2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season

2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season
Preseason AP No. 1	Oregon
NCAA Tournament	2020
Tournament dates	March 27 – April 5, 2020
National Championship	Smoothie King Center New Orleans, Louisiana
NCAA Champions	None
Other champions	None (WNIT) None (WBI)
Player of the Year	Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
← 2018–19 2020–21 →

The 2019–20 NCAA Division I women's basketball season began in November 2019 and concluded prematurely on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament was scheduled to end at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 5, 2020, but was ultimately canceled. All other postseason tournaments were canceled as well. It was the first cancellation in the history of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. Practices officially began in late September 2019.

On December 31, 2020, South Carolina raised a banner recognising a claim to a for finishing first in the two major polls.

Season headlines[]

• June 18 – The ASUN Conference officially announced that Bellarmine University, currently a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference, would move to Division I and join the ASUN effective with the 2020–21 school year.^[1]
• June 20 – The Summit League announced that the University of Missouri–Kansas City would return to the conference on July 1, 2020 after seven years in the Western Athletic Conference.^[2]
• June 21 – The Boston-area sports news website Digital Sports Desk reported that the University of Connecticut (UConn) was expected to announce by the end of the month that it would leave the American Athletic Conference to rejoin many of its former conference mates in the Big East Conference in 2020.^[3] The story was picked up by multiple national media outlets the next day.^[4][5]
• June 27 – The Big East and UConn jointly announced that the school would join the Big East; though the official announcements did not specify a time, it was expected that the Huskies would become members in 2020.^[6]
• July 26 – Multiple media reports indicated that UConn and The American had reached a buyout agreement that will lead to UConn joining the Big East in July 2020. The exit fee was reportedly $17 million.^[7]
• August 5 – The Horizon League announced that Purdue University Fort Wayne would leave the Summit League to join the Horizon League in July 2020.^[8]
• September 30
  • California governor Gavin Newsom signed the Fair Pay to Play Act into law, which upon taking effect in 2023 will prohibit public colleges and universities in the state from punishing their athletes for earning endorsement income. The bill places the state in direct conflict with the NCAA's current business model, which prohibits college athletes from receiving such income. At the time the bill was signed, several other states were proposing similar laws.^[9]
  • Officials at Tarleton State University, current members of the Division II Lone Star Conference, announced that the school had accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference. Full details, including the joining date, were expected to be revealed in the following days, but were delayed by more than a month.^[10]
• October 4 – Officials at the University of St. Thomas, a Minnesota school that will be expelled from its longtime athletic home of the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in 2021, announced that the school had received an invitation to join the Summit League upon its MIAC departure. In order for St. Thomas to directly transition to the Summit, it must receive a waiver of an NCAA rule stating that Division III schools can only transition to Division II.^[11]
• October 29 – The NCAA board of governors voted unanimously to begin the process of changing institutional rules so that college athletes can profit from their names, images, and likenesses, while still maintaining a distinction between college and professional sports. The proposal calls for each of the three NCAA divisions to draft new rules consistent with this mandate, with a target date of January 2021.^[12]
• October 31 – The Associated Press preseason All-American team was released. Baylor center Lauren Cox and Oregon guard Sabrina Ionescu were unanimous selections (28 votes). Joining them on the team were Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter (22 votes), Miami (FL) forward Beatrice Mompremier (20), and Maryland giard Kaila Charles (18). All were seniors except for Carter, a junior.^[13]
• November 5 – The first day of the regular season saw three players record triple-doubles, the most for a single day of play in NCAA history.^[14]
  • Aliyah Boston of South Carolina had 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks in the Gamecocks' 103–43 rout of Alabama State. She became the first player ever to record a triple-double in her first career game.
  • Denia Davis-Stewart of had 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 blocks in the Warriors' first game in NCAA Division I, a 79–64 win over UMass.
  • Chelsea Olson of had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in the Penguins' 87–59 win over Canisius.
• November 9 – Preseason #1 Oregon defeated the US national team 93–86 in an exhibition, led by Ionescu's 30 points. This marked the first time that Team USA had lost to college competition since a 1999 loss to Tennessee.^[15]
• November 12 – The Western Athletic Conference officially announced Tarleton State's entry into the league effective July 1, 2020.^[16]
• November 16 – Ionescu became the first NCAA player, regardless of division or sex, to record a triple-double in four different seasons.^[17] She had 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists in the Ducks' 99–63 win over Texas Southern, extending her record for career triple-doubles to 19.^[18]
• November 21 – Kamiyah Street, the starting point guard for Kennesaw State, was arrested and charged with murder in the July 16, 2019 shooting death of a man whose body was found in the parking deck of an Atlanta apartment complex. Street was immediately suspended once KSU was notified of the charge.^[19]
• November 25 – Sierra'Li Wade, a freshman guard for Arkansas–Pine Bluff who had yet to make her debut for the team, was killed in a shooting in her hometown of Lake Village, Arkansas.^[20]
• November 30 – The Atlantis Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas announced that the Battle 4 Atlantis, a prominent early-season Division I men's tournament held at the resort, would add a women's tournament starting next season. The women's tournament will feature eight teams (the same number as the men's version), and will be held immediately before the men's tournament.^[21]
• February 7 – The Big South Conference officially announced that North Carolina A&T State University would leave its longtime home of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the Big South effective with the 2021–22 school year.^[22]
• February 18 – The NCAA announced that it was considering a proposal that would allow student-athletes in all sports a one-time waiver to transfer to a new school without having to sit out a season. This would place all NCAA sports under the same transfer rules; currently, first-time transfers are only required to sit out a season in baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, and men's ice hockey. The existing criteria for the waiver would be extended to these five sports—namely, a player must receive a transfer release from his or her previous school, leave that school academically eligible, maintain academic progress at the new school, and not be under any disciplinary suspension.^[23]
• Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • March 10
    • The Big West Conference announced that its men's and women's conference tournaments, with women's play starting on March 10 at Walter Pyramid at California State University, Long Beach and men's play starting on March 12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, would be closed to spectators.^[24]
    • The Ivy League canceled its 2020 men's and women's conference tournaments, both originally scheduled for March 14 and 15 at the Lavietes Pavilion on the campus of Harvard University. Regular-season champion Princeton was named the Ivy League's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Men's Tournament.^[25]
    • The Mid-American Conference did not initially cancel its men's and women's tournaments, which had begun on March 9 with first-round games at campus sites, but announced that the remainder of both tournaments, to be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland from March 11–14, would be held under what it called a "restricted attendance policy". The only individuals allowed to attend games will be credentialed institutional personnel, credentialed media and broadcast crews, team party members, and family members of players.^[26] The conference would ultimately cancel its tournament on March 12 (see below).
  • March 11
    • The NCAA announced that both the men's and women's entire NCAA Tournaments would be conducted with "only essential staff and limited family attendance"^[27]
  • March 12
    • All Division I conference tournaments that had yet to be completed were canceled, even those in progress.^[28]
    • Some schools—most notably Duke and Kansas—suspended all athletic travel indefinitely.^[28]
    • The NCAA announced the decision to cancel both the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments, as well as all championship events for the remainder of the 2019–20 academic year (including the NCAA Skiing Championships, then in progress).

Milestones and records[]

The following players reached the 2,000-point milestone during the season—Sabrina Ionescu^[29] and Ruthy Hebard,^[30] both of Oregon.

