# 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season

The 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season began in November 2020 and ended with the championship game of the 2021 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on April 4, 2021. Practices officially began in October 2020.

## Season headlines

* September 17 – The NCAA officially announced that both men's and women's basketball season is permitted to begin on November 25.
* September 24 – One week after the NCAA's announcement, the Pac-12 permitted play to begin on that date. The Pac-12 had previously barred play until 2021. This ruling left the Ivy League as the only conference not yet allowing play to begin on November 25.
* October 14 – The NCAA announced that all student-athletes in winter sports during the 2020–21 school year, including men's and women's basketball, would receive an extra year of athletic eligibility, whether or not they or their teams play during that school year.
* October 27 – Bethune–Cookman, which had previously canceled its 2020 fall sports due to COVID-19 concerns, announced that none of its other teams, including men's and women's basketball, would play in the 2020–21 school year.
* November 12
** Cal State Northridge announced that it would not play in the 2020–21 season after six players opted out of the season and a seventh was unable to enter the U.S. due to travel restrictions, leaving the Matadors with only six available players.
** The Ivy League became the first conference to cancel all winter sports for the 2020–21 season, including men's and women's basketball, due to COVID-19 concerns.
* November 19 – Maryland Eastern Shore became the second MEAC program to opt out of all remaining 2020–21 sports, including men's and women's basketball, due to COVID-19 concerns.
* November 23 – Florida A&M became the third MEAC member to opt out of the 2020–21 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Unlike the previous two MEAC members to opt out, FAMU only opted out of women's basketball at that time.
* December 14 – The NCAA announces that the 2021 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament would be held in one geographic area. The original host of the Final Four, San Antonio, and surrounding areas began preliminary discussions to host the entire 64-team tournament.
* December 25 – Duke University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* December 29 – Southern Methodist University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* December 31 - South Carolina makes a claim to the 2019-20 season mythical national championship based on poll results in the SEC season-opener against Florida.
* January 6 – Dixie State University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* January 14
** The University of Virginia canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
** San Jose State University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* January 18 – Vanderbilt University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* January 21 – The University of Detroit Mercy canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season. The school's announcement came four days after the parents of all 14 players sent a letter to UDM athletic director Robert Vowels Jr. alleging rampant player mistreatment by first-year head coach AnnMarie Gilbert.
* January 24 – The University of Vermont canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* January 29 – UMBC canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 3 – South Carolina State University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 4 – Canisius College canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 10 – The University of Hartford canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 12 – The College of William & Mary canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 18 – Colgate University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 23 – St. Francis (BKN) canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* February 25 – The University of San Diego canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* March 2 – Hampton University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.
* March 3 – Delaware State University canceled the remainder of its women's basketball season, citing player concerns over COVID–19.

### Milestones and records

* January 9 – In what was believed to be the first-ever coaching matchup of a father and daughter in Division I basketball, Holy Cross, coached by Maureen Magarity, defeated Army, coached by her father Dave Magarity, 80–46.
* January 28 – In an 83–71 upset of then-#2 NC State, Virginia Tech set a new Division I women's record for most points in an overtime period with 26, which also tied the D-I men's mark.

## Conference membership changes

Ten schools joined new conferences for the 2020–21 season, including four transitioning from Division II.
| School | Former conference | New conference |
| Bellarmine | Great Lakes Valley Conference (D-II) | ASUN Conference |
| Cal State Bakersfield | Western Athletic Conference | Big West Conference |
| Dixie State | Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (D-II) | Western Athletic Conference |
| Kansas City | Western Athletic Conference | Summit League |
| NJIT | ASUN Conference | America East Conference |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | Summit League | Horizon League |
| Robert Morris | Northeast Conference | Horizon League |
| Tarleton State | Lone Star Conference (D-II) | Western Athletic Conference |
| UC San Diego | California Collegiate Athletic Association (D-II) | Big West Conference |
| UConn | American Athletic Conference | Big East Conference |

## Arenas
### New arenas

* James Madison opened Atlantic Union Bank Center on November 25, 2020 with a men's and women's doubleheader. The women defeated Mount St. Mary's 69–55 in the second game.
* Liberty won the first event in Liberty Arena, which had officially opened on November 23, 2020, with a 76–53 win over Norfolk State on December 1.

### Arenas of new D-I teams

Three of the four new D-I members for this season use existing on-campus facilities:
* Dixie State plays in Burns Arena.
* Tarleton State plays in Wisdom Gym.
* UC San Diego plays in RIMAC Arena.
The other D-I newcomer, Bellarmine, announced a multi-year deal with the Kentucky State Fair Board on November 2, 2020 to play home games at Freedom Hall, located at the Kentucky Exposition Center near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Before the opening of the downtown KFC Yum! Center in 2010, Freedom Hall had been the full-time home of Louisville men's basketball for more than 50 years, and had also been at least the part-time home of Louisville women's basketball since that team's establishment in 1975. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bellarmine could only seat 300 at its on-campus facility, Knights Hall. With Freedom Hall's basketball capacity of 18,252, the Knights were able to seat 2,700.

### Arenas closing

* High Point had originally planned to open Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center for the 2020–21 season. However, construction delays brought on by COVID-19 led to the university delaying the new arena's opening until 2021–22, meaning that the Millis Center was used for one more season.
* This was originally intended to be Idaho's final season at the Kibbie Dome, also home to Idaho football, with the facility's basketball configuration known as Cowan Spectrum. When Idaho football moved its 2020 season to spring 2021, it forced Idaho men's and women's basketball to move their entire home schedules to Memorial Gymnasium, which had been a secondary home to both teams since the Kibbie Dome opened in 1976, as well as the full-time home to both before that time. The school plans to open the new Idaho Central Credit Union Arena for the 2021–22 season. The Dome will remain in use for football and several other sports.

### Temporary arenas

To be added.

## Season outlook
### Pre-season polls

The top 25 from the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls.
Associated Press :
| Ranking | Team |
| 1 | South Carolina (29) |
| 2 | Stanford (1) |
| 3 | UConn |
| 4 | Baylor |
| 5 | Louisville |
| 6 | Mississippi State |
| 7 | Arizona |
| 8 | NC State |
| 9 | UCLA |
| 10 | Oregon |
| 11 | Kentucky |
| 12 | Maryland |
| 13 | Texas A&M |
| 14 | Arkansas |
| 15 | Iowa State |
| 16 | Indiana |
| 17 | Northwestern |
| 18 | Oregon State |
| 19 | DePaul |
| 20 | Ohio State |
| 21 | Gonzaga |
| 22 | Notre Dame |
| 23 | Syracuse |
| 24 | Missouri State |
| 25 | Michigan |
USA Today Coaches :
| Ranking | Team |
| 1 | South Carolina (31) |
| 2 | Stanford (1) |
| 3 | UConn |
| 4 | Baylor |
| 5 | Louisville |
| 6 | NC State |
| 7 | Mississippi State |
| 8 | Arizona |
| 9 | Oregon |
| 10 | UCLA |
| 11 | Maryland |
| 12 | Kentucky |
| 13 | Texas A&M |
| 14 | Arkansas |
| 15 | Indiana |
| 16 | Northwestern |
| 17 | Oregon State |
| 18 | Iowa State |
| 19 | DePaul |
| 20 | Gonzaga |
| 21 | Syracuse |
| 22 | Ohio State |
| 23 | Notre Dame |
| 24 | Michigan |
| 25 | Missouri State |

## Regular season
### Early season tournaments

Early season tournaments are TBA, although many have canceled and others are unlikely to occur.

