Like objects in a car mirror, March is closer than it may appear to be in collegiate play. With more programs than not battling through tough conference games, the wins and losses mean just a bit more at this point in the schedule.
For example, the Alabama Crimson Tide lost two straight games against Auburn and Tennessee before regaining control, rattling off back-to-back wins against Georgia and Mississippi State. Interestingly, the Lady Vols suffered one of their more questionable losses of the season last night to the same Mississippi State team. In all conferences and especially the SEC, guaranteed wins do not exist. With that said, let’s jump into a few of the biggest matchups of the weekend.
Vanderbilt was one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the country this week before a matchup on Sunday against the South Carolina Gamecocks, where the Commodores were blown out of the gym, 103-74. As a team, Vanderbilt was firing on all cylinders on offense, shooting 44 percent on twos and 48 percent on 3s.
The only issue was the Gamecocks were that much better, averaging a blistering 62.5 percent inside the arc and netted 10 of 17 attempts behind it. Against South Carolina’s impactful press attack, Vanderbilt turned the ball over 20 times, giving the Gamecocks a whopping 32 points. They also couldn’t be stopped in the paint, where South Carolina dominated, 56-24.
Mistakes like these can’t occur again going against a team with the talent to capitalize on them. After a nine-point showing where she shot 1-for-13, Ole Miss Star forward Cotie McMahon tied her career-high of 33 points in a dominant win over Mizzou. Although Vanderbilt only has one loss, the team has struggled at times this season against teams with reliable depth.
The stage is set for this weather-related neutral site game today in Birmingham !
Mikayla Blakes leads No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. Cotie McMahon and No. 17 Ole Miss.
Two of our @jerseymikes Naismith Women’s College POY Watch List superstars. Two SEC teams with only one coming out on… pic.twitter.com/UeSM9B6zdz
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) January 30, 2026
Ole Miss has that in abundance with talents like senior forward Latasha Lattimore, who’s averaging 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in her last five games. In that span, she has 12 blocks in total. She’s been a force for Ole Miss and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
This game was originally scheduled for Thursday on Ole Miss’ campus in Oxford, Mississippi, but was rescheduled due to icy conditions from the winter storm this past weekend.
For just the fifth time this season, the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team is set to play a ranked opponent on Sunday as they host No. 15 Tennessee. To say the defending champions have been coasting through their campaign would be the understatement of the century. For reference, the Huskies have defeated their last five opponents by an average of 46.2 points. The last team to come within 30 points was USC, which eventually lost at home, 79-5. That was on Dec. 13.
The Huskies are led by National Player of the Year favorite Sarah Strong, who’s averaging 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks. If that felt like a mouthful, you’re in luck because it is. Strong started her sophomore season in the same fashion that she ended a storied freshman year: dominating every phase of basketball. The Lady Vols will have their hands full, but that’s not where it stops. Azzi Fudd is by far one of the best guards in the nation, while Blanca Quinonez is a one-woman wrecking crew on either side of the ball.
1K for Sarah Strong
She’s the third fastest Husky to 1,000 career points, getting to the milestone in 59 games! pic.twitter.com/K8m4f2n3Aa
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) January 19, 2026
After tough wins over ranked teams in Alabama and Kentucky, Tennessee dropped a crucial game against Mississippi State, having defeated them earlier in the month. In a game where the Lady Vols led by as much as 18 before winning by 10, they trailed the Bulldogs by as many as 20 before losing, 77-62. The Lady Vols weren’t prepared to meet the moment. From the start of the game until the last whistle, the team nearly had more turnovers (15) than made field goals (22). Going up against a team like UConn requires commitment and a buy-in from everyone down the roster. For Tennessee’s sake, this hasn’t been a recurring issue this season.
After a bout of controversy earlier in the month after losing consecutive outings, the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team regained its composure, winning six straight games. Alabama, which is coming off major wins over Mississippi State and Georgia, is not an opponent to chalk up as a win for the Tigers.
Jessica Timmons takes the court every night and proves why she’s one of the best guards in the country. After adjusting to head coach Kristy Curry’s expectations as a leader on and off the court when Timmons transferred from NC State, where she came off the bench her first two seasons. As a senior in her second season in Alabama’s system, Timmons leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.1 points and 45 percent from the field and 38 percent on threes.
Jessica Timmons gets little to no media coverage, yet she’s having a CAREER YEAR for #23 Alabama 👏
▪️15.8 PPG (career high)
▪️4.4 RPG
▪️2.8 APG (career high)▪️44.8% FG
▪️37.7% 3PT
▪️86.1% FT (career high) pic.twitter.com/FXKCHRyCGj— E J 🏀 (@EJayArrow) January 25, 2026
Coming off three straight wins against teams at the bottom of the standings in the SEC, it’ll be interesting to see how LSU combats Alabama’s stingy defense and strong zone attack that’s utilized earlier on in games to set the tone.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
Thursday night in women’s college basketball delivered in more ways than one, with a loaded slate featuring championship contenders, teams on the rise, ones attempting to find their footing, and […]