Ionescu and Hebard both reached the 1,000-rebound milestone during the season. Hebard reached this milestone in the same game in which Ionescu surpassed the 2,000-point mark.^[29] Ionescu reached the mark in Oregon's 74–66 win over Stanford on February 24, 2020, reaching two additional milestones during this game. She recorded her eighth triple-double of the season, tying her own record from last season for the most in a single season in NCAA history for either men or women. Ionescu also became the first player in NCAA basketball history with 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She had previously joined Courtney Vandersloot of Gonzaga (2007–11) as the only Division I players with 2,000 points and 1,000 assists.^[31][32]

On December 18, Baylor guard Juicy Landrum set a new Division I women's record with 14 three-pointers in the Lady Bears' 111–43 rout of Arkansas State.^[33] This was more three-pointers than the Lady Bears had previously recorded as a team in a single game.^[14]

Four days later, Brittany Brewer of Texas Tech tied the Division I record for blocks in a game, recording 16 as part of a triple-double in the Lady Raiders' 83–38 rout of Louisiana–Monroe.^[34] Coincidentally, the previous record-holder, former TCU player Sandora Irvin, also reached that mark as part of a triple-double.^[14]

Conference membership changes[]

Two schools joined new conferences for the 2019–20 season. Both moved between Division I and Division II, with one joining Division I and the other leaving Division I.

School	Former Conference	New Conference
Merrimack	Northeast-10 Conference (D-II)	Northeast Conference
Savannah State	Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference	Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (D-II)

In addition, two existing Division I teams assumed new athletic identities.

After the 2018–19 school year, Long Island University (LIU) merged the athletic programs of its two main campuses—the Division I LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds and Division II LIU Post Pioneers—into a single program that now plays as the LIU Sharks.^[35] The Sharks inherited the Division I and Northeast Conference memberships of the Brooklyn campus, with some sports to be based in Brooklyn and others at the Post campus in Brookville, New York. Specific to basketball, LIU announced that the unified men's and women's teams in that sport would be based in Brooklyn.

On July 1, 2019, the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) announced that its athletic program, formerly known as the UMKC Kangaroos, would officially become the Kansas City Roos, with "Roos" having long been used as a short form of the former "Kangaroos" nickname.^[36]

Arenas[]

New arenas[]

• Robert Morris moved into the new UPMC Events Center after playing last season at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, a facility at the school's North Athletic Complex. The Colonials played their first game there in November 2019.

Arenas closing[]

• James Madison played its final season at the JMU Convocation Center, home to the Dukes since 1982. The final game at the arena on February 29 was a women's game in which the Dukes defeated Delaware 69–64. JMU opened Atlantic Union Bank Center for the 2020–21 season.^[37]
• This was Liberty's final season playing games full-time at the Vines Center, home to the Flames since 1990. The school opened the adjoining Liberty Arena, with less than half of the capacity at Vines Center, for the 2020–21 season. The Vines Center will continue to be used for games in which attendance is expected to exceed 4,000.^[38]
• This was intended to be High Point's final season at the Millis Athletic Convocation Center, home to the Panthers since 1992. They planned to open the new for the 2020–21 season.^[39] However, construction delays brought on by COVID-19 led High Point to delay the new arena's opening until 2021–22.^[40]

Temporary arenas[]

• Immediately after the 2018–19 season, Duquesne began an extensive renovation of the on-campus Palumbo Center. When the venue reopens, expected for the 2020–21 school year, it will be renamed UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, via a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the family foundation of late Duquesne star Chuck Cooper, the first African American selected in an NBA draft. At the time of announcement, the final capacity of the renovated venue had not been determined, but Duquesne's athletic director expected it to have about the same capacity as the pre-renovation Palumbo Center (4,390). Duquesne's temporary home venue had also not yet been announced, but it was expected that PPG Paints Arena would be used for at least some men's home games.^[41][42] Duquesne revealed its plans for the 2019–20 women's season in two phases, announcing its non-conference schedule on September 5, 2019^[43] and its conference schedule on September 30.^[44] The following four venues will be used:
  • PPG Paints Arena will host two games. The first is the season opener; it will be the second leg of a doubleheader with the men's team. The second will be the opening leg of a doubleheader with the men.
  • One game will be at Donahue Pavilion on the campus of Oakland Catholic High School in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood.
  • The bulk of the women's schedule, nine games in all, will be at the Kerr Fitness Center on the campus of La Roche University in the northern suburb of McCandless.
  • The season finale will be at Robert Morris' new UPMC Events Center.

Season outlook[]

Pre-season polls[]

The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.

Associated Press Ranking Team 1 Oregon (25) 2 Baylor (3) 3 Stanford 4 Maryland 5 UConn 6 Texas A&M 7 Oregon State 8 South Carolina 9 Louisville 10 Mississippi State 11 UCLA 12 Florida State 13 Kentucky 14 NC State 15 Texas 16 Notre Dame 17 Michigan State 18 DePaul Miami (FL) 20 Arizona State 21 Syracuse 22 Arkansas 23 Minnesota 24 Indiana 25 Michigan

USA Today Coaches Ranking Team 1 Oregon (24) 2 Baylor (8) 3 Stanford 4 UConn 5 Maryland 6 Oregon State 7 Texas A&M 8 Mississippi State 9 Louisville 10 South Carolina 11 UCLA 12 NC State 13 Florida State 14 Notre Dame 15 Texas 16 Kentucky 17 Syracuse 18 Arizona State 19 Miami (FL) 20 DePaul 21 Michigan State 22 Arkansas 23 Gonzaga 24 Michigan Iowa State

Regular season[]

Early season tournaments[]

Name	Dates	Location	No. teams	Champion
Preseason WNIT	November 8–17	Campus Sites	16	Oregon State
Cancún Challenge	November 28–30	Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort (Cancún, MX)	10	Florida Gulf Coast
Junkanoo Jam	November 28–30	Gateway Christian Academy (Bimini, Bahamas)	10	LSU
Greater Victoria Invitational	November 28–30	University of Victoria (Saanich, British Columbia)	8	Stanford
Paradise Jam Tournament	November 28–30	Sports and Fitness Center (Saint Thomas, VI)	8	Louisville (Island Division) Indiana/South Carolina (Reef Division)
Daytona Beach Invitational	November 29–30	Ocean Center (Daytona Beach, FL)	10	Georgia Maryland
Gulf Coast Showcase	November 29–December 1	Hertz Arena (Estero, FL)	8	Gonzaga
West Palm Beach Invitational	December 19–21	Student Life Center (West Palm Beach, FL)	10	Wake Forest
Duel in the Desert	December 19–21	Cox Pavilion (Las Vegas, NV)	4	Mississippi State

Upsets[]

An upset is a victory by an underdog team. In the context of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball, this generally constitutes an unranked team defeating a team currently ranked in the Top 25. This list will highlight those upsets of ranked teams by unranked teams as well as upsets of #1 teams. Rankings are from the AP poll. Bold type indicates winning teams in "true road games"—i.e., those played on an opponent's home court (including secondary homes).

