# 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season

The 2015–16 NCAA Division I women's basketball season began in November and ended with the Final Four in Indianapolis, April 3–5. Practices officially began on October 3.
This season of NCAA women's basketball games was the first to be played in 10-minute quarters, the standard for FIBA and WNBA play.

## Other NCAA changes

In addition to the change to quarter play, the NCAA also affords each team three 30-second timeouts and one 60-second timeout per game, and a media timeout will occur at the first dead ball after the 5:00 mark of each quarter. If a timeout is called before the 5:00 mark, that timeout replaces the media timeout. Teams will also be allowed to advance the ball to the front court following a timeout after a made basket, a rebound or change in possession in the last minute of the fourth quarter or any overtime periods.
The bonus situation has also changed, with teams reaching the bonus on the fifth foul of each quarter, where they will be awarded two free throws. Previously, teams shot one-and-one on the seventh foul of the half and reached the two-shot double bonus on the 10th foul. Fouls will reset following each quarter, with all overtime periods counting as extensions of the fourth quarter.

## Team changes

* The Omaha Mavericks began their NCAA Division I and Summit League postseason eligibility this season in a new on-campus venue, Baxter Arena. The first game was a 61–56 exhibition loss to Division II Washburn on November 4; the first regular-season game was a 75–60 win over UCF on November 14.
* On January 10, the Ole Miss Rebels made their debut in the new Pavilion at Ole Miss against Florida, losing 85–65.

## Pre-season polls

The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.
Associated Press :
| Ranking | Team |
| 1 | Connecticut (32) |
| 2 | South Carolina |
| 3 | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Tennessee |
| 5 | Baylor |
| 6 | Ohio State |
| 7 | Florida State |
| 8 | Louisville |
| 9 | Maryland |
| 10 | Oregon State |
| 11 | Mississippi State |
| 12 | Texas |
| 13 | Texas A&M |
| 14 | Duke |
| 15 | Arizona State |
| 16 | Stanford |
| 17 | Oklahoma |
| 18 | Kentucky |
| 19 | Northwestern |
| 20 | South Florida |
| 21 | George Washington |
| 22 | North Carolina |
| 23 | Syracuse |
| 24 | Michigan State |
| 25 | Chattanooga |
USA Today Coaches :
| Ranking | Team |
| 1 | Connecticut (32) |
| 2 | South Carolina |
| 3 | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Tennessee |
| 5 | Baylor |
| 6 | Maryland |
| 7 | Florida State |
| 8 | Louisville |
| 9 | Oregon State |
| 10 | Ohio State |
| 11 | Texas |
| 12 | Duke |
| 13 | Mississippi State |
| 14 | Stanford |
| 15 | Arizona State |
| 16 | Texas A&M |
| 17 | Kentucky |
| 18 | Oklahoma |
| 19 | South Florida |
| 20 | North Carolina |
| 21 | George Washington |
| 22 | DePaul |
| 23 | Iowa |
| 24 | Northwestern |
| 25 | Princeton |

