Just one year removed from a second-place Western Conference finish, the Dallas Wings’ 9-31 record was one of the most underwhelming storylines of the 2024 WNBA season.

Through their tribulations they were rewarded with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, which looks eerily like the silhouette of generational UConn combo guard Paige Bueckers. The looming question of their offseason, however, is can you build around the thought of a player?

Here’s where the Wings stand entering the free agency period, as well as a look at where they might go:

Facts and figures*

Players under contract (contract status; 2025 salary)

• Kalani Brown (protected veteran; $128,750)
• Teaira McCowan (protected veteran; $201,400)
• Arike Ogunbowale (protected veteran; $249,032)
• Lou Lopez Sénéchal (unprotected; $79,999)
• Jacy Sheldon (unprotected; $74,909)
• Maddy Siegrist (unprotected; $83,371)

Free agents (type; 2024 salary)

• Jaelyn Brown (reserved; $64,154)
• Natasha Howard (unrestricted; $234,350)
• Awak Kuier (contract expired)
• Satou Sabally (unrestricted; $195,000)
• Sevgi Uzun (reserved; $64,154)

Total salary of free agents: $557,658

Total team salary: $895,527

Cap space: $611,573

Unsigned draftees (2025 salary)

2025 WNBA Draft picks (2024 salary)

• Round 1, No. 1 ($78,831)
• Round 2, No. 14 ($69,267)
• Round 3, No. 27 ($66,079)
• Round 3, No. 31 ($66,079)

Still room for Satou?

Fans tapped into the league’s workings know that the biggest challenge of the Wings’ winter revolves around German power forward Satou Sabally.

Sabally, a five-year league veteran and two-time All-Star, has been the running mate of Arike Ogunbowale since being drafted in 2020. However, all signs suggest that she may be seeking a change of scenery before the spring. Dallas can core her, and hope that the prospect of Bueckers discourages her from trying to force her way out with a trade. Alternatively, the organization could allow the Sabally ship to sail and look in new directions at the forward spot. The former is much more likely. While Sabally’s usage would take a hit behind a Ogunbowale-Bueckers backcourt, her efficiency and effectiveness would likely be enhanced in an off-ball role.

10-year veteran forward Natasha Howard’s contract also is expiring, and a core designation for Sabally would likely mark the end of Howard’s tenure in the Lone Star State. She’ll turn 34 next season, and her experience doesn’t fit the Wings’ projected timeline in a way that would warrant a new contract. They could throw an offer at Howard to help phase in the new generation of Wings, but she undoubtedly would be taking minutes from a younger forward who may fit their timeline to contention better. Howard also sustained a foot injury last season, and questions around her health have merit. Whether the Wings extend an offer to Howard may give insight into how they view their immediate future as contenders or rebuilders.

New lanes of production

Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

If either of Howard or Sabally don’t return to Dallas, the team will need to re-evaluate the production from their forwards and centers.

Teaira McCowan has had an unbelievably consistent career on offense, but is a limited floor spacer and a disappointing defender, especially considering her 6-foot-7 frame. If the Wings want to enable Ogunbowale as a driver further, they may consider a new look at center and move McCowan to the bench. There’s not enough evidence to suggest how first-year head coach Chris Koclanes feels about non-spacing bigs, but new general manager Curt Miller made it an emphasis to have shooting bigs in his recent time as head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks. Under Miller, both Cameron Brink and Li Yueru had the green light to fire from distance and pop out of screens as perimeter threats. Any offseason move at center may indicate whether Koclanes shares Miller’s vision.

At the guard spot, the Wings may look to add some off-ball firepower, ideally someone who could thrive behind two ball-dominant guards. Investing in a free agent like Aerial Powers, most recently of the Atlanta Dream, could be a worthwhile venture. Powers shot 39 percent from 3 in 17 appearances last season. Catch-and-shoot guards and wings are extremely valuable to teams that have the luxury of on-ball excellence. A player like Powers or the Washington Mystics’ Shatori Walker-Kimbrough could fit nicely in Dallas.

