Her Hoop Stats has announced an exciting new partnership with Hudl, which provides state-of-the-art tools such as Sportscode, Instat, and Fastmodel designed to enhance the preparation, performance, and player development of WNBA and NCAA teams. This collaboration aims to bring more insightful information about women’s basketball to fans and players alike.
The much-anticipated 2025-26 college basketball season kicks off with a thrilling top-25 showdown in Paris, featuring the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils against the No. 16 Baylor Bears. Scheduled for 12:00 ET on ESPN, this match marks a significant moment as both teams prepare to battle overseas after their respective NCAA Tournament experiences last season. Duke, a No. 2 seed, advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to South Carolina, while Baylor reached the round of 32 as a No. 4 seed, only to be defeated by Ole Miss. This meeting will be the first between the two teams since the memorable 2010 Elite Eight, where Baylor’s Brittney Griner played a pivotal role in their victory over Duke.
One player to watch this season is Duke’s Toby Fournier, a standout sophomore who had an impressive freshman campaign. Averaging 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, she was among the most productive freshmen nationally. Despite not starting a game last year, Fournier’s exceptional performance, especially in defense, makes her a key player for the Blue Devils under head coach Kara Lawson, who has emphasized a strong defensive strategy.
Baylor enters the season with significant roster changes, bringing back only a fraction of last year’s scoring and playing time. However, they retain second-leading scorer Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, who averaged a double-double last season. The Bears also welcome guard Taliah Scott, an explosive scorer with a promising history, despite limited playing time in recent years.
Another exciting game slated for Paris features the California Golden Bears facing the No. 19 Vanderbilt Commodores at 2:30 ET on ESPNU. Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, known for her exceptional scoring abilities, leads the Commodores against a California team seeking to rebuild after losing several key starters. This matchup could showcase Blakes’ ability to rise as a leading scorer and make her mark this season.
Back at home, No. 11 North Carolina will face NC Central, a match expected to yield an early blowout, while No. 12 Ole Miss contends with Norfolk State. Other ranked teams like South Carolina and UCLA will also start their seasons with challenging opponents, as they look to build upon their previous successes.
As the college basketball season unfolds, there is much excitement surrounding these matchups and players. Fans can look forward to a season filled with talent, competition, and the continuous growth of women’s basketball.