With teams now halfway through conference play, the 2023 college basketball landscape is starting to take shape. That means we have a better idea of which teams could make a run in March, which players have the best cases for the Player of the Year award and who the frontrunners are to take home Coach of the Year honors.

Here are Just Women’s Sports’ top five candidates for Coach of the Year at this point in the season.

Shauna Green, Illinois

If the Coach of the Year race ended today, Green would be the clear frontrunner. And unless something goes terribly wrong for her team in the next couple of months, I don’t see that changing. In her first season at the helm, Green has taken Illinois from just seven wins in 2021-22 to a 14-3 record so far in 2022-23, including an upset win over No. 12 Iowa on New Year’s Day. Illinois has also worked its way into the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2000, settling in at No. 24 in week 10.

Loving that ranked feeling 🔶🔷@IlliniWBB lands at 24 in the latest @AP Poll!#Illini | #HTTO | #OneWay pic.twitter.com/WfMdZSKtFC

— Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) January 10, 2023

Green has done an excellent job of working in transfers like Makira Cook from Dayton and Genesis Bryant from NC State with players who were already on the team when she took over, such as Adalia McKenzie and Jada Peebles. Meanwhile, junior forward Kendall Bostic is thriving in her second season after transferring from Michigan State, averaging 10.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.

Green clearly knows how to get the best out of her team, and she’s a coach they want to play for. If Illinois’ turnaround wasn’t evidence enough, Cook and Brynn Shoup-Hill both transferred from Dayton when Green got the Illinois job in order to join her new team.

Kevin McGuff, Ohio State

This college basketball season has been defined by injuries, and Ohio State hasn’t escaped the unfortunate trend. Against South Florida, Madison Greene endured a season-ending knee injury for the second year in a row, and the Buckeyes have been playing without senior guard Jacy Sheldon since the fifth game of the season. She’s currently in a walking boot with a week-to-week return status. Despite what they are missing, McGuff has his team at No. 3 in the country with an undefeated record. South Carolina and LSU are the only other undefeated teams at this point in the season.

The Buckeyes have also won in a variety of ways, from a 84-67 blowout win over No. 16 Oregon to a 17-point come-from-behind win over Illinois on Sunday. I don’t anticipate Ohio State maintaining its undefeated record through a difficult Big Ten slate, but they have a good chance to win the conference and be a force in March. Until then, McGuff deserves serious props for what he’s done so far.

Kara Lawson, Duke

Duke started last season strong with an upset over Iowa that turned heads, but the season ended in uneventful fashion, with a 17-13 record and a 10th-place finish in the ACC. The Blue Devils had a lot of talent last season after Lawson signed eight transfers and two freshmen in 2021, but they couldn’t put it together consistently over the course of the year. This season, Duke is doing what the team anticipated when Lawson took the helm. The Blue Devils are 15-1 with a No. 16 ranking, and their lone loss came at the hands of No. 3 UConn before Azzi Fudd went down with an injury.

Lawson has made the best of the transfer market, finding players that fit her system and complement each other. Duke’s top three scorers — led by Celeste Taylor, who joined the team from Texas in 2021 — are all transfers.

Lynne Roberts, Utah

Utah finished last season with a 21-12 record and a late season-surge that included a second-place finish in the Pac-12 tournament and a first-round March Madness win over Arkansas. This season, the Utes have picked up where they left off, and Roberts has them reaching new heights. Utah is 14-1, with an impressive 124-78 win over then-No. 16 Oklahoma in November. The team also reached No. 8 in the AP Poll for the first time in program history.

Roberts secured Alissa Pili, one of the most impactful transfers in the country, prior to the season, and the former USC player is delivering with 19.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. In her eighth year at the helm, Roberts has also guided one of the best offenses in the country. The Utes’ 87.3 points per game rank fourth in the nation and their 19.5 assists per game rank sixth.

Teri Moren, Indiana

After losing Ali Patberg, Nicole Cardaño-Hillary and Aleksa Gulbe to graduation, it was hard to imagine Indiana not having a drop-off from last season. Then, when Grace Berger was injured against Auburn in late November, things looked even less promising for the Hoosiers. Despite those obstacles, Moren has led Indiana to a top-10 ranking and a 15-1 record.

She added two key players in the offseason, including Israeli phenom Yarden Garzon and Oregon transfer Sydney Parrish, who is from Indiana. Against all odds, the Hoosiers have managed to maintain their excellence from last season, and somehow might be even better this year.

Honorable mentions

Dawn Staley, South Carolina

Staley’s team is too similar to last season for her to be seriously considered for the award, but she still deserves a mention. Maintaining excellence is a challenge, and having the country’s top team two years in a row isn’t just dumb luck. Staley is making it happen with the reigning national champions.

Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, UConn

No team has struggled with injuries and adversity quite like the Huskies have this season. Yet, they’ve managed to stay at the level we are accustomed to seeing, with a No. 4 ranking and a 13-2 record. Auriemma and Dailey have split coaching duties, so unless there is a way for them to win the award together, the Coach of the Year award will likely go to another candidate.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

Monday's 24-player USWNT roster drop sees new faces stepping up as head coach Emma Hayes gifts Triple Espresso — forwards Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mal Swanson — some well-earned time off after a grueling 2024 campaign.

While 15 of the team's 22 reigning Olympic gold medalists will feature in upcoming friendlies against world No. 2 England and the No. 11 Netherlands, the three forwards "are dealing with nagging injuries that need rest after a long year representing club and country," per US Soccer.

"Not one of these players want to ever miss a game for playing for their country. I want to be really clear about that," Hayes told reporters in Monday's press conference.

"But two, I want to make sure these players are prepared for a long time to come. And when you're in the backend of a season, and you're playing a lot, and your body's tired, your mind's tired, that's where sometimes it can become risky."

The US camp will begin on Sunday, one day after the 2024 NWSL Championship. Three league standouts — Orlando's Emily Sams and Washington's Casey Krueger and Hal Hershfelt — will join the USWNT after playing for the league title and before the world No. 1 team faces off against the runners-up of the last two World Cups.

Young USWNT talent to step up in Triple Espresso's absence

In their stead, NWSL rookies Emma Sears and Ally Sentnor, plus newly minted 20-year-olds Jaedyn Shaw and Alyssa Thompson will therefore take over frontline duties for the US squad when they face the last two European champions.

Hot off a significantly strong bronze medal-winning U-20 World Cup performance, 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year nominee Sentnor is one of two uncapped call-ups, alongside Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The duo will join seven players who earned first caps during the USWNT's October camp. That list includes Orlando defender Emily Sams and Utah goalkeeper Mandy Haught, both currently up for NWSL individual awards.

The roster's lone teenager is 17-year-old Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes, who announced her official decision to represent the US one week ago. Yohannes could see playing time against the Netherlands, her home country since 2017.

"[Yohannes] knows she has to work hard with the playing pool being as strong as it is, but I think she's an exceptional talent," noted Hayes. "I'm delighted that we can develop a very young Lily Yohannes over the next few years to prepare her for a future with the national team."

Four veterans lead November's USWNT roster

With over 100 caps each, US captain Lindsey Horan, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, midfielder Rose Lavelle, and defender Emily Sonnett will helm the USWNT's final 2024 matches.

Similarly, after missing the last US camp with injury, veteran Tierna Davison will return. The defender is likely to pair with October's goalscoring hero Naomi Girma at center back.

The combination of veteran leadership and fresh faces is a hallmark of Hayes's rosters. Accordingly, the USWNT boss hones in on developing what she hopes will be a championship team.

"This is the end of a wonderful year, but we’re still at the beginning of our process of building towards qualifying for the next World Cup," Hayes stated.

"This trip will be about testing ourselves against two world class teams with opportunities to develop our roster. We will continue to build relationships on and off the field and I’m really excited to work with this group as we continue to set the stage for 2025."

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November's USWNT roster

• Goalkeepers: Mandy Haught (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
• Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)
• Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
• Forwards: Yazmeen Ryan (Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

How to watch the final 2024 USWNT friendlies in Europe

First, the US will battle England at London's iconic Wembley Stadium at 12:20 PM ET on November 30th. Then, they'll travel to The Hague to contend with the Netherlands at 2:45 PM ET on December 3rd.

Both friendlies will air live on TNT.

This weekend's NWSL semifinals left it all on the field, with Orlando and Washington advancing to the 2024 NWSL Championship after two days of physical play, epic saves, and legendary goals.

With the 2024 Shield-winning Pride and the No. 2-seed Spirit now set to battle for the league title, November 23rd's championship match will be the first to feature the top two regular-season clubs in five years.

Kingsbury saves the day for the Spirit

To book the Spirit's NWSL Championship ticket, Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury played superhero on Saturday, saving every penalty kick she faced to defeat reigning champs Gotham FC.

Entering their first-ever postseason clash with wildly similar resumes, the clubs' 120 minutes of play ending in a tense 1-1 deadlock to force just the second playoff shootout in NWSL history seemed almost prophetic.

In front of a sold-out Audi Field crowd of 19,365 fans, Gotham striker Esther opened scoring early in the second half. That goal stood until stoppage time, when Spirit rookie Hal Hershfelt netted a dramatic equalizer.

With 42 fouls and six yellow cards between the two teams, Gotham was ultimately forced to play the bulk of extra time with just 10 players after a hard challenge saw defender Bruninha sent off with her second yellow in the 101st minute.

