2024–25 NCAA Division I women's basketball season#Conference standings
{{Short description|American college basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NCAA Division I basketball season
| gender = women
| year = 2024
| image = NCAA logo.svg
| alt =
| caption =
| preseason_ap = South Carolina Gamecocks
| regular_season = November 4, 2024 – March 16, 2025
| tourney_start = March 19
| nc_date = April 6, 2025
| champ_stad = Amalie Arena
| champ_city = Tampa, Florida
| champ = UConn Huskies
| wbit_champ = Minnesota Golden Gophers
| wnit_champ = Buffalo Bulls
| playeroftheyear = JuJu Watkins, USC Trojans
}}
The 2024–25 NCAA Division I women's basketball season began on November 4, 2024. The regular season ended on March 16, 2025, with the 2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament beginning with the First Four on March 19 and ending with the championship game at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on April 6.
Rule changes
On May 2, 2024, the NCAA Basketball Rules Committee proposed a few rule changes for the 2024–25 season. These changes were approved on June 6 by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel.{{cite press release |title=1-game suspension proposed for physical abuse, threats against women's basketball officials |url=https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/5/2/media-center-1-game-suspension-proposed-for-physical-abuse-threats-against-womens-basketball-officials.aspx|access-date=5 November 2024 |publisher=NCAA |date=May 2, 2024}}{{cite news |title=1-game suspension approved for physical abuse, threats against women's basketball officials |url=https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/6/6/media-center-1-game-suspension-approved-for-physical-abuse-threats-against-womens-basketball-officials.aspx |access-date=5 November 2024 |publisher=NCAA |date=June 6, 2024}}
- A one-game suspension has been added to the ejection of any player, coach, or bench personnel who "disrespectfully contacts an official or makes a threat of physical intimidation or harm, to include pushing, shoving, spitting or attempting to make physical contact with an official".
- Officials will be able to review whether a player's foot last touching the court was inbounds on a made shot before time expired. If a player's foot is determined to be out of bounds, officials would put the exact time of the violation on the game clock. However, if the shot is made and time remains on the game clock, a video review would not occur.
- Officials will now immediately conduct a replay review to judge whether a basket should count or not if an off-ball foul is called near the time a field goal or free-throw attempt is occurring. Previously, these reviews were conducted during the next electronic-media timeout.
Season headlines
- May 29, 2024 – Stephen F. Austin announced that it would leave the Western Athletic Conference on July 1 to rejoin the Southland Conference after a three-year absence.{{cite press release |url=https://www.southland.org/news/2024/5/29/general-sfa-athletics-accepts-invitation-to-join-southland-conference-in-2024-25.aspx |title=SFA Athletics Accepts Invitation to Join Southland Conference in 2024-25 |publisher=Southland Conference |date=May 29, 2024 |access-date=May 29, 2024}}
- July 1 – IUPUI's athletic teams renamed to Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indy) after the Indiana and Purdue university systems split the university into IU Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis.{{cite news |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2024/04/01/iupui-basketball-coach-paul-corsaro-to-lead-iu-indianapolis-new-era-ncaa-coaching-hires-roncalli/73165020007/ |title='A no-brainer.' New IU Indy basketball coach Paul Corsaro will 'start in our backyard.' |last=Neddenreip |first=Kyle |newspaper=Indianapolis Star |date=April 1, 2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024}}
- September 12 – The Pac-12 Conference, which had been reduced to 2 members after its remaining 10 schools left for other power conferences a month earlier, began a rebuilding process by announcing that Mountain West Conference members Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State would join the Pac-12 in 2026–27.{{cite press release |url=https://pac-12.com/news/2024/9/12/general-ushering-in-a-new-era-the-pac-12-conference-strengthens-its-legacy-by-welcoming-four-respected-academic-and-athletic-universities.aspx |title=Ushering in a new era, the Pac-12 Conference strengthens its legacy by welcoming four respected academic and athletic universities |publisher=Pac-12 Conference |date=September 12, 2024 |access-date=September 14, 2024}}
- September 24 – The Pac-12 Conference's rebuilding continued as Utah State would join the other Mountain West defectors in 2026–27.{{cite press release |url=https://pac-12.com/news/2024/9/24/general-pac-12-conference-and-utah-state-university-unite-to-advance-the-new-era-of-the-100-year-old-legacy.aspx |title=Pac-12 Conference and Utah State University Unite to Advance the New Era of the 100-Year-Old Legacy |publisher=Pac-12 Conference |date=September 24, 2024 |access-date=September 25, 2024}}
- September 30 – Gonzaga announced it would leave the West Coast Conference to join the Pac-12 Conference for all sports except for football in 2026–27.{{cite press release |url=https://pac-12.com/news/2024/10/1/general-pac-12-conference-and-gonzaga-university-unite-to-build-a-basketball-powerhouse-advancing-the-new-era-of-the-conferences-100-year-legacy.aspx |title=Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy |publisher=Pac-12 Conference |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=October 1, 2024}}
- October 1 – UTEP announced it would join the Mountain West from Conference USA in 2026–27.{{cite press release |url=https://themw.com/news/2024/10/01/mountain-west-officially-welcomes-utep-into-the-conference/ |title=Mountain West Welcomes UTEP Into The Conference |date=October 1, 2024 |access-date=October 1, 2024}}
- October 9:{{cite press release |url=https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/10/9/media-center-di-council-approves-changes-to-notification-of-transfer-windows-in-basketball-football.aspx |title=DI Council approves changes to notification-of-transfer windows in basketball, football |publisher=NCAA |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=October 9, 2024}}
- The NCAA Division I Council approved a proposal that reduced the duration of the transfer portal to 30 days. Going forward, the window opens on the day after the completion of the second round of the Division I women's tournament.
- The council also abolished the National Letter of Intent program effective immediately. Written offers of athletics aid will replace the NLI.
- The Council introduced a proposal that would shorten the transition periods for schools wishing to reclassify from Division II or Division III to Division I. If approved at the council's January 2025 meeting, the transition periods for Division II and III schools would drop by a year, respectively to three and four years.
