Five Women’s College Basketball Players to Watch Ahead of March Madness

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Women’s College Basketball has grown exponentially over the last few years, setting records in viewership for back-to-back years. Over the last few years, many great players have graced our television screens, whether it was Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry, Paige Buecker's comeback into the limelight, or Juju Watkins' emergence as the heir to the throne once Clark departed for the WNBA.

An influx of talent.

 From a Big Ten Player of the Year to a three-time Big East Player of the Year, the crop is stocked with talent. The game continues to grow and get better. As this promises to be another enthralling March, let’s get into the top five women’s college basketball players to watch ahead of March Madness.

5. Olivia Miles, Notre Dame

2024-25 stats: 16.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.9 APG, 50.0 FG%, 41.0 3PT% (29 games)

Miles has returned with a vengeance after missing the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL. Apart from being one-half of the best backcourt in the country, Miles came back instantly with a 20-point triple-double as if she didn’t miss a beat. She continued her excellence by recording back-to-back triple-doubles against Loyola and Virginia, where she became the first player in ACC history to do so.

Miles is the only women’s college basketball player to have averaged 16+ points, six rebounds, and 5.5+ assists (5.9 led the ACC) while shooting 50% or better from the field this season.

4. Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame

2024-25 stats: 24.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.6 SPG, 46.4 FG%, 41.0 3PT% 

The ACC Player of the Year makes up the other half of the Fighting Irish’s dynamic halfcourt. Hidalgo has been otherworldly this season. She is the fourth-leading scorer in the nation and second in the ACC. An absolute thief in the night with a staggering ACC-leading 3.6 steals per game en route to being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year.  She’s aggressive on both ends of the floor and fearless, making her such a coveted prospect and perhaps the second-best of her class behind Watkins.

According to StatHead, Hidalgo is one of five players in history (Sheryl Swoopes, Pam Hudson, Allison Feaster, Kim Knuth) to average 24+ points, five rebounds, and three steals while shooting 50% or better from the field and 40% from three.

She’s the only one to do that this century.

3. Lauren Betts, UCLA

2024-25 stats: 20.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 3.0 BPG, 62.8 FG% 

Standing as the goliath of the group is UCLA phenom Lauren Betts. The 6-foot-7 center was unanimously named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after setting the single-season UCLA record for blocks (73). Betts added to her defensive dominance by setting the single-game university record for blocks (9) in UCLA’s win against Baylor on Jan 20. 

She’s a go-to scorer down low who’s a headache for opposing frontcourts. The Bruins will need Betts to be just that to reach their ultimate goal. Betts is one of four players (Eugenia Rycraw, Courtney Paris, Dolores Bootz) in history to average 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and three blocks on at least 60% shooting from the field.

No one else has done it since 2005.

2. Paige Bueckers

2024-25 stats: 18.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.5 RPG, 53.4 FG%, 40.8 3PT% 

Buecker's reign over the Big East is among the best in college basketball history. She was named the Big East Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and third overall. The Huskies have gone undefeated (18-0) in conference play. Her three Player of the Year awards are tied for the most in league history as she’s one of four (Maya Moore, Shelly Pennefeather, and Kerry Bascom) to win three times.

This is Buecker’s last chance to stamp her name amongst the greatest of the greats in UConn history with a national championship. She’s the sixth leading all-time scorer in program history and is projected to be the No.1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

1. Juju Watkins

2024-25 stats: 24.7 PPG, 6.8RPG, 3.6 APG, 41.2 FG%, 33.9 3PT% 

In a crowded, talented crop, Watkins stands out amongst the pack. Generational. The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year has taken the reigns as the face of Women’s College Basketball from her predecessor, Caitlin Clark, and hasn’t disappointed. Watkins cemented herself as the clear-cut best player in women’s college basketball, perhaps even college basketball. 

Her performances against UCLA handed the Bruins their only two losses of the season. The Trojans are title contenders because of her composure in big moments, innovative shotmaking ability, and the pressure she puts on opposing defenses.

Since 1981-82, Watkins is the only first- or second-year player to average 24+ points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks per game.

She’s the only one to do so this century.