What’s the best conference in women’s college basketball?

Tara VanDerveer thought she was in a nightmare when she first learned of the Pac-12’s impending demise. After spending 39 years on the sideline coaching Stanford, knowing the conference is coming to an end remains a difficult reality.

“The Pac-12 is something really special. We’re heartbroken it’s done. I’m still in a state of denial about it,” said Tara VanDerveer, who is 17 wins from surpassing Mike Krzyzewski (1,202) for the most victories in Division I college basketball history. “My whole life has been coaching in the Pac-12.”

VanDerveer helped elevate the Pac-12 to elite status, but ahead of 2024-25, everything will change. USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon head to the Big Ten, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah move to the Big 12, and Stanford and Cal join the ACC.

Still, when Pac-12 coaches gathered for media day earlier this month in Las…