- October 15 – The Mountain West announced that Hawaiʻi, which has been a football-only member of that conference since 2012, would leave the Big West Conference in 2026–27 to become a full MW member.{{cite press release |url=https://themw.com/news/2024/10/15/mountain-west-officially-welcomes-hawai%ca%bbi-as-a-full-time-member/ |title=Mountain West Officially Welcomes Hawaiʻi as a Full-Time Member |publisher=Mountain West Conference |date=October 15, 2024 |access-date=October 15, 2024}}
- November 1 – The Mountain West announced that Grand Canyon would join the conference no later than 2026–27 for all sports except for football.{{Cite press release|url=https://themw.com/news/2024/11/01/mountain-west-officially-welcomes-grand-canyon-university/ |title=Mountain West Officially Welcomes Grand Canyon University |publisher=Mountain West Conference |date=November 1, 2024 |access-date=November 1, 2024}} Grand Canyon's official announcement stated that it would not compete in the West Coast Conference, which it had previously been scheduled to join in July 2025, and that if Mountain West bylaws allowed, it would join that conference in 2025.{{Cite press release|url=https://gculopes.com/news/2024/11/1/general-gcu-accepts-invite-to-mountain-west-conference.aspx |title=GCU accepts invite to Mountain West Conference |publisher=Grand Canyon Antelopes |date=November 1, 2024 |access-date=November 1, 2024 |quote=In joining the Mountain West Conference, GCU has formally declined an invitation from the West Coast Conference that would have seen the Lopes become WCC members on July 1, 2025.}}
- November 7 – The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved the name change of the former Texas A&M University–Commerce to East Texas A&M University.{{cite press release |url=https://www.tamuc.edu/texas-am-university-system-board-of-regents-approves-name-change-for-texas-am-university-commerce/ |title=Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Approves Name Change for Texas A&M University-Commerce |publisher=East Texas A&M University |date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=November 9, 2024}}
- December 10 – The Mountain West announced that UC Davis would join the conference for all sports except football in 2026–27.{{cite press release |url=https://themw.com/news/2024/12/10/mountain-west-welcomes-uc-davis/ |title=Mountain West Welcomes UC Davis |publisher=Mountain West Conference |date=December 10, 2024 |access-date=December 10, 2024}}
- January 15, 2025 – The Division I Council adopted new criteria for divisional reclassification. Schools moving from Division II or III must meet objective measures of academic success and athletic financial aid. Reclassification periods are now three years for moves from Division II and four years for moves from Division III, contingent on schools meeting these new criteria.{{cite press release |url=https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/1/15/media-center-division-i-adopts-new-reclassification-criteria.aspx |title=Division I adopts new reclassification criteria |publisher=NCAA |date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=January 16, 2025}}
- February 27 – The Horizon League announced that Northern Illinois would join the conference in 2026–27, coinciding with the football team's departure from the Mid-American Conference to the Mountain West.{{cite press release |url=https://horizonleague.org/news/2025/2/27/general-horizon-league-welcomes-niu.aspx |title=Horizon League Welcomes NIU |publisher=Horizon League |date=February 27, 2025 |access-date=February 27, 2025}}
- March 25 – Saint Francis announced that it would reclassify to NCAA Division III starting in 2026–27, when it will leave the Northeast Conference for the Presidents' Athletic Conference.{{cite press release |url=https://pacathletics.org/news/2025/3/25/general-saint-francis-university-to-reclassify-to-ncaa-division-iii-join-presidents-athletic-conference.aspx |title=Saint Francis University to Reclassify to NCAA Division III, Join Presidents' Athletic Conference |publisher=Presidents' Athletic Conference |date=March 25, 2025 |access-date=March 25, 2025}}
= Milestones and records =
- November 15 – UConn head coach Geno Auriemma drew even with recently retired Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer as the winningest head coach in NCAA basketball history across all divisions, earning his 1,216th win after the Huskies' 69–58 win over North Carolina.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/uconn-north-carolina-womens-basketball-score-a92462a399f15afa0025e4181a8cf84b |title=Bueckers scores 29, Auriemma ties Division I coaching record as No. 2 UConn beats No. 14 UNC 69–58 |first=Aaron |last=Beard |work=Associated Press News |date=November 15, 2024 |access-date=November 16, 2024}}
- November 20 – Auriemma took sole possession of the career wins record after UConn's 85–41 win over Fairleigh Dickinson.{{cite news |last=Philippou |first=Alexa |date=November 20, 2024 |title=UConn's Geno Auriemma becomes NCAA all-time basketball wins leader |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/42514183 |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}{{cite web |last1=Sterling |first1=Wayne |last2=Lev |first2=Jacob |title=UConn's Geno Auriemma sets all-time college basketball wins record |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/20/sport/uconn-geno-auriemma-ncaa-wins-record-spt-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 2, 2025 |date=November 20, 2024 }}
- December 14 – Tennessee defeated North Carolina Central, 139–59, and broke multiple school and NCAA records in the process. These include largest margin of victory in program history (80), and most three-point field goals made in Division I history (30).{{cite web |title=Tennessee Lady Vols set NCAA record for 3-pointers in win |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/42971227/tennessee-lady-vols-set-ncaa-record-3-pointers-win |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=December 15, 2024 |date=December 14, 2024 }}{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Jack |title=Tennessee sets record for most 3-pointers made in men's or women's game in historic win over NC Central |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/tennessee-sets-record-for-most-3-pointers-made-in-mens-or-womens-game-in-historic-win-over-nc-central/ |work=CBS Sports |access-date=January 9, 2025 |date=December 14, 2024 }}{{cite web |last1=Rothman |first1=Sam |title=Lady Vols dominate North Carolina Central with record-breaking performance |url=https://www.wate.com/sports/lady-vols-dominate-north-carolina-central-with-record-breaking-performance/ |publisher=WATE-TV |access-date=January 14, 2024 |date=December 14, 2024 }}
- February 16 – Vanderbilt freshman guard Mikayla Blakes broke the record for most points scored in a single game by a freshman in NCAA basketball history across all divisions, after she scored 55 points to help the Commodores to a 98–88 overtime road win over Auburn.{{cite web |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Isabel |title=Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes sets NCAA freshman scoring record with 55 points in overtime win over Auburn |url=https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/vanderbilts-mikayla-blakes-sets-ncaa-freshman-scoring-record-with-55-points-in-overtime-win-over-auburn/ |work=CBS Sports |access-date=February 16, 2025 |date=February 16, 2025 }}{{cite web |title=Mikayla Blakes nets NCAA-record 55 points in Vanderbilt win |url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/43880066/mikayla-blakes-nets-ncaa-record-55-points-vanderbilt-win |publisher=ESPN |access-date=February 20, 2025 |date=February 16, 2025 }}
- March 16 – In the Missouri Valley Conference tournament final, Murray State's Katelyn Young became the 17th woman with 3,000 career points in Division I play, scoring 34 points in the Racers' 83–62 win over Belmont.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/mvc-championship-belmont-murray-state-1d362d607f577fa70921fb7a94f4d4cd |title=Katelyn Young scores 34 as Murray State powers past Belmont 83-62 to win Missouri Valley title |work=Associated Press News |date=March 16, 2025 |access-date=March 16, 2025}}
Conference membership changes
A total of 23 schools joined new conferences for the 2024–25 season. Of these, 20 moved within Division I, two began reclassification from NCAA Division II, and Chicago State ended its two-year stint as an all-sports independent to join the Northeast Conference.
