In recent years at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), both the men’s and women’s basketball programs have seen a resurgence after some time struggling in the late 2010s. The Colonels finished with just a combined record of 69 wins and 128 losses (.350 win percentage) from 2014 through 2021. Morehead State University (MSU) head coach, Greg Todd, who brought the Golden Eagles to newfound success, became the coach of the Women’s Basketball team in 2021. Todd guided Morehead State to a 24-11 record and an upset of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which is the post-season for teams that do not qualify for the NCAA tournament. Todd immediately improved the program at EKU, and with a combined record of 40-26 (.606) over the last two seasons (the highest win percentage in a two-season span at EKU since 2004 and 2005), he has built up a program that is expected to compete well in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) this season. The Colonels were picked to finish fourth in the ASUN in the coaches’ preseason poll and fifth in the preseason media poll on Oct. 10. Returning senior point guard Alice Recanati was selected to the Preseason All-ASUN conference team for the second season in a row. Last season, the Colonels finished with a 22-12 record, going 9-7 in the ASUN and finishing fifth overall in conference play. EKU climbed all the way to a 9-5 ASUN record last season before losing the final two regular season games. After falling to the University of Central Arkansas in the ASUN Tournament semifinals, they were selected for the Women’s NIT. Despite losing in the first round against Purdue University Fort Wayne, the Lady Colonels returned six players this season, added four transfers, and brought in four freshmen to round out the roster. Guard Antwainette Walker, a two-time All-ASUN player, graduated and entered the WNBA Draft, which is an average of 18 points, six rebounds, and two steals per game that the Colonels will have to replace. Ivy Turner, Nekiyah Thompson, and Brigid Fox also graduated. Following assault charges in December 2023, senior forward Sierra McCullough is no longer on the team, and EKU lost only one player to the transfer portal, guard Brie Crittendon.