### Upsets

An upset is a victory by an underdog team. In the context of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball, this generally constitutes an unranked team defeating a team currently ranked in the Top 25. This list will highlight those upsets of ranked teams by unranked teams as well as upsets of #1 teams. Rankings are from the AP poll. Bold type indicates winning teams in "true road games"—i.e., those played on an opponent's home court (including secondary homes).
| Winner | Score | Loser | Date | Tournament/Event |
| Ohio | 86–85 | #22 Notre Dame | November 27, 2020 | |
| South Dakota State | 76–69 | #15 Iowa State | November 28, 2020 | |
| Wake Forest | 68–59 | #24 Missouri State | November 29, 2020 | Gulf Coast Showcase |
| #8 NC State | 54–46 | #1 South Carolina | December 3, 2020 | Jimmy V Classic |
| South Florida | 67–63$^{OT}$ | #6 Mississippi State | December 5, 2020 | |
| South Dakota State | 75–72$^{OT}$ | #18 Gonzaga | December 6, 2020 | |
| Utah | 85–79 | #15 Oregon State | December 8, 2020 | |
| Kansas State | 62–53 | #22 South Dakota State | December 10, 2020 | |
| Northern Iowa | 65–48 | #22 South Dakota State | December 12, 2020 | |
| North Carolina | 92–68 | #18 Syracuse | December 17, 2020 | |
| Tennessee | 66–58 | #15 Indiana | December 17, 2020 | |
| South Dakota State | 60–52 | #20 Missouri State | December 19, 2020 | |
| Washington State | 61–55 | #21 Oregon State | December 19, 2020 | |
| Nebraska | 65–63 | #15 Northwestern | December 31, 2020 | |
| Tennessee | 88–73 | #13 Arkansas | January 7, 2021 | |
| Washington State | 71–69$^{OT}$ | #7 Arizona | January 10, 2021 | |
| Nebraska | 68–64 | #23 Michigan State | January 10, 2021 | |
| Georgia | 67–66 | #23 Tennessee | January 14, 2021 | |
| LSU | 65–61$^{OT}$ | #7 Texas A&M | January 14, 2021 | |
| Alabama | 86–78 | #14 Mississippi State | January 14, 2021 | |
| USC | 81–77$^{OT}$ | #25 Washington State | January 15, 2021 | |
| Nebraska | 63–55 | #15 Ohio State | January 16, 2021 | |
| Iowa State | 75–71 | #6 Baylor | January 16, 2021 | |
| Colorado | 77–72$^{OT}$ | #1 Stanford | January 17, 2021 | |
| Texas Tech | 74–66 | #21 Texas | January 17, 2021 | |
| Texas | 70–59 | #24 Iowa State | January 23, 2021 | |
| Clemson | 86–77$^{OT}$ | #23 Syracuse | January 24, 2021 | |
| Virginia Tech | 83–71$^{OT}$ | #2 NC State | January 28, 2021 | |
| LSU | 60–52 | #22 Georgia | January 28, 2021 | |
| #4 NC State | 74–60 | #1 Louisville | February 1, 2021 | |
| Ole Miss | 72–60 | #15 Kentucky | February 4, 2021 | |
| Washington State | 67–63 | #5 UCLA | February 5, 2021 | |
| North Carolina | 76–69 | #4 NC State | February 7, 2021 | Rivalry |
| #2 UConn | 63–59$^{OT}$ | #1 South Carolina | February 8, 2021 | |
| Wisconsin | 75–70 | #12 Ohio State | February 10, 2021 | |
| Rutgers | 70–54 | #21 Northwestern | February 10, 2021 | |
| Oklahoma | 72–71 | #19 West Virginia | February 13, 2021 | |
| Nebraska | 71–64 | #24 Northwestern | February 17, 2021 | |
| BYU | 61–56 | #16 Gonzaga | February 18, 2021 | |
| Creighton | 83–72 | #19 DePaul | February 20, 2021 | |
| Florida State | 68–59 | #3 Louisville | February 21, 2021 | |
| Oregon State | 71–64 | #8 UCLA | February 21, 2021 | |
| Penn State | 69–67 | #15 Ohio State | February 24, 2021 | |
| Marquette | 85–71 | #24 DePaul | February 24, 2021 | |
| Iowa State | 85–68 | #18 West Virginia | February 24, 2021 | |
| Iowa | 89–67 | #12 Michigan | February 25, 2021 | |
| Houston | 67–49 | #13 South Florida | February 27, 2021 | |
| Ole Miss | 73–69 | #19 Kentucky | February 28, 2021 | |
| Arizona State | 66–64$^{OT}$ | #9 Arizona | February 28, 2021 | |
| Oregon State | 88–77 | #14 Oregon | February 28, 2021 | Rivalry |
| Butler | 86–81 | #25 DePaul | March 1, 2021 | |
| Oregon State | 71–64 | #19 Oregon | March 4, 2021 | Rivalry/Pac-12 Tournament |
| UCF | 58–45 | #15 South Florida | March 4, 2021 | War on I-4 |
| Ole Miss | 69–60 | #13 Arkansas | March 4, 2021 | SEC tournament |
| Omaha | 52–40 | #21 South Dakota State | March 6, 2021 | Summit League Tournament |
| Villanova | 78–72 | #25 DePaul | March 6, 2021 | Big East tournament |
| Northwestern | 65–49 | #13 Michigan | March 11, 2021 | Big Ten tournament |
| Michigan State | 69–61 | #9 Indiana | March 11, 2021 | Big Ten tournament |
| Iowa | 73–62 | #19 Rutgers | March 11, 2021 | Big Ten tournament |