| class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Former conference !New Conference |
| Arizona |
| Arizona State |
| California
|ACC |
| Chicago State
|NEC |
| Colorado |
| Kennesaw State
|ASUN |CUSA |
| Mercyhurst
|NEC |
| Merrimack
|NEC |MAAC |
| Oklahoma
|SEC |
| Oregon |
| Oregon State
|WCC |
| Sacred Heart
|NEC |MAAC |
| SMU
|AAC |ACC |
| Stanford
|ACC |
| Stephen F. Austin
|WAC |
| Texas
|SEC |
| UCLA |
| USC |
| Utah |
| UTRGV
|WAC |
| Washington |
| Washington State
|WCC |
| West Georgia
|Gulf South (D–II) |ASUN |
The 2024–25 season was the last in their respective conferences for at least five Division I schools.
| class="wikitable source"
!School !2024–25 conference !Future conference |
| Delaware
|CAA |CUSA |
| Grand Canyon
| WAC | MW |
| Missouri State
| CUSA |
| New Haven
| Northeast-10 (D–II) |
| Seattle
| WAC | WCC |
| UMass
|A-10 |MAC |
Arenas
= New arenas =
- Georgia Southern left the Hanner Fieldhouse after 55 seasons there for the new Hill Convocation Center. The team played its first game in the Hill Convocation Center on December 5, 2024.{{cite web |last=Ryans |first=Joshua |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Convocation Center Will Soon Be Home For Men's And Women's Basketball Teams |url=http://www.thegeorgeanne.com/43156/news/convocation-center-will-soon-be-home-for-mens-and-womens-basketball-teams |access-date=November 8, 2023 |website=TheGeorgeanne.com}}
- St. Thomas will play their final season at Schoenecker Arena, where they have played since 1981, before moving to the new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, which will open in the 2025–26 season.{{cite web |date=November 5, 2023 |title=Neighborhood Group Court For Environmental Review Of New St. Thomas Arena |url=http://mprnews.org/story/2023/11/05/neighborhood-group-court-for-environmental-review-of-new-st-thomas-arena |access-date=November 5, 2023 |website=MPRNews.org}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}
- Tarleton State will play their final season at Wisdom Gym, where they have played since 1970, before moving to the new Tarleton State Event Center, which will open in the 2025–26 season.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=Texan Men's Basketball hosts Utah Valley in final basketball game in Wisdom Gym |url=https://tarletonsports.com/news/2025/3/7/mens-basketball-texan-mens-basketball-hosts-utah-valley-in-final-basketball-game-in-wisdom-gym.aspx |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Tarleton State University Athletics |language=en}}
- Vermont was originally slated to open their new arena, Tarrant Event Center, as a replacement for the current arena, Patrick Gym. Construction was to continue in 2021 but it has been delayed indefinitely.{{cite web |date=September 28, 2022 |title=UVM Sports Complex Arena Still On Hold Wellness Center Open |url=https://www.wcax.com/2022/09/28/uvm-sports-complex-arena-still-on-hold-wellness-center-open |access-date=September 28, 2022 |website=WCAX.com}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}
=Arena of new D-I teams=
- West Georgia will transition from Division II to Division I and play at The Coliseum in Carrollton, Georgia, where it has played since 2009. It will be ineligible for NCAA-organized postseason play (i.e., the NCAA tournament or NIT) until 2028.
- Mercyhurst will transition from Division II to Division I and play on the Owen McCormick Court in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, where it has played since 1977. It will be ineligible for NCAA-organized postseason play until 2028.
=Other arena changes=
- Bellarmine announced on August 28, 2024, that home games would return to campus at Knights Hall for the first time since 2019–20. The Knights had played in the interim at Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center.{{cite press release |url=https://athletics.bellarmine.edu/news/2024/8/28/general-ncaa-basketball-returns-to-knights-hall-as-bellarmine-celebrates-full-division-i-membership-after-successful-reclassification-process.aspx |title=NCAA basketball returns to Knights Hall as Bellarmine celebrates full Division I membership after successful reclassification process |publisher=Bellarmine Knights |date=August 28, 2024 |access-date=August 28, 2024}}
Seasonal outlook
{{main|2024–25 NCAA Division I women's basketball rankings}}
The Top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaching polls.
