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It’s one of the busiest college basketball weeks of the season! With (American) Thanksgiving upon us (this writer’s Canadian Thanksgiving was two months ago), programs from across the country are competing in invitational tournaments. The Gulf Coast Showcase in Southwest Florida welcomes eight teams, highlighted by No. 5 Texas (4-0). The action starts Friday, Nov. 29th with the first round.
With Texas being the highest ranked team in this tournament, they have the edge as favorites already. Yet, No. 12 West Virginia (6-0) is not too far behind, and just because the only ranked teams in this tournament, but that doesn’t mean they are clear-cut finalists. The other contestants are Boise State (6-0), Illinois State (2-2), High Point (3-3), Butler (5-1), Santa Clara (3-2) and New Mexico (4-3). Because the tournament has a winner’s bracket and loser’s bracket, every team, regardless of record, will play three games total over the course of the weekend.
As we’ve seen throughout the last week, it’s upset season in women’s college basketball. Lower-ranked teams are putting in work to be able to give higher-ranked teams a hard time on the court. With demanding schedules and travel, among other factors, winning isn’t always simple for top teams.
Yet, Texas and West Virginia have the most talented players on their rosters.
Texas guard Rori Harmon is now in her senior year, and the Longhorns were able to get guard Laila Phelia out of the transfer portal as well. They also have a strong sophomore in forward Madison Booker, who in just her second year as a college player was named to the pre-season All-American list along with UConn’s Paige Bueckers, USC’s JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. That’s impressive company to keep.
With the way the bracket is looking, Texas and West Virginia seem to be on a collision course to meet in the championship game on Sunday, Dec. 1. That said, these tournaments are huge for unranked teams that can make a splash and maybe get noticed by a few voters. It will definitely be an exciting weekend of hoops!
Tournament schedule
All games held at Hertz Arena in Estero, FL.
Friday, Nov. 29
Boise State vs. Illinois State (11 a.m. ET)
West Virginia vs. High Point (1:30 p.m. ET)
Butler vs. Santa Clara (5 p.m. ET)
Texas vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Nov. 30
Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 (11 a.m. ET)
Lose of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 (1:30 p.m. ET)
Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 (5 p.m. ET)
Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (7:30 p.m. ET)
Sunday, Dec. 1
Seventh Place Game (11 a.m. ET)
Fifth Place Game (1:30 p.m. ET)
Third Place Game (5 p.m. ET)
Championship Game (7:30 p.m. ET)
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