And if Paige is not the pick?

Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images

Finally, there’s a very particular stone that I don’t want to leave unturned, although I would certainly be forgiven by most for not acknowledging this possibility.

The Dallas Wings may not take Paige Bueckers at all. If, for some reason, they really dislike her fit with Ogunbowale, or truly believe that someone like USC’s Kiki Iriafen is the better prospect, they could shock the world on draft night. If Iriafen goes No. 1 overall to Dallas, the fit of Sabally becomes increasingly awkward, and the organization’s focus would likely shift toward extended backcourt production. Koclanes may have some affinity for Iriafen as he coached her at USC, but barring a trade backwards in the draft, don’t put any money on Iriafen coming to Dallas.

*Thanks to Her Hoop Stats for all roster information and salary numbers.

Conference play is in full swing across women’s college basketball. Here’s a look back at the best moments from the past week’s action:

Bruins are best in class

On Sunday afternoon, Tennessee came up missed 3-pointer short of coming back and beating Oklahoma, with the 87-86 defeat knocking the Lady Vols from the ranks of the undefeated.

That leaves five NCAA Division I teams with perfect records: UCLA, LSU, Maryland, Ohio State and Georgia Tech. Among the bunch, the Bruins are the best, owning by far the highest net rating (51.59) and strength of schedule (10.22) of the undefeateds. UCLA earned their 15th win on Saturday, going to Bloomington and beating Indiana, 73-62. Holding the Hoosiers to a five-point second quarter, along with a 25-point and 12-rebound double-double from junior center Lauren Betts, were the key ingredients to the Bruins’ victory.

Top-ranked UCLA should continue to cruise until they meet fellow unbeaten Maryland on Jan. 26. Before then, however, the Terrapins’ perfection will be tested against the Trojans, as Maryland, after escaping Iowa with a win, hosts USC this Wednesday, Jan. 8. Ohio State also must prevail against the Big Ten’s best to maintain their undefeated mark. On Wednesday, they meet Michigan in Ann Arbor. This week also presents a tough test for LSU, as the Tigers take on the recently-beaten Lady Vols on Thursday. Georgia Tech’s biggest hurdle will come on Jan. 16, when the Jackets go to South Bend to take on Notre Dame.

Fingers crossed for Paige

It seems UConn cannot completely shake the injury bug (curse?) that has afflicted the program over the past few seasons.

After senior guard Azzi Fudd experienced a knee injury scare a few weeks ago, causing her to miss three games, redshirt senior star Paige Bueckers limped off the court during UConn’s 83-52 victory over Villanova on Sunday. With a little more than one minute remaining in third quarter, Bueckers was reaching for a loose ball when a Villanova player dove for the ball, falling into Bueckers’ left knee.

Following the game, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma compared Bueckers’ situation to that of Fudd from a few weeks prior, expressing optimism because Bueckers appeared to have avoided a worst-case outcome.

Bueckers contributed 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals before her afternoon was cut short. Freshman forward Sarah Strong led the Huskies with 21 points, five boards and four assists.

Bring on the buckets, boards and more

Since the end of the holiday break, there have been no shortage of standout performances from across women’s college basketball. These were some of the most spectacular efforts:

• Elle Ladine gift wrapped a 40-piece on Saturday, Dec. 28, with the Washington junior guard swishing six 3s on her way to 40 points in the 90-71 win over Northwestern. She also added six assists and two steals.

• Akron senior guard Alexus Mobely closed out 2024 with a high-scoring, stat-stuffing performance on Saturday, Dec. 28, with 30 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in the 80-52 victory over Miami-Hamilton.

• Drake senior guard Katie Dinnebier turned in one more masterclass before the calendar flipped to 2025. She had 32 points, making all her 2-point attempts and going 5-for-8 from 3, along with eight assists, six rebounds and three steals, in the Sunday, Dec. 29 win over Evansville, 76-54. Her first game in the new year was similarly excellent, as Dinnebier had 31 points, going 6-for-8 from 3, as Drake defeated Valparaiso 82-64 on Saturday. She added five rebounds, four assists and four steals in the Bulldogs’ seventh-straight win.