Winner	Score	Loser	Date	Tournament/Event
Missouri State	77–69	#23 Minnesota	November 5, 2019
South Florida	64–57	#15 Texas	November 8, 2019
Tennessee	74–63	#15 Notre Dame	November 11, 2019
Minnesota	80–66	#19 Arizona State	November 17, 2019
Arizona	83–58	#22 Texas	November 17, 2019
Notre Dame	76–72	#21 Michigan	November 23, 2019
California	84–80	#20 Arkansas	November 24, 2019
South Dakota State	61–50	#21 South Florida	November 28, 2019	Cancún Challenge
	82–75	#23 West Virginia	November 28, 2019	Cancún Challenge
Florida Gulf Coast	81–77	#21 South Florida	November 29, 2019	Cancún Challenge
LSU	58–56	#15 Michigan State	November 29, 2019
Notre Dame	67–51	#21 South Florida	November 30, 2019	Cancún Challenge
#8 Louisville	72–62	#1 Oregon	November 30, 2019	Paradise Jam
	79–73OT	#18 Syracuse	November 30, 2019
Ohio State	67–60	#2 Louisville	December 5, 2019	ACC–Big Ten Women's Challenge
Oklahoma	90–68	#25 LSU	December 7, 2019	Big 12/SEC Women's Challenge
West Virginia	71–65	#10 Mississippi State	December 8, 2019	Big 12/SEC Women's Challenge
Texas	66–60	#17 Tennessee	December 8, 2019	Big 12/SEC Women's Challenge
Syracuse	77–63	#19 Michigan State	December 20, 2019	Florida Sunshine Classic
Texas	69–64	#1 Stanford	December 22, 2019
Ohio State	66–63	#24 Minnesota	December 31, 2019
Northwestern	81–58	#12 Maryland	December 31, 2019
Syracuse	90–89OT	#8 Florida State	January 2, 2020
Georgia Tech	61–54	#23 Miami	January 2, 2020
TCU	65–63	#25 Texas	January 3, 2020
Nebraska	72–58	#24 Minnesota	January 4, 2020
#6 Baylor	74–58	#1 UConn	January 9, 2020
Ohio State	78–69	#24 Michigan	January 9, 2020
North Carolina	66–60	#9 NC State	January 9, 2020	Rivalry
Georgia Tech	67–52	#11 Florida State	January 9, 2020
Iowa	66–61	#17 Maryland	January 9, 2020
LSU	57–54	#10 Texas A&M	January 9, 2020
Arizona State	72–66	#2 Oregon	January 10, 2020
Arizona State	55–47	#3 Oregon State	January 12, 2020
Iowa	91–852OT	#12 Indiana	January 12, 2020
Oklahoma	73–49	#17 West Virginia	January 15, 2019
Northwestern	71–69OT	#15 Indiana	January 16, 2020
	70–68	#19 Missouri State	January 17, 2020
USC	70–682OT	#7 UCLA	January 17, 2020	Rivalry
LSU	65–59	#11 Kentucky	January 19, 2020
Oklahoma State	57–55	#25 West Virginia	January 22, 2020
Georgia	64–55	#21 Arkansas	January 23, 2020
TCU	73–60	#25 West Virginia	January 26, 2020
Boston College	65–56	#14 Florida State	January 30, 2020
Creighton	63–61	#11 DePaul	January 31, 2020
Michigan	78–63	#18 Iowa	February 2, 2020
Florida	70–62	#13 Kentucky	February 2, 2020
LSU	59–58	#15 Texas A&M	February 2, 2020
	70–60	#11 Gonzaga	February 8, 2020
Syracuse	59–51	#5 Louisville	February 9, 2020
LSU	75–65	#25 Tennessee	February 13, 2020
USC	72–66	#11 Oregon State	February 14, 2020
Duke	66–64	#14 Florida State	February 16, 2020
Georgia Tech	65–61	#4 NC State	February 16, 2020
Ohio State	80–76	#20 Indiana	February 16, 2020
	76–58	#12 DePaul	February 23, 2020
Alabama	66–64	#9 Mississippi State	February 23, 2020
Colorado	50–38	#11 Arizona	February 23, 2020
Washington	74–68	#8 UCLA	February 23, 2020
Utah	75–71	#21 Arizona State	February 23, 2020
Florida	83–80	#22 Arkansas	February 23, 2020
Georgia Tech	65–62	#17 Florida State	February 23, 2020
Duke	70–65	#8 NC State	February 24, 2020	Play4Kay
Texas	77–67	#25 TCU	February 26, 2020
Alabama	76–63	#12 Texas A&M	February 27, 2020
	78–66	#21 Missouri State	February 27, 2020
Rutgers	78–74OT	#18 Iowa	March 1, 2020
Texas Tech	87–83	#25 TCU	March 1, 2020
	90–83	#16 DePaul	March 1, 2020
Vanderbilt	70–64	#15 Kentucky	March 1, 2020
California	55–54	#13 Arizona	March 1, 2020
Notre Dame	70–67	#19 Florida State	March 1, 2020
California	71–67	#24 Arizona State	March 5, 2020	Pac-12 Tournament
Michigan	67–59	#11 Northwestern	March 7, 2020	Big Ten Tournament
Ohio State	87–66	#19 Iowa	March 7, 2020	Big Ten Tournament
Iowa State	57–56	#2 Baylor	March 8, 2020
Portland	70–69	#11 Gonzaga	March 9, 2020	WCC Tournament

Conference winners and tournaments[]

Each of the 32 Division I athletic conferences ends its regular season with a single-elimination tournament. The team with the best regular-season record in each conference is given the number one seed in each tournament, with tiebreakers used as needed in the case of ties for the top seeding. The winners of these tournaments receive automatic invitations to the 2020 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.