=Pre-season polls=
| {| class="wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="2" |AP |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
|South Carolina (27) |
| 2
|UConn (2) |
| 3
|USC (1) |
| 4 |
| 5
|UCLA |
| 6 |
| 7
|LSU |
| 8 |
| 9 |
| 10 |
| 11
|Duke |
| 12 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
| 16 |
| 17 |
| 18 |
| 19 |
| 20 |
| 21 |
| 22 |
| 23 |
| 24 |
| 25 |
|
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
! colspan="2" |USA Today Coaches |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
|South Carolina (27) |
| 2
|UConn (3) |
| 3
|USC (1) |
| 4 |
| 5 |
| 6
|UCLA |
| 7
|LSU |
| 8 |
| 9 |
| 10 |
| 11
|Duke |
| 12 |
| 13 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
| 16 |
| 17 |
| 18 |
| 19 |
| 20 |
| 21 |
| 22 |
| 23 |
| 24 |
| 25 |
|}
=Final polls=
| {| class="wikitable style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="2" |AP |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
|UConn (31) |
| 2
|South Carolina |
| 3
|UCLA |
| 4
|Texas |
| 5
|USC |
| 6
|TCU |
| 7
|Duke |
| 8
|LSU |
| 9
|NC State |
| 10
|Notre Dame |
| 11 |
| 12
|Maryland |
| 13
|Kansas State |
| 14
|North Carolina |
| 15 |
| 16
|Kentucky |
| 17
|Ole Miss |
| 18
|Baylor |
| 19
|Ohio State |
| 20
|Alabama |
| 21
|West Virginia |
| 22
|Florida State |
| 23 |
| 24 |
| 25 |
|
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" |USA Today Coaches |
| Ranking
!Team |
|---|
| 1
|UConn (31) |
| 2
|South Carolina |
| 3
|UCLA |
| 4
|Texas |
| 5
|USC |
| 6
|TCU |
| 7
|Duke |
| 8
|LSU |
| 9
|Notre Dame |
| 10
|NC State |
| 11 |
| 12
|North Carolina |
| 13
|Kentucky |
| 14
|Maryland |
| 15
|Kansas State |
| 16 |
| 17
|Ohio State |
| 18
|Baylor |
| 19
|West Virginia |
| 20
|Ole Miss |
| 21
|Alabama |
| 22 |
| 23 |
| 24
|Florida State |
| 25
|Creighton |
|}
Top 10 matchups
Rankings reflect the AP poll Top 25.
= Regular season =
- Nov. 10, 2024
- No. 1 South Carolina defeated No. 9 NC State, 71–57 (Ally Tipoff – Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC)
- Nov. 23
- No. 6 Notre Dame defeated No. 3 USC, 74–61 (Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA)
- Nov. 24
- No. 5 UCLA defeated No. 1 South Carolina, 77–62 (Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA)
- Dec. 5
- No. 10 Notre Dame defeated No. 4 Texas, 80–70OT (ACC–SEC Challenge – Joyce Center, Notre Dame, IN)
- No. 3 South Carolina defeated No. 8 Duke, 81–70 (ACC–SEC Challenge – Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC)
- Dec. 8
- No. 3 South Carolina defeated No. 9 TCU, 85–53 (Coast-to-Coast Challenge – Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX)
- Dec. 12
- No. 8 Notre Dame defeated No. 2 UConn, 79–68 (Rivalry – Joyce Center, Notre Dame, IN)
- Dec. 21
- No. 7 USC defeated No. 4 UConn, 72–70 (XL Center, Hartford, CT)
- Jan. 2, 2025
- No. 5 Texas defeated No. 9 Oklahoma, 80–73 (Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK)
- Jan. 8
- No. 4 USC defeated No. 8 Maryland, 79–74 (Xfinity Center, College Park, MD)
- Jan. 12
- No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 Texas, 67–50 (Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC)
- Jan. 20
- No. 7 Texas defeated No. 8 Maryland, 89–51 (Coretta Scott King Classic – Prudential Center, Newark, NJ)
- Jan. 24
- No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 LSU, 66–56 (Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC)
- Jan. 26
- No. 1 UCLA defeated No. 8 Maryland, 82–67 (Xfinity Center, College Park, MD)
- Feb. 5
- No. 1 UCLA defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 65–52 (Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA)
- Feb. 8
- No. 7 USC defeated No. 8 Ohio State, 84–63 (Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA)
- Feb. 9
- No. 4 Texas defeated No. 2 South Carolina, 66–62 (Moody Center, Austin, TX)
- Feb. 13
- No. 3 Texas defeated No. 8 Kentucky, 67–49 (Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY)
- No. 6 USC defeated No. 1 UCLA, 71–60 (Rivalry – Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA)
- Feb. 16
- No. 7 UConn defeated No. 4 South Carolina, 87–58 (Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC)
- No. 3 Texas defeated No. 5 LSU, 65–58 (Moody Center, Austin, TX)
- Mar. 1
- No. 4 USC defeated No. 2 UCLA, 80–67 (Rivalry – Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA)
- Mar. 8
- No. 5 South Carolina defeated No. 10 Oklahoma, 93–75 (SEC tournament — Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC)
- No. 1 Texas defeated No. 9 LSU, 56–49 (SEC tournament — Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC)
- Mar. 9
- No. 5 South Carolina defeated No. 1 Texas, 64–45 (SEC Tournament — Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC)
