The five most intriguing matchups for BYU women’s basketball this season
With the changing leaves and cooler fall temperatures, that can only mean one thing. Basketball season is almost here.
After a disappointing 16-17 record last season, Head Coach Amber Whiting and BYU women’s basketball look to turn the page as they head into a new season and their first year in the Big 12.
The Cougars bring back senior standout Lauren Gustin, breakout star Nani Falatea, and four other key contributors from last season. BYU also added a talented recruiting class headlined by freshman guard Amari Whiting to bolster this year’s roster.
The Big 12 Conference is projected to have seven teams in the NCAA Tournament with BYU on the outside looking in. The Cougars will face new foes but see some familiar faces on opposing sidelines this season as they get set to start a new season in a new league.
Here are the five most intriguing games on BYU’s schedule for the 2023-24 season:
- BYU at Utah, Saturday, Dec. 22
After just one season in retirement, former women’s basketball Head Coach Jeff Judkins joined Utah’s staff as an assistant coach.
Not only is there a familiar face up on the hill, but this year’s Utes team is a top 10 team in the country and a projected two seed according to ESPN’s Charlie Creme. Last season Utah lost in the Sweet 16 to the national champion LSU Tigers. Utah will be the only team on the Cougars’ non-conference schedule this season that is projected to make the NCAA tournament and will give BYU the chance to test themselves up against one of the country’s best teams.
- BYU at Texas
In this matchup, BYU will also see a familiar face in fifth-year guard Shaylee Gonzalez. Gonzalez was the 2021-22 WCC Player of the Year for BYU and led them to the NCAA tournament in 2022. This will be the first time she will play her former team since departing after the 2022 season.
Not only is there intrigue around the matchup against Gonzalez but Texas is another top 20 team that BYU will play on the road this season. This will also be the only time BYU faces Texas as a conference foe. The Cougars will only get one shot at Gonzalez and the 2022-2023 Big 12 Champion Longhorns before they move to the SEC.
- Baylor vs BYU
Last season was the first time Baylor did not make a Sweet 16, win a regular season conference championship, or a conference tournament title since 2007. As a preeminent women’s basketball powerhouse, the Bears look to return to dominance this season. They come into this season ranked 13 by Creme and are a projected five-seed in the NCAA tournament. Baylor will likely be the best team the Cougars play in the Marriot Center all season. Baylor returns a young and very talented roster featuring last year’s leading scorer Sarah Andrews and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, the conference Freshman of the Year.
- Oklahoma vs BYU
For the third year in a row, BYU will play against Oklahoma. The Sooners will be making their second straight trip to Provo in hopes of beating the Cougars for the third time in the last three seasons. Oklahoma looks to repeat as Conference Champions this season after being co-conference champions with Texas last season. The Sooners will look to replace Madi Williams, the 18th pick in the WNBA draft, with five-star freshman phenom Sahara Williams.
Just like the Longhorns, the Cougars will only get one crack at the Sooners before they depart for the SEC.
- Kansas vs BYU
The fifth and final spot could have gone to a number of teams. From playing an old WCC foe in LMU to playing Wake Forest in Hawaii, BYU has many interesting matchups on its schedule. That said, the fifth most intriguing team on the Cougars schedule this season is Kansas. The Jayhawks are the best team that BYU will play twice during conference play. As a projected eight seed in the NCAA tournament, Kansas looks to build off its 2023 WNIT Championship and vault itself into competition for the regular season Big 12 Conference Title.