Buoyed by Hershfelt's late header, the Spirit held off Gotham through extra time to force the decisive shootout. While Washington's Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano, and Tara McKeown converted their attempts, Kingsbury produced three straight saves to spoil shots from Gotham's Esther, McCall Zerboni, and Jenna Nighswonger.

With Kingsbury's heroics ending Gotham's back-to-back title dream, Washington will return to the NWSL Championship for the first time since their 2021 title win.

Marta magic sends Orlando to NWSL Championship

Behind attacking magic from Haley McCutcheon, Barbra Banda, and Marta and a defense that held record-setting Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga silent, Orlando bested Kansas City 3-2 on Sunday to punch a ticket to their first-ever NWSL Championship.

The Current struck first, when KC forward Michelle Cooper's deft cross was sent into the back of the net by midfielder Debinha.

The Pride, however, soon pulled ahead, as a quick equalizer from McCutcheon gave way to Banda's emphatic second-half strike.
 
Brazilian legend and Pride captain Marta ultimately scored the game-winner. After forcing both KC center backs to the ground with her footwork, the 38-year-old dribbled past goalkeeper Alma Schult before cooly slotting the ball over the line.

Orlando defender Emily Sams called the jaw-dropping strike "such a Marta goal," saying "she's the GOAT and she proved it tonight."

Kansas City's final push saw midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo score a handball penalty in second-half stoppage time, but Orlando held on to register the dramatic victory.

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A historic NWSL Championship matchup awaits

Orlando and Washington's upcoming NWSL Championship match will cap a record-shattering season for the league, with even more history on the line.

Saturday's final will be the first contested by two teams who failed to make the previous season's playoffs, and while Washington will hunt a second NWSL title, the Pride will take aim at their first.

If successful, Orlando will become just the second team to ever snag both the Shield and the championship in the same season, joining North Carolina, who did so in 2018 and 2019.

"It's the top two teams in the league, which doesn't happen often in the championship game," noted Orlando head coach Seb Hines. "I think both teams deserve to be in this championship game because it's the most consistent teams throughout the season."

In today's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins takes a deep dive into the end-of-season NWSL awards, comparing her ballot with the announced finalists to predict this year's winners. Watkins then gives her final picks from the pool of nominees, choosing the best of the best in a year flush with impressive performances.

Later, Watkins previews the blockbuster NWSL semifinal matchups between the league's top four teams, predicting the results and forecasting who will ultimately win a ticket to Kansas City to compete in the 2024 NWSL Championship.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

The NWSL announced more details around November 22nd's second annual Skills Challenge on Thursday, including competition rules and eight participating athletes.

Beginning at 6 PM ET the evening before November 23rd's 2024 NWSL Championship match, two teams of league stars will compete in a trio of skills contests. The winning squad will split a $30,000 check from sponsor CarMax — up from $25,000 last year.

Retired NWSL and USWNT icon Sam Mewis will host the event.

Three events await Skills Challenge contenders

The 2024 edition of the Skills Challenge returns two events — Player Shootouts and the Crossbar Challenge — while replacing last year's 2-on-2 TeqBall competition with a new contest called the Gauntlet.

Meant to highlight athletes' agility and dribbling skills, the Gauntlet places a player within a starting circle surrounded by five mini-goals of various sizes. The smaller the goal, the more points it is worth.

The athlete will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, but must exit the circle to take a shot. At the same time, the other team's defenders will attempt to thwart scoring attempts, but they cannot enter the circle.

Reminiscent of penalty kicks (PKs), the Shootout's nine rounds will feature one player against the opposing team's goalkeeper. Unlike PKs in a match, goalkeepers have freedom of movement and are not limited to staying on the goal line. Similarly, the attacker can dribble away from the starting spot to shoot from anywhere on the pitch, as long as they do so within eight seconds.

Finally, in the Crossbar Challenge, the two Skills Challenge teams will take turns trying to hit the crossbar from the 18-yard line, with each hit adding one point to the team total.

After reaching five points, a team will double the distance from goal to 36 yards. The first team to hit the crossbar from there, while still alternating shots, wins the event.

Stars gear up to showcase their skills

Though full 2024 Skills Challenge rosters will be revealed in the coming days, the NWSL dropped eight contenders in Thursday's announcement.

The lone veteran from the 2023 competition is Houston forward Michelle Alozie, who will join Skills Challenge rookies Angelina (Orlando), Kate Del Fava (Utah), Savannah DeMelo (Louisville), Jaelin Howell (Seattle), Savy King (Bay), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego), and Morgan Weaver (Portland).

Should Orlando advance from this weekend's NWSL semifinals to November 23rd's NWSL Championship, Angelina will withdraw from the skills competition.

How to watch the 2024 NWSL Skills Challenge

The Friday event at the University of Kansas Health System Training Center is free and open to the public.

Those unable to attend in person can watch a full replay of the event on the afternoon of Sunday, November 24th, when the Skills Challenge will air nationwide on CBS.