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after a week of travel, teaching and tummy upsetness.

So, are you intrigued that #6 Stanford didn’t easily put away the Longhorns?

What about how #5 Notre Dame handled Penn?

LaTech stayed even with LSU in the second — it was the first half that did them in. The Techsters are still 0-for.

Wow, Liberty is still 0-for, too.

Looks to be a long season in Arizona.

Marist finally got a win — and it was a nice one over Bowling Green.

UMass followed their incredibly surprising win over Rutgers (RU fans are not happy) with a takedown of Hartford.

Hmmm… Southern Miss took down the high flying’ FGCU Eagles.

Still perfect on the season: Wyoming, Missouri, Va Tech (via OT), SMU, BYU, San Diego, Baylor, Winthrop, Indiana, East Carolina, Colorado, Purdue, Maine (!), Tulane, Oklahoma State, UTEP, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville (Walz is the winningest Card), Northwestern, Iowa State and Nebraska, Tennessee and Connecticut.

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Beth Mowins, take notice! Lafayette is 4-0.

A banged-up Rutgers is 3-0.

Continuing to right the ship at IUPUI.

Duke rolled over Alabama.

Ohio State had a lead over Georgia, then couldn’t score in the second.

Central Michigan could score against Kentucky, but they couldn’t defend the Wildcats.

Whoa – Marist is 0-fer to start the season.

It was a tight game throughout, but the Boilermakers escaped. Don’t sleep on Toledo.

South Carolina pulled away in the second half, but Seton Hall is showin’ folks something’ this season.

Nice win for Marquette over Vandy IN Nashville. I would have enjoyed listening to the announcers: Ploufee, Pumroy, Foggie (30pts. 16-18 on FTs).

Worth mentioning: Wisconsin is 3-0.

Great WNIT finals, as Louisville stormed back in the last couple of minutes to send the game into OT, and eventually got the win over Oklahoma. Hey-ey, Jude.

A tale of three halves — Michigan State topped Dayton in OT.OT’s were all the rage: Long Beach St. over San Francisco, UC Riverside over Santa Clara.

In the land of “No shot is a bad shot and defense is an anathema,” Sacramento State took down Oregon, 97-85.

The “other Gray” went for 30-10, as UNC put away a stubborn UCLA.

Both teams shot for carp, but Tennessee emerged the victor over Georgia Tech.

Down nine with 8 left Green Bay wins by 8.

West Virginia won over Hawai’i, but stupidity followed.

Have I mentioned lately how nice it is to be able to cheer for Penn State women’s basketball again. Congrats to Co and Maggie on a feisty tilt against UConn. Hartley and the Six Left Standing were still too much for them, but there’s good stuff in the future.

Congrats are in order!

Roanoke’s Dunagan Picks Up 600th Career Women’s Basketball Victory

Shhhhh.. congrats are soon to be in order: Lady Griz icon Selvig on verge of a milestone

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playing UTEP would be an automatic win for Kansas State? Not so much anymore: Miners 84-39.

Other intriguing early trends:

Looks like it might be a tough year for the Hatters. They were defeated by North Carolina A&T, who became the first HBUC to win consecutive games in the preseason WNIT. (Speaking of the WNIT: The Championship game will feature a lot of red: Louisville v. Oklahoma, 4pm EST, CBSSports.)

Ditto for Western Carolina, who got stomped by the Fightin’ Camels (coach Watkin’s 500th win).

See above for St. Francis (PA), who got brushed off by Colgate.

LaTech is 0-2, which makes me wonder how long it will be before the W calls Spoon. Or vice versa: (Hello, Sandy? Hello, Jenny?)

Not a good sign for BU – the just escaped Rhode Island, 52-49.

UNC-Wilmington can’t get no respect. ESPN’s scoreboard says they beat Northern Kentucky, but won’t register the win in the record.

Yah, yah, it’s early, but…

Maine is 3-0.

Temple is 3-0.

St. John’s is 3-0.

St. Mary’s is 3-0.

NC State is 3-0.

Loyd scored a lot of points for Notre Dame.

Yah, they went to overtime, and Tennessee-Martin’s Jasmine Newsome scored a WNIT record 44tpts, but Quinnipiac is 0-2 on the road.

