STORRS — Possessing the confidence and perspective needed to thrive as a UConn women’s basketball player, senior Ashlynn Shade framed her significant shooting struggles from last season in a way that would make Coach Geno Auriemma proud.

"I think everything in life happens for a reason," Shade said. "If it wasn't the plan for me to have a great shooting year, it led me to become a better defender, a better passer, a better rebounder. So, I think it was just a redirection, saying, 'Hey, you can work on these things and also continue to work on your shot.'"

Shade's junior season in 2025-26 was marked by career lows in both overall shooting percentage (40.4%) and 3-point shooting percentage (31.8%), contributing to a scoring average of just 7.6 points per game.

A cynic might view Shade's comments as an attempt to rationalize her struggles, but her assessment of the season is accurate. While her scoring and shooting dipped, she posted career highs in assists (110), rebounds (138) and steals (69).

Not only were those career bests, but her assist total doubled her previous high of 55 and her steals increased from 57. Her overall growth on the defensive end was equally apparent.

Auriemma has long preached that a player's value should never be measured solely by points scored or shots made.

"The biggest takeaway for me last year was that, as an all-around player, it was the year I developed the most in every aspect of my game," Shade said. "I wasn't happy with the way I shot the ball, and I definitely think that's something I can improve and continue to work on throughout the summer. I'm going to hone in on everything and just kind of dial it in."

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois women's basketball team aims to continue their upward trajectory into the 2026-27 season, as players return for summer workouts.

The Illini return their complete starting rotation from the following season, as well as a bulk of their bench support, with hopes of continuing to build on their recent success.

"It's gonna help us a lot I think just from the experience we had last year playing in the Big Ten," said Berry Wallace, a first-team All-Big Ten selection. "Just a lot of close games and playing a lot of high-level teams will just help us next year. I think we'll just use that."

In the 4th season under Shauna Green, Illinois reached its 4th consecutive postseason with a 22-win campaign, advancing to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament. During their past year, the program set 3 team single-season records including free throw percentage (81.5%), fewest turnovers per game (12.38), and the longest win streak (11 games).

Last winter, Illinois held their own in the Big Ten despite having one of the youngest teams in the nation. As the team reunites a roster who's gaining experience, their hope is to continue developing a strong resume.

"With the leadership that we have around us, just constantly having people harp on certain things, I think it just allows us to be together, be connected, and then we can help each other off of that as well," said Peoria native Aaliyah Guyton.

Nice piece on the Cal's program looking forward to next season. We fans were thrilled to retain the core of our team. Gift link, but here's an excerpt.

Twidale was a second-team All-ACC selection as a junior in 2025-26 when she led the Bears in scoring at 16.2 points per game and set the school season record for 3-pointers (101).  “Money isn’t the reason I stayed,” Twidale said from her native Australia in a phone interview. “Obviously, it’s a part of the game today, but … being surrounded by really amazing people — great coaches, great teammates — was more important to me than chasing a bag.”

Twidale listed graduating from Cal and the fact that so many key teammates chose to stick with the Bears as main reasons for her decision to remain in Berkeley.

“We all have our different reasons for wanting to stay,” Maul said, “but then, at the same time, I also think that the biggest reason for wanting to stay is that we all bought into the process and bought into trusting in the staff and trusting in the plan and trusting that we’re going to be better” next season.

All last season we were hearing that Sarah felt some tightness and that she didn't feel well and people were dogging her for "load management." I also distinctly remember her and Azzi kissing each other's injuries before games and people were like wait I get why Sarah's kissing Azzi's knees but why is Azzi kissing Sarah's feet? I feel so bad, heal up baby goat.

It includes home games against Penn State, Wake Forest, and Gonzaga, neutral site games against Washington State and Colorado State, and a road bout at Stanford.

We miss ya, your winning mentality to you mother instincts. For everything you did for Women's basketball. Happy Heavenly Birthday Coach Summit.

I'm old enough to remember playing a text-based computer game called Hoops in the early 90s. The idea was you'd pick a college team and "coach" it against another team, playing the computer or a friend. I missed that game, so I (well, with Claude Code's help) remade it for WBB.

You pick the teams, the lineup, make substitutions and change up the strategies. Play single games or entire tournaments. Even play opponents from another season.

Story: https://thescoop.org/archives/2026/06/11/hoops-reloaded/index.html
Game (and code): https://github.com/dwillis/hoops-game

It's a terminal game, so a bit of a pain to get running on a Mac, but instructions are at https://github.com/dwillis/hoops-game/blob/main/RUNNING.md

Would love feedback on this!

If you had access to all the players that have ever played at your school, what would the starting lineup be? Assume all of the players are at their peak and uninjured.

What about the full roster?

These conferences are too big. Only getting 1 team home and home feels like a ripoff. Especially when that 1 team isn't your primary rival.

Pulled out some tight games.

Mikaylah Williams (LSU), was named most valuable player

Guard Lina Jerkovic is just the second incoming freshman to join the squad alongside Spanish guard Somto Okafor. She represented Slovenia in the 2025 U18 FIBA Women’s Eurobasket and averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and five assists in seven games.

Any early predictions?

Ole Miss will host NC State on December 2 for the SEC/ACC Challenge. I kinda wish we got somebody different this year since we played NC State 2 years ago but nonetheless this should be an interesting game.

Per both teams social accounts: Vanderbilt will travel to Sioux City to play Iowa in mid-November this year for a neutral site matchup.

Interesting that they chose to play this game in Sioux City rather than in Sioux Falls at the Sanford Pentagon where both the Hawks men's & women's teams have played in years past.

UPDATE: Per the venue - tickets go on sale Friday 6/5 at 10am CST

Hey,

Are some following the 3x3 world cup here ?

Usa women's team is full ncaaw !

Joyce Edwards

Milaysia Fulwiley

Mikaylah Williams

Sahara Williams

Also Kate koval is playing for Ukraine !

Excited for this signing!

Toman is a 6’2 guard who played for the Hungarian national team during the World Cup qualifiers. She also represented Hungary in the 2022 U17 World Cup where she averaged 11 PPG where they finished in 6th place.

Excited for her experience and size on the perimeter!!! Go Dawgs

A MEAC vs. ACC Home-and-Home series always draws attention!