### Conference winners and tournaments

Each of the 31 Division I athletic conferences that played in 2020–21 ended its regular season 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. Unless otherwise noted, the winners of these tournaments received automatic invitations to the 2021 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.
| Conference | Regular season first place | Conference player of the year | Conference Coach of the Year | Conference tournament | Tournament venue (city) | Tournament winner |
| America East Conference | Maine | Blanca Millán, Maine | Amy Vachon, Maine | 2021 America East women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Stony Brook |
| American Athletic Conference | South Florida | IImar’I Thomas, Cincinnati | Jose Fernandez, South Florida | 2021 American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament | Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, TX) | South Florida |
| ASUN Conference | Florida Gulf Coast | Kierstan Bell, Florida Gulf Coast | Karl Smesko, Florida Gulf Coast | 2021 ASUN women's basketball tournament | KSU Convocation Center (Kennesaw, GA) | Florida Gulf Coast |
| Atlantic 10 Conference | Dayton | Anna DeWolfe, Fordham & Emmanuelle Tahane, Rhode Island | Tammi Reiss, Rhode Island | 2021 Atlantic 10 women's basketball tournament | Siegel Center Richmond, VA | VCU |
| Atlantic Coast Conference | Louisville | Dana Evans, Louisville (coaches & media) | Wes Moore, NC State (coaches) Nell Fortner, Georgia Tech (media) | 2021 ACC women's basketball tournament | Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC) | NC State |
| Big 12 Conference | Baylor | NaLyssa Smith, Baylor | Jim Littell, Oklahoma State | 2021 Big 12 Conference women's basketball tournament | Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City, MO) | Baylor |
| Big East Conference | UConn | Paige Bueckers, UConn | Geno Auriemma, UConn | 2021 Big East women's basketball tournament | Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT) | UConn |
| Big Sky Conference | Idaho State | Alisha Davis, Northern Colorado | Tricia Binford, Montana & Seton Sobolewski, Idaho State | 2021 Big Sky Conference women's basketball tournament | Idaho Central Arena (Boise, ID) | Idaho State |
| Big South Conference | Longwood | Skyler Curran, High Point | Chelsea Banbury, High Point | 2021 Big South Conference women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | High Point |
| Big Ten Conference | Maryland | Naz Hillmon, Michigan | Brenda Frese, Maryland | 2021 Big Ten women's basketball tournament | Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) | Maryland |
| Big West Conference | UC Davis | Cierra Hall, UC Davis | Jennifer Gross, UC Davis & Tamara Inoue, UC Irvine | 2021 Big West Conference women's basketball tournament | Michelob Ultra Arena (Paradise, NV) | UC Davis |
| Colonial Athletic Association | Delaware | Jasmine Dickey, Delaware | Natasha Adair, Delaware | 2021 CAA women's basketball tournament | Schar Center (Elon, NC) | Drexel |
| Conference USA | Rice (West) and Middle Tennessee (East) | Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee | Jesyka Burks-Wiley, FIU | 2021 Conference USA women's basketball tournament | Ford Center (Frisco, TX) | Middle Tennessee |
| Horizon League | Milwaukee & Wright State | Macee Williams, IUPUI | Katrina Merriweather, Wright State | 2021 Horizon League women's basketball tournament | Quarterfinals: Campus sites Semifinals and final: Indiana Farmers Coliseum (Indianapolis, IN) | Wright State |
| Ivy League | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns | No Ivy League season held due to COVID-19 concerns |
| Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference | Marist | Mackenzie DeWees, Quinnipiac | Brian Giorgis, Marist & Marc Mitchell, Saint Peter's | 2021 MAAC women's basketball tournament | Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ) | Marist |
| Mid-American Conference | Bowling Green | Cece Hooks, Ohio | Robyn Fralick, Bowling Green | 2021 Mid-American Conference women's basketball tournament | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland, OH) | Central Michigan |
| Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference | Howard (North) and North Carolina A&T (South) | Jayla Thornton, Howard | Ty Grace, Howard | 2021 MEAC women's basketball tournament | Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA) | North Carolina A&T |
| Missouri Valley Conference | Missouri State | Brice Calip, Missouri State | Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, Missouri State | 2021 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball tournament | TaxSlayer Center (Moline, IL) | Bradley |
| Mountain West Conference | Colorado State | Haley Cavinder, Fresno State | Lindy La Rocque, UNLV | 2021 Mountain West Conference women's basketball tournament | Thomas & Mack Center (Paradise, NV) | Wyoming |
| Northeast Conference | Mount St. Mary's | Kendall Bresee, Mount St. Mary's | Maria Marchesano, Mount St. Mary's | 2021 Northeast Conference women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Mount St. Mary's |
| Ohio Valley Conference | UT Martin | Chelsey Perry, UT Martin | Kevin McMillan, UT Martin | 2021 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball tournament | Ford Center (Evansville, IN) | Belmont |
| Pac-12 Conference | Stanford | Aari McDonald, Arizona | Tara VanDerveer, Stanford | 2021 Pac-12 Conference women's basketball tournament | Michelob Ultra Arena (Paradise, NV) | Stanford |
| Patriot League | Bucknell | Natalie Kucowski, Lafayette | Trevor Woodruff, Bucknell | 2021 Patriot League women's basketball tournament | Campus sites | Lehigh |
| Southeastern Conference | Texas A&M | Rhyne Howard, Kentucky | Joni Taylor, Georgia | 2021 SEC women's basketball tournament | Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville, SC) | South Carolina |
| Southern Conference | Samford | Andrea Cournoyer, Samford | Carley Kuhns, Samford | 2021 Southern Conference women's basketball tournament | Harrah's Cherokee Center (Asheville, NC) | Mercer |
| Southland Conference | Stephen F. Austin | Amber Leggett, Sam Houston | Mark Kellogg, Stephen F. Austin | 2021 Southland Conference women's basketball tournament | Leonard E. Merrell Center (Katy, TX) | Stephen F. Austin |
| Southwestern Athletic Conference | Jackson State | Dayzsha Logan, Jackson State | Freda Freeman-Jackson, Alabama State | 2021 SWAC women's basketball tournament | Bartow Arena (Birmingham, AL) | Jackson State |
| Summit League | South Dakota State | Myah Selland, South Dakota State | Aaron Johnston, South Dakota State | 2021 Summit League women's basketball tournament | Sanford Pentagon (Sioux Falls, SD) | South Dakota |
| Sun Belt Conference | Louisiana (West) and Troy (East) | Alexus Dye, Troy | Chanda Rigby, Troy | 2021 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball tournament | Hartsell Arena & Pensacola Bay Center (Pensacola, FL) | Troy |
| West Coast Conference | Gonzaga | Shaylee Gonzales, BYU & Jenn Wirth, Gonzaga | Jeff Judkins, BYU | 2021 West Coast Conference women's basketball tournament | Orleans Arena (Paradise, NV) | Gonzaga |
| Western Athletic Conference | California Baptist | Ane Olaeta, California Baptist | Jarrod Olson, California Baptist | 2021 WAC women's basketball tournament | Orleans Arena (Paradise, NV) | California Baptist |
* 1 2 3 These conferences chose to seed their tournament by division, with both divisional champions being top seeds in different halves of the bracket.
* ↑ Top seed in conference tournament.
* ↑ California Baptist, which was unbeaten after the WAC tournament, was ineligible for the NCAA tournament because it was in the third year of a four-year transition from NCAA Division II. Prior to the tournament, the WAC announced that if California Baptist won the tournament, the conference's automatic bid would go to the regular-season second-place finisher, Utah Valley.

### 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 |
| Caitlin Clark | Iowa | 26.6 | Natalie Kucowski | Lafayette | 13.3 | Tiana Mangakahia | Syracuse | 7.2 | Veronica Burton | Northwestern | 3.84 |
| Anastasia Hayes | Middle Tennessee | 26.5 | Dariauna Lewis | Alabama A&M | 13.0 | Caitlin Clark | Iowa | 7.1 | Valerie Higgins | Pacific | 3.82 |
| Cece Hooks | Ohio | 25.1 | Oshlynn Brown Bethy Mununga | Ball State South Florida | 12.9 | Mayra Caicedo Rachel Hakes | Little Rock Fairfield | 6.7 | Cece Hooks | Ohio | 3.76 |
| Kierstan Bell | Florida Gulf Coast | 24.3 | Unique Thompson | Auburn | 12.8 | Aleah Nelson Destiney Philoxy Elisa Pinzan | Towson UMass South Florida | 6.5 | Juana Camilion | Iona | 3.47 |
| Ashley Joens | Iowa State | 24.2 | Alexus Dye Lauren Gustin | Troy BYU | 12.6 | DiDi Richards | Baylor | 6.3 | Bree Calhoun | Seattle | 3.32 |
| 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% |
| Natasha Mack | Oklahoma State | 4.00 | Monika Czinano | Iowa | .668 | Katie Benzan | Maryland | .500 | Dani Haskell | Canisius | .941 |
| Latrese Saine | Southeast Missouri State | 3.96 | Naz Hillmon | Michigan | .623 | Aleah Goodman | Oregon State | .490 | Brandi Bisping | Milwaukee | .935 |
| Nancy Mulkey Akila Smith | Rice Longwood | 3.52 | Ayoka Lee | Kansas State | .621 | Mary Crompton | Illinois State | .467 | Brynna Maxwell | Utah | .924 |
| Ameshya Williams | Jackson State | 3.16 | Ariyah Copeland | Alabama | .611 | Paige Bueckers | UConn | .464 | Macey Turley | Murray State | .923 |
| Jenna Staiti | Georgia | 3.04 | Mackenzie Holmes | Indiana | .607 | Sam Lewis | Fairfield | .461 | Kori Pentzer | Weber State | .917 |