• Senior guard Delanie Crawford dropped 36 points in Tulsa’s win over East Carolina, 93-84, on Sunday, Dec. 29. She also totaled seven boards, four steals and a pair of assists.

• Stephen F. Austin junior guard Avery Vansickle scorched the nets with nine 3s on Sunday, Dec. 29. As a team, the Ladyjacks made a program-record 20 triples. Vansickle finished with 31 points, seven boards and six assists in the victory over Texas A&M-San Antonio, 113-33.

• USC sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins polished off 2024 by leading the Trojans over Michigan, 78-58, on Sunday, Dec. 29. Watkins made 13-of-14 free throws on her way to 31 points, while also adding seven assists, five boards, three steals and three blocks. To welcome 2025, Watkins scored an easy 26 points in the Trojans’ 75-55 win over Nebraska on New Year’s Day. She again made her mark at the line, going 11-of-12 at the stripe.

• Sonia Citron tied her season high with 25 points in Notre Dame’s 94-54 win over Virginia on Sunday, Dec. 29. The senior guard grabbed 11 rebounds for the double-double. She also had four assists, two blocks and a steal. This past Sunday, sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo and senior guard Olivia Miles again were sensational for the Irish in their win over North Carolina, 76-66. Hidalgo scored 24 points, draining five 3s and dishing five assists. Miles matched Hidalgo’s five 3s and five assists, while finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds.

• Georgia Tech maintained their undefeated mark on Sunday, Dec. 29 behind junior guard Kara Dunn. She poured in 28 points, while also chipping in seven boards and three assists, as the Jackets dropped 100 on Pitt for the 100-61 win.

• A name to know for 2025, Vanderbilt sophomore forward Khamil Pierre finished off 2024 in style, scoring 29 points, grabbing seven boards, tossing four assists and snagging four steals in Vandy’s 93-64 victory over Alabama A&M on Sunday, Dec. 29. Then, Vandy’s other rising star, freshman guard Mikayla Blakes, assumed the spotlight as SEC play began. Her 36 points in Thursday’s 108-82 domination of Georgia is a new program record for a freshman. For the cherry on top, she also finished her first conference game with no turnovers.

• Audi Crooks began 2025 by matching her highest scoring game of the season, with the Iowa State sophomore center pouring in 33 points to lead the Cyclones past Kansas, 78-65. Crooks also tallied seven boards and two blocks in the New Year’s Day matchup.

• West Virginia senior guard JJ Quinerly also began the new year with a season-high scoring performance, dropping 31 points in the 80-58 win over UCF on Wednesday. She also added a trio of boards, assists and steals.

• It’s no surprise that Ta’Niya Latson began 2025 with another scoring masterpiece. This time, it came in the form of a 40-ball, tying the single-game record for Florida State. The junior guard also racked up five assists and five steals in the Seminoles’ conference victory over Virginia Tech, 105-74.

• Kansas scored their first Big 12 win on Saturday, beating Oklahoma State 75-66 behind 27 points, seven assists, four boards and four steals from sophomore guard S’Mya Nichols.

• Senior forward Cordasia Harris powered Alabama State to the 64-49 win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday with a 28-point and 16-rebound double-double.

• Sophomore guard Tessa Johnson lit up the nets for South Carolina on Sunday, going 4-for-6 from 3 to score 22 points from off the bench in the Gamecocks’ 95-68 win over Mississippi State.