- No. 4 UCLA defeated No. 2 USC, 72–67 (Big Ten Tournament - Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN)
= Postseason =
- Mar. 28
- No. 10 LSU defeated No. 9 NC State, 80–73 (Sweet Sixteen – Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA)
- Mar. 29
- No. 6 TCU defeated No. 8 Notre Dame, 71–62 (Sweet Sixteen – Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL)
- Mar. 30
- No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 7 Duke, 54–50 (Elite Eight – Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL)
- No. 1 UCLA defeated No. 10 LSU, 72–65 (Elite Eight – Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA)
- Mar. 31
- No. 5 Texas defeated No. 6 TCU, 58–47 (Elite Eight – Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL)
- No. 3 UConn defeated No. 4 USC, 78–64 (Elite Eight – Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA)
- Apr. 4
- No. 2 South Carolina defeated No. 5 Texas, 74–54 (Final Four – Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL)
- No. 3 UConn defeated No. 1 UCLA, 85–51 (Final Four – Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL)
- Apr. 6
- No. 3 UConn defeated No. 2 South Carolina, 82–59 (National Championship Game – Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL)
Regular season
= Early-season tournaments =
| class="wikitable sortable wikitable" sortable
! Tournament/event name ! Dates ! Location ! No. Teams ! Champions ! class=unsortable|Notes |
| Great Alaska Shootout
| November 22–23, 2024 | Alaska Airlines Center {{small|(Anchorage, AK)}} | 4 | Troy | |
| Battle 4 Atlantis
| November 23–25, 2024 | Imperial Arena {{small|(Paradise Island, Bahamas)}} | 8 | |
| Emerald Coast Classic
| November 25–26, 2024 | Imperial Arena {{small|(Rider Arena, Niceville, FL)}} | 8 | Alabama (Bay) | |
| Baha Mar Women's Championship
| November 25–27, 2024 | Baha Mar Convention Center {{small|(Nassau, Bahamas)}} | 4 | UConn | |
| Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship
| November 25–27, 2024 | Baha Mar Convention Center {{small|(Nassau, Bahamas)}} | 4 | LSU | |
| Ball Dawgs Classic
| November 25–27, 2024 | Lee's Family Forum {{small|(Henderson, NV)}} | 4 | Duke | |
| Acrisure Holiday Invitational
| November 26–27, 2024 | Acrisure Arena {{small|(Palm Desert, CA)}} | 4 | |
| Colgate Thanksgiving Tournament
| November 29–30, 2024 | Cotterell Court {{small|(Hamilton, NY)}} | 4 | Colgate | |
| Fort Myers Tip-Off Shell Division
| November 29–30, 2024 | Suncoast Credit Union Arena {{small|(Fort Myers, FL)}} | 4 | Michigan | |
| FIU Tournament
| November 29–December 1, 2024 | Ocean Bank Convocation Center {{small|(University Park, FL)}} | 4 | |
| Gulf Coast Showcase
| November 29–December 1, 2024 | Hertz Arena {{small|(Estero, FL)}} | 8 | Texas | |
| Miami Thanksgiving Tournament
| November 29–December 1, 2024 | Watsco Center {{small|(Coral Gables, FL)}} | 4 | |
| Lehigh Christmas City Classic
| November 30–December 1, 2024 | Stabler Arena {{small|(Bethlehem, PA)}} | 4 | Lehigh | |
| Cherokee Invitational
| December 18–19, 2024 | Harrah's Cherokee {{small|(Cherokee, NC)}} | 4 | Toledo | |
| Tulane Holiday Tournament
| December 20–21, 2024 | Devlin Fieldhouse {{small|(New Orleans, LA)}} | 4 | Tulane | |
| Hawk Classic
| December 20–21, 2024 | Hagan Arena {{small|(Philadelphia, PA)}} | 4 | |
| Raising the B.A.R. Invitational
| December 21–22, 2024 | Haas Pavilion {{small|(Berkeley, CA)}} | 4 | |
= Head-to-head conference challenges =
| class="wikitable"
!Conference Match Up !Dates !Conference Winner !Conference Loser !Record |
| ACC–SEC Challenge
|December 4−5 |align=center|SEC |align=center|ACC |align=center|10–6 |
| Big Sky–Summit Challenge
|December 4−7 |align=center|Summit |align=center|Big Sky |align=center|10–7 |
| Conference USA–WAC Challenge
|November 4−December 17 |align=center|CUSA |align=center|WAC |align=center|11–7 |
| MAC–SBC Challenge
|November 4−February 8 |align=center|MAC |align=center|SBC |align=center|15–9 |
= Upsets =
An upset is a victory by an underdog team. In the context of NCAA Division I women's basketball, this generally constitutes an unranked team defeating a team currently ranked in the top 25. This list will highlight those upsets of ranked teams by unranked teams as well as upsets of No. 1 teams. Rankings are from the AP poll. Bold type indicates winning teams in "true road games"—i.e., those played on an opponent's home court (including secondary homes). Italics type indicates winning teams in an early-season tournament (or event). Early-season tournaments are tournaments played in the early season. Events are the tournaments with the same teams in it every year (even rivalry games).