## Postseason
### NCAA tournament
#### Tournament upsets

For this list, an "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 22 | Belmont (#12) | 64–59 | Gonzaga (#5) | Mercado | First Round |
| March 22 | Wright State (#13) | 66–62 | Arkansas (#4) | Alamo | First Round |

## Conference standings

2020–21 America East Conference women's basketball standings :
| 2020–21 America East Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Maine13–2 .86717–3  .850 Stony Brook †11–3 .78615–6  .714 UMass Lowell10–6 .62512–9  .571 Albany5–7 .4177–11  .389 New Hampshire5–11 .3135–15  .250 NJIT4–9 .3084–14  .222 Vermont4–2 .6674–2  .667 UMBC2–4 .3332–6  .250 Hartford3–9 .2503–9  .250 Binghamton5–9 .3575–11  .313 Vermont suspended their season on January 24, 2021 UMBC suspended their season on January 29, 2021 Hartford suspended their season on February 10, 2021 Binghamton suspended their season on February 19, 2021 † 2021 America East tournament winner As of March 12, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 American Athletic Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 19 South Florida †13–2 .86719–4  .826 UCF12–2 .85716–5  .762 Houston12–5 .70617–8  .680 Tulane12–6 .66718–9  .667 Temple11–7 .61111–11  .500 East Carolina6–10 .3758–14  .364 Cincinnati6–12 .3338–16  .333 Tulsa4–13 .2355–14  .263 Wichita State2–9 .1826–12  .333 Memphis2–12 .1434–15  .211 SMU0–2 .0000–6  .000 SMU suspended their season on December 29, 2020 The American has declared a forfeit win for USF against Memphis for conference-standings purposes only as a result of the scheduled game from Jan. 17 that was not played. The teams' overall records are not affected. † 2021 AAC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Atlantic 10 women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Dayton12–1 .92314–5  .737 Fordham8–2 .80012–6  .667 Rhode Island11–4 .73311–8  .579 Saint Louis9–3 .75014–6  .700 VCU †10–5 .66716–11  .593 Richmond9–6 .60013–9  .591 UMass7–5 .58316–8  .667 Duquesne4–7 .3645–11  .313 Saint Joseph's5–9 .3577–10  .412 George Washington5–9 .3579–14  .391 La Salle6–11 .35311–15  .423 St. Bonaventure6–11 .3538–13  .381 Davidson5–10 .3338–15  .348 George Mason0–14 .0003–19  .136 † 2021 A10 Tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 ACC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 8 Louisville14–2 .87526–4  .867 No. 3 NC State†12–2 .85722–3  .880 Georgia Tech12–6 .66717–9  .654 Syracuse9–7 .56315–9  .625 Florida State9–7 .56310–9  .526 Notre Dame8–7 .53310–10  .500 Virginia Tech8–8 .50015–10  .600 North Carolina8–9 .47113–11  .542 Miami (FL)8–10 .44411–11  .500 Wake Forest8–10 .44412–13  .480 Clemson5–12 .29412–14  .462 Pittsburgh3–12 .2005–14  .263 Boston College2–11 .1547–12  .368 Duke0–1 .0003–1  .750 Virginia0–2 .0000–5  .000 Duke suspended their season on December 25, 2020 Virginia suspended their season on January 14, 2021 † 2021 ACC tournament winner As of March 30, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 ASUN women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 24 Florida Gulf Coast†16–0 1.00023–2  .920 Liberty12–4 .75017–7  .708 North Florida11–5 .68813–10  .565 Lipscomb8–6 .57111–9  .550 Stetson7–9 .4389–12  .429 North Alabama*6–9 .4007–17  .292 Bellarmine*5–11 .3135–16  .238 Kennesaw State2–11 .1547–11  .389 Jacksonville1–13 .0713–16  .158 * ineligible for the 2021 NCAA tournament due to transition period † 2021 ASUN Tournament winner As of March 6, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Big East Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 1 UConn†18–0 1.00028–2  .933 Marquette14–4 .77819–7  .731 Seton Hall12–5 .70614–7  .667 DePaul11–5 .68814–10  .583 Villanova9–5 .64317–7  .708 Creighton6–7 .46210–12  .455 Providence4–10 .2867–14  .333 St. John's4–12 .2508–15  .348 Xavier2–8 .2005–10  .333 Butler3–15 .1673–17  .150 Georgetown2–14 .1252–15  .118 † Big East tournament winner As of April 3, 2021 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Big Sky women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Idaho State †15–2 .88222–4  .846 Idaho14–3 .82417–7  .708 Montana State13–3 .81317–7  .708 Northern Colorado12–7 .63214–11  .560 Northern Arizona10–10 .50015–14  .517 Montana9–8 .52912–11  .522 Portland State7–11 .38912–13  .480 Southern Utah6–5 .54511–9  .550 Eastern Washington5–12 .2946–17  .261 Weber State2–16 .1112–20  .091 Sacramento State2–18 .1003–21  .125 † Big Sky tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Big South women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT High Point†17–3 .85022–7  .759 Campbell11–4 .73316–7  .696 Longwood12–6 .66714–11  .560 Gardner–Webb10–7 .58811–13  .458 Presbyterian10–8 .55611–10  .524 Radford9–9 .5009–11  .450 UNC Asheville9–10 .47410–15  .400 Winthrop5–15 .2506–18  .250 USC Upstate5–11 .3138–15  .348 Hampton4–9 .3084–11  .267 Charleston Southern4–14 .2226–17  .261 Hampton suspended their season on March 2. † 2021 Big South tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Big Ten women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 7 Maryland †17–1 .94426–2  .929 No. 12 Indiana16–2 .88920–5  .800 No. 21 Rutgers10–3 .76914–5  .737 No. 16 Michigan9–4 .69216–6  .727 Northwestern11–7 .61116–9  .640 Iowa11–8 .57920–9  .690 No. 22 Ohio State9–7 .56313–7  .650 Michigan State8–7 .53315–9  .625 Nebraska9–10 .47413–13  .500 Minnesota7–11 .3898–13  .381 Penn State6–13 .3169–15  .375 Purdue4–14 .2227–16  .304 Illinois2–16 .1115–18  .217 Wisconsin2–18 .1005–19  .208 † 2021 Big Ten tournament winner As of March 27, 2021 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Big 12 Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 5 Baylor†17–1 .94428–2  .933 No. 17 West Virginia13–5 .72222–7  .759 Oklahoma State13–5 .72219–9  .679 Iowa State12–6 .66717–11  .607 Texas11–7 .61120–9  .690 Oklahoma9–9 .50012–12  .500 Texas Tech5–13 .27810–15  .400 TCU4–14 .22210–15  .400 Kansas State3–15 .1679–18  .333 Kansas3–15 .1677–18  .280 † 2021 Big 12 Tournament winner As of March 28, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Big West women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UC Davis †9–1 .90013–3  .813 UC Irvine11–4 .73315–9  .625 Long Beach State11–7 .61112–9  .571 Hawaiʻi7–6 .5389–8  .529 Cal State Bakersfield7–6 .5389–9  .500 Cal Poly8–8 .50013–11  .542 UC Santa Barbara7–9 .4387–14  .333 UC San Diego*6–9 .4006–9  .400 UC Riverside5–9 .3577–12  .368 Cal State Fullerton2–14 .1254–18  .182 * ineligible for the 2021 NCAA tournament due to transition period † 2021 Big West tournament winner As of October 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll NOTE: Cal State Northridge will not play in the 2020–21 season due to COVID-19 concerns. | 2020–21 CAA women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Delaware16–2 .88924–5  .828 James Madison9–6 .60014–10  .583 Drexel†8–6 .57114–9  .609 Towson8–6 .57113–9  .591 Hofstra5–7 .4178–12  .400 Elon3–5 .3757–8  .467 Northeastern6–10 .3757–13  .350 William & Mary3–5 .3756–7  .462 Charleston2–6 .2506–9  .400 UNC Wilmington3–10 .2317–14  .333 † 2021 CAA tournament winner Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Conference USA women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT East Middle Tennessee †12–4 .75017–8  .680 Charlotte9–5 .64310–12  .455 FIU8–8 .50015–13  .536 Florida Atlantic8–8 .50011–11  .500 Old Dominion7–9 .43813–11  .542 Marshall7–9 .4388–11  .421 Western Kentucky6–10 .3757–16  .304 West Rice12–2 .85723–4  .852 UTEP13–5 .72217–8  .680 North Texas10–4 .71413–7  .650 Louisiana Tech8–8 .50014–10  .583 Southern Miss5–11 .3137–12  .368 UAB3–11 .21410–13  .435 UTSA0–14 .0002–18  .100 † 2021 C-USA tournament winner As of March 13, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Horizon League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Wright State†15–5 .75019–8  .704 Milwaukee15–5 .75020–8  .714 Green Bay14–4 .77815–7  .682 Oakland12–8 .60012–12  .500 IUPUI11–3 .78615–5  .750 Cleveland State9–7 .56315–8  .652 Youngstown State8–8 .5009–9  .500 Northern Kentucky7–5 .5838–11  .421 Robert Morris4–12 .2504–13  .235 Purdue Fort Wayne1–19 .0501–22  .043 UIC1–13 .0713–16  .158 Detroit Mercy1–9 .1001–13  .071 Detroit Mercy suspended their season on January 21, 2021 † 2021 Horizon League Tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 MAAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Marist †13–3 .81318–4  .818 Quinnipiac11–5 .68813–8  .619 Saint Peter's10–9 .52613–15  .464 Fairfield9–3 .75011–5  .688 Manhattan9–3 .75011–9  .550 Iona5–6 .4556–9  .400 Rider5–13 .2788–18  .308 Niagara4–6 .4004–7  .364 Siena3–8 .2734–9  .308 Monmouth2–11 .1542–16  .111 Canisius0–4 .0000–5  .000 Notes: The MAAC has ordered standings based on league wins, not winning percentage, since all teams will not reach 20 conference games played. These standings are also used for seeding purposes in the 2021 MAAC Tournament. Canisius suspended their season on February 4, 2021 † 2021 MAAC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Bowling Green14–4 .77820–5  .800 