A look ahead

The intensification of conference play offers some interesting matchups this week (more of which should be shown on broadcast television, and not just available on streaming platforms):

Wednesday, Jan. 8

Ohio State vs. Michigan (7 p.m. ET, B1G+)

USC vs. Maryland (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1)

Thursday, Jan. 9

LSU vs. Tennessee (6:30 p.m. ET, SECN+)

Duke vs. North Carolina (7 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

Vanderbilt vs. Ole Miss (7:30 p.m. ET, SECN+)

Alabama vs. Texas (8 p.m. ET, SECN+)

Sunday, Jan. 12

Texas vs. South Carolina (1 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Georgia Tech vs. Louisville (4 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

Alabama vs. Ole Miss (4 p.m. ET, SECN+)

The new year always brings new challenges.

For the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes, it was going up against their undefeated conference rival the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins on the same day they were honoring the accomplishments of former head coach Lisa Bluder and Iowa alumni.

They overcame a 24-point deficit to bring themselves within five points in the waning minutes of the game. However, a comeback of legendary proportions was stifled as the Terps held on for the victory 74-66, dealing the Hawkeyes their first home loss of the season.

The Hawkeyes faced an uphill battle from the beginning as the Terrapins dominated in virtually every aspect of the game. They got out to a quick double-digit lead thanks to sharp 3-point shooting, offensive rebounds and taking advantage of numerous Iowa turnovers. The tandem of Kaylene Smikle and Shyanne Sellers, plus the bench presence of Bri McDaniel, did wonders for the Terps.

Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes, outside of Lucy Olsen’s 11 first-half points, were largely stagnant in scoring, all while the turnovers kept piling up. Their biggest woes came from the 3-point line, as well as missing what should have been easy buckets. After two quarters, the Hawkeyes trailed 48-27. They had 13 first-half turnovers compared to five for the Terrapins.

The Hawkeyes needed to be patient and protect the ball entering the second half. They played with greater poise and, in turn, their defense came alive as they held the Terps to 11 third-quarter points. The dynamic duo of Olsen and Syd Affolter brought the Hawkeyes back from extinction, as they combined for 10 of the team’s 16 points in the third. Although they trailed 59-43, Iowa showed new life.

As the fourth quarter progressed, Iowa had Maryland right where they wanted them. Other players began to come alive. A fastbreak layup off a steal by Kylie Feuerbach, along with a free throw by Hannah Stuelke, had the Hawkeyes trailing 63-58 with 4:42 remaining in the game. Carver Hawkeye Arena was on the edge of their seats anticipating a dramatic comeback.

However, a pair of 3-pointers by Smikle, along with a basket by Saylor Poffenbarger, gave the Terps a 71-60 lead with 2:09 left. Fans started gathering their belongings and heading for the exits. But then, an Affolter free throw, a 3-pointer by Aaliyah Guyton and a second-chance layup by Stuelke brought the Hawkeyes back within five again, 71-66, with 45 seconds remaining. All of sudden, hope for a comeback was in the air again.

Those hopes were dashed after Sellers and Smikle combined for four points at the free throw to seal the deal.

Though in defeat, Iowa coach Jan Jensen took pride in her mixed squad of veterans and rookies for rising to the occasion with their backs against the wall, evoking memories of a time when she was part of a similar comeback. She shared after the game:

As I talked to them at halftime, I said, “Hey I think I blew it for you, it got a little bit tight. Maybe you’re not used to seeing me like that.” I said, “I’ve been a part of a 24-point comeback before.” I said, “I’m really feeling like, if you can cut this thing, but you gotta know I’m not just telling you this to just say it,” and I felt those eyes. I really did. I said, “It’s gonna be harder, it’s gonna be really really hard. We got to get stops upon stops upon stops.” When we got it to six, crystal ball, I would have liked to see if we could have hit something because this place got very loud for us. So I was really pleased.

Jensen sees her team’s ability to respond to a challenge as something to build off of as the second half of the season unfolds, emphasizing:

You can’t really do what we did, even when Maryland was on their heels, if they didn’t really dig in and believe it too, and that’s why they’re fun to coach. I do like that resilience and that’s the thing, when you handle a loss right it can really be helpful. I’m just trying to make sure we handle it right, me included, and I think if we handle it right we can draw on it, draw on this second half, when we get into another dog fight later on. But what I really want to do is make sure we don’t dig a hole like that, especially at home.

