Forget that little European appetizer, the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is officially kicking off with the real fireworks today, and a ton of teams are taking their first steps towards a national championship. While No. 13 Notre Dame already stomped Villanova 99-75 in Rome for the *official* tip off, today is opening day for most, with everything from NCAA Tournament bids to just chasing a few more Ws than last season on the line. But the biggest action is going down across the pond in Paris, featuring two high-profile matchups that could set the tone for the entire season.
South Carolina Ready to Roll, Chavez Looking for Balance
The Oui-Play event in Paris is where the heavy hitters are clashing. First up, we’ve got No. 20 Maryland facing off against the absolute juggernaut, No. 1 South Carolina, at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN. Honestly, if you’re not expecting South Carolina to come out looking like the best team in the nation, you’re not paying attention. Yeah, Maryland is ranked No. 20 and probably underrated, but the Gamecocks are just too loaded. They’ve got a mix of returning talent and exciting newcomers, including new Gamecock Jordan Lee, and I’d be shocked if they don’t cruise to a comfortable win. Building continuity takes time, sure, but if South Carolina can’t rev things up and run up the score early, I’d actually be a little concerned. They need to show that dominant form right away.
The second showdown in Paris, No. 21 Oklahoma vs. No. 12 North Carolina at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, is where things get really interesting, though. My eyes are glued to Aaliyah Chavez for Oklahoma. This sophomore point guard was just named to the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year watch list, and her development is HUGE for the Sooners. Last year, as a freshman, Coach Jennie Baranczyk basically handed her the keys to the offense, living with all the wild swings that come with an unseasoned, talented point guard. And man, those swings were WILD. Chavez’s fearlessness is her superpower, but it can, and did, spill into recklessness. Audacious shots and ambitious passes are fun when you’re blowing teams out, but they are absolutely infuriating when they lead to unnecessary losses.
Can Chavez Harness Her Firepower?
The big question for Chavez this year is whether she can find that perfect balance between boldness and winning basketball. She shot nearly 93 percent from the free throw line last season, which tells you she’s probably a much better shooter than her 30 percent from beyond the arc indicates. If she can just add a bit more discretion to her shot selection, without necessarily lowering her volume, that three-point percentage is going to jump. Same goes for her two-point game. If she can show more patience, avoiding those tough mid-rangers and off-balance attempts at the basket, her two-point scoring should definitely improve. Her upside is immense, but her decision-making is the key to Oklahoma’s ceiling this season.
These opening games aren’t just warm-ups, they’re the first real tests, setting the stage for who’s ready to make a deep run and chase down a national championship. It’s going to be a wild season, and it kicks off today!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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