Central Michigan†13–6 .68417–8  .680 Ohio11–6 .64714–8  .636 Buffalo11–6 .64715–9  .625 Kent State10–6 .62511–9  .550 Ball State12–8 .60014–11  .560 Northern Illinois10–8 .55612–12  .500 Eastern Michigan7–7 .50010–10  .500 Toledo8–12 .40012–12  .500 Western Michigan5–14 .2636–15  .286 Akron4–14 .2227–14  .333 Miami (OH)3–17 .1504–20  .167 † 2021 MAC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 MEAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT North Howard10–2 .83315–4  .789 Morgan State8–2 .80012–4  .750 Delaware State2–8 .2003–12  .200 Coppin State2–10 .1672–13  .133 South North Carolina A&T†9–1 .90014–3  .824 Norfolk State3–5 .3755–9  .357 North Carolina Central2–6 .2504–12  .250 South Carolina State0–2 .0001–9  .100 South Carolina State suspended their season on February 3, 2021 Delaware State suspended their season on March 3, 2021 † 2021 MEAC tournament winner As of February 16, 2021 Rankings from AP poll NOTE: Bethune–Cookman, Florida A&M, and Maryland Eastern Shore will not play in the 2020–21 season due to COVID-19 concerns. | 2020–21 Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 20 Missouri State16–0 1.00023–4  .852 Drake13–5 .72218–12  .600 Illinois State12–6 .66716–9  .640 Northern Iowa11–7 .61117–13  .567 Bradley†10–8 .55617–12  .586 Loyola–Chicago8–10 .44412–15  .444 Valparaiso7–9 .43812–13  .480 Southern Illinois5–13 .2789–16  .360 Indiana State2–12 .1435–15  .250 Evansville2–16 .1116–18  .250 † 2021 MVC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Mountain West Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT New Mexico11–3 .78615–5  .750 UNLV13–5 .72215–9  .625 Colorado State11–5 .68815–6  .714 Fresno State12–6 .66717–11  .607 Nevada9–7 .56313–9  .591 Boise State10–8 .55614–9  .609 Wyoming†8–8 .50014–10  .583 San Jose State1–2 .3332–3  .400 San Diego State5–12 .2947–17  .292 Air Force4–14 .2228–18  .308 Utah State2–16 .1114–20  .167 San Jose State suspended their season on January 14, 2021 † 2021 MW Tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Northeast Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Mount St. Mary's†14–4 .77817–7  .708 Wagner12–4 .75013–6  .684 Saint Francis (PA)12–4 .75014–9  .609 Fairleigh Dickinson12–6 .66716–8  .667 Sacred Heart8–8 .5008–10  .444 LIU7–11 .3897–11  .389 Merrimack*5–10 .3335–10  .333 Bryant5–12 .2947–14  .333 St. Francis Brooklyn4–10 .2864–10  .286 Central Connecticut4–14 .2224–14  .222 * ineligible for the 2021 NCAA tournament due to transition period St. Francis Brooklyn suspended their season on February 23, 2021 † 2021 NEC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT UT Martin17–2 .89522–6  .786 Belmont †14–3 .82421–6  .778 Southeast Missouri State13–7 .65015–11  .577 Jacksonville State12–7 .63215–9  .625 Tennessee Tech12–8 .60015–10  .600 Murray State12–8 .60016–11  .593 Austin Peay10–8 .55612–11  .522 Eastern Illinois9–11 .45011–15  .423 Eastern Kentucky8–12 .4009–15  .375 Morehead State6–13 .3167–16  .304 SIU Edwardsville3–17 .1506–19  .240 Tennessee State0–20 .0000–22  .000 † 2021 OVC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Pac-12 Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 2 Stanford†19–2 .90531–2  .939 No. 11 Arizona13–4 .76521–6  .778 No. 9 UCLA12–4 .75017–6  .739 No. 23 Oregon10–7 .58815–9  .625 Oregon State7–6 .53812–8  .600 Colorado8–8 .50012–11  .522 Washington State9–10 .47412–12  .500 USC8–10 .44411–12  .478 Arizona State6–9 .40011–12  .478 Utah4–15 .2115–16  .238 Washington3–13 .1887–14  .333 California1–12 .0771–16  .059 † 2021 Pac-12 Tournament winner As of March 29, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Patriot League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT North Boston University11–2 .84612–3  .800 Holy Cross7–7 .5007–8  .467 Army6–8 .4299–11  .450 Colgate1–8 .1111–8  .111 Central Bucknell8–1 .8899–1  .900 Lehigh†8–5 .61510–6  .625 Lafayette5–7 .4175–8  .385 South American7–4 .6368–4  .667 Navy5–4 .5565–8  .385 Loyola (MD)0–12 .0000–13  .000 Colgate suspended their season on February 18, 2021 † 2021 Patriot League tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 SEC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 4 Texas A&M13–1 .92925–3  .893 No. 6 South Carolina †14–2 .87526–5  .839 No. 13 Tennessee9–4 .69217–8  .680 No. 10 Georgia10–5 .66720–6  .769 No. 15 Arkansas9–6 .60019–8  .704 No. 18 Kentucky9–6 .60018–8  .692 Alabama8–8 .50016–9  .640 LSU6–8 .4299–13  .409 Mississippi State5–7 .41710–9  .526 Missouri5–9 .3579–13  .409 Ole Miss4–10 .28615–12  .556 Florida3–11 .21412–14  .462 Auburn0–15 .0005–19  .208 Vanderbilt0–3 .0004–4  .500 Vanderbilt suspended their season on January 18, 2021 † 2021 SEC tournament winner As of March 21, 2021 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Southern Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Samford11–2 .84614–11  .560 Mercer†10–3 .76919–7  .731 Chattanooga9–5 .64314–10  .583 Wofford7–7 .50013–11  .542 Furman6–8 .42911–14  .440 UNC Greensboro6–8 .4298–16  .333 Western Carolina3–10 .2316–18  .250 East Tennessee State1–10 .0914–16  .200 † 2021 SoCon Tournament winner As of July 7, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Southland Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Stephen F. Austin †14–0 1.00024–3  .889 Southeastern Louisiana10–5 .66711–8  .579 Sam Houston State9–5 .64315–8  .652 Lamar9–6 .60010–14  .417 Central Arkansas9–7 .56313–14  .481 Nicholls9–7 .56311–14  .440 Abilene Christian6–7 .46214–10  .583 Houston Baptist6–7 .46211–11  .500 Incarnate Word4–5 .4446–8  .429 McNeese State6–8 .4296–16  .273 Texas A&M–CC4–7 .3646–13  .316 New Orleans3–12 .2006–15  .286 Northwestern State1–14 .0671–19  .050 † SLC tournament winner As of April 4, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 SWAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT Jackson State†14–1 .93318–6  .750 Alabama State14–3 .82416–4  .800 Southern11–4 .73312–11  .522 Alabama A&M8–5 .61510–7  .588 Grambling State8–6 .57110–10  .500 Alcorn State7–8 .4677–13  .350 Texas Southern4–8 .3335–10  .333 Prairie View A&M2–11 .1543–13  .188 Mississippi Valley State2–13 .1334–16  .200 Arkansas-Pine Bluff2–13 .1333–18  .143 † 2021 SWAC tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 Summit League women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 25 South Dakota State14–0 1.00021–4  .840 South Dakota†12–2 .85719–6  .760 North Dakota State9–7 .56315–9  .625 Kansas City7–8 .46710–12  .455 Western Illinois6–8 .4298–16  .333 Denver5–9 .3577–16  .304 Omaha4–8 .3337–13  .350 Oral Roberts4–8 .3336–15  .286 North Dakota2–13 .1332–19  .095 † 2021 Summit League tournament winner As of December 2, 2021 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 Sun Belt Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT East Troy †15–2 .88222–6  .786 Georgia State9–7 .56313–11  .542 Appalachian State10–8 .55615–12  .556 South Alabama9–9 .50013–13  .500 Georgia Southern5–9 .35711–13  .458 Coastal Carolina0–13 .0003–15  .167 West Louisiana13–1 .92916–7  .696 UT Arlington11–4 .73313–7  .650 Little Rock9–7 .56315–11  .577 Texas State7–8 .46711–11  .500 Arkansas State4–10 .2869–12  .429 Louisiana–Monroe1–15 .0632–20  .091 † 2021 Sun Belt Tournament winner As of July 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll | 2020–21 WAC women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT California Baptist*†14–0 1.00026–1  .963 Utah Valley^10–4 .71413–6  .684 Grand Canyon8–4 .66718–7  .720 New Mexico State6–6 .5009–12  .429 Seattle6–8 .42911–14  .440 Tarleton State*4–10 .2869–16  .360 UTRGV2–8 .2006–14  .300 Chicago State0–10 .0000–14  .000 Dixie State*0–0 –1–2  .333 * ineligible for the 2021 NCAA tournament due to transition period. Dixie State suspended its season on January 6, 2021. ^ received automatic bid for the 2021 NCAA tournament as conference tournament runner-up, due to California Baptist's ineligibility † 2021 WAC tournament winner As of October 7, 2024 Rankings from AP poll |
| 2020–21 West Coast Conference women's basketball standings vteConfOverall TeamW L PCTW L PCT No. 14 Gonzaga†16–1 .94123–4  .852 BYU13–3 .81319–5  .792 San Diego9–5 .64312–7  .632 San Francisco10–7 .58816–11  .593 Santa Clara9–8 .52914–11  .560 Portland9–8 .52914–13  .519 Pacific9–9 .50011–11  .500 Saint Mary's4–14 .2227–19  .269 Loyola Marymount4–14 .2227–19  .269 Pepperdine2–16 .1115–18  .217 San Diego suspended their season on February 25, 2021 † 2021 WCC tournament winner As of October 7, 2024 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.
Before the 2017–18 season, it was impossible for a consensus women's All-America team to be determined because the AP had been the only body that divided its women's selections into separate teams. The USBWA first named separate teams in 2017–18. The women's counterpart to the NABC, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), continues the USBWA's former practice of selecting a single 10-member (plus ties) team. The NCAA does not recognize Sporting News as an All-America selector in women's basketball.