## Postseason
### Conference winners and tournaments

Thirty-one athletic conferences each ended their regular seasons with a single-elimination tournament. The team with the best regular-season record in each conference was given the number one seed in each tournament, with tiebreakers used as needed in the case of ties for the top seeding. All conferences also recognize regular-season champions, with co-championships being awarded in the case of ties. The winners of these tournaments receive automatic invitations to the 2016 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament. For the final time, the Ivy League did not hold a conference tournament, instead giving its automatic invitation to its regular season champion; in case of a tie for the regular-season title (which did not happen this season), the automatic berth would have been decided by a one-game playoff (or series of one-game playoffs if more than two teams were tied).
| Conference | Regular season winner | Conference player of the year | Conference Coach of the Year | Conference tournament | Tournament venue (city) | Tournament winner |
| America East | Albany Maine | Shereesha Richards, Albany | Linda Cimino, Binghamton | 2016 America East women's basketball tournament | Quarterfinals and semifinals: Binghamton University Events Center (Vestal, New York) Final at top remaining seed | Albany |
| American | Connecticut | Breanna Stewart, Connecticut | Geno Auriemma, Connecticut | 2016 American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament | Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Connecticut) | Connecticut |
| Atlantic 10 | Duquesne George Washington Saint Louis | Jackie Kemph, Saint Louis April Robinson, Duquesne | Lisa Stone, Saint Louis | 2016 Atlantic 10 women's basketball tournament | Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia) | George Washington |
| Atlantic Coast | Notre Dame | Myisha Hines-Allen, Louisville (media) Brianna Turner, Notre Dame (coaches) | Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame | 2016 ACC women's basketball tournament | Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, North Carolina) | Notre Dame |
| Atlantic Sun | Florida Gulf Coast | Whitney Knight, Florida Gulf Coast | Karl Smesko, Florida Gulf Coast | 2016 ASUN women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Jacksonville |
| Big 12 | Baylor | Brittney Martin, Oklahoma State | Jim Littell, Oklahoma State | 2016 Big 12 Conference women's basketball tournament | Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City) | Baylor |
| Big East | DePaul | Chanise Jenkins, DePaul | Doug Bruno, DePaul | 2016 Big East women's basketball tournament | McGrath–Phillips Arena (Chicago) | St. John's |
| Big Sky | Montana State | Jasmine Hommes, Montana State | Tricia Binford, Montana State | 2016 Big Sky Conference women's basketball tournament | Reno Events Center (Reno, Nevada) | Idaho |
| Big South | UNC Asheville | Chatori Major, UNC Asheville | Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, UNC Asheville | 2016 Big South Conference women's basketball tournament | Kimmel Arena (Asheville, North Carolina) | UNC Asheville |
| Big Ten | Maryland | Rachel Banham, Minnesota | Teri Moren, Indiana | 2016 Big Ten Conference women's basketball tournament | Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) | Maryland |
| Big West | UC Riverside | Brittany Crain, UC Riverside | John Margaritis, UC Riverside | 2016 Big West Conference women's basketball tournament | First round and quarterfinals: Bren Events Center (Irvine, California) Semifinals and final: Honda Center (Anaheim, California) | Hawaii |
| Colonial | James Madison | Jazmon Gwathmey, James Madison | Kenny Brooks, James Madison | 2016 CAA women's basketball tournament | The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) | James Madison |
| CUSA | UTEP | Kendall Noble, Western Kentucky | Keitha Adams, UTEP | 2016 Conference USA women's basketball tournament | First two rounds and quarterfinals: Bartow Arena (Birmingham, Alabama) Semifinals and final: Legacy Arena (Birmingham, Alabama) | Middle Tennessee |
| Horizon | Green Bay | Kim Demmings, Wright State | Kyle Rechlicz, Milwaukee | 2016 Horizon League women's basketball tournament | Kress Events Center (Green Bay, Wisconsin) | Green Bay |
| Ivy | Penn | Sydney Stipanovich, Penn | Mike McLaughlin, Penn | No tournament | No tournament | No tournament |
| Metro Atlantic | Quinnipiac | Tori Jarosz, Marist | Tricia Fabbri, Quinnipiac | 2016 MAAC women's basketball tournament | Times Union Center (Albany, New York) | Iona |
| Mid-American | Ohio (East and overall #1) Central Michigan (West) | Nathalie Fontaine, Ball State | Sue Guevara, Central Michigan | 2016 Mid-American Conference women's basketball tournament | First round at campus sites Remainder at Quicken Loans Arena, (Cleveland, Ohio) | Buffalo |
| Mid-Eastern | Bethune–Cookman North Carolina A&T | Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton | Vanessa Blair-Lewis, Bethune-Cookman | 2016 MEAC women's basketball tournament | Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, Virginia) | North Carolina A&T |
| Missouri Valley | Northern Iowa | Tyonna Snow, Missouri State | Tanya Warren, Northern Iowa | 2016 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball tournament | iWireless Center (Moline, Illinois) | Missouri State |
| Mountain West | Colorado State | Ellen Nystrom, Colorado State | Ryun Williams, Colorado State | 2016 Mountain West Conference women's basketball tournament | Thomas & Mack Center (Paradise, Nevada) | Colorado State |
| Northeast | Sacred Heart | Hannah Kimmel, Sacred Heart | Jessica Mannetti, Sacred Heart | 2016 Northeast Conference women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Robert Morris |
| Ohio Valley | UT Martin | Shronda Butts, SIU Edwardsville | Kevin McMillan, UT Martin | 2016 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball tournament | Nashville Municipal Auditorium (Nashville, Tennessee) | Belmont |
| Pac-12 | Arizona State Oregon State | Jamie Weisner, Oregon State (coaches & media) Jillian Alleyne, Oregon (media) | Charli Turner Thorne, Arizona State | 2016 Pac-12 Conference women's basketball tournament | KeyArena (Seattle) | Oregon State |
| Patriot | Army Bucknell | Kelsey Minato, Army | Aaron Roussell, Bucknell | 2016 Patriot League women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Army |
| Southeastern | South Carolina | A'ja Wilson, South Carolina | Dawn Staley, South Carolina | 2016 SEC women's basketball tournament | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, Florida) | South Carolina |
| Southern | Chattanooga Mercer | Kahlia Lawrence, Mercer | Susie Gardner, Mercer | 2016 Southern Conference women's basketball tournament | U.S. Cellular Center (Asheville, North Carolina) | Chattanooga |
| Southland | Abilene Christian | Alexis Mason, Abilene Christian | Julie Goodenough, Abilene Christian | 2016 Southland Conference women's basketball tournament | Leonard E. Merrell Center (Katy, Texas) | Central Arkansas |
| Southwestern | Alabama State Southern Texas Southern | Norianna Haynes, Alcorn State | Nadine Domond, Grambling State | 2016 SWAC women's basketball tournament | Toyota Center (Houston, Texas) | Alabama State |
| Summit | South Dakota | Nicole Seekamp, South Dakota | Amy Williams, South Dakota | 2016 Summit League women's basketball tournament | Denny Sanford Premier Center (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) | South Dakota State |
| Sun Belt | Arkansas State | Aundrea Gamble, Arkansas State | Bryan Boyer, Arkansas State | 2016 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball tournament | Lakefront Arena (New Orleans) | Troy |
| West Coast | BYU | Lexi Rydalch, BYU | Jeff Judkins, BYU | 2016 West Coast Conference women's basketball tournament | Orleans Arena (Paradise, Nevada) | San Francisco |
| Western | New Mexico State | Shawnte' Goff, UTRGV | Mark Trakh, New Mexico State | 2016 WAC women's basketball tournament | Orléans Arena (Paradise, Nevada) | New Mexico State |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Won tiebreaker for top tournament seed.
* ↑ Under Southland Conference bylaws, transitional Division I member Abilene Christian was ineligible for the conference tournament. The top tournament seed went to second-place Central Arkansas.