A notable presence keeping the Hawkeyes in the game during their second-half spark was their bench. They stayed competitive with the Terrapins, as they were only outscored 18-16. This was in large part to the efforts of three of their freshmen: Guyton, Taylor Stremlow and Ava Heiden. Each of whom made big plays and played with an intensity surpassing their class status. Affolter had praise for the young bench after the game, saying:

I think everyone on the bench and our starters, everyone played such a crucial role on this team. I’ve been in their position too, you never know when you’re going to be called, and they did a great job of that. We need them coming off the bench. Starters, we’re coming off not playing a full 40 minutes, so I think they did a great job. We’re going to need them in the future.

The Hawkeyes’ young depth under Jensen’s leadership also won the praise of Maryland head coach Brenda Frese, who shared:

I’m really impressed with what she’s done with this team to have that type of confidence in your freshmen. They’re playing above the level of most players in conference play. That doesn’t bode well for the rest of us for the future, but they’re really, really good and you can see the trust level that she has. I thought that wore us out in the second half. Their depth was even greater than what we had, being able to get Stuelke in foul trouble, but they really didn’t miss a beat because of their depth that they have.

Iowa (12-3, 2-2) will hit the road to take on Illinois (11-4, 1-3) on Thursday Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. ET.

A number of top teams are playing on Sunday, Jan. 5, starting with No. 3 Notre Dame taking on No. 17 UNC at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Then, we have No. 9 Oklahoma versus No. 15 Tennessee at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by No. 8 Maryland competing against No. 23 Iowa at 6 p.m. ET. (BTN).

Here is what to look for in each contest and what each team needs to do to come out victorious:

Can Notre Dame dominate?

The Fighting Irish have started the season 11-2, thanks to their elite guard play. Sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo is averaging a team-high 26 points per game, and senior guard Olivia Miles is equally lethal on the perimeter, averaging 16.7 points while shooting 55.9 percent from the field.

Notre Dame should come out with the win and continue their undefeated streak in ACC play.

For UNC to pull off the upset, Maria Gakdeng will have to have a big game. The Tar Heel senior forward is known for putting up double-digit points nightly, but will need to have a career night to pull off the win. Grad wing Alyssa Ustby is another player for UNC who can rise to a higher level on Sunday. If she can match the likes of Miles and Hidalgo, they’ll have a chance to get a win.

SEC Sunday

Oklahoma has impressed in the SEC, and Tennessee will challenge them on Sunday. Sooner junior center Raegan Beers, who is averaging 17.4 points and 9.4 rebounds, will be the key to Oklahoma’s victory.

While Oklahoma is much more dependent on its stars, the Volunteers are a balanced attack. Tennessee has five players averaging double-figures, and any of them can get hot at any given moment. If a few of them catch a rhythm on Sunday, Oklahoma could be in trouble.

Last but not least

Iowa has done a good job in the post-Caitlin Clark era, with senior junior Lucy Olsen taking over the team. She is averaging 16.9 points per game, and with junior forward Hannah Stuelke and senior big Addison O’Grady being walking buckets on the inside, the Hawkeyes are a formidable team.

But the Terrapins will be favored in this matchup, as they are currently a top-10 team in the country. Maryland is guard-heavy, with junior Kaylene Smikle and senior Shyanne Sellers scoring a combined 30 points per game. Iowa will need to control the perimeter and win the 3-point battle if they want to stay in this game and make it interesting in the final frame.

Game information

No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels (13-2, 1-1) vs. No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-2, 2-0)

When: Sunday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, NC

How to watch: ESPN

No. 15 Tennessee Lady Volunteers (13-0, 1-0) vs. No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners (12-2, 0-1)

When: Sunday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Food City Center in Knoxville, TN

How to watch: ESPN

No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-2, 2-1) vs. No. 8 Maryland Terrapins (13-0, 3-0)

When: Sunday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA

How to watch: BTN