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Winner ! Score ! Loser ! Date ! Tournament/Event ! class="sortable" |Notes |
| Illinois
| 83–74 | No. 13 Florida State | rowspan="2"|November 7, 2024 | | |
| Harvard
| 72–68OT | No. 25 Indiana | | |
| South Dakota State
| 83–74 | No. 21 Creighton | November 8, 2024 | | |
| Oregon
| 76–74 | No. 12 Baylor | November 10, 2024 | | |
| Indiana
| 79–66 | No. 24 Stanford | rowspan="2" | November 17, 2024 | | |
| TCU
| 76–73 | No. 13 NC State | | |
| Northern Iowa
| 87–75 | No. 8 Iowa State | rowspan="2" | November 20, 2024 | | Northern Iowa's first-ever win over a top-10 opponent |
| Creighton
| 80–74 | No. 21 Nebraska | Rivalry | |
| Indiana
| 73–65 | No. 18 Baylor | rowspan="2" | November 24, 2024 | |
| No. 5 UCLA
| 77–62 | No. 1 South Carolina | | South Carolina's 43-game winning streak snapped |
| Georgia Tech
| 74–58 | rowspan="2" | No. 21 Oregon | November 25, 2024 | rowspan="2" | Hawaii North Shore Showcase | rowspan="2" | Game played in Lāʻie, Hawaii |
| South Dakota State
| 75–70 | November 26, 2024 |
| Utah
| 78–67 | No. 3 Notre Dame | November 30, 2024 | |
| NC State
| 68–61 | No. 18 Ole Miss | rowspan="2" | December 5, 2024 | rowspan="2" | ACC–SEC Challenge | |
| California
| 69–65 | No. 19 Alabama | |
| Tennessee
| 78–68 | No. 17 Iowa | December 7, 2024 | Women's Champions Classic | Game played in Brooklyn, New York |
| Alabama
| 82–67 | No. 15 Michigan State | December 20, 2024 | West Palm Beach Classic | Game played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| South Florida
| 65–56 | No. 9 Duke | rowspan="2"|December 21, 2024 | | |
| Colorado
| 65–60 | No. 14 West Virginia | | |
| Clemson
| 69–58 | No. 20 California | January 2, 2025 | | |
| Texas A&M
| 60–58 | No. 25 Ole Miss | January 5, 2025 | | |
| Nebraska
| 85–80 | No. 20 Michigan State | January 8, 2025 | | |
| Mississippi State
| 81–77 | No. 10 Oklahoma | rowspan="3" | January 9, 2025 | | |
| Illinois
| 62–57 | No. 23 Iowa | | |
| Virginia Tech
| 105–942OT | No. 13 Georgia Tech | | |
| Oklahoma State
| 64–57 | No. 17 West Virginia | January 11, 2025 | | |
| Indiana
| 74–67 | No. 23 Iowa | rowspan="2" | January 12, 2025 | | |
| Louisville
| 69–60 | No. 13 Georgia Tech | | |
| Baylor
| 70–61 | No. 23 Utah | rowspan="2" | January 14, 2025 | | |
| Houston
| 79–76 | No. 24 Oklahoma State | | |
| Penn State
| 62–59 | No. 9 Ohio State | rowspan="2" | January 19, 2025 | | |
| Vanderbilt
| 71–70 | No. 15 Tennessee | Rivalry | |
| Oklahoma State
| 60–59 | No. 9 TCU | January 22, 2025 | | |
| Texas A&M
| 61–55 | No. 11 Kentucky | January 23, 2025 | | |
| Colorado
| 63–53 | No. 10 Kansas State | rowspan="2" | January 25, 2025 | | |
| Arizona
| 77–62 | No. 16 West Virginia | | |
| Florida State
| 86–84 | No. 13 North Carolina | rowspan="2" | January 26, 2025 | | |
| Vanderbilt
| 66–64 | No. 19 Alabama | | |
| Oregon
| 63–59 | No. 16 Michigan State | January 30, 2025 | | |
| Illinois
| 66–65 | No. 14 Maryland | rowspan="3" | February 2, 2025 | | |
| Iowa
| 76–69 | No. 4 USC | | |
| Ole Miss
| 76–61 | No. 23 Vanderbilt | | |
| Louisville
| 70–63 | No. 21 California | February 6, 2025 | | |
| Michigan
| 71–61 | No. 20 Michigan State | February 9, 2025 | Rivalry | |
| Ole Miss
| 66–57 | No. 8 Kentucky | February 10, 2025 | | |
| Louisville
| 83–69 | No. 23 Florida State | rowspan="4" | February 13, 2025 | | |
| Nebraska
| 91–71 | No. 17 Maryland | | |
| Clemson
| 68–61 | No. 19 Georgia Tech | | |
| No. 6 USC
| 71–60 | No. 1 UCLA | Rivalry | |
| BYU
| 68–64 | No. 20 Oklahoma State | February 15, 2025 | |
| Indiana
| 71–61 | No. 8 Ohio State | rowspan="2" | February 20, 2025 | | |
| Louisville
| 70–62 | No. 11 Duke | | |
| No. 13 NC State
| 104–95 | No. 1 Notre Dame | rowspan="2" | February 23, 2025 | | |
| Florida State
| 73–70 | No. 20 Georgia Tech | | |
| Georgia
| 72–69 | No. 11 Tennessee | rowspan="4" | March 2, 2025 | | |
| Virginia
| 78–75 | No. 8 North Carolina | | |
| Ole Miss
| 85–77 | No. 7 LSU | | |
| Iowa State
| 85–63 | No. 14 Kansas State | | |
| Vanderbilt
| 84–76 | No. 18 Tennessee | rowspan="3"|March 6, 2025 | Rivalry/SEC tournament | |
| Florida
| 63–61 | No. 19 Alabama | SEC tournament | |
| Iowa
| 74–61 | No. 24 Michigan State | |
| Michigan
| 98–71 | No. 15 Maryland | March 7, 2025 | Big Ten tournament | |
In addition to the above listed upsets in which an unranked team defeated a ranked team, there have been five non-Division I teams to defeat a Division I team so far this season. Bold type indicates winning teams in "true road games"—i.e., those played on an opponent's home court (including secondary homes).
| class="wikitable sortable wikitable" sortable
! Winner ! Score ! Loser ! Date ! Tournament/event ! class=unsortable|Notes |
| Bethel (TN) {{small|(NAIA)}}
| rowspan="4"|November 4, 2024 | | Back-to-back season opening losses against non-Division I teams |
| UMSL {{small|(Division II)}}
| | |
| Adelphi {{small|(Division II)}}
| Fordham | | |
| {{nowrap|Colorado Christian {{small|(Division II)}}}}
| Denver | | |
| Alaska Anchorage {{small|(Division II)}}
| Vermont | November 23, 2024 | Great Alaska Shootout third place game | |
| Findlay {{small|(Division II)}}
| November 26, 2024 | | |
= Conference winners and tournaments =
Each of the 31 Division I athletic conferences will end its regular season with a single-elimination tournament. The team with the best regular-season record in each conference receives the number one seed in each tournament, with tiebreakers used as needed in the case of ties for the top seeding. Unless otherwise noted, the winners of these tournaments will receive automatic invitations to the 2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.
{{notelist|group=c}}
Postseason tournaments
{{main|2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament}}
The NCAA Tournament tipped off on March 19, 2025, with the First Four, and will conclude on April 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. A Total of 68 teams entered the tournament. Thirty-one of the teams earned an automatic bids by winning their conferences tournaments. The remaining 37 teams are granted "at-large" bids, which are extended by the NCAA Selection Committee.