### Statistical leaders

| Points per game | Points per game | Points per game | Rebounds per game | Rebounds per game | Rebounds per game | Assists per game | Assists per game | Assists per game | Steals per game | Steals per game | Steals per game |
| Player | School | PPG | Player | School | RPG | Player | School | APG | Player | School | SPG |
| Jasmine Nwajei | Wagner | 29 | Anna Stickland | Houston Baptist | 14.2 | Niya Johnson | Baylor | 8.7 | Ashley Deary | Northwestern | 4.03 |
| Rachel Banham | Minnesota | 28.6 | Jillian Alleyne | Oregon | 13.6 | Rachel Theriot | Nebraska | 7.3 | Chastadie Barrs | Lamar | 3.97 |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Ohio State | 26.1 | Lexi Martins | Lehigh | 13.6 | Jackie Kemph | St. Louis | 7 | Adella Randle-El | Sacramento State | 3.77 |
| Kelsey Plum | Washington | 25.9 | Ruvanna Campbell | Ill-Chicago | 13.5 | Caitlin Ingle | Drake | 6.939 | Aliyah Kilpatrick | Winthrop | 3.59 |
| Lexi Rydalch | BYU | 24.2 | Kalani Purcell | BYU | 12.6 | Roddricka Patton | Oklahoma State | 6.935 | Amani Tatum | Manhattan | 3.26 |
| Blocked shots per game | Blocked shots per game | Blocked shots per game | Field goal percentage | Field goal percentage | Field goal percentage | Three-point field goal percentage | Three-point field goal percentage | Three-point field goal percentage | Free throw percentage | Free throw percentage | Free throw percentage |
| Player | School | BPG | Player | School | FG% | Player | School | 3FG% | Player | School | FT% |
| Bego Faz Davalos | Fresno State | 4 | Brionna Jones | Maryland | 66.5 | Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | Maryland | 54.5 | Kim Albrecht | Binghamton | 91.4 |
| Jasmine Joyner | Chattanooga | 3.94 | Hallie Thome | Michigan | 63.1 | Kelsey Minato | Army | 47.8 | Cartaesha Macklin | Southern Illinois | 90.5 |
| Jodie Cornelie-Sigmundova | Dayton | 3.55 | Sara Rhine | Drake | 62.9 | Karlie Samuelson | Stanford | 47.3 | Janelle Perez | Northwestern State | 90.2 |
| Ruth Hamblin | Oregon State | 3.51 | Sarah Cash | Youngstown State | 60 | Jacquie Klotz | Bucknall | 47.3 | Daniele Ewert | Alabama State | 90.1 |
| Josie Stockill | Colgate | 3.5 | Brianna Turner | Notre Dame | 59.3 | Madison Cable | Notre Dame | 46 | Kelsey Plum | Washington | 88.96 |

### NCAA tournament
#### Tournament upsets

For this list, a "major upset" is defined as a win by a team seeded 7 or more spots below its defeated opponent.
| Date | Winner | Score | Loser | Region | Round |
| March 18 | Albany (12) | 61-59 | Florida (5) | Sioux Falls | Round of 64 |
| March 19 | South Dakota State (12) | 74-71 | Miami (FL) (5) | Lexington | Round of 64 |

