By now, there are only three undefeated teams left in college basketball: UConn, Vanderbilt, and Texas Tech. No one should be surprised by UConn’s undefeated run so far. The team’s roster is as strong as ever, even after losing Paige Bueckers, and UConn already took care of ranked opponents, like USC, Michigan, and Iowa. Seeing the Lady Raiders and Commodores still undefeated is much more surprising.
Shea Ralph’s Commodores survived their first big test when they beat LSU 65-61. At least two of their next four games will challenge them like that all over again and threaten to end their undefeated streak. Vanderbilt will have to face Michigan and South Carolina.
Going up against two top-ten teams will challenge sophomore Mikayla Blakes and freshman Aubrey Galvan. Both passed their first big test of the season against LSU. Blakes finished the game with 32 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Galvan struggled to make shots at first, but hit a huge three to give her team a 60-58 lead with just about two minutes left in the game on her way to 14 points.
Michigan and South Carolina are difficult to beat
After a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Vanderbilt will have to take on Michigan. The Wolverines are currently ranked eighth, just a few spots below the Commodores. Michigan beat Notre Dame earlier this season and was the only team to truly challenge UConn, narrowly losing 72-69.
Led by Olivia Olsen, Syla Swords, and Mila Holloway, Michigan ranks sixth in scoring offense, averaging 88.9 points per game. Moreover, the Wolverines still haven’t secured a true statement win yet this season. They have only lost two games so far, but Notre Dame was also the best team they beat. Beating Vanderbilt would change that.
If Michigan doesn’t end Vanderbilt’s undefeated streak, South Carolina will threaten to do it. Dawn Staley’s team may not be quite as deep as it has been in past seasons, but it is still one of the top programs in the country and only lost a close game to the Texas Longhorns so far. Led by Raven Johnson, Joyce Edwards, and Ta’Niya Latson, the Gamecocks can challenge pretty much every team. They currently rank fifth in scoring offense across the country, fifth in rebounds per game, fourth in blocks per game, and third in field goal percentage.
If Vanderbilt survives its games against Mississippi State, Michigan, Auburn, and South Carolina, the Ole Miss Rebels will be waiting with one final challenge in January. They just took down the Oklahoma Sooners and played a close game against Texas.