The WNBA season barely took a breath after Game 7 wrapped on Saturday, October 31st, before women’s college hoops dropped its first bomb: Notre Dame absolutely blew out Villanova 99-75 in Rome on November 1st. Talk about hitting the ground running! Hannah Hidalgo went off, dropping a monster 32 points, grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out eight assists, and adding three more assists. What a way to kick off the 2026-27 season!
The Early Season Fireworks and a Major Return
While Hidalgo was lighting it up overseas, the rest of the league is just getting ready to tip off. Many other top players start their seasons on Monday, including one of the biggest names in the game: JuJu Watkins. Watkins is making her highly anticipated return to the USC lineup after missing all of last season recovering from a brutal ACL tear. USC is already sitting pretty at No. 3 in the AP Top 25, so her comeback is a huge deal. Fans can catch Watkins’ debut against UNLV at 4 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and streaming on Paramount+. The Player of the Year race, seriously, it’s already a thriller with Hidalgo’s early statement and Watkins back in action.
Two Powerhouses You Need to Know Right Now
Beyond the immediate headlines, there are some serious talents ready to dominate this season. CBS Sports compiled their top 10, and two names absolutely jump out if you want to know who is going to be running things:
**Toby Fournier (Duke)**
This kid is a certified problem. Last season, Duke pulled off an incredible turnaround after a shaky start, snatching both the ACC regular season and conference tournament titles before making a run all the way to the Elite Eight. Fournier was the engine behind that success, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. Think about this: she didn’t even start a single game as a freshman but still bagged ACC Rookie of the Year. Then, as a starter last season, she exploded for 17.3 points per game on an insane 52.5% shooting from the field, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. Her two-handed dunk during warmups is legendary, but it’s her power, athleticism, incredible footwork, and high motor in transition that make her a nightmare. Plus, with a 6-foot-5 wingspan and high basketball IQ, she’s a menace on defense too. She does it all.
**Olivia Olson (Michigan)**
The Wolverines are coming off a historic 28-7 overall season, also making a trip to the Elite Eight, and Olson was their undisputed leader in scoring and rebounding. As a sophomore, this 6-foot-1 guard dropped 18.9 points per game, shooting 46.8%. She’s a crafty, versatile scorer, able to finish mid-air even when defenders are all over her thanks to her insane body control. And she’s not afraid to get in the paint and crash the boards, pulling down 6.1 rebounds per contest. Remember that legendary 31-point career-high she had in an 88-86 overtime win against Ohio State? Yeah, she can take over a game.
This season is just getting started, but with stars like Hannah Hidalgo putting up ridiculous numbers, JuJu Watkins making her comeback, and talents like Toby Fournier and Olivia Olson ready to cement their legacies, you just know it’s going to be a wild ride. Get ready to tune in for Watkins’ return on Monday, because the landscape of college hoops is already buzzing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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