=Final Four – [[Amalie Arena]] in [[Tampa, Florida]] =
{{see also|Tampa, Florida|Tampa Bay Area}}
File:Amalie Arena.jpg in Tampa, Florida, hosted the NCAA women's Final Four.]]
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=National Semifinals
Final Four
Friday, April 4
| RD2=National Championship Game
Sunday, April 6
| boldwinner = high
| RD1-seed1=S1 (1)
| RD1-team1=UCLA
| RD1-score1= 51
| RD1-seed2=S4 (2)
| RD1-team2=UConn
| RD1-score2= 85
| RD1-seed3=B2 (1)
| RD1-team3=South Carolina
| RD1-score3= 74
| RD1-seed4=B3 (1)
| RD1-team4=Texas
| RD1-score4= 57
| RD2-seed1=
| RD2-team1= UConn
| RD2-score1=82
| RD2-seed2=
| RD2-team2= South Carolina
| RD2-score2=59
}}
=Tournament upsets=
Per the NCAA, an upset occurs when the losing team in an NCAA tournament game was seeded at least two seed lines better than the winning team.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Date ! Winner ! Score ! Loser ! Region ! Round |
| March 21
| Oregon (10) | 77–73 OT | Vanderbilt (7) | Birmingham (#2) | Round of 64 |
| March 21
| South Dakota State (10) | 74–68 | Oklahoma State (7) | Spokane (#4) | Round of 64 |
=Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament=
{{main|2025 Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament}}
After the NCAA tournament field is announced, the NCAA invites 32 teams to the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament. The teams determined by the NCAA tournament selection committee to be the "first four out" of the NCAA tournament receive the top four seeds in the WBIT. Also, teams that won regular-season conference titles but did not receive NCAA tournament invitations, if otherwise eligible for NCAA-sponsored postseason play, receive automatic bids. All WBIT games through the quarterfinals are held at campus sites, with the semifinals and finals taking place in Indianapolis at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
==Semifinals and Finals==
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1 = Semifinals
March 31
Hinkle Fieldhouse
| RD2 = Final
April 2
Hinkle Fieldhouse
| boldwinner = high
| RD1-seed1 = 3
| RD1-team1 = Florida
| RD1-score1 = 52
| RD1-seed2 = 2
| RD1-team2 = Minnesota
| RD1-score2 = 66
| RD1-seed3 = 3
| RD1-team3 = Belmont
| RD1-score3 = 66
| RD1-seed4 = 4
| RD1-team4 = Villanova
| RD1-score4 = 57
| RD2-seed1 = 2
| RD2-team1 = Minnesota
| RD2-score1 = 75
| RD2-seed2 = 3
| RD2-team2 = Belmont
| RD2-score2 = 63
}}
=Women's National Invitation Tournament=
{{main|2025 Women's National Invitation Tournament}}
After the NCAA tournament and WBIT fields are announced, the Women's National Invitation Tournament will invite 48 teams to participate. WNIT participants and sites will be announced when the field is set on March 17.
==Semifinals and Finals==
{{4TeamBracket
| RD1 = Semifinals
Fab 4
April 2
| RD2 = Championship
April 5
CBSSN
| boldwinner=high
| score-width=
| RD1-seed1 =
| RD1-team1 = Troy
| RD1-score1 = 99
| RD1-seed2 = (H)
| RD1-team2 = Illinois State
| RD1-score2 = 96
| RD1-seed3 = (H)
| RD1-team3 = Buffalo
| RD1-score3 = 74
| RD1-seed4 =
| RD1-team4 = Cleveland State
| RD1-score4 = 69
| RD2-seed1 =
| RD2-team1 = Troy
| RD2-score1 = 84
| RD2-seed2 = (H)
| RD2-team2 = Buffalo
| RD2-score2 = 88
}}
Conference standings
| cellpadding="5"
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 America East Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 American Athletic Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Atlantic 10 women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 ACC women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 ASUN women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big 12 Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big East women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big Sky women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big South women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big Ten women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Big West women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 CAA women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Conference USA women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Horizon League women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Ivy League women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 MAAC women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 MEAC women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Mountain West Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Northeast Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Patriot League women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 SEC women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 SWAC women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 Southern Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30" |{{2024–25 Southland Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| vailgn="top" width="30" |{{2024–25 Summit League women's basketball standings|normal=1}}
| valign="top" width="30" |{{2024–25 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} | valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 WAC women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
| valign="top" width="30%" |{{2024–25 West Coast Conference women's basketball standings|normal=1}} |
Award winners
=2025 All-Americans=
{{main list|2025 NCAA Women's Basketball All-Americans
}}
The NCAA has never recognized a consensus All-America team in women's basketball. This differs from the practice in men's basketball, in which the NCAA uses a combination of selections by the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), The Sporting News and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) to determine a consensus All-America team. The selection of a consensus team is possible because all four organizations select at least a first and second team, with only the USBWA not selecting a third team.
In women's basketball, the AP, USBWA, and the women's basketball counterpart to the NABC, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), select All-America teams. The Sporting News does not select such a team. While the AP and USBWA each select first, second, and third teams, the WBCA selects a single 10-member team, thus making it impossible for a consensus team to be determined at any level.
