January Madness: The 10 Women’s Hoops Matchups You Can’t Miss

The holidays are over; it’s time for women’s hoops. The wrapping paper is in the trash, the gym memberships are already gathering dust, and reality is setting in. But here’s the good news: the “preseason” vibe of November and December is officially dead. January is here, conference play is in full swing, and things in college hoops are about to get real.

If the first two months of the 2025-26 season were the appetizer, January is the main course. We are talking bitter rivalries, potential Final Four previews, and scoreboard-breaking offenses. Here are the 10 games in January that demand your attention.

Battle for Los Angeles: USC Trojans at UCLA Bruins

Jan. 3 | 8 p.m. ET (Peacock)

We’re starting the month of hoops with a bang. Or rather, a brawl in Westwood. If you haven’t been paying attention, the “Battle for L.A.” isn’t just a cute geographic rivalry anymore; it’s a legitimate heavyweight fight. USC’s offense has looked a little like a Ferrari stuck in second gear lately, but they’ve got Jazzy Davidson.

She is leading the team in literally every statistical category that matters. She’s doing everything but driving the bus. Playing at Pauley Pavilion against a Bruins squad with national title aspirations is the ultimate “prove it” moment.

Clash of Styles: Texas Longhorns at LSU Tigers

Jan. 11 | 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This is the game that sets the table for the entire SEC. You want theater? You want contrast? You’ve got it. On one side, you have LSU’s offense, which scores with the terrifying efficiency of a buzzsaw. On the other, Texas brings a defense so suffocating it should probably be illegal in three states. Watching the Tigers try to run-and-gun against that Longhorn lockdown defense in the deafening noise of Baton Rouge is going to be cinema wrapped in a hoops game.

The New ACC Order In Women’s Hoops: Louisville Cardinals at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Jan. 15 | 6 p.m. ET (ACCN)

Raise your hand if you had Duke and NC State stumbling out of the gate on your bingo card. Yeah, me neither. But here we are. With the traditional powerhouses looking vulnerable, the door is wide open for a new ACC sheriff. Right now, it looks like a two-horse race between Louisville and Notre Dame. This isn’t just a game; it’s a statement. Whoever takes this one in South Bend immediately becomes the team to beat.

The Grudge Match: Texas Longhorns at South Carolina Gamecocks

Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

If Texas survives LSU, they walk straight into the buzzsaw that is South Carolina. This is a rematch of that Thanksgiving thriller in Vegas where Rori Harmon hit the dagger with 0.7 seconds left. You think Dawn Staley has forgotten that? Not a chance. If Texas manages to sweep this road trip through LSU and South Carolina, go ahead and engrave the SEC trophy. But winning in Colombia is a different beast entirely.

West Coast Welcome: Maryland Terrapins at UCLA Bruins

Jan. 18 | 4 p.m. ET (NBC)

Welcome to the new Big Ten, where a “conference game” involves a five-hour flight. This is Maryland’s only crack at UCLA this season, and talk about bad timing. The Terps are running a gauntlet, playing Ohio State and USC right before this, and Iowa right after. They’ll be tired, jet-lagged, and walking into hostile territory. If they steal this one, build the statue.

Scoreboard Breakers: LSU Tigers at Oklahoma Sooners

Jan. 18 | 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN2)

Do you like defense? If so, please look away. This game is strictly for the bucket-getters. We are talking about the two highest-scoring offenses in the nation. Between both rosters, 12 different players are averaging double digits. The over/under on this game should be set at “Infinity.” First team to 95 wins.

Point Guard Paradise: Ohio State Buckeyes at TCU Horned Frogs

Jan. 19 | 12 p.m. ET (Fox)

If you appreciate the art of the point guard, this is your Super Bowl. The Coretta Scott King Classic is giving us a gift: TCU’s Olivia Miles vs. Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge. Both are shooting over 50% and snatching two steals a game. They are the engines of their respective teams. Watching these two maestros trade possessions is going to be an absolute clinic in floor generalship.

MLK Day Showdown: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at UConn Huskies

Jan. 19 | 5 p.m. ET (Fox)

History. Tradition. Bad blood. Notre Dame vs. UConn on MLK Day is a staple for a reason. Here’s the storyline: Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo has been a nightmare for UConn, averaging over 31 points in her last two outings against them. But this UConn squad looks different. They are chasing a perfect regular season. Hidalgo is the biggest roadblock standing in their way. Can she play spoiler again in Storrs?

Youth Movement: USC Trojans at Michigan Wolverines

Jan. 25 | 2 p.m. ET (BTN)

Michigan has quietly become the second-best team in the Big Ten, and they’re doing it with some serious young talent. This game is a showcase of the league’s future. You’ve got USC’s Davidson, but don’t sleep on Michigan’s Olivia Olson or Syla Swords. The sophomore class in this conference is absurdly deep. This game will tell us if the Wolverines are legitimate contenders or just a nice story.

The Unstoppable Force: Iowa State Cyclones at Texas Tech Lady Raiders

Jan. 28 | 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Texas Tech wasn’t supposed to be here. Picked 13th in the preseason, they are entering January unbeaten. But now they have to deal with Audi Crooks. The Iowa State star isn’t just leading the country in scoring; she’s dominating.