The holiday season has always been a time rife with tripleheaders—the NFL made their Thanksgiving high-profile tripleheader matchups a fixture of contemporary family gatherings and now, for the second year in a row, they’re coming for the NBA’s long-held game-packed Christmas Day.
The moment has arrived for NCAA Women’s Basketball to etch its unique tradition onto the sporting landscape. Beyond providing fans the chance to witness top-tier teams in action, it affords players the opportunity to flaunt their skills on a national platform. Fortunately, the upcoming year holds great promise with a series of captivating tripleheaders lined up on the agenda.
On Sunday, December 3rd, the Jimmy V Women’s Classic Presented by Corona will kick off, featuring six of the women’s basketball’s elite programs: South Carolina at Duke, UConn at Texas and Ohio State at Tennessee. The games are to be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. View these betting offers to boost your odds.
The participating teams are notable for their impressive records, having collectively won 22 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships and have all reached at least the second round of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament.
The Jimmy V Classic, named after basketball coach Jim Valvano, is an annual event that raises funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. In 2005, organizers cut the women’s event down to only two teams—just one match—and while the traditional doubleheader format was reinstated in 2021, this year’s event holds particular significance because it’s the first time a tripleheader format will be used for the women’s games.
In general, 2023 has brought optimism to fans of women’s college basketball. Players like Alissa Pili, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are delivering awe-inspiring performances and, finally, there is enough hype for people to take notice. This year NCCA Women’s basketball has enjoyed unprecedented coverage by major broadcasters, including ESPN.
With ESPN’s ‘ESPN Bet’ launching mid-November in partnership with PENN Entertainment, the 23/24 women’s basketball season may finally end with the spotlight it deserves, with fans taking high-profile matchups as seriously as they would NCAAF or NBA games.
One week later: 2023’s Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase
A mere seven days post the electrifying Jimmy V Women’s Classic, prepare for another basketball spectacle that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. On December 10, the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase is set to unfold at the captivating Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, presenting an unmissable experience for fans and enthusiasts alike.
Now in its remarkable tenth season, the Hall of Fame Showcase stands as a cornerstone in the collegiate competitions hosted by the Hall of Fame. Like its counterpart, the Jimmy V Classic, this event will spotlight six outstanding teams that graced the 2023 NCAA tournament, with powerhouses South Carolina and the UConn Huskies adding to the lineup.
Joining the fray are four other formidable teams: Florida State, UCLA, Utah and North Carolina. The opening act sees Florida State taking on UCLA at the stroke of noon, EST. The excitement continues with Utah facing off against South Carolina at 2:30 PM EST, a clash anticipated for its heady mix of intense defense and formidable offense. The day culminates in a showdown between UConn and North Carolina at 5:00 PM EST.
This tournament is more than a mere showcase of thrilling matchups; it’s a grand platform for some of the league’s standout players, destined to carve their place in the annals of WNBA coverage in the years to come. In the words of Jen Rizzotti, “Circle this date on your calendar because this is a competition that demands your attention.”
These consecutive tripleheaders represent not only triumphs for the participating teams but also signify a bold leap in broadcasting reach and fan engagement. It’s evident that NCAA Women’s Basketball isn’t just stepping into the limelight—it’s actively shaping its contours, establishing fresh, vibrant traditions and serving as a wellspring of inspiration for a new generation of fervent fans and aspiring athletes.
