The 2025-26 women’s college basketball season has brought several surprises, but it has also unveiled profound disappointments, particularly within the ACC. As the regular season nears its conclusion, several teams have not lived up to expectations, leaving fans and analysts concerned.
Spotlight on the ACC
The ACC stands out as the biggest disappointment of the season. Initially, the conference boasted two teams in the top 10-Duke and NC State-alongside North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Louisville in the top 25. However, by Week 3, no ACC teams remained in the top 10, and by Week 5, only three were still ranked. Currently, CBS Sports bracketologist Connor Groel projects that only Louisville will secure a top-four seed as they remain the sole representative exceeding expectations.
Among the notable disappointments are Duke, NC State, and North Carolina. Duke, which began the season with great expectations, has struggled significantly, with a dismal 3-6 start. Although they faced several ranked opponents, including South Carolina and LSU, they suffered frustrating losses, including one against an underperforming South Florida team. NC State faced a similar journey, starting 5-4, highlighted by a stunning home loss to Rhode Island. North Carolina, while initially starting strong at 10-2, has faltered with home losses against Louisville and Stanford, pushing them out of the rankings.
Assessing Other Conferences
Outside of the ACC, Iowa State and Indiana have left fans disheartened. After beginning the season with a flawless 14-0 record, the Iowa State Cyclones plummeted with a five-game losing streak in January, dropping from No. 10 in the AP poll all the way out of the rankings. Key player Audi Crooks, whose talent had shone early in the season, faced challenges that exposed the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. Although the Cyclones have rebounded with three consecutive wins, the damage from previous losses remains a sore point for seedings as March approaches.
Indiana’s struggles are notably stark, as they remain winless in Big Ten play at 0-9. Coming off a period of six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the current season has marked a stark contrast. The Hoosiers have faced an eight-game losing streak, including a recent loss to Purdue-an opponent they hadn’t lost to since 2016. Despite the team’s struggles, star player Shay Ciezki is shining, leading the Big Ten in scoring with 23.6 points per game. However, the overall performance has been disappointing for a historically strong program.
The Bigger Picture
These disappointments reflect a conference landscape where the SEC continues to gain ground, boasting a record number of teams in the top 25 and leaving traditional powerhouses in the dust. Historically viewed as a stronghold for women’s basketball, the ACC has seen its teams struggling to keep pace. Stanford and Cal have also yet to find stable footing, while teams like Clemson show flashes of competitiveness but lack consistency. The post-Ta’Niya Latson era for Florida State remains tumultuous, and Notre Dame’s struggle seems insurmountable given the current form.
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Duke is on an upswing with an 11-game winning streak, finding itself back in the top 20 rankings. Both NC State and North Carolina have received votes in the latest AP poll, indicating a potential turnaround at the season’s end. With 11 ACC teams positioned in the top 50 of NET rankings, there is still hope for tournament representation, albeit without the previous prowess expected from the conference.
Original source: Open the source
Editorial note: Cozy Corner Daily summarizes news based on available reporting and updates stories as new details emerge.
Read our editorial guidelines.