### Major player of the year awards

* Wooden Award: Paige Bueckers, UConn
* Naismith Award: Paige Bueckers, UConn
* Associated Press Player of the Year: Paige Bueckers, UConn
* Wade Trophy: NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
* Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's Player of the Year (USBWA): Paige Bueckers, UConn
* ESPN.com National Player of the Year: Paige Bueckers, UConn

### Major freshman of the year awards

* Tamika Catchings Award (USBWA): Paige Bueckers, UConn and Caitlin Clark, Iowa
* WBCA Freshman of the Year: Paige Bueckers, UConn and Caitlin Clark, Iowa
* ESPN.com Freshman of the Year: Paige Bueckers, UConn

### Major coach of the year awards

* Associated Press Coach of the Year: Brenda Frese, Maryland
* Naismith College Coach of the Year: Tara VanDerveer, Stanford
* USBWA National Coach of the Year: Tara VanDerveer, Stanford
* WBCA National Coach of the Year: Wes Moore, NC State
* ESPN.com Coach of the Year: Brenda Frese, Maryland
* WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year: Stephanie Norman, Louisville

### Other major awards

* Naismith Starting Five:
** Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard): Paige Bueckers, UConn
** Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (top shooting guard): Ashley Owusu, Maryland
** Cheryl Miller Award (top small forward): Ashley Joens, Iowa State
** Katrina McClain Award (top power forward): NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
** Lisa Leslie Award (top center): Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
* WBCA Defensive Player of the Year: Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State
* Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year: Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State
* Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award: Kierstan Bell, Florida Gulf Coast
* Senior CLASS Award (top senior on and off the court): Rennia Davis, Tennessee
* Maggie Dixon Award (top rookie head coach): Kyra Elzy, Kentucky
* Academic All-American of the Year (top scholar-athlete): Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
* Elite 90 Award (top GPA among upperclass players at Final Four): Sam Thomas, Arizona
* Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award: Not presented in 2021, although the men's version of this award was presented.