Conference	Regular season first place	Conference Player of the Year	Conference Coach of the Year	Conference tournament	Tournament venue (city)	Tournament winner
America East Conference	Stony Brook	Kai Moon, [45]	, Stony Brook[45]	2020 America East Women's Basketball Tournament	Campus sites	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
American Athletic Conference	UConn	Megan Walker, UConn[46]	Geno Auriemma, UConn[46]	2020 American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT)	UConn
Atlantic 10 Conference		Bre Cavanaugh, Fordham[47]	Shauna Green, Dayton[47]	2020 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Tournament	First round: Campus sites Remainder: UD Arena (Dayton, OH)
Atlantic Coast Conference	Louisville	Dana Evans, Louisville[48]	Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, Boston College[48]	2020 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament	Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)	NC State
Atlantic Sun Conference	Florida Gulf Coast	Keri Jewett-Giles, Florida Gulf Coast[49]	Karl Smesko, Florida Gulf Coast[49]	2020 Atlantic Sun Women's Basketball Tournament	Campus sites	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Big 12 Conference	Baylor	Lauren Cox, Baylor[50]	Kim Mulkey, Baylor[50]	2020 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City, MO)	Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
Big East Conference	DePaul	Jaylyn Agnew, [51]	Megan Duffy, [51]	2020 Big East Women's Basketball Tournament	Wintrust Arena (Chicago, IL)	DePaul
Big Sky Conference		Fallyn Freije, Montana State[52]	, Montana State[53]	2020 Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	CenturyLink Arena (Boise, ID)	Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
Big South Conference		Camryn Brown, [54]	, Campbell[54]	2020 Big South Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	First round: Campus sites Quarterfinals/semifinals: #1 seed Final: Top surviving seed	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Big Ten Conference	Maryland[a] and Northwestern	Kathleen Doyle, Iowa[55]	Joe McKeown, Northwestern[55]	2020 Big Ten Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)	Maryland
Big West Conference		Raina Perez, [56]	Jennifer Gross, UC Davis[56]	2020 Big West Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	First round and quarterfinals: Walter Pyramid (Long Beach, CA) Semifinals and final: Honda Center (Anaheim, CA)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Colonial Athletic Association	Drexel[a] and James Madison	Kamiah Smalls, James Madison[57]	Denise Dillon, Drexel & , [57]	2020 CAA Women's Basketball Tournament	Schar Center (Elon, NC)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Conference USA		Erica Ogwumike, Rice[58]	Nikki McCray, [58]	2020 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament	Ford Center (Frisco, TX)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Horizon League		Macee Williams, IUPUI[59]	, IUPUI[59]	2020 Horizon League Women's Basketball Tournament	Quarterfinals: Campus sites Semifinals and final: Indiana Farmers Coliseum (Indianapolis, IN)	IUPUI
Ivy League	Princeton	Bella Alarie, Princeton[60]	Carla Berube, Princeton[60]	2020 Ivy League Women's Basketball Tournament	Lavietes Pavilion (Boston, MA)	Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic[61]
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference	and [a]	Stella Johnson, Rider[62]	, Rider[63]	2020 MAAC Women's Basketball Tournament	Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Mid-American Conference	(East) (West)	Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan[64]	Heather Oesterle, Central Michigan[64]	2020 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	First round: Campus sites Remainder: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference		Chanette Hicks, [65]	, [65]	2020 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament	Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Missouri Valley Conference	Missouri State	Becca Hittner, [66]	Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, Missouri State[66]	2020 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	TaxSlayer Center (Moline, IL)	Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
Mountain West Conference		Maddi Utti, Fresno State[67]	, Fresno State[67]	2020 Mountain West Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Thomas & Mack Center (Paradise, NV)	Boise State
Northeast Conference		Denia Davis-Stewart, [68]	Charlie Buscaglia, Robert Morris[68]	2020 Northeast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Campus sites	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Ohio Valley Conference	[a] and	Chelsey Perry, UT Martin[69]	, [69]	2020 Ohio Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Ford Center (Evansville, IN)	Southeast Missouri State
Pac-12 Conference	Oregon	Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon[70][71]	Kelly Graves, Oregon[70][71]	2020 Pac-12 Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Mandalay Bay Events Center (Paradise, NV)	Oregon
Patriot League		Ellie Mack, Bucknell[72]	, Bucknell[72]	2020 Patriot League Women's Basketball Tournament	Campus sites	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Southeastern Conference	South Carolina	Rhyne Howard, Kentucky[73]	Dawn Staley, South Carolina[73]	2020 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament	Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, SC)	South Carolina
Southern Conference	Chattanooga, Samford[a] and UNC Greensboro	Nadine Soliman, UNC Greensboro[74]	, UNC Greensboro (coaches & media) , Samford (media)[74]	2020 Southern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Harrah's Cherokee Center (Asheville, NC)	Samford
Southland Conference	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi	Breanna Wright, Abilene Christian[75]	, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi[75]	2020 Southland Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Leonard E. Merrell Center (Katy, TX)	Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
Southwestern Athletic Conference		Ciane Cryor, [76]	, Jackson State[76]	2020 SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament	Quarterfinals: Campus sites Semifinals and final: Bartow Arena (Birmingham, AL)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
Summit League	South Dakota	Ciara Duffy, South Dakota[77]	Dawn Plitzuweit, South Dakota[77]	2020 Summit League Women's Basketball Tournament	Denny Sanford Premier Center (Sioux Falls, SD)	South Dakota
Sun Belt Conference	Coastal Carolina	DJ Williams, Coastal Carolina[78]	, Coastal Carolina[78]	2020 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	First three rounds: Campus sites Semifinals and final: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)	Tournament canceled in progress due to coronavirus pandemic
West Coast Conference	Gonzaga	Jill Townsend, Gonzaga[79]	Cindy Fisher, [79]	2020 West Coast Conference Women's Basketball Tournament	Orleans Arena (Paradise, NV)	Portland
Western Athletic Conference		Ericka Mattingly, Kansas City[80]	Jacie Hoyt, Kansas City[80]	2020 WAC Women's Basketball Tournament		Tournament canceled due to coronavirus pandemic

Statistical leaders[]

Points per game
Player	School	PPG		Player	School	RPG		Player	School	APG		Player	School	SPG
Stella Johnson	Rider	24.8			UC Santa Barbara	13.0		Sabrina Ionescu	Oregon	9.1			Loyola (MD)	5.17
Rhyne Howard	Kentucky	23.4			Lafayette	12.8			Boise State	8.2			Norfolk State	4.89
Chelsey Perry	UT Martin	23.1		Natasha Mack	Oklahoma State	12.5			UC Irvine	6.9			East Carolina	4.17
	Buffalo	22.0			Belmont	12.3			Longwood	6.5			Texas Southern	3.83
Micaela Kelly	Central Michigan	21.5			UNLV	11.8			Virginia Tech	6.5			Ohio	3.66

				Field goal percentage				Three-point field goal percentage				Free throw percentage
Player	School	BPG		Player	School	FG%		Player	School	3FG%		Player	School	FT%
	BYU	4.72		Ruthy Hebard	Oregon	.685			Bowling Green	.480		Jaylyn Agnew	Creighton	.950
Brittany Brewer	Texas Tech	4.38			Iowa	.679			Northwestern	.477			San Jose State	.925
Natasha Mack	Oklahoma State	3.56			Alabama A&M	.652			Wofford	.474		Eva Hodgson	William & Mary	.912
	Nebraska	3.37			Drake	.650			Utah	.472			Milwaukee	.908
	Rice	3.21			North Texas	.646			DePaul	.460			Missouri State	.906

Postseason[]

NCAA Tournament[]

Conference standings[]

