In this episode of The Mid-Majors Podcast, hosts Tacarra Barnes and Courtney dive deep into the upcoming NCAA Women’s Basketball season — breaking down preseason rankings, transfer portal moves, and the growing influence of NIL money on recruitment and team dynamics.

The duo addresses recent viewer feedback, sharing how they balance authenticity and constructive criticism while building a platform that represents mid-major voices in women’s basketball. From coaching philosophies to roster changes, this episode covers everything shaping the 2025-26 season.

🔥 Topics Covered:

• Viewer feedback & podcast transparency
• NCAA Women’s Basketball preseason rankings
• Transfer portal chaos & team chemistry
• NIL money and modern recruiting
• Coaching styles, leadership & player development
• Key contenders: LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC, and more

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Technical Difficulties
01:33 – Viewer Feedback + Criticism
08:18 – Preseason Rankings Breakdown
11:21 – Transfer Portal Impact
17:14 – Player Transfers & Team Dynamics
21:52 – Championship Contenders
23:53 – Key Players & Team Roles
26:09 – Transfers & Team Chemistry
29:21 – Coaching Strategies & Development
33:24 – Evaluating Rankings
40:11 – Making the Right Play
40:59 – Team Dynamics
42:23 – Player Roles
43:39 – Assessing Transfers
44:28 – Point Guard Challenges
45:46 – Freshman Impact
48:06 – Tennessee’s Revival
51:02 – USC’s Recruitment
52:46 – Final Four Predictions

💬 Sound Bites:

👀 Watch for:
How NIL reshapes recruiting, why point guards matter more than ever, and which programs have the right culture to win in 2026.