciting WNBA season and Finals, the baton has been returned to women’s college basketball, which appears to be able to boost the stakes in the game once more.

With equity and the distribution of talent in the sport perhaps the strongest ever, one other historic NCAA season appears to be upon us.

From underrated signings to big players returning to the court, here’s an inventory of a number of the things we’re looking forward to within the 2024-2025 season.

Players getting back from injury

A 12 months ago, the injury bug hit a number of the game’s top and emerging stars, dealing huge blows to title-chasing teams. This season, for essentially the most part, these players are healthy and able to play of their lineups.

Notre Dame returns part magician, part point guard Olivia Miles (knee injury) to team up with Hannah Hidalgo. Texas returns electrifying two-way guard Rori Harmon (ACL). Azzi Fudd (ACL, meniscus) is anticipated to take once more at UConn in December, making the Huskies top-of-the-line shooting weapons within the country. Each of those players is changing the competitive trajectory of their programs.

Note the important thing contributions of players similar to KK Deans (ACL) at Ole Miss, Cassandre Prosper at Notre Dame (lower leg) and Sa’myah Smith (ACL, MCL and meniscus) also at LSU.

Battle of Los Angeles, Part 2

A 12 months ago, the primary chapter of the Battle of Los Angeles between USC and UCLA featured a few of the perfect games of the complete college basketball season – most notably a two-overtime rating within the Pac-12 tournament semifinals.

While last 12 months’s competition was good, this 12 months’s matchup between the 2 Los Angeles giants may very well be even higher. Both teams, currently playing within the Big Ten, have significantly revamped their rosters. USC, which enters the season ranked No. 2 within the nation, added a top transfer last offseason in forward Kiki Iriafen, in addition to a top defenseman in Talia Von Oelhoffen. Meanwhile, No. 5-ranked UCLA had three mammoth signings: defenseman Charlisse Leger-Walker and forwards Janiah Barker and Timea Gardner.

Bad news – you’ll have to attend until February 13 for the primary matchup between the Trojans and the Bruins. It will definitely be definitely worth the wait.

Underrated transfers value watching

There have been numerous big name transfers within the news this summer, but two which have perhaps flown more under the radar are those of Liat King and Starr Jacobs. King transferred to Notre Dame from Pittsburgh, where a 12 months ago she was the second-leading rebounder and sixth-leading scorer within the ACC. She could play a key role for the Fighting Irish, especially early within the season when Maddy Westbeld and Kylee Watson were sidelined with injuries. Against a short-handed Notre Dame team within the season opener, King had 27 points and 12 rebounds.

Jacobs, who transferred to Ole Miss from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, last played in the course of the 2022-2023 season when she played at UT Arlington. In two seasons with the Mavericks, Jacobs averaged 18.1 points and eight.8 rebounds per game. As the 2021-2022 Sun Belt Player of the Year, Jacobs led UT Arlington to its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years. She should contact the Rebels immediately.

The SEC goes to be crazy

As if the SEC wasn’t already one of the vital vital conferences in college basketball, the conference realignment added two more Top 25 programs in Texas, which begins the season at No. 4, and Oklahoma, which is ranked tenth. There are currently 4 teams within the AP Top 10, which is essentially the most of any conference, and 7 teams within the Top 25, which can also be essentially the most of any conference. The depth on this conference is big, from national champion South Carolina to powerhouse LSU, in addition to rising programs like Ole Miss and Alabama to rising programs like Auburn and Vanderbilt. Eyes may also be on Lexington and Knoxville to see what recent head coaches Kenny Brooks and Kim Caldwell can do with Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively.

Phenomena of first-graders and sensations of second-graders

Last 12 months’s freshman class was top-of-the-line, if not the perfect, that ladies’s college basketball has ever seen.

Hidalgo was the ACC All-American Defensive Player of the Year for Notre Dame. Watkins led USC to the Elite Eight, dropped 50 players and was also named an All-American. South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley was SEC Tournament MVP, and Tessa Johnson was the hero of the national title game for the Gamecocks. Audi Crooks broke quite a few school records within the state of Iowa.

Each of those players will feature in revamped lineups that ought to elevate their games in season two. This also applies to Madison Booker, who will make a killer pair with Harmon in Austin.

Two huge second-year SEC talents who have not been mentioned yet – Taliah Scott, who transferred to Auburn from Arkansas, and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams, the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year.

These usually are not reflections. The depth of this class is just ridiculous.

Mid-range player to observe: Harmony Turner from Harvard

Turner is an especially creative playmaking talent with a changeable playing style and a continuing ability to attain points within the box for the Crimson. She was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2022 and has since earned First-Team All-Ivy honors in her sophomore and junior seasons. This summer, Turner co-captained the U23 team that won gold on the FIBA ​​3×3 World Championship in Mongolia.

Last season, Turner averaged 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Her performance against Power 5 opponents was impressive. She had 18 points, seven rebounds and 6 assists against Maryland on November 6, 2023 and 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists against Baylor on November 19, 2023.