2019–20 America East Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Stony Brook 14 – 2   .875 28 – 3   .903 Maine 12 – 4   .750 16 – 14   .533 UMass Lowell 11 – 5   .688 15 – 14   .517 10 – 6   .625 21 – 8   .724 7 – 9   .438 10 – 18   .357 6 – 10   .375 12 – 17   .414 6 – 10   .375 10 – 17   .370 5 – 11   .313 9 – 20   .310 Hartford 1 – 15   .063 1 – 28   .034 † 2020 America East Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 5 UConn 16 – 0   1.000 26 – 3   .897 Cincinnati 11 – 5   .688 20 – 9   .690 UCF 11 – 5   .688 19 – 9   .679 South Florida 10 – 6   .625 18 – 12   .600 Tulane 8 – 8   .500 13 – 16   .448 7 – 9   .438 15 – 14   .517 7 – 9   .438 15 – 14   .517 7 – 9   .438 13 – 15   .464 6 – 10   .375 9 – 20   .310 5 – 11   .313 12 – 18   .400 4 – 12   .250 13 – 16   .448 4 – 12   .250 9 – 20   .310 † 2020 AAC Tournament winner As of March 4, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll	v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT † 15 – 1   .938 25 – 8   .758 VCU 13 – 3   .813 20 – 12   .625 Fordham 11 – 5   .688 21 – 10   .677 9 – 7   .563 20 – 11   .645 9 – 7   .563 20 – 11   .645 9 – 7   .563 19 – 13   .594 8 – 8   .500 16 – 15   .516 8 – 8   .500 14 – 16   .467 Richmond 7 – 9   .438 15 – 17   .469 7 – 9   .438 13 – 17   .433 6 – 10   .375 13 – 16   .448 4 – 12   .250 7 – 23   .233 3 – 13   .188 9 – 20   .310 3 – 13   .188 9 – 21   .300 † 2020 A10 Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 ACC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 6 Louisville 16 – 2   .889 28 – 4   .875 No. 8 NC State† 14 – 4   .778 28 – 4   .875 Duke 12 – 6   .667 18 – 12   .600 No. 18 Florida State 11 – 7   .611 24 – 8   .750 Virginia Tech 11 – 7   .611 21 – 9   .700 Boston College 11 – 7   .611 20 – 12   .625 Georgia Tech 10 – 8   .556 20 – 11   .645 Syracuse 9 – 9   .500 16 – 15   .516 Virginia 8 – 10   .444 13 – 17   .433 Notre Dame 8 – 10   .444 13 – 18   .419 Miami (FL) 7 – 11   .389 15 – 15   .500 North Carolina 7 – 11   .389 16 – 14   .533 Wake Forest 7 – 11   .389 16 – 16   .500 Clemson 3 – 15   .167 8 – 23   .258 Pittsburgh 1 – 17   .056 5 – 26   .161 † 2020 ACC Tournament winner As of March 5, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 ASUN women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Florida Gulf Coast 15 – 1   .938 28 – 3   .903 North Alabama* 11 – 5   .688 20 – 8   .714 11 – 5   .688 18 – 11   .621 10 – 6   .625 18 – 11   .621 8 – 8   .500 15 – 14   .517 6 – 10   .375 13 – 15   .464 6 – 10   .375 12 – 17   .414 4 – 12   .250 7 – 22   .241 1 – 15   .063 4 – 25   .138 * ineligible for the 2020 NCAA Tournament due to transition period † 2020 ASUN Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 15 DePaul 15 – 3   .833 28 – 5   .848 13 – 5   .722 24 – 8   .750 11 – 7   .611 19 – 11   .633 11 – 7   .611 19 – 11   .633 11 – 7   .611 19 – 12   .613 St. John's 11 – 7   .611 19 – 12   .613 11 – 7   .611 18 – 13   .581 3 – 15   .167 13 – 19   .406 2 – 16   .111 5 – 25   .167 2 – 16   .111 3 – 27   .100 † 2020 Big East Tournament winner As of April 1, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 Big Sky women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 17 – 1   .944 21 – 6   .778 13 – 5   .722 18 – 9   .667 Idaho State 12 – 6   .667 16 – 11   .593 12 – 7   .632 15 – 13   .536 11 – 7   .611 16 – 11   .593 10 – 8   .556 16 – 11   .593 8 – 10   .444 12 – 15   .444 7 – 11   .389 13 – 15   .464 6 – 13   .316 8 – 20   .286 3 – 15   .167 4 – 23   .148 1 – 17   .056 3 – 24   .111 † 2020 Big Sky Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Big South women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 16 – 4   .800 21 – 8   .724 15 – 5   .750 17 – 12   .586 14 – 6   .700 18 – 11   .621 14 – 6   .700 16 – 13   .552 13 – 7   .650 18 – 11   .621 9 – 11   .450 15 – 14   .517 8 – 12   .400 12 – 17   .414 8 – 12   .400 11 – 18   .379 7 – 13   .350 11 – 18   .379 4 – 16   .200 9 – 20   .310 2 – 18   .100 4 – 25   .138 † 2020 Big South Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Big Ten women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 4 Maryland† 16 – 2   .889 28 – 4   .875 No. 12 Northwestern 16 – 2   .889 26 – 4   .867 No. 21 Iowa 14 – 4   .778 23 – 7   .767 No. 20 Indiana 13 – 5   .722 24 – 8   .750 Rutgers 11 – 7   .611 22 – 9   .710 Ohio State 11 – 7   .611 21 – 12   .636 Michigan 10 – 8   .556 21 – 11   .656 Michigan State 9 – 9   .500 16 – 14   .533 Purdue 8 – 10   .444 18 – 14   .563 Nebraska 7 – 11   .389 17 – 13   .567 Minnesota 5 – 13   .278 16 – 15   .516 Wisconsin 3 – 15   .167 12 – 19   .387 Illinois 2 – 16   .111 11 – 19   .367 Penn State 1 – 17   .056 7 – 23   .233 † 2020 Big Ten Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 Big 12 Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 3 Baylor 17 – 1   .944 28 – 2   .933 TCU 13 – 5   .722 22 – 7   .759 Texas 11 – 7   .611 19 – 11   .633 Iowa State 10 – 8   .556 18 – 11   .621 Kansas State 10 – 8   .556 16 – 13   .552 Texas Tech 7 – 11   .389 18 – 11   .621 West Virginia 7 – 11   .389 17 – 12   .586 Oklahoma State 6 – 12   .333 15 – 15   .500 Oklahoma 5 – 13   .278 12 – 18   .400 Kansas 4 – 14   .222 15 – 14   .517 † 2020 Big 12 Tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll [81]	2019–20 Big West women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 11 – 3   .786 16 – 11   .593 8 – 6   .571 16 – 11   .593 8 – 6   .571 14 – 13   .519 8 – 7   .533 13 – 15   .464 7 – 7   .500 11 – 17   .393 6 – 8   .429 11 – 16   .407 6 – 8   .429 11 – 17   .393 6 – 9   .400 9 – 17   .346 4 – 10   .286 8 – 20   .286 † 2020 Big West Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 CAA women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Drexel 16 – 2   .889 23 – 7   .767 James Madison 16 – 2   .889 25 – 4   .862 12 – 6   .667 21 – 8   .724 9 – 9   .500 14 – 15   .483 9 – 9   .500 13 – 16   .448 8 – 10   .444 12 – 17   .414 Delaware 8 – 10   .444 14 – 16   .467 6 – 12   .333 13 – 17   .433 6 – 12   .333 10 – 20   .333 0 – 18   .000 3 – 27   .100 † 2020 CAA Tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 Conference USA women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 16 – 2   .889 21 – 8   .724 14 – 4   .778 24 – 6   .800 14 – 4   .778 22 – 7   .759 13 – 5   .722 21 – 9   .700 UAB 12 – 6   .667 20 – 10   .667 11 – 7   .611 20 – 9   .690 8 – 10   .444 15 – 14   .517 7 – 11   .389 15 – 14   .517 7 – 11   .389 13 – 16   .448 7 – 11   .389 12 – 17   .414 6 – 12   .333 14 – 15   .483 6 – 12   .333 12 – 18   .400 3 – 15   .167 6 – 23   .207 2 – 16   .111 6 – 23   .207 † 2020 C-USA Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Horizon League women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT † 15 – 3   .833 23 – 8   .742 13 – 5   .722 19 – 12   .613 13 – 5   .722 19 – 13   .594 12 – 6   .667 20 – 12   .625 11 – 7   .611 15 – 16   .484 9 – 9   .500 21 – 11   .656 6 – 12   .333 13 – 17   .433 6 – 12   .333 11 – 19   .367 3 – 15   .167 3 – 27   .100 2 – 16   .111 3 – 27   .100 † 2020 Horizon League Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Ivy League women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 22 Princeton 14 – 0   1.000 26 – 1   .963 10 – 4   .714 20 – 7   .741 9 – 5   .643 18 – 8   .692 8 – 6   .571 17 – 10   .630 6 – 8   .429 15 – 12   .556 4 – 10   .286 10 – 17   .370 3 – 11   .214 10 – 16   .385 2 – 12   .143 8 – 19   .296 † 2020 Ivy League Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021 Ivy League Tournament canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 MAAC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 18 – 2   .900 26 – 4   .867 18 – 2   .900 26 – 4   .867 12 – 8   .600 16 – 14   .533 12 – 8   .600 15 – 14   .517 12 – 8   .600 15 – 14   .517 8 – 12   .400 11 – 20   .355 8 – 12   .400 9 – 21   .300 7 – 13   .350 10 – 21   .323 6 – 14   .300 9 – 21   .300 5 – 15   .250 9 – 22   .290 4 – 16   .200 5 – 25   .167 † 2020 MAAC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT East 10 – 6   .625 