## Coaching changes

| Team | Former coach | Interim coach | New coach | Reason |
| Army | Dave Magarity | | Missy Traversi | Magarity announced his retirement on January 28, 2021 after 15 seasons at Army, effective at the end of the season. On March 29, Missy Traversi was hired by the Black Knights following five seasons as head coach at D-II Adelphi. |
| Auburn | Terri Williams-Flournoy | | Johnnie Harris | Auburn announced a coaching change on March 4, 2021, firing Williams-Flournoy after 9 seasons. Texas associate head coach Johnnie Harris was hired as the Tigers' new head coach on April 3. |
| Austin Peay | David Midlick | | Brittany Young | Midlick's contract was not renewed on March 8, 2021, ending his 6-year tenure at Austin Peay with an 85–88 record. The Governors hired Mississippi State assistant Brittany Young as their new head coach on March 17. |
| Baylor | Kim Mulkey | | Nicki Collen | Mulkey left Baylor on April 25, 2021 after 21 seasons and 3 national championships for the LSU head coaching job. Atlanta Dream head coach Nicki Collen was hired by the Lady Bears on May 3. |
| Bethune–Cookman | Vanessa Blair-Lewis | | Janell Crayton | Blair-Lewis left Bethune–Cookman on April 6, 2021 after 13 seasons for the George Mason head coaching job. On July 2, the Wildcats named Kennesaw State assistant Crayton as their new head coach. |
| Boston University | Marisa Moseley | | Melissa D'Amico | Moseley left her alma mater on March 26, 2021 after 3 seasons to accept the head coaching job at Wisconsin. Wake Forest assistant D'Amico was hired by the Terriers on April 23. |
| Canisius | Scott Hemer | | Sahar Nusseibeh | Hemer, citing personal and health reasons, resigned from Canisius on June 22, 2021 after 3 seasons. Miami (OH) assistant Nusseibeh was hired by the Golden Griffins on July 23. |
| Charleston Southern | Fred Applin | | Clarisse Garcia | On April 9, 2021, Charleston Southern announced they would not extend Applin's contract following 9 seasons and a 67–178 record with the Buccaneers. Auburn assistant coach Clarisse Garcia was hired on May 3. |
| Colgate | Bill Cleary | | Ganiyat Adeduntan | On April 8, 2021, Cleary announced his resignation after 5 seasons and a 49–79 record with the Raiders. George Washington assistant coach Ganiyat Adeduntan was hired by the Raiders on April 21. |
| Dartmouth | Belle Koclanes | | Adrienne Shibles | Koclanes announced on February 24, 2021 that she will leave Dartmouth after 7 seasons to become president of a non-profit organization in Delaware effective March 31. Adrienne Shibles was hired by the Big Green on May 3 after 13 seasons as head coach at D-III Bowdoin. |
| Delaware State | David Caputo | | E.C. Hill | Delaware State parted ways with Caputo on April 1, 2021 after 3 seasons and a 22–51 overall record. Towson assistant coach Hill was hired by the Hornets on June 4. |
| Drake | Jennie Baranczyk | | Allison Pohlman | On April 10, 2021, Baranczyk left Drake after 9 seasons to accept the head coaching position at Oklahoma. The Bulldogs filled the vacancy by promoting associate head coach Pohlman on April 19. |
| East Tennessee State | Brittney Ezell | | Simon Harris | ETSU fired Ezell on March 8, 2021 after 8 seasons and a 105–132 overall record. The Buccaneers announced Ohio State assistant Simon Harris as their new head coach on March 19. |
| Eastern Kentucky | Samantha Williams | | Greg Todd | Williams resigned from EKU on April 16, 2021 after 2 seasons and a 20–33 record to become an assistant at Tennessee. Morehead State head coach and EKU alum Greg Todd was hired by the Colonels on May 10. |
| Eastern Washington | Wendy Schuller | | Joddie Gleason | On March 31, 2021, EWU announced that Schuller would not return as head coach after 20 seasons with the Eagles. Seattle associate head coach Joddie Gleason was hired on May 21. |
| Evansville | Matt Ruffing | | Robyn Scherr-Wells | Evansville parted ways with Ruffing on March 15, 2021 after 5 seasons and a 31–119 overall record. On April 20, FIU assistant Robyn Scherr-Wells was hired by the Purple Aces. |
| Florida Atlantic | Jim Jabir | | Jennifer Sullivan | Jabir left FAU on April 7, 2021 after 4 seasons to return to Siena, where he had been head coach there from 1987 to 1990, for a second stint as head coach. Tennessee assistant coach Jennifer Sullivan was named the Owls' new head coach on April 15. |
| Florida State | Sue Semrau | Brooke Wyckoff | Sue Semrau | Semrau announced on September 8, 2020 that she will take a leave of absence from Florida State for the 2020–21 season to care for her mother, with the expectation of returning to the team at the end of the season. Associate head coach Wyckoff served as the Seminoles' interim head coach during Semrau's absence. Semrau officially returned to Florida State on April 1, 2021. |
| George Mason | Nyla Milleson | | Vanessa Blair-Lewis | Milleson announced her resignation on March 11, 2021 after 8 seasons and a 98–140 overall record at GMU. Bethune–Cookman head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis was hired by the Patriots on April 6. |
| George Washington | Jennifer Rizzotti | | Caroline McCombs | GW parted ways with Rizzotti on March 15, 2021 after 5 seasons and a 72–74 overall record. On April 2, the Colonials hired Stony Brook head coach McCombs for the same position. |
| Hartford | Morgan Valley | Melissa Hodgdon | Polly Thomason | Valley left Hartford on April 21, 2021 after 2 seasons to return to her alma mater UConn as an assistant coach. Assistant coach Hodgdon was named interim head coach of the Hawks for the 2021–22 season. On May 27, 2022, the school hired Polly Thomason from D3 UT Dallas as the permanent replacement. |
| Indiana State | Vicki Hall | | Chad Killinger | A week after parting ways with the men's basketball head coach, Indiana State and Hall agreed to part ways on March 15, 2021 after 3 seasons and a 21–59 overall record. Nicholls assistant coach Chad Killinger was hired by the Sycamores on April 20. |
| Kennesaw State | Agnus Berenato | | Octavia Blue | Berenato retired on March 29, 2021 following a 33-year head coaching career, the last 5 years spent at Kennesaw State. Miami (FL) associate head coach Blue was hired by the Owls on April 29. |
| Kentucky | Matthew Mitchell | Kyra Elzy | Kyra Elzy | Mitchell announced his retirement on November 12, 2020 after 15 seasons as a head coach, the last 13 at Kentucky. Following his announcement, associate head coach Kyra Elzy was initially named the interim head coach of the Wildcats for the 2020–21 season, but UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart removed the interim tag from Elzy on December 14. |
| Loyola (MD) | Joe Logan | | Danielle O'Banion | On March 30, 2021, Loyola announced that Logan would not return as head coach following 16 seasons with the Greyhounds. He was replaced by Minnesota assistant and former Kent State head coach Danielle O'Banion on April 23. |
| Loyola Marymount | Charity Elliott | | Aarika Hughes | On April 5, 2021, Elliott announced she would be stepping down following 9 seasons as head coach of LMU. The Lions stayed in the LA area for their next hire, naming USC assistant coach Aarika Hughes for the job on April 19. |