In July, NFL rookie Khyree Jackson, who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 draft, was named killed in a car accident in Maryland, where he grew up.

He never played a game, but his impact was felt throughout the season.

According to after Jackson’s death, the Vikings announced that the rookie’s locker is not going to be occupied during the season and they’re going to not use his jersey number, 31, to pay tribute to him. In an interview with NBC after the Vikings’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, teammate Aaron Jones mentioned how he honors Jackson.

“I often put flowers in Kyrie Jackson’s locker, so I walk by and have a look at them. I’m alone there and I only spent a moment with him. I told him tonight was for him.

He also mentioned that he saw Jackson’s parents at the game and told them that he gives flowers every week.

BEAUTIFUL: #Vikings RB Aaron Jones puts flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker before every game.

“I put flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker. I spent a moment with him and told him that tonight was for him.”

Khyree’s parents were present, beautiful🥹

(via NBC)
pic.twitter.com/x6Hd224SnY

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 4, 2024

Jackson, 24, never had the opportunity to play in an NFL regular season game after being chosen 108th overall by the Vikings^vol overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With nine games left on the schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs face the query: Can they remain undefeated?

Here’s the answer: it doesn’t matter.

There is little question that NFL observers are considering whether the only undefeated team in the league will finish the regular season with an ideal record. But Kansas City (8-0) stays focused on pursuing an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship.

For the Chiefs, the regular season is just a method to an end.

As the Chiefs prepare for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, they’ve overcome serious injuries en path to posting the best record in the league. In fact, including postseason games, the Chiefs have won 14 in a row over two seasons.

And they are usually not surprised.

“We’re a really good football team,” superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently told reporters. “No matter what is required that day, the guys will rise to the challenge and play. If it’s defense, if it’s offense, if it’s special teams and each individual in those situations, they will step up. None of us care about statistics, we care about victories.

“We (had) seasons where we had great numbers and didn’t win the Super Bowl. And in seasons like last year (when) you don’t necessarily have great stats, but you win the Super Bowl (and) you still feel a lot better. … No matter what, we will find a way to win the football game. It comes down to experience and the great culture we have built here.”

Last season, the Chiefs became the first team since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005 to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Trying to interrupt latest ground in the Super Bowl era, the Chiefs got off to a sensational start, sparking interest in whether or not they could grow to be the second team in NFL history to complete the season, including the playoffs, undefeated. In the 1972-73 season, the Miami Dolphins went 17-0.

In the 2007/08 season, it seemed that the New England Patriots couldn’t be stopped. They went 16-0 in the regular season, won two AFC playoff games and were heavily favored to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. On at the present time, nevertheless, the Giants were higher. Despite going 18-1, the Patriots didn’t get the victory they most wanted.

The Golden State Warriors began the 2015-16 NBA season 24-0, setting a brand new record for the best start at the highest level of basketball. The Warriors’ historic begin to this season became the springboard for an additional single-season NBA accomplishment: an overall record of 73-9.

Ultimately, nevertheless, the team is best known for failing to defend the NBA title and being the only team in NBA Finals history to blow a 3-1 series. As it turned out, the Warriors’ season was meaningless due to the way it ended.

Kansas City hopes to avoid the same fate.

Nevertheless, Chiefs’ early season streak is impressive, especially given the injuries they’ve overcome. Among their starters, they lost wide receiver Hollywood Brown in the preseason, running back Isiah Pacheco in Week 2, receiver Rashee Rice in Week 4 and cornerback Jaylen Watson in Week 7.

Much to go coach Andy Reid’s delight, the Chiefs just keep playing.

“Those games were close. Many of them. So I’m happy with the guys for taking part in for 4 quarters and sticking together throughout that period,” Reid said. “We can improve in all facets, including me. We’re just working in the same direction now and it’s essential to see if we are able to improve as time goes on.

The addition of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins helped to realize this goal.

Recently acquired in a trade from the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins quickly strengthened the receiving corps devastated by injuries. Hopkins had eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Monday’s 30-24 additional time victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to the Chiefs, Hopkins has slot in well.

“His hands are phenomenal,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “The experience that he has and that comes with it is trust. He played in lots of matches. He understands and has seen many various defenses. It’s precious.

“Whether it’s zone or man (coverage), he’s a superb route runner. You see it on tape. … You see his confidence and pride. That confidence can really permeate and you are feeling it with other players.

Mahomes can attest to that. He established a fast rapport with Hopkins, whom the Chiefs acquired with the ultimate goal in mind fairly than attempting to finish the regular season with an unblemished record.

“We continue to give him more and more opportunities to make plays,” Mahomes said. “We move him around and let him do what he excels at, which is catching the ball, winning one-on-ones and getting open in coverage.

“It’s just going to assist the whole offense, not only him, but it’s going to assist the other guys get open. Of course, given the big game he had last game, I’m sure they’ll be paying more attention to him this week.

When you play for the Chiefs, attracting attention comes with the job. And even when the Chiefs finish the regular season with a poor record, the highlight shall be on them at the biggest moment of the yr in the NFL.