Predicting when each undefeated team will face its first loss

There are seven remaining undefeated women’s college basketball teams. On3 predicts when each of the seven programs will face its first falter.

Buffalo – Jan. 5

Buffalo is the last remaining unbeaten mid-major. The Bulls haven’t had the most challenging schedule, but they’ve earned crucial wins over Binghamton and Vermont. 

They’ve got a few challenging conference matchups approaching, but I think Kent State, a team that has really challenged itself early, will cause the Bulls’ first falter on Jan. 5. 

Tennessee – Jan. 5

While I think Tennessee will take down LSU on Jan. 9, it is the game before that should give the Vols some trouble. Oklahoma is a veteran team with a challenging schedule behind them. Tennessee is a new-look team that has faced just one ranked team so far. 

It’s been wildly impressive that the Vols are still undefeated in year one of the Kim Caldwell era, but I think the experienced Sooners will give them a scare this week. 

Maryland – Jan. 8

Maryland has earned wins over Duke and Michigan State to stay undefeated, but the Terps will face their toughest opponent yet in just over a week. While the Terrapins will host, USC is not a team to overlook. 

The Trojans and Terrapins are fighting for the top spot in the Big Ten and this game will play a major role in that result. Maryland has a great home crowd, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to hold off JuJu Watkins and the Trojans. 

Ohio State – Jan. 8

Ohio State hasn’t faced the most challenging non-conference slate, but convincing wins over Illinois and Stanford have kept the Buckeyes undefeated. The Big Ten, though, is one of the most competitive conferences in the country. 

I think the Buckeyes may face their first loss within the next two weeks. Luckily, star freshman Jaloni Cambridge returned from injury for their matchup at Rutgers, but if Michigan’s Syla Swords returns when these two teams face off on Jan. 8, I think the Wolverines will take this one. If Swords is still out, the Buckeyes could underestimate Oregon, a team who just played Illinois close, in the following game. 

LSU – Jan. 9

Of the high-major unbeatens, LSU has played the easiest schedule. The Tigers have faced just one ranked team and walloped them, but have struggled against lesser competition. That being said, the Tigers have a ton of talent and shouldn’t be overlooked. 

I think they’ll struggle on the road at Tennessee on Jan. 9. It’ll be their first high-level road game of the year, so I can see Tennessee taking advantage and claiming the win. When these two teams face off again in February, though, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a different result. 

Georgia Tech – Jan. 16

Georgia Tech has been the biggest surprise of the season so far, with a 14-0 record and wins over five top 50 teams. The Yellow Jackets have one top 25 victory, a road win at UNC, but their schedule gets tough quickly. 

I think they can handle their next three games against Syracuse, Virginia Tech and at Louisville. On Jan. 16, though, they’ll travel to South Bend to face the No. 3 Notre Dame Irish, who I think will cause the Yellow Jackets’ first falter. 

UCLA – Jan. 26

I think UCLA has a solid chance to be the last undefeated team standing. If the Bruins can get past Michigan and Indiana, which could be a challenge, their next few games shouldn’t trip them up. 

The No. 1-ranked Bruins have beaten South Carolina, Creighton, Nebraska and Louisville so far, but I think a road game at Maryland will end their win streak on Jan. 26.