Only two teams in women’s college basketball can say they’re tipping off the season in Paris. The Baylor Bears are one of them.
The Bears will tip off the season on Nov. 3 in Paris against Duke, a matchup of two teams that could see one another in the NCAA Tournament come March. It’s a great way to start the season for a team that has big expectations going into another season under coach Nicki Collen.
Here is a preview of the Baylor Bears.
Baylor Bears
2024-25: 28-8, 15-3, second place in Big 12. Lost in the Big 12 Tournament championship game to TCU. Reached second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Ole Miss.
Head coach: Nicki Collen is entering her fifth season as head coach and has a 102-36 record. The Bears have been to the NCAA Tournament each of her four seasons but has only reached the second weekend of the tournament once.
Big 12 history: Baylor was an original member of the Big 12, a merger of the Southwest Conference and the Big 8 Conference. The Bears have three national championships all won under former coach Kim Mulkey.
Baylor Schedule: Click here for a complete 2025-26 Big 12 schedule.
Baylor 2025-26 Roster Review
Gone: G Yaya Felder (10.1 ppg), F Madison Bartley (2.5 ppg), G Waiata Jennings (2.0 ppg), G Aliyah Matharu (6.6 ppg), C Aaronette Vonleh (14.9 ppg), G Sarah Andrews (10.7 ppg)
Returning: G Ines Gorayanova (DNP), G Jana Van Gytenbeek (missed season due to injury), G/F Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (13.8 ppg), F Kayla Nelms (2.4 ppg), F Kyla Abraham (2.1 ppg), G/F Bella Fontleroy (9.0 ppg)
Incoming transfers: F Kiersten Johnson (2.3 ppg at Oklahoma), G Taliah Scott (20.3 ppg at Auburn in three games, injured), G Ella Brow (6.1 ppg at SMU), G Yuting Deng (11.8 ppg at Auburn), F Kiera Pemberton (16.7 ppg at North Dakota).
Freshmen: C Marcayla Johnson (No. 41 recruit per ESPNW).
Projected Starting Lineup
G/F Darianna Littlepage-Buggs: A star since her freshman season, she’s the most well-rounded player on the team.
G/F Bella Fonterloy: Can swing into the starting lineup or off the bench. She’s waited her turn to be a full-time starter from the jump.
G Taliah Scott: Missed most of last season due to injury but her potential as a scorer is crystal clear.
G Jana Van Gytenbeek: Missed all of last season due to injury. She’s waited her turn for a shot at a starting job.
F Kiera Pemberton: Along with the scoring, she pulled down more than eight boards a game last season.
Starting Lineup Crashers
F Kiersten Johnson: She’s the epitome of untapped potential, a former Top 100 recruit who never broke through at OU.
G Yuting Deng: Only played half of last season but has the offensive goods to push Van Gytenbeek for her spot.
Lineup Competition
Baylor is one of those rare teams in the league where the roles and the starters seem clear in most cases. Littlepage-Buggs and Fontleroy are locks, though the latter is just as good off the bench. For Scott and Van Gytenbeek, the time is now to make an impact for a full season. Pemberton is only 6-foot-1, but her rebounding ability gets her on track for a starting spot. Johnson and Abraham are going to be in the frontcourt rotation. Brow and talented freshman Marcayla Johnson are going to be in the backcourt rotation. Deng has the potential to break through early and push Van Gytenbeek out of a starting spot. Collen’s system stresses offensive balance. Everyone should eat, with an emphasis on Littlepage-Buggs and Fontleroy.
Early Prediction
Baylor will open the season in Paris against Duke. The Bears will get Iowa at the WBCA Showcase in Orlando. Baylor faces former Big 12 rival Texas in Fort Worth in December. This group should be ready to hit the ground running once Big 12 play begins. Watch Littlepage-Buggs. One of the best players in the league should be in position to be a national star this season. Van Gytenbeek could be a huge differentiator if she gets her 3-point shot going. The Bears are a Big 12 title contender once again.