### Women's Basketball Invitational
## Conference standings

2015–16 American Athletic Conference women's basketball standings :
| 2015–16 American Athletic Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 1 UConn †18–0 1.00038–0  1.000 No. 21 South Florida14–4 .77824–10  .706 Temple13–5 .72223–12  .657 Memphis12–6 .66718–13  .581 Tulane11–7 .61123–12  .657 Tulsa8–10 .44412–19  .387 SMU7–11 .38913–18  .419 East Carolina6–12 .33313–19  .406 Cincinnati4–14 .2228–22  .267 UCF4–14 .2227–23  .233 Houston2–16 .1116–24  .200 † American Tournament winner As of April 5, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 America East Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Albany †15–1 .93828–5  .848 Maine15–1 .93826–9  .743 UMBC8–8 .50018–14  .563 Stony Brook8–8 .50017–15  .531 Binghamton8–8 .50014–17  .452 Hartford7–9 .43811–19  .367 New Hampshire6–10 .37512–18  .400 Vermont4–12 .2509–21  .300 UMass Lowell*1–15 .0634–24  .143 † 2016 America East tournament winner As of March 20, 2016 *ineligible for postseason play due to Div. I transitions Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Atlantic 10 women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Duquesne13–3 .81328–6  .824 George Washington †13–3 .81326–7  .788 Saint Louis13–3 .81326–8  .765 St. Bonaventure12–4 .75024–8  .750 VCU10–6 .62523–10  .697 Saint Joseph's8–8 .50014–15  .483 Fordham8–8 .50014–17  .452 Dayton7–9 .43814–15  .483 George Mason6–10 .37512–19  .387 Richmond5–11 .31313–18  .419 Rhode Island5–11 .31312–18  .400 UMass5–11 .31312–18  .400 Davidson5–11 .31311–19  .367 La Salle2–14 .1255–25  .167 † 2016 A10 Tournament winner As of March 25, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Atlantic Sun women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Florida Gulf Coast14–0 1.00033–5  .868 Jacksonville †11–3 .78622–11  .667 USC Upstate10–4 .71422–12  .647 Stetson9–5 .64320–12  .625 Kennesaw State6–8 .42911–19  .367 North Florida3–11 .2147–23  .233 Lipscomb2–12 .1435–25  .167 NJIT1–13 .0714–26  .133 † 2016 Atlantic Sun tournament winner As of April 2, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 ACC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 2 Notre Dame †16–0 1.00033–2  .943 No. 8 Louisville15–1 .93826–8  .765 No. 14 Syracuse13–3 .81330–8  .789 No. 17 Florida State13–3 .81325–8  .758 No. 19 Miami (FL)10–6 .62524–9  .727 NC State10–6 .62520–11  .645 Duke8–8 .50020–12  .625 Georgia Tech8–8 .50020–13  .606 Virginia6–10 .37518–16  .529 Wake Forest6–10 .37517–16  .515 Virginia Tech5–11 .31318–14  .563 North Carolina4–12 .25014–18  .438 Pittsburgh4–12 .25013–18  .419 Boston College2–14 .12515–16  .484 Clemson0–16 .0004–26  .133 † 2016 ACC tournament winner As of April 5, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Big East Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 20 DePaul*16–2 .88927–9  .750 Seton Hall12–6 .66723–9  .719 Villanova12–6 .66720–12  .625 St. John's †11–7 .61123–10  .697 Georgetown9–9 .50016–14  .533 Marquette9–9 .50014–16  .467 Xavier8–10 .44417–13  .567 Creighton8–10 .44417–18  .486 Butler4–14 .22210–21  .323 Providence1–17 .0565–24  .172 † 2016 Big East Basketball Tournament winner * Tournament #1 seed As of March 26, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Big Sky women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Montana State14–4 .77821–10  .677 Idaho †13–5 .72224–10  .706 Eastern Washington13–5 .72220–12  .625 North Dakota13–5 .72219–14  .576 Montana12–6 .66720–11  .645 Weber State11–7 .61123–12  .657 Sacramento State10–8 .55614–17  .452 Idaho State8–10 .44418–15  .545 Northern Colorado8–10 .44413–16  .448 Northern Arizona2–16 .1116–24  .200 Southern Utah2–16 .1115–25  .167 Portland State2–16 .1114–26  .133 † 2016 Big Sky tournament winner As of March 26, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Big South women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UNC Asheville †16–4 .80026–7  .788 Liberty15–5 .75020–13  .606 Gardner-Webb13–7 .65019–12  .613 Presbyterian13–7 .65018–13  .581 Radford13–7 .65018–13  .581 High Point10–10 .50012–19  .387 Charleston Southern8–12 .40014–17  .452 Campbell7–13 .35013–18  .419 Coastal Carolina7–13 .35012–18  .400 Longwood5–15 .2508–22  .267 Winthrop3–17 .1504–26  .133 † 2016 Big South tournament winner As of March 19, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Big Ten women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 5 Maryland†16–2 .88931–4  .886 No. 9 Ohio State15–3 .83326–8  .765 No. 16 Michigan State13–5 .72225–9  .735 Indiana12–6 .66721–12  .636 Minnesota11–7 .61120–12  .625 Purdue10–8 .55620–12  .625 Michigan9–9 .50021–14  .600 Nebraska9–9 .50018–13  .581 Iowa8–10 .44419–14  .576 Rutgers8–10 .44419–15  .559 Penn State6–12 .33312–19  .387 Northwestern4–14 .22218–17  .514 Wisconsin3–15 .1677–22  .241 Illinois2–16 .1119–21  .300 † 2016 Big Ten tournament winner As of March 31, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Big West women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UC Riverside16–0 1.00023–9  .719 Long Beach State12–4 .75024–9  .727 Hawaii †12–4 .75021–11  .656 UC Davis10–6 .62519–12  .613 UC Santa Barbara8–8 .50012–20  .375 Cal Poly7–9 .43815–16  .484 Cal State Northridge5–11 .3137–24  .226 UC Irvine1–15 .0634–27  .129 Cal State Fullerton1–15 .0633–27  .100 † 2016 Big West tournament winner As of March 19, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Big 12 Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 4 Baylor †17–1 .94436–2  .947 No. 6 Texas15–3 .83331–5  .861 No. 22 West Virginia12–6 .66725–10  .714 Oklahoma State11–7 .61121–10  .677 No. 24 Oklahoma11–7 .61122–11  .667 Kansas State8–10 .44419–13  .594 TCU8–10 .44418–15  .545 Iowa State5–13 .27813–17  .433 Texas Tech3–15 .16713–18  .419 Kansas0–18 .0006–25  .194 † 2016 Big 12 Tournament winner Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 CAA women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT James Madison †17–1 .94427–6  .818 Hofstra13–5 .72225–9  .735 Drexel13–5 .72219–14  .576 Elon11–7 .61118–13  .581 Delaware10–8 .55616–15  .516 Northeastern9–9 .50015–16  .484 William & Mary6–12 .33315–15  .500 College of Charleston5–13 .27811–20  .355 UNC Wilmington3–15 .1677–23  .233 Towson3–15 .1677–24  .226 † 2016 CAA tournament winner As of March 28, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Conference USA women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UTEP16–2 .88929–5  .853 WKU15–3 .83327–7  .794 Middle Tennessee †15–3 .83324–9  .727 Charlotte12–6 .66719–12  .613 Old Dominion10–8 .55617–17  .500 Marshall9–9 .50021–12  .636 Louisiana Tech9–9 .50014–16  .467 UAB7–11 .38915–16  .484 Southern Miss7–11 .38914–16  .467 Rice7–11 .3899–22  .290 Florida Atlantic6–12 .33314–16  .467 UTSA6–12 .33310–19  .345 North Texas5–13 .27811–19  .367 FIU2–16 .1115–26  .161 † 2016 C-USA Tournament winner As of March 28, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Horizon League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Green Bay †16–2 .88928–5  .848 Wright State12–6 .66724–11  .686 Milwaukee12–6 .66719–13  .594 Detroit11–7 .61115–15  .500 Youngstown State9–9 .50021–13  .618 Northern Kentucky*9–9 .50019–14  .576 Oakland7–11 .38915–15  .500 Cleveland State6–12 .3339–20  .310 Valparaiso5–13 .27810–21  .323 Illinois-Chicago3–15 .16712–18  .400 * Ineligible for NCAA postseason during transition to Division I. † 2016 Horizon League Tournament winner As of March 23, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Ivy League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Penn†13–1 .92924–5  .828 Princeton12–2 .85723–6  .793 Harvard9–5 .64314–14  .500 Dartmouth7–7 .50012–18  .400 Cornell6–8 .42914–14  .500 Yale5–9 .35714–17  .452 Brown3–11 .21415–13  .536 Columbia1–13 .07112–17  .414 † Ivy League winner As of March 19, 2016 Rankings from AP Poll |
| 2015–16 Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT East Ohio16–2 .88926–7  .788 Akron11–7 .61119–14  .576 Buffalo †8–10 .44420–14  .588 Bowling Green6–12 .33310–18  .357 Miami (OH)3–15 .1679–21  .300 Kent State3–15 .1676–23  .207 West Central Michigan14–4 .77822–11  .667 Ball State13–5 .72222–10  .688 Toledo12–6 .66717–13  .567 Eastern Michigan10–8 .55622–12  .647 Western Michigan8–10 .44417–15  .531 Northern Illinois4–14 .22211–19  .367 † 2016 MAC tournament winner As of March 24, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 MAAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Quinnipiac17–3 .85025–9  .735 Iona †16–4 .80023–12  .657 Marist14–6 .70016–16  .500 Fairfield11–9 .55016–14  .533 Manhattan11–9 .55014–16  .467 Monmouth11–9 .55014–17  .452 Siena10–10 .50014–18  .438 Canisius8–12 .40013–17  .433 Niagara5–15 .2508–22  .267 Rider5–15 .2508–22  .267 St. Peter's2–18 .1004–26  .133 † 2016 MAAC tournament winner As of March 20, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 MEAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT North Carolina A&T †12–4 .75019–11  .633 Bethune-Cookman12–4 .75018–12  .600 Hampton11–5 .68814–17  .452 Coppin State10–6 .62516–16  .500 Morgan State10–6 .62513–17  .433 Maryland-Eastern Shore10–6 .62512–17  .414 Florida A&M9–7 .56316–15  .516 South Carolina State7–9 .43813–16  .448 Savannah State7–9 .43810–18  .357 Delaware State6–10 .3759–21  .300 Howard4–12 .2507–24  .226 North Carolina Central3–13 .1885–23  .179 Norfolk State3–13 .1883–24  .111 † 2016 MEAC tournament winner Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Northern Iowa15–3 .83324–11  .686 Missouri State †14–4 .77824–10  .706 Drake14–4 .77823–10  .697 Southern Illinois12–6 .66720–13  .606 Loyola-Chicago10–8 .55614–16  .467 Indiana State9–9 .50013–17  .433 Illinois State6–12 .3338–22  .267 Wichita State5–13 .2788–22  .267 Bradley4–14 .2229–22  .290 Evansville1–17 .0563–28  .097 † 2016 MVC tournament winner As of March 24, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Mountain West Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 22 Colorado State †18–0 1.00031–2  .939 Fresno State15–3 .83322–12  .647 Boise State12–6 .66719–11  .633 San Jose State11–7 .61113–17  .433 UNLV9–9 .50018–14  .563 New Mexico9–9 .50017–15  .531 Utah State8–10 .44414–17  .452 Wyoming6–12 .33313–16  .448 San Diego State6–12 .33312–19  .387 Nevada4–14 .2225–25  .167 Air Force1–17 .0561–29  .033 † 2016 MWC tournament winner Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Northeast Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Sacred Heart16–2 .88920–13  .606 Bryant14–4 .77818–13  .581 Robert Morris†11–7 .61120–13  .606 Saint Francis (PA)11–7 .61115–17  .469 Central Connecticut9–9 .50012–18  .400 Fairleigh Dickinson8–10 .44411–21  .344 LIU Brooklyn7–11 .3899–21  .300 Mount St. Mary's7–11 .3899–21  .300 St. Francis Brooklyn4–14 .2227–22  .241 Wagner3–15 .1675–24  .172 † 2016 NEC tournament winner As of March 19, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UT Martin14–2 .87522–9  .710 Belmont †13–3 .81324–9  .727 SIU Edwardsville12–4 .75018–12  .600 Eastern Kentucky10–6 .62518–12  .600 Southeast Missouri State8–8 .50015–16  .484 Austin Peay8–8 .50010–20  .333 Murray State7–9 .43812–17  .414 Tennessee State7–9 .43812–18  .400 Tennessee Tech6–10 .37510–19  .345 Jacksonville State5–11 .31310–18  .357 Morehead State4–12 .25010–20  .333 Eastern Illinois2–14 .1253–25  .107 † 2016 OVC tournament winner As of March 21, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Pac-12 Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 6 Oregon State †16–2 .88932–5  .865 No. 11 Arizona State16–2 .88926–7  .788 No. 13 Stanford14–4 .77827–8  .771 No. 10 UCLA14–4 .77826–9  .743 Washington11–7 .61126–11  .703 Oregon9–9 .50024–11  .686 Utah8–10 .44418–15  .545 USC6–12 .33319–13  .594 Washington State5–13 .27814–16  .467 California4–14 .22215–17  .469 Arizona3–15 .16713–19  .406 Colorado2–16 .1117–23  .233 † 2016 Pac-12 Tournament winner As of April 3, 2016 Rankings from AP Poll | 2015–16 Patriot League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Army †17–1 .94429–3  .906 Bucknell17–1 .94425–8  .758 Loyola (MD)11–7 .61116–16  .500 Lehigh10–8 .55618–13  .581 Holy Cross10–8 .55613–17  .433 Navy9–9 .50015–15  .500 American5–13 .2788–23  .258 Colgate4–14 .2227–23  .233 Lafayette4–14 .2226–23  .207 Boston University3–15 .1673–27  .100 † 2016 Patriot League tournament winner As of March 19, 2016 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 SEC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 3 South Carolina †16–0 1.00033–2  .943 No. 15 Mississippi State11–5 .68828–8  .778 No. 18 Texas A&M11–5 .68822–10  .688 No. 12 Kentucky10–6 .62525–8  .758 No. 25 Florida10–6 .62522–9  .710 Georgia9–7 .56321–10  .677 Missouri8–8 .50022–10  .688 Tennessee8–8 .50022–14  .611 Auburn8–8 .50020–13  .606 Arkansas7–9 .43812–18  .400 Vanderbilt5–11 .31318–14  .563 Alabama4–12 .25015–16  .484 LSU3–13 .18810–21  .323 Ole Miss2–14 .12510–20  .333 † 2016 SEC tournament winner As of March 27, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Southern Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Chattanooga †12–2 .85724–8  .750 Mercer*12–2 .85724–9  .727 Samford11–3 .78620–11  .645 East Tennessee State8–6 .57116–14  .533 Furman7–7 .50015–16  .484 Wofford3–11 .2149–20  .310 Western Carolina3–11 .2146–22  .214 UNC Greensboro0–14 .0008–22  .267 † 2016 SoCon Tournament winner As of March 18, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Southland Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Abilene Christian*17–1 .94426–4  .867 Central Arkansas †16–2 .88928–4  .875 Northwestern State13–5 .72219–12  .613 Stephen F. Austin12–6 .66718–12  .600 McNeese State11–7 .61120–13  .606 Houston Baptist9–9 .50014–15  .483 Nicholls State8–10 .44410–19  .345 Sam Houston State7–11 .38914–18  .438 Lamar7–11 .38912–19  .387 Texas A&M–CC6–12 .3339–20  .310 New Orleans5–13 .2788–19  .296 Incarnate Word*3–15 .1676–23  .207 SE Louisiana3–15 .1674–25  .138 † 2016 Southland tournament winner As of March 18, 2016 *ineligible for postseason play due to Div. I transition Rankings from AP poll |
| 2015–16 SWAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Jackson State0–0 –2–1  .667 Prairie View A&M0–0 –2–1  .667 Southern0–0 –2–2  .500 Alcorn State0–0 –1–2  .333 Alabama State0–0 –1–3  .250 Arkansas-Pine Bluff0–0 –1–3  .250 Grambling State0–0 –1–3  .250 Texas Southern0–0 –0–2  .000 Alabama A&M0–0 –0–4  .000 Mississippi Valley State0–0 –0–4  .000 † 2016 SWAC tournament winner As of November 27, 2015 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Arkansas State19–1 .95026–5  .839 Little Rock16–4 .80020–12  .625 Louisiana–Lafayette13–7 .65021–10  .677 Troy †12–8 .60020–13  .606 South Alabama11–9 .55015–15  .500 UT Arlington10–10 .50015–16  .484 Texas State7–13 .35012–19  .387 Appalachian State7–13 .35010–20  .333 Louisiana–Monroe6–14 .30012–17  .414 Georgia State5–15 .25010–19  .345 Georgia Southern4–16 .2007–22  .241 † 2016 Sun Belt Tournament winner As of March 26, 2015 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 Summit League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT South Dakota15–1 .93832–6  .842 South Dakota State †13–3 .81327–7  .794 IUPUI11–5 .68821–11  .656 Oral Roberts10–6 .62514–16  .467 Western Illinois8–8 .50016–16  .500 Omaha7–9 .43815–15  .500 IPFW3–13 .1887–23  .233 Denver3–13 .1885–25  .167 North Dakota State2–14 .1257–22  .241 † 2016 Summit League Tournament winner As of April 2, 2016 Rankings from AP Poll |
| 2015–16 West Coast Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT BYU16–2 .88926–7  .788 Saint Mary's14–4 .77824–8  .750 San Diego13–5 .72224–8  .750 Santa Clara13–5 .72223–9  .719 Gonzaga10–8 .55619–14  .576 San Francisco †9–9 .50021–12  .636 Pacific6–12 .33313–17  .433 Loyola Marymount6–12 .33311–20  .355 Pepperdine2–16 .1117–24  .226 Portland1–17 .0563–27  .100 † Tournament winner As of March 22, 2016 Rankings from AP poll | 2015–16 WAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT New Mexico State †13–1 .92926–5  .839 UTRGV9–5 .64319–14  .576 Grand Canyon*8–6 .57116–15  .516 Utah Valley8–6 .57116–15  .516 Cal State Bakersfield8–6 .57112–19  .387 UMKC5–9 .35710–18  .357 Seattle3–11 .2149–21  .300 Chicago State2–12 .1434–25  .138 † 2016 WAC tournament winner As of March 18, 2016 * Grand Canyon ineligible for WAC Basketball Tournament as part of reclassification from Division II Rankings from AP poll |

