As the regular season wraps up in women's college basketball, excitement is building for Champ Week, where conference tournaments will determine automatic bids to the NCAA tournament and hand out individual awards. According to ESPN, with Power 4 conferences finishing their schedules, the next two weeks promise intense competition across 31 leagues, each vying for glory in arenas from Burlington, Vermont, to Indianapolis. Predictions from ESPN analysts highlight clear favorites in some races, like UConn in the Big East, while others, such as the ACC and Summit League, remain tight battles.
In the America East Conference, Vermont Catamounts are tipped to claim the title after pulling away from Binghamton in the final stretch, including a key win over the Bearcats on February 12 in Burlington. Should they meet again in the championship, it would be a rematch at the same venue. ESPN predicts Adrianna Smith, a 6-0 senior forward for the Maine Black Bears, as Player of the Year. The 2023 winner has led the conference in scoring twice and rebounding three times, achieving a rare triple crown this season by topping charts in scoring, rebounds, and assists. "The 2023 America East Player of the Year will leave Maine as one of the program's most productive players of all time," ESPN noted.
Moving to the American Athletic Conference, Rice Owls are forecasted to win despite lacking a top-10 scorer or assist leader, thanks to their nation's-leading defense in opponent 3-point rate. Hailey Adams stands out as a top shot blocker, while Victoria Flores leads in steals. Kennedy Fauntleroy, a 5-7 senior guard for East Carolina Pirates, is the predicted POY after a career resurgence. Transferring from Arizona State, she hit career highs in points and assists, leading the league in steals. Her journey includes a Big East Freshman of the Year nod at Georgetown in 2023 and stints at Oklahoma State.
The ASUN Conference sees Jacksonville Dolphins as champions, riding a hot streak after a 19-point loss to Eastern Kentucky in late January. Hosting the tournament at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena gives them a home advantage. Priscilla Williams, a 6-2 senior guard for Jacksonville, is expected to take POY honors. After stops at Syracuse, South Florida, and Oregon, she led the ASUN in rebounding and ranked second in scoring during her final season.
In the Atlantic 10, Richmond Spiders are predicted to dethrone Rhode Island, whom they beat by 26 points in the penultimate regular-season game. As preseason favorites with the league's best shooting and top player, they'll host the tournament in nearby Henrico, Virginia. Maggie Doogan, a 6-2 senior forward, is the lock for POY, surpassing her 2025 performance by winning the scoring title and finishing top five in seven categories. "Although her team hasn't been as good as a year ago, Doogan has been better than her 2025 A-10 Player of the Year campaign," ESPN reported. Her career aligns with Richmond's best four-year run.
The ACC race favors Duke Blue Devils, despite a recent loss at Clemson, as they've been the top team since conference play began. Core returners Toby Fournier, Taina Mair, Ashlon Jackson, and Delaney Thomas, who helped win last year's tournament, give them an edge heading to Duluth, Georgia. They edged Louisville by one point in their lone meeting. However, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, a 5-6 junior guard, is the predicted POY for her two-way dominance, leading the nation in steals and the ACC in scoring. ESPN acknowledges Fournier's lift for Duke but says, "Hidalgo's excellence is just too difficult to overcome." An image from a Louisville-Notre Dame game shows Imari Berry missing a game-tying shot.
Big 12 predictions point to TCU Horned Frogs repeating as champions under Mark Campbell's up-tempo offense, following last year's success with Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince. This season, Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez lead the charge. Miles, a 5-10 senior guard who transferred from Notre Dame, is the POY pick after delaying her WNBA entry. She hit career highs in scoring and field goal percentage with improved deep shooting. "With her court vision and improved deep shooting, she was the perfect point guard for Campbell's system," according to ESPN. Highlights from Baylor vs. TCU underscore the rivalry.
UConn Huskies are overwhelming favorites in the Big East, with a 66-game winning streak against conference foes unlikely to snap at Mohegan Sun. They've beaten Big East teams by over 40 points per game on average. Sophomore forward Sarah Strong, 6-2, is the clear POY and national contender, leading in scoring, steals, field goal percentage, and top five in four other categories while playing under 25 minutes per game. "UConn's dominance starts with its overwhelming talent advantage over the rest of the conference, and that talent starts with Strong," ESPN stated. Scott Van Pelt provided historical context after UConn's perfect 31-0 regular season.