17 – 10   .630 Ohio 10 – 6   .625 17 – 10   .630 Buffalo 7 – 9   .438 16 – 11   .593 7 – 9   .438 14 – 13   .519 4 – 12   .250 11 – 17   .393 2 – 14   .125 9 – 19   .321 West 15 – 1   .938 22 – 5   .815 Ball State 12 – 4   .750 20 – 8   .714 9 – 7   .563 16 – 11   .593 9 – 7   .563 14 – 13   .519 6 – 10   .375 11 – 16   .407 5 – 11   .313 9 – 18   .333 † 2020 MAC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 MEAC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 15 – 1   .938 22 – 5   .815 12 – 4   .750 18 – 11   .621 12 – 4   .750 16 – 13   .552 11 – 5   .688 19 – 9   .679 9 – 7   .563 12 – 17   .414 8 – 8   .500 12 – 17   .414 7 – 9   .438 16 – 14   .533 5 – 11   .313 9 – 21   .300 4 – 12   .250 6 – 21   .222 3 – 13   .188 3 – 25   .107 2 – 14   .125 3 – 27   .100 † 2020 MEAC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 23 Missouri State 16 – 2   .889 26 – 4   .867 14 – 4   .778 22 – 8   .733 13 – 5   .722 22 – 7   .759 11 – 7   .611 19 – 10   .655 10 – 8   .556 18 – 11   .621 Valparaiso 9 – 9   .500 17 – 12   .586 8 – 10   .444 16 – 13   .552 6 – 12   .333 15 – 14   .517 3 – 15   .167 5 – 25   .167 0 – 18   .000 3 – 26   .103 † 2020 MVC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Mountain West Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 16 – 2   .889 24 – 6   .800 Boise State † 13 – 5   .722 22 – 9   .710 Wyoming 12 – 6   .667 16 – 11   .593 12 – 6   .667 19 – 11   .633 9 – 9   .500 14 – 17   .452 9 – 9   .500 13 – 17   .433 7 – 11   .389 15 – 16   .484 7 – 11   .389 10 – 21   .323 New Mexico 6 – 12   .333 15 – 17   .469 6 – 12   .333 12 – 18   .400 2 – 16   .111 8 – 22   .267 † 2020 MW Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Northeast Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Robert Morris 17 – 1   .944 22 – 7   .759 Mount St. Mary's 14 – 4   .778 19 – 11   .633 Merrimack* 13 – 5   .722 20 – 9   .690 Fairleigh Dickinson 9 – 9   .500 12 – 17   .414 Sacred Heart 9 – 9   .500 12 – 17   .414 Saint Francis (PA) 9 – 9   .500 11 – 18   .379 Wagner 7 – 11   .389 11 – 18   .379 Bryant 7 – 11   .389 9 – 20   .310 LIU 7 – 11   .389 8 – 21   .276 St. Francis Brooklyn 4 – 14   .222 8 – 21   .276 Central Connecticut 3 – 15   .167 4 – 25   .138 *Ineligible for NEC championship (reclassification from Division II) † 2020 NEC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 16 – 2   .889 21 – 8   .724 16 – 2   .889 20 – 9   .690 † 14 – 4   .778 22 – 7   .759 12 – 6   .667 18 – 11   .621 10 – 8   .556 17 – 12   .586 10 – 8   .556 14 – 15   .483 9 – 9   .500 18 – 11   .621 7 – 11   .389 14 – 15   .483 6 – 12   .333 10 – 20   .333 5 – 13   .278 11 – 18   .379 2 – 16   .111 4 – 24   .143 1 – 17   .056 3 – 26   .103 † 2020 OVC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 2 Oregon† 17 – 1   .944 31 – 2   .939 No. 10 UCLA 14 – 4   .778 26 – 5   .839 No. 7 Stanford 14 – 4   .778 27 – 6   .818 No. 13 Arizona 12 – 6   .667 24 – 7   .774 No. 14 Oregon State 10 – 8   .556 23 – 9   .719 No. 25 Arizona State 10 – 8   .556 20 – 11   .645 USC 8 – 10   .444 17 – 14   .548 Utah 6 – 12   .333 14 – 17   .452 Colorado 5 – 13   .278 16 – 14   .533 Washington 5 – 13   .278 13 – 17   .433 Washington State 4 – 14   .222 11 – 20   .355 California 3 – 15   .167 12 – 19   .387 † 2020 Pac-12 Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Patriot League women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 15 – 2   .882 22 – 6   .786 11 – 6   .647 19 – 9   .679 11 – 6   .647 16 – 12   .571 11 – 6   .647 15 – 12   .556 10 – 7   .588 17 – 11   .607 8 – 8   .500 16 – 11   .593 7 – 10   .412 11 – 16   .407 5 – 11   .313 8 – 19   .296 4 – 13   .235 8 – 20   .286 2 – 15   .118 7 – 21   .250 † 2020 Patriot League Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 SEC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 1 South Carolina† 16 – 0   1.000 32 – 1   .970 No. 9 Mississippi State 13 – 3   .813 27 – 6   .818 No. 24 Arkansas 10 – 6   .625 24 – 8   .750 No. 16 Kentucky 10 – 6   .625 22 – 8   .733 No. 19 Texas A&M 10 – 6   .625 22 – 8   .733 Tennessee 10 – 6   .625 21 – 10   .677 LSU 9 – 7   .563 20 – 10   .667 Alabama 8 – 8   .500 18 – 12   .600 Georgia 7 – 9   .438 17 – 14   .548 Florida 6 – 10   .375 15 – 15   .500 Missouri 5 – 11   .313 9 – 22   .290 Vanderbilt 4 – 12   .250 14 – 16   .467 Auburn 4 – 12   .250 11 – 18   .379 Ole Miss 0 – 16   .000 7 – 23   .233 † 2020 SEC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Southern Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT UNC Greensboro 10 – 4   .714 21 – 8   .724 Samford† 10 – 4   .714 15 – 14   .517 Chattanooga 10 – 4   .714 11 – 17   .393 8 – 6   .571 12 – 11   .522 8 – 6   .571 15 – 14   .517 4 – 10   .286 9 – 20   .310 Mercer 4 – 10   .286 7 – 22   .241 2 – 12   .143 5 – 24   .172 † 2020 SoCon Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Southland Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Texas A&M-CC 17 – 3   .850 23 – 7   .767 Abilene Christian 16 – 4   .800 24 – 5   .828 Stephen F. Austin 16 – 4   .800 23 – 6   .793 Sam Houston State 14 – 6   .700 19 – 10   .655 New Orleans 13 – 7   .650 17 – 12   .586 Incarnate Word 10 – 10   .500 14 – 15   .483 Nicholls 10 – 10   .500 13 – 16   .448 Central Arkansas 9 – 11   .450 13 – 16   .448 Southeastern Louisiana 9 – 11   .450 12 – 17   .414 Lamar 6 – 14   .300 10 – 19   .345 Houston Baptist 4 – 16   .200 8 – 21   .276 Northwestern State 4 – 16   .200 7 – 22   .241 McNeese State 2 – 18   .100 5 – 24   .172 † 2020 Southland Tournament winner As of March 7, 2020; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 SWAC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 15 – 1   .938 17 – 9   .654 13 – 3   .813 18 – 9   .667 11 – 5   .688 13 – 14   .481 10 – 6   .625 14 – 13   .519 9 – 7   .563 12 – 16   .429 8 – 8   .500 12 – 16   .429 6 – 9   .400 9 – 17   .346 5 – 12   .294 6 – 21   .222 3 – 13   .188 4 – 23   .148 1 – 16   .059 2 – 26   .071 † 2020 SWAC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 17 South Dakota† 16 – 0   1.000 28 – 2   .933 South Dakota State 13 – 3   .813 22 – 9   .710 9 – 7   .563 15 – 15   .500 9 – 7   .563 15 – 15   .500 9 – 7   .563 15 – 15   .500 7 – 9   .438 11 – 18   .379 6 – 10   .375 15 – 15   .500 2 – 14   .125 7 – 23   .233 1 – 15   .063 5 – 24   .172 † 2020 Summit League Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll	2019–20 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Troy* 16 – 2   .889 25 – 4   .862 Coastal Carolina 15 – 3   .833 25 – 4   .862 UT Arlington 14 – 4   .778 21 – 11   .656 Louisiana 10 – 8   .556 19 – 12   .613 South Alabama 9 – 9   .500 16 – 16   .500 Little Rock 9 – 9   .500 12 – 19   .387 Arkansas State 8 – 10   .444 12 – 18   .400 Appalachian State 8 – 10   .444 11 – 19   .367 Georgia Southern 7 – 11   .389 10 – 19   .345 Texas State 6 – 12   .333 13 – 17   .433 Georgia State 5 – 13   .278 8 – 21   .276 Louisiana–Monroe 1 – 17   .056 3 – 26   .103 † 2020 Sun Belt Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll
2019–20 WAC women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT 12 – 3   .800 19 – 10   .655 10 – 5   .667 15 – 11   .577 9 – 6   .600 12 – 15   .444 8 – 7   .533 13 – 15   .464 8 – 8   .500 11 – 18   .379 7 – 8   .467 15 – 13   .536 6 – 8   .429 12 – 15   .444 * 6 – 9   .400 15 – 15   .500 1 – 13   .071 1 – 26   .037 † 2020 WAC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll *ineligible for the 2020 NCAA Tournament due to transition period	2019–20 West Coast Conference women's basketball standings v t Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT No. 11 Gonzaga 17 – 1   .944 28 – 3   .903 13 – 5   .722 20 – 11   .645 BYU 13 – 5   .722 18 – 11   .621 Portland † 11 – 7   .611 21 – 11   .656 9 – 9   .500 17 – 14   .548 8 – 10   .444 16 – 15   .516 6 – 12   .333 12 – 19   .387 5 – 13   .278 12 – 19   .387 5 – 13   .278 12 – 19   .387 3 – 15   .167 7 – 25   .219 † 2020 WCC Tournament winner As of December 26, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll