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So, you’ve got to believe other teams are thinking “now’s the time” when it comes to beating UConn this year. Down two players, they also got their bigs in foul trouble — and yet the Terps couldn’t take advantage.

Let’s see how well Penn State fares.

George Washington surprised #10 Cal.

My fault: Iona beats Pacific.

Let’s see how this plays out across the rest of the season: St. Bonaventure defeated Green Bay, 68-62.

Nice early season win for St. Joseph’s over Wichita State.

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Too much fun

Space Jam receives the 30 for 30 treatment

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Details from Oakland University: Women’s basketball coach Beckie Francis fired for mentally abusing players

So, need a Beer anyone? Louisville women’s coach Jeff Walz inviting fans to Thursday’s game – and he’s buying the beer

I’m not sayin’ nothin’, but Bradley is at 2-0.

Again, I’m not sayin’ nothin’, but St. Francis (NY) is at 2-0.

See above: Pacific’s at 2-0.

Nebraska moved to 2-0 with a win over (0-2) Alabama. That Tide program needs a lot of repair.

This is semi-noteworthy: James Madison is 2-0 and Liberty is 0-2. But you can never count the Flames out.

Injuries? We don’t care about no stinkin’ injuries! Notre Dame easily handled the Spartans.

Speaking of injuries… actually, let’s not. Welcome back Ms. Gray!

Tennessee looked ready for bear against UNC, which looked, as someone wrote, like they were playing with their hair on fire.

Pickin’ up where they left off, FGCU is now 2-0.

See above: UTEP’s 2-0.

HEY! Oregon’s 2-0! (SlamOnline takes notice of Jillian Alleyne)

Oooops. Seattle U is 0-2.

Iona is saying, “Thanks, Helen.” They got dismantled by St. John’s, 78-48.

Delaware is saying, “Thanks a lot, Temple!” From Mel: Temple Ruins Delaware Home Opener

Who says defense is overrated? San Jose State and Santa Clara. (Well, there WAS a key steal) The Spartans won. 97-93

Shoe Block Alert.

And no, it’s never too early for bracketology.

Nor is it for “Coaches on the Hot Seat” speculation.

Refs respond to the USA article on the new points of emphasis.

A little WATN? Val Ackerman: Meet the Woman Who Will Carry On Dave Gavitt’s Legacy –Commissioner Val Ackerman will launch the new Big East back to basketball glory

BTW: REPORT: WNBA GAMES AVERAGED MORE VIEWERS THIS YEAR THAN MLS

Talk about keeping the momentum going From the Lynx site: Every Tuesday, Kyle Ratke will be reviewing a member of the Minnesota Lynx. We will review the player’s best games, offseason plans and more. On Thursday, there will be a photo gallery to match the week’s featured player. Roster Review: Lindsey Moore

Oh, and like a little hockey? Coach Reeve Honored At Wild Game

From the .com: Nancy Lieberman: Living the Dream

“I was a poor kid from a one parent family growing up in New York and it was hard at times, not having the advantages that others had, but sports was a great equalizer,” Lieberman told WNBA.com after she and fellow New Yorker comedian/actor Billy Crystal partnered in announcing the opening of the DreamCourt in Long Beach.

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I was going to start off with a snarky comment on how the best part of injuries is watching them over and over and over again (not), but the news out of Connecticut post their Stanford win is pretty glum-ifying: UConn women lose 2 players to injury. Those who stepped up during the game will have a chance to step up again Friday v. the Terps.

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Yup.

Thanks to Nan for doing some of my work:

UConn women face early test in No. 3 Stanford, Post
Dolson, UConn frontcourt deliver strong message, Post
No. 1 UConn women’s game day: Monday vs. No. 3 Stanford, Post
UConn Women Ready For Visit From No. 3 Stanford, Courant
Preview Capsule: No.3 Stanford At No. 1 UConn, Courant
UConn hosts Stanford in a banner matchup, Register
Younger Ogwumike sister carving out her own legacy at Stanford, Register
Stanford comes to Gampel tonight looking for some revenge, Day
No. 1 Huskies top Rizzotti, Hartford, face No. 3 Stanford Monday night, Daily Campus
Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer on the doorstep of elite coaching club, San Francisco Chronicle

From ESPN:

Michelle writes, “Cardinal must be more than Chiney”

Mechelle’s piece I linked previously is her “preview” for the UNC/Tennessee game: Time for Tennessee to just play

From Melanie Jackson: Doubleheader to introduce new faces

If you are a women’s basketball fan, there are some names you’ve likely heard a lot, but you might not have seen the players yet. Monday, you’ll have the chance.

