The 2025-2026 Women’s College Basketball season is finally kicking off, and Week 1 kicks off with marquee match-ups across the country. Many of the nation’s top teams are wasting no time challenging themselves against ranked opponents, while other programs look to set the tone for the season early. These week 1 contests will offer a meaningful look at how the national picture may unfold.
While it’s still early, these matches will influence rankings, narratives, reveal which teams are prepared to perform at the highest level, and ultimately determine who will reign supreme by the end of the March Madness tournament. Below are the top games to watch in Week 1.
College Basketball Games to Watch Week 1
#1. No. 7 Duke vs No. 16 Baylor
Date: November 3, 2025
Location: Adidas Arena, Paris, France
Time: 12 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN
Prediction: Duke’s primary strength lies in its continuity, with five players returning from last season’s team that made it to the Elite Eight. I predict the final score to be 72 – 64 in favor of Duke.
#2. Grand Canyon vs No. 2 South Carolina
Date: November 3, 2025
Location: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: SECN+
Prediction: The National Championship runner-ups start their season at home against Grand Canyon University, who went 32-3 last season. Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks will be too much for the Antelopes, and South Carolina wins 92 – 65.
#3. San Diego State vs No. 3 UCLA
Date: November 3, 2025
Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Time: 10 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: B1G+
Prediction: UCLA is heavily favored in this game, partly due to its core of returning players. I don’t see an upset happening here and predict UCLA to win by a score of 80 – 65.
#4. No. 8 Tennessee vs No. 9 NC State
Date: November 4, 2025
Location: First Horizon Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN2
Prediction: Arguably the best match-up of Week 1, this game will be nothing short of competitive. This game is a test for both teams, but I give the edge to the Wolfpack due to the game taking place in North Carolina. Although it isn’t their home arena, they’ll still have home-team advantage. I predict NC State to win by a score of 75 – 70.
#5. No. 20 Louisville vs No. 1 Connecticut
Date: November 4, 2025
Location: Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Maryland
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN
Prediction: The reigning National Champions have their work cut out for them with Louisville; however, the Huskies are simply better. Along with returning stars like Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, Geno Auriemma is arguably one of the best women’s college basketball coaches. I predict the Huskies will trounce the Cardinals with a final score of 82 – 60.
#6. Houston Christian vs. No. 5 LSU
Date: November 4, 2025
Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: SECN+
Prediction: LSU is bringing back All-SEC performers in Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams. Kim Mulkey is leading the Tigers again this season, which I predict will start with an overwhelming win. LSU wins 90 – 55.
#7. Fairleigh Dickinson vs No. 15 Notre Dame
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Indiana
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ACC Network
Prediction: Despite Oliva Miles’ departure this offseason to TCU and Sonia Citron leaving for the WNBA, Notre Dame has another star player in point guard Hannah Hidalgo. Notre Dame wins 95 – 63.
#8. Southern vs No. 14 Iowa State
Date: November 5, 2025
Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Prediction: Iowa State has a star player in their center, Audi Crooks, who led the Cyclones in scoring last year. Iowa State should dominate this game, and I predict them to win 85 – 58.
#9. Monmouth vs No. 24 Kentucky
Date: November 6, 2025
Location: Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, Kentucky
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: SECN+
Prediction: Along with their returning star players, Kentucky has one of the best home-court advantages in the entire country. Their superior talent and home-court advantage will let them control the game on both sides of the floor. I predict Kentucky to win 83 – 60.
#10. Elon vs No. 11 North Carolina
Date: November 6, 2025
Location: Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ACC Network
Prediction: North Carolina is a perennial ACC contender, and they should dominate their Mid-Major contender. I predict the Tar Heels to win by a score of 78 – 55.
#11. No. 24 Richmond vs No. 4 Texas
Date: November 7, 2025
Location: Moody Center, Austin, Texas
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: SECN+
Prediction: Richmond vs. Texas is one of the most in intriguing match-ups of this first week. Texas is consistently ranked as one of the top 5 teams in the nation, and they will likely dominate many teams this season. However, Richmond isn’t a team that will be dominated, and I think they keep the game close. Ultimately, I predict Texas to win 70 – 62.
#13. Harvard vs No. 13 Michigan
Date: November 9, 2025
Location: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Time: 12 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: B1G+
Prediction: Michigan is another strong program that plays in a tough conference. While Harvard is one of the top teams in the Ivy League, Michigan is a hurdle that I don’t think the Crimson will be able to get over. I predict Michigan to win 78 – 66.
#14. Georgetown vs. No. 10 Maryland
Date: November 9, 2025
Location: XFINITY Center, College Park, Maryland
Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: B1G+
Prediction: This game is a significant regional rivalry, but Maryland is the dominant program. Not only do they have home-court advantage, but I also believe they have a talent advantage over Georgetown. I predict Maryland to win 80 – 67.
#15. No. 18 USC vs No. 9 NC State
Date: November 9, 2025
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: ESPN
Prediction: Both of these teams have the potential to contend for a National Championship. However, the loss of JuJu Watkins will be felt in this game, and I expect NC State to pull it out. I predict a final score of 74 – 68 in favor of NC State.
#16. Florida State vs. No. 1 Connecticut
Date: November 9, 2025
Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, Connecticut
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
TV/Streaming: FS1
Prediction: This will be the first home game for the Huskies since winning the National Championship, and the home-court advantage will be unrelenting for UConn. As mentioned earlier, UConn also boasts elite coaching and talent, coming into this game with a significant edge over Florida State. I predict the Huskies to win 85 – 72.