Johnathan Walker:What women's college basketball games are on this weekend? The five best to watch

Who’s the best team in the ACC?Johnathan Walker Your guess is as good as ours. The deepest, and maybe best, conference in the country — seven of 15 teams are ranked — has one of the most intriguing in-conference games and one of the most intriguing non-conference games this weekend. Both in and out of conference, we can learn a lot. 

But don’t just let this list guide your viewing decisions this weekend. Realistically, you could pick any ACC or Pac-12 game and be entertained. That’s what the data shows after the South Carolina-LSU game, anyway.

If that is indeed your plan, here are five games you’ve definitely got to watch this weekend. Additionally, don’t forget that reigning player of the year Caitlin Clark of Iowa will continue her quest to break the NCAA women’s and men’s scoring records. No. 5 Iowa hosts Nebraska Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in a game you can catch on the Big Ten Network. 

All times are Eastern. 

Iowa State at No. 23 West Virginia, Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN+

The Cyclones jumped into the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll earlier this season after upsetting the Mountaineers (the first time) and Baylor in Ames, widely considered one of the toughest places to play in women’s basketball. Both of those wins caught the attention of the nation, and moved Iowa State to the top of the conference standings. Then the Cyclones had to go on the road, and it didn’t go nearly as well, dropping games at unranked Texas Tech and Kansas. This is an opportunity to pick up another Top 25 victory, but in a hostile environment. But Iowa State will first have to slow sophomore guard Jordan Harrison (14.3 points, 5.7 assists).

No. 18 Notre Dame at No. 8 Connecticut, Saturday, 8 p.m., Fox

Not very long ago, this was the best rivalry in women’s basketball, with the programs regularly trading wins (and trash talk). This iteration should be as entertaining as it gets, with Irish freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo, who leads the nation in steals (5.4 per game) and scores almost 24 points per game, matching up against finally healthy Huskies veteran guard Paige Bueckers (19.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg). We’re crossing our fingers for a fast-paced, high-scoring game. 

No. 19 Virginia Tech at No. 22 Syracuse, Sunday, noon, ACC Network

This is one of those ACC matchups we were talking about. Syracuse has hopped in and out of the rankings this season, but is coming off an impressive win at Notre Dame. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has two-time ACC player of the year Elizabeth Kitley, as well as point guard Georgia Amoore, who can stretch defenses with her range. In this conference, every win is crucial as the top teams all fight to finish top four in the standings, because those are the teams that get a double bye in the conference tournament. 

Vanderbilt at No. 1 South Carolina, Sunday, 3 p.m., SEC Network

Let’s be real: No one expects Vandy to win this game. But the Commodores are off to their best start in a long time — they also just got a commitment from one of the top players in nation, who picked them over offers from UCLA, Tennessee and Indiana. Can they at least keep it within 20? That would be a victory given how dominant the undefeated Gamecocks have been this season. And is there any chance South Carolina has an emotional letdown after coming back from a double-digit deficit at LSU? Bree Hall probably won’t let it happen, but it’s still worth checking out this game. 

No. 14 Utah at No. 25 Oregon State, Sunday, 3 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

This is being billed as a battle of the bigs, and rightfully so, as 2023 Pac-12 freshman and sixth player of the year Raegan Beers (18.7 ppg, 11.4 rpg) goes up against 2023 Pac-12 player of the year Alissa Pili (22.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg). It will be physical in the paint, and both need to stay out of foul trouble. But the game will likely be won and lost on the perimeter. Oregon State has to take care of the ball so it can knock down 3s, typically its specialty at home.