The last seven (7!) NCAA D3 Women’s Basketball champions have run the table. Looking at this week’s D3Hoops.com Top 25, the following five teams are still unbeaten:
1.Tufts 11-0
2. Bowdoin 11-0
3. Hope 13-0
18. Austin 11-0
23. Bethel 11-0
What’s the likelihood of another undefeated champion?
Tufts and Bowdoin will face off on January 31st in Brunswick, Maine which I can tell you from experience is not an easy place to play. And the pair could meet again in the NESCAC tournament. So, one and potentially both of these teams (because let’s not forget #4 Amherst) will have a loss before the NCAA Tournament.
Hope beat 11-2 Albion by just a bucket back in December and has at least one rematch with them before the national tourney. #18 Austin College faces their 2nd toughest test of the season this weekend. They pulled out a one-point win against UTD on the road earlier this season but now face #21 Trinity (TX) at home. They also have to go to San Antonio before the SCAC tournament.
Finally, #23 Bethel isn’t even the highest ranked team from their conference. #17 Gustavus Adolphus has just one non-conference loss and will travel to Bethel this weekend. The Gusties will host the rematch later in the year and don’t forget Augsburg, Hamline, St Thomas and the rest of the MIAC which is never an easy road.
Based on all of this, it’s safe to say this is the highest likelihood of a non-unbeaten champion this season. My best bet would be Hope followed by whoever wins the first Tufts-Bowdoin game later this month.