## Award winners
### All-America teams

The NCAA has never recognized a consensus All-America team in women's basketball. This differs from the practice in men's basketball, in which the NCAA uses a combination of selections by the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) to determine a consensus All-America team. The selection of a consensus team is possible because all four organizations select at least a first and second team, with only the USBWA not selecting a third team.
However, of the major selectors in women's basketball, only the AP divides its selections into separate teams. The women's counterpart to the NABC, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), selects a single 10-member (plus ties) team, as does the USBWA. The NCAA does not recognize Sporting News as an All-America selector in women's basketball.
"Consensus" All-Americans :
| Player | Position | Class | School | AP | USBWA | WBCA |
| Nina Davis | F | Junior | Baylor | 2nd | Yes | Yes |
| Moriah Jefferson | G | Senior | Connecticut | 1st | Yes | Yes |
| Kelsey Mitchell | G | Sophomore | Ohio State | 1st | Yes | Yes |
| Kelsey Plum | G | Junior | Washington | 2nd | Yes | Yes |
| Breanna Stewart | PF/SF | Senior | Connecticut | 1st | Yes | Yes |
| Morgan Tuck | F | Senior | Connecticut | 2nd | No | Yes |
| Brianna Turner | F | Sophomore | Notre Dame | 2nd | Yes | Yes |
| Jamie Weisner | G | Senior | Oregon State | 2nd | No | Yes |
| A'ja Wilson | F | Sophomore | South Carolina | 1st | Yes | Yes |
| Courtney Williams | G | Senior | South Florida | No | No | Yes |
| Rachel Banham | G | Senior | Minnesota | 1st | Yes | No |
AP 3rd Team Third Team All-Americans Jillian Alleyne, Oregon, F, 6-3, sr. Myisha Hines-Allen, Louisville, F, 6-2, so. Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina, G, 5-9, sr. (USBWA All-American Team) Aerial Powers, Michigan State, G, 6-4, redshirt jr. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Maryland, G, 5-11, jr. (USBWA All-American Team)

### Major player of the year awards

* Wooden Award: Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
* Naismith Award:Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
* Associated Press Player of the Year: Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
* Wade Trophy: Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
* espnW National Player of the Year:Breanna Stewart, Connecticut

### Major freshman of the year awards

* USBWA National Freshman of the Year (USBWA): Kristine Anigwe, California

### Major coach of the year awards

* Associated Press Coach of the Year: Geno Auriemma (Connecticut) (8th time)
* Naismith College Coach of the Year: Geno Auriemma (Connecticut) (7th time)
* WBCA National Coach of the Year Award: Geno Auriemma (Connecticut)

