ESPN College GameDay Highlights Women’s Basketball with Five Exciting Matchups

ESPN’s legendary College GameDay is gearing up to leave its mark on women’s college basketball this season. The show, famous for lively coverage and raucous fan scenes, will go live from Austin, Texas, on Sunday, February 1, when the Texas Longhorns face off against the Oklahoma Sooners.

This is a pretty big deal for the Longhorns—it’s their first time ever hosting GameDay for women’s basketball. The show kicks off at noon on ESPN, right before the game at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

Only five women’s basketball games are on College GameDay’s slate this season. The other four locations? Still up in the air, to be picked as the season rolls into conference tournaments in March.

GameDay’s Return to Women’s Basketball

College GameDay has been a staple in sports broadcasting since day one, amping up college sports with its unique energy. The show first went live from a women’s college basketball game back in 2010, covering Notre Dame vs. UConn in the Big East.

A year later, they took the show to Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee. Then, strangely enough, GameDay stepped away from women’s hoops for about a decade.

It wasn’t until 2022 that GameDay made its comeback to women’s basketball. Since then, they’ve covered several games each season.

A Historic First for the Longhorns

This Austin broadcast is a real milestone for Texas. Hosting GameDay for women’s basketball for the first time is a nod to how far women’s sports have come.

It’s a fantastic chance to shine the spotlight on the grit and skill of female athletes.

Season Highlights and Future Broadcasts

This year, GameDay’s first women’s basketball stop is the Texas vs. Oklahoma showdown. The rest of the season’s locations will get announced as things heat up in March.

This way, ESPN can jump on the most thrilling games as they happen. It keeps things fresh and gives fans a front row seat to the best action in women’s college basketball.

Analysts and New Host

Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike are back at the GameDay desk, ready to share their takes and knowledge. Carter’s in her fourth year, Ogwumike in her third.

There’s a new face leading the show now—Christine Williamson. ESPN gave her the nod back in December after Elle Duncan left for a gig at Netflix.

Duncan’s not gone from the sports world, though. She’ll be hosting the studio show for the USA Network’s WNBA coverage this season.

Impact on Women’s Basketball

Adding women’s basketball to College GameDay’s lineup is honestly overdue. It gives female athletes more visibility and helps the sport gain fans and momentum.

The show’s coverage spotlights the excitement and intensity of women’s basketball, pushing back against old stereotypes and putting the game’s athleticism front and center.

Fan Engagement and Community Support

GameDay’s magic is in the crowd. Live broadcasts from college campuses pull in students, alumni, and locals, making the atmosphere electric.

This kind of engagement matters for women’s basketball. It brings teams and fans closer, building a real sense of community around the sport.

Looking Ahead

There’s a lot to look forward to as the season unfolds. GameDay will roll out the other four locations as matchups become clear, always chasing the most exciting stories in women’s college basketball.

It feels like the coverage will stay fresh and unpredictable, which is exactly what keeps fans coming back for more.