The Big Sky Conference could see Montana State Bobcats triumph in a rematch with Idaho, whom they beat by 30 early but lost in overtime later. Nonconference wins over UNLV and Colorado bolster their case. Sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick, 5-11, is predicted POY after winning Defensive Player last year. She ranks second nationally in steals behind Hidalgo and tripled her scoring, crucial after losing top scorers from a 30-win team.
High Point Panthers aim for a sweep in the Big South, following last year's titles with the league's stingiest defense, earning a third NCAA bid since 2021. Junior guard Macy Spencer, 5-8, transferred from UNLV and stepped up after Lexi Fleming's knee injury four games in. Leading in scoring and shooting 38% from three, she outshines the two-time all-MAC Fleming on paper.
In the Big Ten, UCLA Bruins dominated, winning games by over 25 points on average, setting up revenge against USC in Indianapolis after last year's final loss. Senior center Lauren Betts, 6-7, is the POY despite dipped numbers from added offense with Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker. She's the most intimidating force, though Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge challenges. "The most dominant player on the most dominant team must be the front-runner," ESPN said.
The Big West is wide open, with four teams leading at times, but UC Irvine Anteaters hold the top NET ranking and best player in Hunter Hernandez. Yet, sophomore guard Hannah Wickstrom, 5-10, from mid-pack UC Riverside Highlanders, is the surprise POY, outscoring competitors by nearly six points in conference games.
Charleston Cougars are heavy favorites in the Coastal Athletic Association after a historic 25-win season and first regular-season title, led by the conference's best offense for a potential first NCAA trip. Junior guard Taryn Barbot, 5-10, seeks a second straight POY, leading in assists and up to 19-plus points per game.
Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters clinched Conference USA early after an initial loss, with the top offense balanced across four double-figure scorers like sophomore Paris Bradley. But junior guard Rhema Collins, 6-2, from Florida International, is POY after transferring from Ole Miss, elevating her team to second and ranking top three in scoring, rebounding, shooting, and blocks.
Green Bay Phoenix wired the Horizon League for their third title in four years, fifth nationally in assist rate, and are favored for a third straight tournament win. Senior center Jenna Guyer, 6-2, broke out as a starter, leading in 3-point accuracy, top five in scoring, and top 10 in rebounding, averaging nearly 15 points after prior seasons under 7.
Princeton Tigers are set for an Ivy League clash with Columbia or Harvard, but ESPN predicts a Princeton-Columbia final where the Lions seek a third win—unlikely given parity. Junior guard Riley Weiss, 5-10, from Columbia, is POY for her scoring prowess, averaging 27.3 against top foes like Kansas State and 23 in a late Princeton win.
Fairfield Stags boast a 64-2 MAAC record, including last two tournaments, facing Quinnipiac as the lone recent spoiler. Junior guard Kaety L'Amoreaux, 5-6, edges teammate Meghan Andersen for POY, leading in scoring and assists over the top shooter.
Miami (OH) RedHawks are MAC picks after beating Ball State twice by 24 combined, with Tamar Singer's 25 points and eight steals in the latest. But Eastern Michigan's Sisi Eleko, 6-2 senior forward, is POY for near double-doubles, top-three in scoring and rebounding, and double figures every game.
Howard Bison could end Norfolk State's three-peat in the MEAC, with the best offense against the top defense, sans key personnel. Senior forward Zennia Thomas, 6-2, from Howard, blossomed post-Kentucky, becoming the top scorer and rebounder from third-team last year.
Murray State Racers pulled away in the Missouri Valley for a second straight crown, dropping from second nationally in scoring to 10th but succeeding more. Junior forward Sharnecce Currie-Jelks, 6-2, from Indiana, is POY alongside guard Halli Poock, second in scoring and rebounds.
These predictions set the stage for high-stakes drama, with upsets possible from hot teams or Cinderellas. As bids are secured, the NCAA field shapes up, promising another thrilling March Madness. Officials from each conference will announce awards soon, while tournaments kick off this week across the country.