Award winners[]

All-America teams[]

The NCAA has never recognized a consensus All-America team in women's basketball. This differs from the practice in men's basketball, in which the NCAA uses a combination of selections by the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) to determine a consensus All-America team. The selection of a consensus team is possible because all four organizations select at least a first and second team, with only the USBWA not selecting a third team.

Before the 2017–18 season, it was impossible for a consensus women's All-America team to be determined because the AP had been the only body that divided its women's selections into separate teams. The USBWA first named separate teams in 2017–18. The women's counterpart to the NABC, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), continues the USBWA's former practice of selecting a single 10-member (plus ties) team. The NCAA does not recognize Sporting News as an All-America selector in women's basketball.

Major player of the year awards[]

• Wooden Award: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[82]
• Naismith Award: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[83]
• Associated Press Player of the Year: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[84]
• Wade Trophy: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[85]
• Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's Player of the Year (USBWA): Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[86]
• espnW National Player of the Year: Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[87]

Major freshman of the year awards[]

• Tamika Catchings Award (USBWA): Aliyah Boston, South Carolina^[86]
• WBCA Freshman of the Year: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina^[88]
• espnW Freshman of the Year: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina^[87]

Major coach of the year awards[]

• Associated Press Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, South Carolina^[84]
• Naismith College Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, South Carolina^[89]
• USBWA National Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, South Carolina^[86]
• WBCA National Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, South Carolina^[90]
• espnW Coach of the Year: Dawn Staley, South Carolina^[87]

Other major awards[]

• Naismith Starting Five:^[91]
  • Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard): Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
  • Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (top shooting guard): Aari McDonald, Arizona
  • Cheryl Miller Award (top small forward): Satou Sabally, Oregon
  • Katrina McClain Award (top power forward): Ruthy Hebard, Oregon
  • Lisa Leslie Award (top center): Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
• WBCA Defensive Player of the Year: DiDi Richards, Baylor^[92]
• Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year: DiDi Richards, Baylor^[93]
• Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award (inaugural award): Ciara Duffy, South Dakota^[94]
• Senior CLASS Award (top senior on and off the court): Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon^[95]
• Maggie Dixon Award (top rookie head coach): Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, Missouri State^[96]
• Academic All-American of the Year (top scholar-athlete): Brittany Brewer, Texas Tech^[97]
• Elite 90 Award (top GPA among upperclass players at Final Four): Not presented due to cancellation of the NCAA Tournament
• Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award: Lauren Cox, Baylor player (along with her sister Whitney, a player at Division II Lubbock Christian)^[98]

Coaching changes[]

Several teams changed coaches during and after the season.