North Carolina hosts Tennessee (ESPN2 and WatchESPN, 9 p.m. ET; Stanford plays UConn at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN) in a game that will be an early showcase for some of the top freshmen this season.

The Tar Heels’ Diamond DeShields, Stephanie Mavunga, Allisha Gray and Jessica Washington comprised what was generally ranked the No. 1 recruiting class this year. North Carolina also has two redshirt freshmen, Hillary Fuller (foot) and Hillary Summers (knee), who sat out last season with injury issues.

From Harold Gutmann at the Herald Sun: UNC’s freshmen face early test vs. Lady Vols

From the AP’s Aaron Beard: No. 12 Tar Heels host No. 4 Lady Vols

North Carolina’s youngsters didn’t get much time to prepare for their first major challenge in college.

With No. 4 Tennessee arriving Monday, the No. 12 Tar Heels will have a tough test that comes early in their work to shape a team featuring the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class and reigning Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year Xylina McDaniel.

Freshman Diamond DeShields says Monday means, “America’s basically going to see us and what we have to offer.”

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The “other” Helen must be proud of her former team…

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Check out Elle (yes, Elle!): How Slam-Dunking, Gender-Bending WNBA Rookie Brittney Griner Is Changing the World of Sports: Griner is a slam-dunking, girl-loving phenom who proves there are a whole lot of ways to be a woman

At the WNBA’s rookie orientation, Griner says she declined to participate in a session about makeup application and how to dress. “I don’t need that shit,” she says without rancor, adding that the only lecture she appreciated was one on 401(k)s. (Yes, new WNBA players are taught how to apply makeup while NBA rookies learn to beware of gold-digger groupies who might prick tiny holes in condoms.) Now, peering at herself in the makeup mirror, Griner approves of her agent’s handiwork. “Looks like nothing,” she agrees.

Brittney Griner is now the first man to play in the WNBA…. Brittney Griner threw down two dunks last night. One for each of her testicles…. Brittney Griner suspended for first three games next season after testing positive for a penis. This is a tiny sample of the ugly invective regularly hurled at Griner on Twitter and other social-media forums. She seems pretty unfazed by the haters, however—even motivated by them. “Reading what people say makes me want to be me even more,” she told ESPN magazine’s Kate Fagan.

Pre-order from Amazon: In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball CourtHardcover by Brittney Griner 

Too tired to read? Then listen to the WBEZ interview with EDD.

Or, you can listen to the podcast over at HoopFeed: Different expectations greet “new” head coaches Matt Insell, Mike Neighbors and Suzie McConnell-Serio

Speaking of “new” coaches, Sue’s talking to Coop: Toughness, finishing, are keys to Cynthia Cooper’s campaign to bring glory days back

The USC women’s basketball team is scattered around the court, players waiting at their assigned stations. “Basketball is about angles,” first-year head coach Cynthia Cooper tells them.

Then she turns to the player in front of her — sophomore guard Jordan Adams.

Adams is in the triple-threat position, standing off to the right of the key with the ball, but facing almost entirely away from the hoop. Cooper tells her to turn more toward the basket, and Adams quickly makes the adjustment. As she does, Cooper takes up the position of a defender in front of her.

“Yeah!” says Cooper, nodding. “Now I’m scared of you. Not when you’re turned the other way.”

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Baylor’s stomping of Grambling State (Sims), Louisville’s smothering of Loyola (Swoopes’ coaching debut) or UConn’s smooshing of Hartford (front court)…except Connecticut does meet up with Stanford on Monday… and, while the Cardinal (Ogwumike) did exit Boston with a victory over Boston College, I’m going to give a stink eye to their defense in the second half.

Not much to say about Notre Dame’s (Loyddismissal of UNC-Wilmington, other than it’s a great opportunity for the “other” players to get experience as they await the return of the injured.

So, Iona, I see we should keep an eye on you.

Debbie would have enjoyed the Ducks/Bakersfield game: 131-91.

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Vol fans are hoping the next game is out of state.

Mechelle says “It’s time for Tennessee to just play

If there’s any team that needs to just play this season — and not feel the pressure to play for something — it’s Tennessee.