### Other major awards

* Nancy Lieberman Award (best point guard): Moriah Jefferson (Connecticut) (2nd year)
* Senior CLASS Award (top senior): Breanna Stewart (Connecticut)
* Maggie Dixon Award (top first-year head coach): Joni Taylor (Georgia)
* Academic All-American of the Year (Top scholar-athlete): Ally Disterhoft, Iowa
* Elite 90 Award (Top GPA among upperclass players at Final Four): Ruth Hamblin (Oregon State)

## Coaching changes

Several teams changed coaches during and after the season.
| Team | Former coach | Interim coach | New coach | Reason |
| Alabama A&M | Semeka Randall | | Margaret Richards | Semeka Randall decided on leaving head coaching job at Alabama A&M. Margaret Richards will take over the reins as Alabama A&M, after spending the last 7 as assistant coach in 4 schools, before that being the head coach at St. Augustine College. |
| Albany | Katie Abrahamson-Henderson | | Joanna Bernabei-McNamee | Abrahamson-Henderson left for the UCF coaching job. She was succeeded by Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, hired from NAIA school Pikeville. |
| Arizona | Niya Butts | | Adia Barnes | Butts was fired at the end of the season. The Wildcats remained within the Pac-12 and the Arizona family for their new hire, tabbing former Wildcats player and current Washington assistant Barnes. |
| Bradley | Michael Brooks | | Andrea Gorski | Brooks was fired at the end of the season. Gorski, a former Braves player, was hired from Southern Illinois, where she had been an assistant. |
| Campbell | Wanda Watkins | | Ronny Fisher | Watkins chose to retire from coaching after a 35-year tenure at Campbell, but remained with the Lady Camels in an administrative position. Fisher was hired from Presbyterian. |
| Colgate | Nicci Hays Fort | | Bill Cleary | Hays Fort resigned at the end of the season, and was replaced by Cleary, previously head coach at Division II Bloomsburg. |
| Colorado | Linda Lappe | | JR Payne | Lappe resigned under pressure at the end of the season, and was replaced by Santa Clara head coach Payne. |
| Columbia | Stephanie Glance | Sheila Roux | Megan Griffith | Glance stepped down to be the new executive director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Roux replaced Glance for the season as interim head coach, and in turn was replaced by Princeton assistant Griffith. |
| Coppin State | Derek Brown | | DeWayne Burroughs | Derek Brown has retired from the Coppin State Eagles. |
| Eastern Michigan | Tory Verdi | | Fred Castro | Verdi left for the UMass job. Former Washington Huskies Assistant Coach Fred Castro is named the 8th head coach in Eastern Michigan Eagles history. |
| Evansville | Oties Epps | Matt Ruffing | TBA | Epps left the program on Feb 29. Ruffing was named interim head coach. |
| FIU | Marlin Chinn | Tiara Malcolm | Tiara Malcolm | Chinn was fired at the end of the season. Top assistant Malcolm was first named as interim coach and then permanent head coach. |
| George Washington | Jonathan Tsipis | | Jennifer Rizzotti | Tsipis left for the Wisconsin vacancy. Rizzotti was hired from Hartford. |
| Hartford | Jennifer Rizzotti | | Kim McNeill | Rizzotti left for the George Washington opening. After spending last 6 years at Virginia as either assistant or associate coach, Kim McNeill will be the new head coach of Hartford. |
| Incarnate Word | Kate Henderson | | Christy Smith | Henderson was fired at the end of the season. Former Arkansas assistant Smith was hired as her replacement. |
| IPFW | Chris Paul | | Niecee Nelson | Paul (not to be confused with the NBA superstar) was fired at the end of the season. San Diego assistant Nelson was hired. |
| James Madison | Kenny Brooks | | Sean O’Regan | Brooks left to take over at Virginia Tech. Top assistant O'Regan was promoted. |
| Kennesaw State | Nitra Perry | | Agnus Berenato | Perry was relieved of her post as HC. Berenato, a former Pittsburgh head coach who had been out of head coaching for three seasons, was named as her replacement. |
| Kent State | Danielle O'Banion | | Todd Starkey | O'Banion was fired at the end of the season and replaced by Indiana assistant Starkey. |
| Louisiana Tech | Tyler Summitt | Mickie DeMoss | Brooke Stoehr | Summitt resigned after the season, admitting to being involved in an "inappropriate relationship", which multiple media reports indicated was an extramarital affair with a player. Top assistant DeMoss was named as interim head coach, and several days later former Lady Techsters player and assistant Brooke Stoehr was hired from Northwestern State. |
| Loyola (Chicago) | Sheryl Swoopes | | Kate Achter | Swoopes was fired during the offseason after three seasons with the Ramblers, and a 31–62 overall record, following a university investigation into allegations of mistreatment of players. A total of six players transferred out after her first two seasons, and Loyola granted transfer requests from 10 of the 12 returning players from the 2015–16 team. Swoopes was replaced by Xavier assistant Achter. |
| Manhattan | John Olenowski | Sonia Burke | Heather Vulin | Olenowski was relieved of his post as the HC. Burke was appointed to be the Interim HC after Olenwski was let go. Heather Vulin was named the next coach of the Lady Jaspers of Manhattan. |
| Massachusetts | Sharon Dawley | | Tory Verdi | Dawley was fired at the end of the season, and replaced by Eastern Michigan head coach Verdi. |
| McNeese State | Brooks Donald Williams | | Kacie Cryer | Donald Williams left to take an assistant's position at Alabama, and was replaced by top assistant Cryer. |
| Mississippi Valley State | Elvis Robinson | | Jessica Kern | Robinson was fired at the end of the season, with Furman assistant Kern named as his replacement. |
| Montana | Robin Selvig | | Shannon Schweyen | Selvig announced his retirement during the 2016 offseason after 38 seasons and 865 wins with the Lady Griz. Schweyen, who had been involved with the Montana program since 1988—first as arguably the greatest player in Lady Griz history, and then as an assistant for 24 seasons—was elevated to the top spot. |
| Morgan State | Donald Beasley | Ed Davis | | Beasley has accepted another position at Morgan State, Ed Davis has succeeded Donald as the Interim Coach. |
| Nebraska | Connie Yori | | Amy Williams | Yori resigned amid a university investigation into alleged mistreatment of players, and was replaced by Nebraska alum and South Dakota head coach Williams, fresh off the Coyotes' WNIT victory. |
| New Mexico | Yvonne Sanchez | | Mike Bradbury | Sanchez was fired at the end of the season, and replaced by Wright State head coach Bradbury. |
| Norfolk State | Debra Clark | Larry Vickers | Larry Vickers | Clark was fired in midseason on January 20. Vickers was named interim head coach, and the Spartans removed the Interim tag on March 9. |
| Northern Kentucky | Dawn Plitzuweit | | Camryn Whitaker | Plitzuweit left for the South Dakota opening. Whitaker, a former assistant at Kentucky and Dayton, was named as her replacement. |
| Northwestern State | Brooke & Scott Stoehr | | Jordan Dupuy | The husband-and-wife coaching team left when Brooke took the Louisiana Tech opening. Southern Miss assistant Dupuy was named as their replacement. |
| Prairie View A&M | Dawn Brown | | Ravon Justice | Brown was fired after the season and replaced by Houston recruiting coordinator Justice. |
| Presbyterian | Ronny Fisher | | Todd Steelman | Fisher left for the Campbell job. Former Associate head coach of Maine, Todd Steelman will take the reins at Presbyterian. |
| Providence | Susan Robinson Fruchtl | | Jim Crowley | Robinson Fruchtl left to become athletic director at Saint Francis of Pennsylvania. Jim Crowley was hired from St. Bonaventure. |
| Robert Morris | Sal Buscaglia | | Charlie Buscaglia | Sal Buscaglia retired after 38 seasons and 712 wins. His son and top assistant Charlie took over. |
| St. Bonaventure | Jim Crowley | | Jesse Fleming | Jim Crowley left for the Providence opening. Bonnies alum Jesse Fleming returned as Crowley's replacement after spending the last four seasons as an assistant at Bowling Green. |
| San Francisco | Jennifer Azzi | | Molly Goodenbour | After leading the Dons to their first NCAA tournament bid in nearly two decades, Azzi unexpectedly resigned in September after six seasons. USF hired former Stanford star Goodenbour from Division II Cal State East Bay, which had hired her from fellow D-II school Cal State Dominguez Hills in June. |
| Santa Clara | JR Payne | | Bill Carr | Payne left for the Colorado job. Carr, a former assistant at San Francisco, was hired from Division II Point Loma Nazarene. |
| Seattle | Joan Bonvicini | Kristen O'Neill Phillips | Suzy Barcomb | Bonvicini decided to leave Redhawks after the season. O'Neill Phillips was named interim coach. After winning her 300th game at Division II Cal State East Bay, Barcomb left to take over the Redhawks HC job. |
| South Dakota | Amy Williams | | Dawn Plitzuweit | Williams left for the Nebraska job. Plitzuweit was hired from Northern Kentucky. |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Yolanda Moore | Aja Gibson | Errol Gauff | Moore was fired after the season. Top assistant Gibson was named interim head coach. The school went to its men's program for Moore's permanent replacement, with Gauff moving from men's assistant to women's head coach. |
| SMU | Rhonda Rompola | | Travis Mays | Rompola announced her retirement in February, effective at season's end. The Mustangs hired top Texas assistant Mays. |
| Tennessee Tech | Jim Davis | | Kim Rosamond | Davis retired at the end of the season and was replaced by Vanderbilt assistant Rosamond. |
| UC Irvine | Doug Oliver | | Tamara Inoue | Oliver announced in January that he would retire, effective at season's end. New Mexico State assistant Inoue was named as his replacement. |
| UCF | Joi Williams | | Katie Abrahamson-Henderson | Williams was fired at the end of the season, and replaced by Albany's Abrahamson-Henderson. |
| UNC Greensboro | Wendy Palmer | | Trina Patterson | Palmer was fired at the end of the season. She was replaced by Old Dominion assistant Patterson, also a former head coach at Albany and Maryland–Eastern Shore. |
| Vanderbilt | Melanie Balcomb | | Stephanie White | Balcomb resigned after the season, citing family reasons, leaving as Vanderbilt's winningest women's coach with 310 wins in 14 seasons. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was named as Balcomb's replacement, officially taking over the Commodores once the Fever's 2016 season ends. |
| Vermont | Lori Gear McBride | Courtnay Pilypaitis | Chris Day | McBride was fired during the season. Former UVM player and current assistant Pilypaitis was named interim head coach. Former Penn assistant Chris Day was later named as the permanent replacement. |
| Virginia Tech | Dennis Wolff | Britney Anderson | Kenny Brooks | Wolff was fired at the end of the season. Anderson was assigned as interim head coach, but the permanent job was filled less than a week later by James Madison's Brooks. |
| Wagner | Lisa Cermignano | | Heather Jacobs | Cermignano was fired after the season. Wagner also went to Division II for its new hire, luring Jacobs from Adelphi. |
| Wisconsin | Bobbie Kelsey | | Jonathan Tsipis | Kelsey was fired at the end of the season and replaced by George Washington head coach Tsipis. |
| Wofford | Edgar I. Farmer, Jr. | | Jimmy Garrity | Farmer, Jr. was relieved of his duties at season's end. Former Anderson University (NCAA D2) HC, Jimmy Garrity moving up to take the reins of the Terriers. |
| Wright State | Mike Bradbury | | Katrina Merriweather | Bradbury left for the New Mexico opening. Katrina Merriweather, former assistant WSU Raiders Coach, was hired as the head coach. |