Team	Former coach	Interim coach	New coach	Reason
Alcorn State				Pruitt's contract was not renewed on March 23, ending her 5-year tenure at Alcorn State with a 49–102 overall record.[99] Former Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas Pine-Bluff coach Kilbert, who was an assistant at Alcorn State from 2001-2011, was name the new head coach of the Lady Braves on May 5.[100]
Brown				Behn announced her resignation from Brown on March 23 after 6 seasons and a 74–96 overall record.[101] On April 10, the Bears hired Merrimack head coach LeBlanc for the position.[102]
Cal State Northridge	Jason Flowers			Flowers announced his resignation from CSUN on April 21 after 11 seasons, leaving as the program's winningest coach with 150 wins. His top assistant, Foster, was named as interim head coach.[103]
Chicago State				Opat announced her resignation on April 16 after 2 seasons at Chicago State.[104] Longwood associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Sardin was hired by the Cougars on May 15.[105]
Coppin State			Laura Harper	Coppin State parted ways with Burroughs on March 31 after 4 seasons and a 22–95 overall record.[106] High Point assistant coach Harper was named the new head coach of the Eagles on July 20.[107]
Denver				Denver announced on June 16 that Turgeon, who had been placed on administrative leave since January, will not return after 2½ seasons with the team.[108] On July 22, The Pioneers hired Tulane assistant coach Woods for the open job.[109]
Detroit Mercy				Scott was fired on March 19 after 5 seasons and a 42–109 overall record at UDM.[110] On April 24, the Titans hired Gilbert from D-II Virginia Union as their new head coach.[111]
Drexel	Denise Dillon		Amy Mallon	Dillon left Drexel on March 27 after 17 seasons for the head coaching job at her alma mater Villanova. Not long after Dillon's departure, the Dragons promoted longtime assistant coach Mallon to the head coaching position.[112]
Duke	Joanne P. McCallie		Kara Lawson	On July 2, Joanne P. McCallie stepped down as Duke head coach following 13 seasons.[113] On July 11, Boston Celtics assistant Kara Lawson was hired.[114]
Florida A&M				9 months after having the interim tag removed and being named new head coach, FAMU parted ways with Lynum on April 22 following a 6-21 record this season.[115] Middle Tennessee assistant coach Shalon Pillow was hired as the new head coach of the Lady Rattlers on May 28.[116]
FIU	Tiara Malcom			On April 17, South Florida assistant coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley was named the new head coach at FIU, replacing Tiara Malcom after 4 seasons.[117]
Grand Canyon	Nicole Powell			Powell left GCU on March 30 after three seasons for the head coaching job at UC Riverside.[118] On April 8, the Antelopes hired Miller from D-II Drury University as their new head coach.[119]
Merrimack				LeBlanc left Merrimack on April 10 after 9 seasons for the head coaching job at Brown.[102] On July 23, the Warriors hired Morrone from Division III John Carroll as their new head coach.[120]
Mississippi State	Vic Schaefer		Nikki McCray-Penson	On April 5, Texas hired Vic Schaefer away from Mississippi State following 8 seasons with the Bulldogs.[121] On April 9, Old Dominion head coach Nikki McCray-Penson was hired following 3 seasons as the Lady Monarchs' head coach.[122]
Montana				Montana parted ways with Schweyen on April 1, 2020 after 4 seasons and a 52-69 overall record.[123] Assistant head coach Petrino was named interim head coach of the Lady Griz for the 2020-21 season.[124] After the season ended, Oregon State assistant coach Brian Holsinger was hired on April 13, 2021.[125]
Navy				Pemper was fired on March 10 after 12 seasons at the Naval Academy, leaving as the program's winningest coach with 214 wins.[126] North Carolina asst. Tim Taylor, who previously spent 3 different stints as an asst. at the University of Virginia, was hired as head coach of the Midshipmen on April 28.[127]
New Hampshire	Maureen Magarity	Kelsey Hogan		Magarity left New Hampshire on April 14 after 10 seasons for the Holy Cross head coaching position.[128] UNH initially named associate head coach Hogan, who had been on the Wildcats staff since she completed her playing career with the team in 2014, as interim head coach the following day,[129] and had the interim tag removed on August 10.[130]
North Dakota				North Dakota's athletic director announced on March 11, 2020 that Brewster will not return as head coach after 9 seasons at UND, in which the Fighting Hawks went 128–120 overall.[131] Associate head coach Bernhard initially served as the interim head coach for the 2020–21 season,[132] and had the interim tag removed on March 17, 2021 and was officially named the new head coach.[133]
Northwestern State		Aaron Swinson		Dupuy announced his resignation from Northwestern State on January 26 after 3½ seasons. During his tenure, the Lady Demons went 36–60, including a 5–13 overall record and 2–7 record in conference play at the time of his resignation. Assistant coach Swinson served as the team's interim head coach for the rest of the season.[134] On March 18, the school initially hired Missy Bilderback from Jones College of the NJCAA as their new head coach,[135] but on April 6, Bilderback backed out and returned to Jones College.[136] The school would then hire UT Rio Grand Valley associate head coach Nimz on April 11.[137]
Notre Dame	Muffet McGraw		Niele Ivey	McGraw retired on April 22 after 33 years at Notre Dame.[138] Following the announcement, former Fighting Irish player and Memphis Grizzlies assistant Niele Ivey was hired.[139]
Old Dominion	Nikki McCray-Penson		DeLisha Milton-Jones	McCray-Penson left for the Mississippi State vacancy on April 9 after 3 seasons as the Lady Monarchs' head coach.[122] On April 17, ODU hired Syracuse assistant Milton-Jones.[140]
Omaha	Brittany Lange			Lange's contract with Omaha was not renewed on March 9, ending her 7-year tenure at the school with a 80–124 overall record.[141] Ohio State assistant coach Banks was named the new head coach of the Mavericks on April 8.[142]
Tennessee State				Kern initially took a temporary leave from Tennessee State on December 6,[143] but announced her resignation from TSU sometime after the season was over. Auburn associate head coach Evans was named the new head coach of the Lady Tigers on August 19.[144]
Texas	Karen Aston		Vic Schaefer	Aston was dismissed on April 3 despite a 184–83 overall record in eight seasons, including four straight Sweet Sixteen appearances from 2015–18; however, the Longhorns went 1–18 against Baylor during her tenure.[145] On April 5, Texas hired Vic Schaefer away from Mississippi State following 8 seasons with the Bulldogs.[121]
Texas Tech	Marlene Stollings		Krista Gerlich	Texas Tech fired Stollings on August 6 after 2 seasons following allegations of player abuse in the program.[146] On August 18, UT Arlington head coach and former Lady Raider star player Gerlich was named the new head coach of the team.[147]
UC Riverside			Nicole Powell	Margartis announced his resignation on September 13 after 15 seasons at UC Riverside, a day after being placed on unpaid leave when the school launched an investigation into accusations of emotional and verbal abuse by current and former UC Riverside players against him. Assistant coach Bell was named interim head coach of the Highlanders for the 2019–20 season.[148] On March 30, the school hired Grand Canyon head coach Nicole Powell.[118]
UNC Asheville	Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick			Mock Kirkpatrick announced her resignation from UNC Asheville on April 7 after 8 seasons and a 117–137 overall record. Almost immediately after Mock Kirkpatrick's resignation, the Bulldogs promoted associate head coach Brown to fill the vacancy.[149]
UNLV	Kathy Olivier			Olivier announced her resignation on March 6 after 12 seasons at her alma mater, finishing with a 182–193 overall record with only one postseason tournament appearance.[150] On March 18, Stanford assistant coach and Las Vegas native La Racque was named the new head coach of the Lady Rebels.[151]
USC Upstate				George resigned on May 9 after 15 seasons at USC Upstate, leaving as the program's winningest coach with 193 wins.[152] The Spartans went to the Division II ranks for their next hire, naming University of Charleston head coach Burke as their new head coach on June 8.[153]
UT Arlington	Krista Gerlich		Shereka Wright	Gerlich left UTA on August 18 after 7 seasons for the head coaching job at her alma mater Texas Tech.[147] On September 4, Vanderbilt associate head coach Wright was named the new head coach of the Mavericks.[154]
Utah State			Kayla Ard	Finkbeiner, who had been on a medical leave of absence since early November, announced on November 25 that he was stepping down from his head coaching position after 7 seasons at Utah State. His son Ben, the Aggies associate head coach, was named interim head coach for the rest of the season.[155] Denver assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ard was named Utah State's new head coach on March 23.[156]
Villanova	Harry Perretta		Denise Dillon	The then 64-year-old Perretta announced on October 30 that he would retire at the end of the 2019–20 season. His 42 seasons as the Wildcats' head coach tie him with Yvonne Kaufmann, who coached at Division III Elizabethtown from 1971 to 2012, for the most at a single school in NCAA women's history (including seasons in which women's sports were governed by the AIAW).[157] On March 27, the Wildcats hired Villanova alum Denise Dillon from nearby Drexel as their new head coach.[112]
Winthrop	Lynette Woodard	Semeka Randall-Lay		Woodard was relieved of her head coaching duties on March 24 after 3 seasons at Winthrop, in which the Eagles went 24–70 overall.[158] Associate head coach Randall was named interim head coach of the Eagles for the 2020-21 season.[159] Her interim tag was removed on April 8, 2021 when she was named head coach following the 2020–21 season. [160]

See also[]

• 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

Footnotes[]

References[]