The 2023-24 college basketball season witnessed a historic moment as Dawn Staley, a Black coach, led the South Carolina Gamecocks to a remarkable 38-0 record and a national championship. As the curtain falls on this remarkable achievement, the anticipation builds for what the 2024-25 season might hold for Black coaches and their programs.

Unlocking the Potential: A Season of Possibilities Awaits

Defending the Crown: South Carolina's Pursuit of Perfection

The South Carolina Gamecocks, led by the indomitable Dawn Staley, have set their sights on a rare feat: back-to-back NCAA championships. After a flawless 38-0 campaign, the Gamecocks enter the new season as the undisputed favorites, boasting a roster brimming with talent and experience. Despite the departure of Kamilla Cardoso, a first-round WNBA draft pick, Staley has bolstered her frontcourt with the additions of Maryam Dauda, Adhel Tac, and Joyce Edwards, further solidifying her team's dominance. With the core of last year's championship-winning squad returning, the Gamecocks are poised to make history and cement their legacy as one of the greatest teams in women's basketball.

Niele Ivey's Resilient Notre Dame: Overcoming Adversity, Chasing Greatness

Niele Ivey's tenure at Notre Dame has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing a slew of injuries and roster challenges, the Fighting Irish have consistently delivered 24-plus-win seasons, an ACC regular-season title, an ACC championship, and three straight Sweet 16 appearances. As the 2024-25 season approaches, Ivey's squad faces yet another obstacle, with Maddy Westbeld sidelined due to a foot injury and Kylee Watson continuing her rehabilitation from a torn ACL. However, the Fighting Irish possess a formidable backcourt duo in Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo, complemented by the scoring prowess of Sonia Citron and a talented transfer class. Ivey's ability to navigate adversity and mold her team into a perennial contender makes Notre Dame a program to watch closely in the upcoming season.

Aqua Franklin's Lamar Cardinals: Chasing History and a Breakthrough Season

Under the guidance of coach Aqua Franklin, the Lamar Cardinals have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the Southland Conference. Last season, the team captured the regular-season championship, showcasing their dominance with a 24-7 overall record and a 17-1 conference mark. Despite falling short in the conference title game, the Cardinals are poised to make a statement in the 2024-25 campaign. With a roster that returns 10 players, including preseason All-SLC selections Akasha Davis and Sabria Dean, Lamar is determined to secure its first NCAA tournament berth since 2009-2010 and cement its place as a rising power in the region.

Jesyka Burks-Wiley's FIU Panthers: Continuing the Upward Trajectory

The 2023-24 season marked a breakthrough for Jesyka Burks-Wiley and the FIU Panthers. The team finished with a 21-12 overall record and an 11-5 conference mark, their first winning Conference USA record since 2012-13 and their first 20-win season since 2011-12. This season, the Panthers boast a talented roster led by preseason All-CUSA selections Tanajah Hayes and Mya Kone, the latter of whom was named the preseason player of the year. As Burks-Wiley enters her fifth season at the helm, the Panthers are poised to take the next step and capture their first conference title since 2002, a feat that would cement their status as a rising force in the region.

Ashleen Bracey's Turnaround at UIC: A Remarkable Transformation

One of the most inspiring stories in college basketball is unfolding at the University of Illinois Chicago, where coach Ashleen Bracey has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. In 2022, UIC was predicted to finish last in the Missouri Valley Conference, and the team's dismal 2-25 overall record and 1-20 conference mark seemed to validate those expectations. However, Bracey's arrival has sparked a transformation, as the Flames recorded a 17-win improvement and a winning season in her first year, followed by a second consecutive winning campaign and a 10-10 conference record in her second season. As Bracey enters her third year, the Flames are poised to take the next step, either by securing their first winning conference record since 2013-14 or advancing past the quarterfinals in the MVC tournament for the first time in nearly a decade.

Kara Lawson's Duke Blue Devils: Ascending to New Heights

Kara Lawson's decision to remain at Duke, despite the temptation of the Tennessee coaching vacancy, has set the stage for an exciting 2024-25 season. The Blue Devils showcased their potential last year when, as a 7-seed, they upset the second-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes to advance to the Sweet 16, their first such appearance since 2018. Anchored by senior guard Reigan Richardson, a preseason All-ACC selection, Duke's roster is defined by its youthful talent, with nine freshmen and sophomores contributing significantly. Lawson has further bolstered her team with a top-tier recruiting class, including three players ranked in the Top 100 of espnW's HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings for 2024, headlined by Canadian forward Toby Fournier. As the Blue Devils aim to capture their first ACC regular-season and tournament championships since 2013, Lawson's leadership and the team's rising potential make them a program to watch closely in the upcoming season.

Jason Burton's North Texas Mean Green: Continuing the Upward Trajectory

Jason Burton's first season at the helm of the North Texas Mean Green was nothing short of remarkable. The team set program records for conference wins and overall wins, earning a share of their first conference title since 1986. Burton's impressive performance earned him the AAC Coach of the Year award, and the Mean Green enter the 2024-25 season poised to build on their success. Picked to finish second in the AAC, just behind powerhouse South Florida, North Texas is led by preseason player of the year Tommisha Lampkin. After a disappointing end to their previous season in the AAC tournament quarterfinals, the Mean Green are determined to reach new heights and solidify their status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

Larry Vickers' Norfolk State Spartans: Continuing the Dominance in the MEAC

Larry Vickers has established the Norfolk State Spartans as a dominant force in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Over the past two seasons, the Spartans have compiled an impressive 24-4 conference record, winning back-to-back regular-season and tournament titles. Last year, Vickers led the team to its most single-season wins in its Division I era (27), a record the program had just broken the previous season. As the Spartans enter the 2024-25 campaign, they are poised to continue their reign atop the MEAC, led by preseason player of the year Diamond Johnson, along with preseason first-team selection Kierra Wheeler and preseason second-team honoree Niya Fields. Vickers' ability to sustain excellence and position the Spartans for continued success makes them a program to watch closely in the upcoming season.