Stanford Cardinal

As March Madness heats up, the Pac-12 conference has emerged as one of the premier powerhouses in women’s college basketball this season. Our latest power rankings showcase the elite talent and depth of this mighty conference. At the top, it’s a two-team race between reigning #1 UCLA and perennial contender Stanford. The Bruins have positioned themselves as the team to beat with an incredible 26-6 record, backed by an imposing strength of schedule that rates best in the Pac-12.

The coaching carousel in college basketball continues to spin, and this time, it’s Washington State’s Kyle Smith who finds himself changing scenery. After leading the Cougars to one of their best seasons in program history, Smith has accepted the head coaching job at Stanford, sources told ESPN. Smith’s impressive 2023-24 campaign at the helm of the Washington State program was nothing short of remarkable. The Pac-12 Coach of the Year guided the Cougars to a 25-10 overall record and a 14-6 mark in conference play, just one game behind the mighty Arizona Wildcats.