Sure, the Women’s Final Four will be in Nashville, Tenn., three hours west of Tennessee’s campus in Knoxville. And by the time the national semifinals tip off in Bridgestone Arena on April 6, 2014, it will have been six years since Tennessee last played in the final games of the season. The Candace Parker-led squad brought Tennessee its eighth national championship in April 2008.

Ever since, it’s fair to say the subsequent Lady Vols teams felt a sometimes-debilitating weight of having something to prove, or the need to honor their legendary coach, or the responsibility to support their new coach … or all of the above.

Turtle fans are hoping that their next game doesn’t involve horns (and that Thomas becomes visible).

Oklahoma is hoping their next game doesn’t involve hats.

Penn State is hoping Maggie stays hot.

Cynthia Cooper got her first win of her USC coaching career.

Susie McConnell-Serio got the first win of her Pitt coaching career.

Delaware got its first victory of its post-EDD career.

Fordham was unimpressed with San Francisco.

Iona took down Arizona in OT.

It took St. John’s OT to survive Sacred Heart.

Yes, they lost to AR-Pine Bluff, but every time I see the name Philander Smith, I think of Missouri Arledge (Morris), the first black AAU All American. (And assistant principal

Illinois learned they should beware of Bradley.

Kristy Curry and Alabama learned they should beware of the Mocs.

Texas Southern shows it’s still strong, taking down Tulsa.

Pepperdine surged in the second half to defeat Seattle U.

Injury plagued UCLA falls to #17 Nebraska.

Bowling Green was unfazed by Michigan.

No surprise, Mechelle says Duke remains favorite in ACC as the Blue Devils’ Gray is ready to move on from injury

From Fagan: DePaul takes center stage in Big East

The Big East still exists, except it looks nothing like the Big East we remember.

Gone are the top four teams — Connecticut, Notre Dame, Louisville and Syracuse — from last season’s final standings. Gone are many of the marquee names that have made Big East women’s basketball arguably the most competitive league in the country over the past decade, including three of last season’s Final Four teams. A number of the old stalwarts (the Catholic 7) remain, but the 2013-14 season will introduce to the country a very different league as Xavier, Creighton and Butler join the fray and try to help keep the league on the map.

Lordy, I hate the loss of the (real) Big East: Huskies heavy favorite in American.

Graham adds: Schimmel back for final act – Equal parts skillful and impetuous, senior is game’s most fascinating character. Fagan offers The five faces of Shoni Schimmel

Previewing the Big 12: Youth will dominate; can OU, too?

Don’t be alarmed if you find yourself asking “Who is that?” while watching games involving Big 12 teams this year. There are a lot of new or unfamiliar faces, with a ton of freshmen and little-known reserves who will try to take more prominent roles.

We’ll start with the obvious: Baylor lost four starters — Brittney Griner, Kimetria Hayden, Jordan Madden and Brooklyn Pope — plus the equivalent of a starter in Destiny Williams. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: They had a nightmare ending to their Baylor careers, with an upset loss to Louisville in the Sweet 16.

That ended Baylor’s attempt to repeat its national championship, and it turned a page on one of the most successful chapters of any Big 12 women’s basketball program.

Charlie says Huskers should set pace in Big Ten, the Lady Vols, Wildcats on top in SEC. Injuries aside, Michelle writes League closing gap with Stanford.

When espnW offered up their  top five at each position, I was intrigued that KML was not #1. Time will tell if I’m sellin’ smoke.

Preseason POY? Rebecca says Nerd City. Mechelle says Gumby. (Or, better, this.)

Cranky about all the conference shifts? Next time you’re reading your favorite sports message board, consider this: 

So it turns out that person you don’t actually know using an alias on that message board may not be who you thought they were. It could just be somebody from a public relations firm who is being paid to try to change your opinion.

That’s what Maryland tried to do following its move to the Big Ten. As you’d expect, a lot of Maryland fans weren’t happy that the school was leaving the ACC for the Big Ten, and they did what any logical fan would do: they turned to the internet to voice their displeasure.

And according to the emails the Baltimore Sun got its hands on, Maryland hired a public relations form to try to stem the tide of negativity.

So, ya wanna learn more about basketball? This year’s “All Access” is taking on the Triangle for 2013-14: Season-long series will focus on Triangle region’s Blue Devils, Tar Heels, Wolfpack

Nerd City lives…on the football field.