| LSU | Nikki Fargas | | Kim Mulkey | Fargas stepped down on April 15, 2021 after 10 seasons and a 177–129 record at LSU to become president of the Las Vegas Aces. Baylor head coach and Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey was hired by the Lady Tigers on April 25. |
| McNeese State | Kacie Cryer | | Lynn Kennedy | On March 12, 2021, McNeese State announced they would not be extending Cryer's contract, ending her 5-year tenure at the school. Portland State head coach Lynn Kennedy was hired by the Cowgirls on March 30. |
| Memphis | Melissa McFerrin | Michele Savage | Katrina Merriweather | McFerrin announced her retirement effective immediately on February 14, 2021 after 13 seasons at Memphis. Assistant coach Savage was named interim head coach of the Tigers for the rest of the season. Wright State head coach Katrina Merriweather was hired as the school's new coach on March 29. |
| Monmouth | Jody Craig | | Ginny Boggess | Craig announced her resignation from Monmouth on March 11, 2021 after 4 seasons and a 33–69 overall record. She had been suspended by the school approximately 48 hours before her resignation. Penn State assistant coach and head recruiting coordinator Boggess was hired as the Hawks' new head coach on April 8. |
| Morehead State | Greg Todd | | Cayla Petree | Todd left Morehead State on May 10, 2021 after 7 seasons for the head coaching job at his alma mater Eastern Kentucky. On June 4, the Eagles hired Cayla Petree from Gulf Coast State College of the NJCAA as their new head coach. |
| Mount St. Mary's | Maria Marchesano | | Antoine White | Marchesano left the Mount on March 30, 2021 after 4 seasons for the head coaching job at Purdue Fort Wayne. Associate head coach Antoine White was promoted to head coach of the Mountaineers immediately following Marchesano's departure. |
| Northeastern | Kelly Cole | | Bridgette Mitchell | Northeastern parted ways with Cole on March 24, 2021 after 7 seasons and an 87–116 overall record. Pittsburgh assistant Mitchell was hired by the Huskies on April 17. |
| Northern Colorado | Jennifer Roulier-Huth | | Kristen Mattio | Huth announced her resignation from Northern Colorado on April 21, 2021 after 3 seasons and a 48–41 record. The Bears hired Mattio, head coach at D-II West Texas A&M for the past 6 seasons, on May 8. |
| Oklahoma | Sherri Coale | | Jennie Baranczyk | Coale announced her retirement after 25 seasons at Oklahoma on March 17, 2021. The 2016 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee left the program with a 512–293 overall record, three Final Four appearances, and six Big 12 regular-season titles. The Sooners hired Drake head coach Jennie Baranczyk as her successor on April 10. |
| Portland State | Lynn Kennedy | | Chelsey Gregg | Kennedy left Portland State on March 30, 2021 after 6 seasons for the McNeese State head coaching job. Associate head coach Gregg was promoted to head coach of the Vikings on April 16. |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | Niecee Nelson | | Maria Marchesano | Purdue Fort Wayne announced on February 26, 2021 that Nelson, who had been under investigation for toxic abuse in the program, would not have her contract renewed at the end of the season, ending her 5-year tenure at the school. On March 30, the Mastodons hired Fort Wayne native Maria Marchesano from Mount St. Mary's as their new head coach. |
| Rice | Tina Langley | | Lindsay Edmonds | Langley left Rice on April 5, 2021 after 6 seasons for the Washington head coaching job. The Owls hired NC State assistant Edmonds as her replacement on April 23. |
| Sacramento State | Bunky Harkleroad | | Mark Campbell | Sacramento State parted ways with Harkleroad on March 18, 2021 after 8 seasons and an 88-151 overall record. Oregon assistant coach Campbell was named the new head coach of the Hornets on April 16. |
| Siena | Ali Jaques | | Jim Jabir | Siena opted not to renew Jaques' contract on March 15, 2021, ending her 9-year tenure at the school with a 116–148 record. Florida Atlantic head coach Jim Jabir, who previously served as head coach of the Saints from 1987 to 1990, returned on April 7. |
| SIU Edwardsville | Paula Buscher | | Samantha Quigley Smith | SIUE fired Buscher on March 19, 2021 after 9 seasons and a 117–152 record. The Cougars hired Samantha Quigley Smith from D-II Lewis University on April 27. |
| SMU | Travis Mays | | Toyelle Wilson | SMU declined to renew Mays' contract on March 8, 2021, ending his 5-year tenure as head coach with a 63–75 overall record. The Mustangs hired Michigan assistant and former Prairie View A&M head coach Toyelle Wilson on April 1. |
| Stony Brook | Caroline McCombs | | Ashley Langford | McCombs left Stony Brook on April 2, 2021 after 7 seasons for the head coaching job at George Washington. James Madison associate head coach Ashley Langford was hired by the Seawolves on April 28. |
| Tulsa | Matilda Mossman | | Angie Nelp | On March 18, 2021, Mossman announced her retirement from coaching, finishing her ten-year tenure at Tulsa with a 119–176 and a career record of 266–269 in 19 seasons. Arizona State associate head coach Angie Nelp was hired by the Golden Hurricane on April 12. |
| UMass Lowell | Tom Garrick | | Denise King | Garrick announced on April 13, 2021 that he would be stepping down as head coach at UMass Lowell after 3 seasons to become an assistant for his wife Shea Ralph, who was hired as the new head coach at Vanderbilt. River Hawks assistant King was promoted to the head coaching position on May 20. |
| USC | Mark Trakh | | Lindsay Gottlieb | On April 21, 2021, Trakh announced his retirement from coaching after 4 seasons of his 2nd stint at USC, finishing his 26-year tenure as a head coach with a career record of 458–317. Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Lindsay Gottlieb was hired by the Trojans on May 10. |
| UTSA | Kristen Holt | | Karen Aston | Holt's contract with UTSA was not renewed on March 16, 2021, ending her 4-year tenure with a 24–83 overall record. Former Texas head coach Karen Aston was hired as the Roadrunners' new head coach on March 29. |
| Vanderbilt | Stephanie White | | Shea Ralph | On April 6, 2021, Vanderbilt parted ways with White following 5 seasons and a 46–83 record with the Commodores. The Commodores hired longtime UConn assistant Ralph on April 13. |
| Wagner | Heather Jacobs | | Terrell Coburn | Jacobs resigned on April 26, 2021 after 5 seasons at Wagner. Assistant coach Coburn was promoted by the Seahawks to the head coaching position 2 days later. |
| Washington | Jody Wynn | | Tina Langley | Washington fired Wynn on March 15, 2021 after 4 seasons and a 38–75 record, the lowest winning percentage by a head coach in the program. Rice head coach Tina Langley was hired by the Huskies on April 5. |
| Wisconsin | Jonathan Tsipis | | Marisa Moseley | Wisconsin fired Tsipis on March 9, 2021 after 5 seasons, in which the Badgers went 50–99 overall and never finished higher than 11th place in conference play. On March 26, the school hired Boston University's Marisa Moseley as their next head coach. |
| Wright State | Katrina Merriweather | | Kari Hoffman | Merriweather left Wright State on March 29, 2021 after 5 seasons for the Memphis head coaching job. The Raiders hired Kari Hoffman on May 20 after 5 seasons as head coach at D-II Cedarville. |