=Major player of the year awards=
- Wooden Award: JuJu Watkins, USC{{cite press release |url=https://www.woodenaward.com/news/uscs-juju-watkins-wins-2025-john-r-wooden-award-presented-by-principal/ |title=USC's JuJu Watkins Wins 2025 John R. Wooden Award® Presented by Principal |publisher=Los Angeles Athletic Club |date=April 4, 2025 |access-date=April 7, 2025}}
- Naismith Award: JuJu Watkins, USC{{cite press release |url=https://naismithtrophy.com/lauren-betts-cori-close-and-juju-watkins-earn-2025-naismith-honors/ |title=Lauren Betts, Cori Close and Juju Watkins Earn 2025 Naismith Honors |publisher=Atlanta Tipoff Club |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Associated Press Player of the Year: JuJu Watkins, USC{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/juju-watkins-ap-player-of-year-6acbf8f1fb542e3fa0418a11cca8ac74 |title=USC star JuJu Watkins is the AP Player of the Year and just the fourth sophomore to earn that honor |first=Doug |last=Feinberg |work=Associated Press News |date=April 4, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Wade Trophy: Paige Bueckers, UConn{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/paige-bueckers-wins-wade-trophy-headlines-2025-wbca-ncaa-division-i-coaches-all-america-team/ |title=Paige Bueckers wins Wade Trophy, headlines 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America team |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=April 4, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's Player of the Year (USBWA): JuJu Watkins, USC{{cite press release |url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2025/03/25/uscs-watkins-wins-2024-25-ann-meyers-drysdale-award |title=USC's Watkins wins 2024-25 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award |publisher=U.S. Basketball Writers Association |date=March 25, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025}}
- Honda Sports Award:
=Major freshman of the year awards=
- Tamika Catchings Award (USBWA): Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt{{cite press release |url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2025/03/25/vanderbilts-blakes-wins-2024-25-tamika-catchings-national-freshman-player-of-the-year-award |title=Vanderbilt's Blakes wins 2024-25 Tamika Catchings National Freshman Player of the Year Award |publisher=U.S. Basketball Writers Association |date=March 25, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025}}
- WBCA Freshman of the Year: Sarah Strong, UConn{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/uconns-sarah-strong-named-2025-wbca-ncaa-division-i-freshman-of-the-year-presented-by-adidas/ |title=UConn's Sarah Strong named 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year presented by adidas |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
=Major coach of the year awards=
- Associated Press Coach of the Year: Cori Close, UCLA{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ap-coach-of-year-ucla-5e9e1097a712cebd7ac8159a37a0160f |title=UCLA's Cori Close is the AP Coach of the Year after a historic season for the top-seeded Bruins |first=Doug |last=Feinberg |work=Associated Press News |date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Naismith College Coach of the Year: Cori Close, UCLA
- Geno Auriemma Award (USBWA): Cori Close, UCLA{{cite press release |url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2025/03/20/uclas-close-is-usbwa-womens-national-coach-of-the-year |title=UCLA's Close is USBWA Women's National Coach of the Year |publisher=U.S. Basketball Writers Association |date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025}}
- WBCA National Coach of the Year: Cori Close, UCLA{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/uclas-cori-close-named-2025-wbca-ncaa-division-i-coach-of-the-year/ |title=UCLA's Cori Close named 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year: Tony Newman, UCLA{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/wbca-announces-winners-of-2025-assistant-coach-of-the-year-awards-presented-by-aflac/ |title=WBCA announces winners of 2025 Assistant Coach of the Year awards presented by Aflac |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025}}
=Other major awards=
- Naismith Starting Five:{{cite press release |url=https://www.hoophall.com/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-reveals-winners-of-men-and-womens-naismith-starting-five-awards-on-espns-college-gameday2/ |title=Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Reveals Winners of Men's and Women's Naismith Starting Five Awards on ESPN's College GameDay |publisher=Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |date=April 5, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard): Paige Bueckers, UConn
- Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (top shooting guard): JuJu Watkins, USC
- Cheryl Miller Award (top small forward): Madison Booker, Texas
- Katrina McClain Award (top power forward): Aneesah Morrow, LSU
- Lisa Leslie Award (top center): Lauren Betts, UCLA
- WBCA Defensive Player of the Year: Lauren Betts, UCLA{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/uclas-lauren-betts-named-2025-wbca-ncaa-division-i-defensive-player-of-the-year/ |title=UCLA's Lauren Betts named 2025 WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
- Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year: Lauren Betts, UCLA
- Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award: Harmoni Turner, Harvard{{cite web |url=https://herhoopstats.substack.com/p/harmoni-turner-named-2025-becky-hammon-player-of-the-year |title=Harmoni Turner Named 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year |first=Jacob |last=Mox |work=The Her Hoop Stats Newsletter |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 2, 2025}}
- Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award: Aaron Roussell, Richmond{{cite web |url=https://herhoopstats.substack.com/p/aaron-roussell-named-2025-kathy-delaney-smith-mid-major-coach-of-the-year |title= Aaron Roussell Named 2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year
|work=The Her Hoop Stats Newsletter |date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
- Maggie Dixon Award (top rookie head coach): Jan Jensen, Iowa{{cite press release |url=https://wbca.org/news/iowas-jan-jensen-named-2025-spalding-maggie-dixon-ncaa-division-i-rookie-coach-of-the-year/ |title=Iowa's Jan Jensen named 2025 Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year |publisher=Women's Basketball Coaches Association |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
- Academic All-American of the Year (top scholar-athlete): Kiki Iriafen, USC{{cite press release |url=https://academicallamerica.com/news/2025/4/16/2024-25-academic-all-america-womens-basketball-teams-announced-for-all-ncaa-and-naia-divisions.aspx |title=2024-25 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Teams announced for all NCAA and NAIA divisions |publisher=College Sports Communicators |date=April 16, 2025 |access-date=April 16, 2025}}
- Elite 90 Award (top GPA among upperclass players at Final Four): Kiki Rice, UCLA{{cite press release |url=https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/4/2/womens-basketball-kiki-rice-wins-elite-90-award-for-ncaa-division-i-womens-basketball-championship |title=Kiki Rice Wins Elite 90 Award for NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship |publisher=UCLA Bruins |date=April 2, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
- Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award: For the first time in nearly 50 years, this award and its corresponding men's award were not presented to college basketball figures. The awards went to the boys' and girls' teams of Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles, which both posted winning seasons in the wake of the wildfire that destroyed much of the campus as well as the homes of multiple players on both teams.{{cite press release |url=https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2025/04/03/palisades-charter-high-school-teams-to-be-presented-with-usbwa-most-courageous-awards |title=Palisades Charter High School teams to be presented with USBWA Most Courageous Awards |publisher=U.S. Basketball Writers Association |date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
Coaching changes
Many teams will change coaches during the season and after it ends.