How AI Is Changing Women’s NCAA Basketball—And Why It’s Just Getting Started

Women’s college basketball is having a moment—and honestly, it’s about time.

From record-breaking viewership during March Madness, to stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese becoming household names, the game is growing faster than ever. But while the spotlight shines brighter, there’s something happening behind the scenes that’s just as exciting: artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly changing how the game is played, coached, and even experienced by fans.

AI is already making a huge difference in the women’s NCAA basketball world. And the best part? It’s just getting started.

Let’s talk about how this all works—and why it’s such a big deal.

Smarter Game Film = Smarter Game Plans

Remember the days when coaches had to sit through hours of game footage just to clip together plays for their team? Yeah, those days are basically over.

Now, thanks to AI tools, software can break down a game automatically. It tags key plays, tracks player movements, and even helps spot patterns—like whether a team struggles against a zone defence or how often they run pick-and-rolls.

This is huge for women’s programs, especially those that don’t have big coaching staffs or large budgets. It levels the playing field and gives coaches more time to actually coach. Plus, players can review their own clips and get personalized feedback without waiting for someone to cut the film manually.

Custom Training That Actually Fits the Athlete

Every athlete is different—and AI is finally helping coaches treat them that way.

Wearable tech tracks everything from heart rate and movement to sleep and recovery. AI analyzes all that data to give coaches insight into how hard a player is working, when they might be at risk of injury, or when they’re ready to push harder.

For women especially, this is super important. Research shows women athletes have different injury risks (ACL tears being a big one), and some programs are even using AI to sync training plans with players’ hormonal cycles for better performance and recovery.

It’s like having a full-time performance coach and medical team in your pocket.

Finding Talent Where Others Aren’t Looking

Recruiting is always a grind—but AI is making it smarter and more efficient.

Instead of relying only on highlight reels or word-of-mouth, coaches can now use data and AI to scout high school talent. Machine learning tools analyze stats, playing styles, and even social media reach to find hidden gems.

This is great news for smaller programs or players in under-the-radar areas. It’s helping more athletes get discovered and giving coaches tools to find talent that might’ve been overlooked in the past.

And on the flip side, athletes are using AI too—to edit highlights, analyze their own performance, and promote themselves to colleges more effectively.

A Better Experience for Fans, Too

The way we watch sports is changing—and AI is playing a big role here, too.

You’ve probably noticed how TV broadcasts and social media are now full of instant highlights, live stats, cool graphics, and even predictive insights. Much of that is powered by AI.

This kind of tech makes watching women’s basketball even more fun—and more engaging. It also helps bring more eyes to the sport.

Why This All Matters

Here’s the thing: women’s programs haven’t always had access to the same resources as the men’s side. But AI is changing that.

A smaller staff can do more with less. Coaches can make smarter decisions faster. Players get individualized attention. And fans get a better product to watch and follow.

It’s not a magic fix—but it’s a big step toward levelling the playing field.

So, What’s Next?

We’re just scratching the surface of what AI can do in women’s basketball. In the next few years, we’ll probably see even more innovation—from smarter injury prevention and in-game decision-making to AI-designed workouts and fan experiences we haven’t even imagined yet.

But even now, it’s already clear: AI is making the game better, more equal, and more engaging—for everyone involved.

And as women’s NCAA basketball continues to rise, AI might just be the ultimate assist.