As an educator who uses theatre to address social issues, I’m following the Miami Martin/Incognito story with interest. Thanks to Nate for pointing this out: Man Up –Declaring a war on warrior culture in the wake of the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal

I am here to start a fight, because I’m a man and that’s how I solve problems. I’m not here to help you. I am here to fucking hurt you. That’s what I’ve learned in my years as an NFL fan. You have an issue with somebody? You see somebody being stupid? You don’t look the other way. You don’t back down. You strap on your man boots and you shove it through their teeth.

Let me tell you how I know this. I know it because the NFL told me. Take the Dolphins. They suck, but they’re still in the NFL. I’m telling it like it is; that’s what men do.

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Nice piece in the NY Times by William Rhoden on the Rose Classic, an under-19 girls basketball tournament now in it’s eight year.

What is striking is the number of fathers who have been involved with their daughters.

Rich Santiago has two daughters, ages 24 and 12, who play basketball. His older daughter, now a coach at Bloomfield College in New Jersey, was a scholarship athlete at the University of Texas at El Paso but never competed in the Rose Classic.

Santiago said the evolution from the time his older daughter began playing and the increasingly competitive climate that the Rose Classic symbolizes has been incredible. “The skill sets are so much higher at a real early age,” he said. “My youngest daughter is so much better than my oldest daughter was when she was 12. You can find training in fundamentals and skills at a real early age — you didn’t have that before.”

Wasserman adds to their W portfolio:

Lindsay Kagawa Colas, Wasserman vice president, action sports and Olympics, will represent Delle Donne, a guard/forward on the Chicago Sky. Delle Donne previously was represented by her brother, Gene Delle Donne.

With the signing, Colas now represents 14 WNBA players, including Brittney GrinerMaya MooreDiana Taurasi and Sue Bird.

Delle Donna has endorsement deals with Nike, DuPont and nutritional supplement company Genesis Today. Colas, who represents basketball players both for playing contract work and marketing deals, said she plans on working to expand Delle Donne’s portfolio of corporate partnerships.

You might remember Kagawa (Colas) from her Stanford volleyball days. In 2008, the Bleecher Report’s Darren Heitner wrote about Kagawa his Agent Spotlight after she made the Contra Costa Times’ Marcus Thompson II drool while writing his piece, Sports agent no devil but wears Prada. Swish Appeal noticed Kagawa (Colas) in December, 2012: WNBA players and their agents: Who represents WNBA players? In April of this year, she was named to Sports Business Journal’s list of women “making their names.”

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McGraw is dealing with some bad injuries.

A different kind of injury: Two Georgia women’s basketball players suspended three games

From Arizona: New wrinkle to camp: etiquette class (wonder if the men’s team gets it, too)

From Oregon: What does Scott have? Youth.

Out of Nebraska: Is this a first? NU women now the target of the Big Ten

Out of Wisconsin: Don’t get mad, get even: Badgers women’s basketball: UW coach Bobbie Kelsey irked by Badgers’ snub

This has got to have been awkward: Burns returns to SDSU for Hall induction

From Florida: Yes you can play: FGCU’s Kaneisha Atwater granted eligibility by NCAA

From Oklahoma: Ellenberg leads experienced No. 11 Oklahoma

From Utah: Michelle Plouffe emerging from a long shadow — could surpass fellow Canadian Kim Smith as the best player in Utah history  but her team is dealing with injuries.

From Illinois: Women’s basketball looking to address concerns in exhibition game

From Indiana: Purdue Lineup not set in stone

From HoopFeed: Rebecca Lobo and Stephanie White discuss the upcoming NCAA women’s basketball season

Full Court has a couple of previews:

2013-14 ACC women’s basketball preview: Notre Dame will challenge Duke and Maryland for title

2013-14 PAC 12 women’s basketball preview: Cardinal picked to win conference; others threaten

Been waiting for this: Ex-women’s basketball coach Beckie Francis sues Oakland U.

Time for some good news: Doctors Offer Optimistic Update For Coach Hatchell

More good news: Sutton-Brown to Enter Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame

WATN? Fredonia State names Hill-MacDonald as interim head coach

WATN? 2: Figgs Accepts Engineering Position At Toyota

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