at an awkward start time…
6pmEST on ESPN2, Kentucky gets the honor of being the first to test NCAA champ Baylor. Yeah?
Baylor is facing a team Tuesday that reminds Mulkey of Texas A&M. Coach Matthew Mitchell’s Wildcats always want to play a very, very up-tempo style and disrupt opponents with their speed and physicality.
“Kentucky’s fast pace — that is their identity,” Mulkey said. “But Kentucky plays a full-court game. They like to press you and create turnovers. They play a lot of players. …
“Our identity is going to be inside out — we’re always going to have post players. It’s going to be a heck of a basketball game early in the season. I don’t mean it’s going to be pretty … we’re both going to be playing hard.”
A victory — heck, even a stubborn showing — would go a long way to prove that, as Michelle writes, the Wildcats are ready to reach next level
There’s a glass-enclosed trophy case next to the Kentucky women’s basketball office. In the middle, a big blue pedestal with the UK logo on it and a small sign on top mark the unused space that reads “Reserved for the National Championship.”
Downstairs, next to the team locker room, a large banner by the door displays the logo for the 2013 Women’s Final Four in New Orleans. Get the hint? It’s not that subtle.
The AP’s Gary Graves writes:
Kentucky coach Matt Mitchell believes that if his sixth-ranked Wildcats want to be the best team they have to play the best.
Right now that is No. 1 Baylor and senior Brittney Griner.
The Wildcats will get their shot against the Bears on Tuesday on the defending national champions’ home court in Waco, Texas.
From Steve Jones at the Courier-Journal: Kentucky women’s basketball team faces big test against No. 1 Baylor
More from other folks:
Fresh off her key performance aboard a big boat, Graham says, “Irish need big season from Achonwa“
For those who pay attention to such stuff, interesting things going on in the Land of Louisville recruiting. Which is an excuse to check in with the Cardinal Couple: (Gather around the laptop and join us for another edition of the Sandy Walker 40-yard dash through Cardinal women’s athletics. A guaranteed good time for all…except for UK fans.) It is Tuesday, Sooooooooo It must be Laundry Day
Mel writes: Penn Almost Mightier Than Cavaliers of Virginia
Yes Virginia. There is a Penn.
And on Monday the Quakers nearly pulled one of the all-time upsets in the history of the program as well as the Big Five women when coach Mike McLaughlin’s group took a commanding lead over the Cavaliers at The Palestra only to fall in the final minutes 68-65 in the second game of the season for both schools.
“It’s disappointing because it could have been a signature win for the program,” McLaughlin said afterwards. “They looked Virginia right in the eye, and I thought we were the better team tonight.”
‘Cause it’s never too late: Did you catch the Dishin & Swishin 11/08/12 Podcast: A Roundtable Preview of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Season The roundtable participants are:
- AP women’s basketball senior writer, Doug Feinberg
- Television commentator, LaChina Robinson
- espnW writer, Michelle Smith
- Coach and commentator, Christy Winters Scott
- Television commentator Brooke Weisbrod makes her roundtable debut
Old news, but Chris at the Houston Roundball Review tells us Bridgeport, CT was selected as the new regional site for 2013 NCAA tournament
A little WNBA stuff: Maya (undefended) Scores 60, Tina Charles wants WNBA title and President Laurel Richie faces some WNBA questions from Kate, who has never been a fan of the League, but doesn’t really give any answers.
Thanks, Laurel, that’s what WNBA fans want — smoke and mirrors.
From Mechelle’s Thursday chat:
Wallace: Should the WNBA league front office encourage Shelia Johnson to sell the Mystics?
Mechelle Voepel: Well, Monumental Sports Group owns the Mystics, with Sheila Johnson as managing partner. And I think we all have our frustrations about the way the Mystics have been run. I don’t know at this point what direction that franchise is headed. There’s been a lot of speculation, of course. What I do think, though, is that the WNBA front office is *not* proactive in providing much guidance to troubled franchises. Laurel Richie was hired because of her expertise in marketing, but I don’t know how much guidance or advice she can give the Mystics on how to make better personnel decisions. I guess she could advise them on how better to deal with and communicate with their own fans. But I don’t think those conversations happen quite the way some of us might wish they did between the league office and franchises.
Jayda offers an ode to a friend lost: A personal goodbye for a longtime Seattle Storm fan and friend
I hope this is appropriate. It’s not exactly the type of thing you call a grieving family to discuss. But because she’s one of my biggest fans, this is the only way I can say goodbye.
Karen Marie Rolstad died at 11:11 am on Sunday. She was originally diagnosed with endometrial cancer in April and due to other complications that diminished her health, she chose to die under the Death with Dignity Law in Washington state at the age of 74. She was surrounded by family and friends and is survived by her partner Jan of 38 years and their retired show dogs Mario and Tomas.
Karen is the reason I advise young journalists to respond to their readers.
