Monday kicked off the 2026‑27 women’s college basketball season with standout performances across the nation. Ju Ju Watkins made a triumphant return after a 19‑month knee‑injury layoff, scoring 21 points in No. 3 USC’s 100‑68 win over UNLV, despite early shooting struggles. USC’s loaded roster helped, with Jazzy Davidson (23 pts) and Saniyah Hall (22 pts, 7 reb) delivering strong support.
Defending champion UCLA secured its debut victory, while No. 1 South Carolina opened with an explosive offense in Paris. Other highlights included No. 8 Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes (27 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast), Sarah Strong’s 19 points for UConn, and Hannah Hidalgo’s 32‑point, 8‑assist performance as No. 13 Notre Dame beat Villanova 99‑75. The season’s early games set the stage for the pursuit of the April 4, 2027 national title, with Watkins’ health and rhythm key storylines.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing