Stream This!

(Unless you’re watching games… but hey, multitask!)

https://www.facebook.com/AWSMPennState/

In April, a video titled #MoreThanMean called out the insulting and obscene harassment routinely heaped on two female Chicago sports reporters. That video has now been viewed more than 3.7 million times and started a national conversation.

Now, the women who made the video — Julie DiCaro and Sarah Spain — are visiting Penn State on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in HUB’s Freeman Auditorium.

The #MoreThanMean video can be watched here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tU-D-m2JY8

Also, have you had a chance to read this piece by Sarah Spain? Sharing stories of harassment is one way to combat a still-pervasive issue

She was a young newspaper writer. He wrote her a letter threatening her life and the lives of her children, telling her: “You stupid b—-. Stop writing. Now.”

These are just a handful of stories my friends and colleagues told me in this week’s “That’s What She Said” podcast. I didn’t have to seek out women with shocking tales of harassment; I already know plenty. And I had my own stories to tell. If you know a woman who works in the sports industry, she probably does, too. Stories of men abusing their power, hoping to take advantage of young girls’ ambitions. Or men asserting control, working to make women feel unwelcome and unsafe.

Speaking of multi-tasking: LaChina! ‘Around the Rim’ podcast: West Coastin’ with Washington’s Kelsey Plum

From the Notre Dame Insider: Steady, sturdy Lindsay Allen makes Notre Dame women’s basketball go

We’ve noticed! Hot-start UTA Lady Mavericks playing like it’s 1977

Just, ’cause, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only Wheelock who sucks at basketball…: Women’s Basketball rallies past Wheelock, 66-59

Tough times: Arkansas: Guard Jordan Danberry to transfer, senior Tatiyana Smith quits due to medical issue

Also bye: Ohio State: Sophomore post Theresa Ekhelar to leave program

Baylor: Why adventurous Australian guard Kristy Wallace is so important for Baylor

WNBA
So, I know math is not my strong point, but… by my calculation, there are 204 games available for ESPN/ESPN2 broadcast and they’ve decided to broadcast 9. That’s like…under 5% of the games, right? Great way to follow up on last year’s good ratings, @CStiffESPN, ESPN Vice President, Women’s Sports Programming at ESPN, Inc

From the .com: Skylar Diggins’ Road Back

also .com: Q&A: Kiah Stokes on 2016 Season and New York Liberty’s Future

Wherein a Chicago Tribune reporter writes an article that is, basically, a huge quote of the real article by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

From Rolling Stone: Why Don’t More Female Athletes Have Signature Sneakers?

Swish Appeal: WNBA prospects to watch – PART I

If you’re in New York on Monday evening, come with me to the New York Historical Society:

Course Correction A Story of Rowing and Resilience in the Wake of Title IX A memoir by Ginny Gilder MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 6:30 PM

Enjoy a conversation with author Ginny Gilder, Olympic Silver Medalist in Rowing, and co-owner of the Seattle Storm, the women’s professional basketball team. Presented as part of the Diane and Adam E. Max “Salon” Series in Women’s History

 

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While we pick at the (REALLY) leftovers, something

to soothe your reading palate:

This is worth your time if you missed it when I first linked it:EDD profile, The Audacity Of Height

She’s been 6-5 for a long time — by eighth grade she was already 6 feet — and one of the things she learned from standing out so egregiously is that people are watching and the best bet is just to behave. People sometimes think she’s bland — I was warned she was a boring interview — but it’s not true. What’s true is that she has learned to stay quiet. She’s learned that people aren’t really interested in the truth of your experience if it doesn’t confirm their theories about you. They don’t understand what it’s like when you present with something special, like height or ability — or both, in her case — how your future is decided for you long before you’ve had a moment to consider it. They don’t understand how you could spend the rest of your life wondering if the choices that were made on your behalf were ones you would have come around to on your own.

From Excelle, another reminder of the light the sports platform can shine: Chamique Holdsclaw is changing how we talk about mental health

For Holdsclaw, sharing her story is the best way she knows to break the social stigma that surrounds mental health issues. “It is OK to talk about these things, and I think we are going to start to see a change,” she said. “There are a bunch of people who are passionate and all coming together to break down these borders.”

All of this is not to say that everything is now bright and sunny in Holdsclaw’s world.

“Some days I wake up and it’s debilitating,” she said. “My mind will tell me, ‘I’m worthless, I’m nothing, I don’t want to be here on this earth anymore’ … But I make an effort to really hone in on those things and take what I can from them.”

And she relies heavily on the fact that, every day, she has the chance to be grateful and make an impact, showing someone—if only herself—that people do care.

About basketball: WATCH: South Carolina tells us exactly how it beat up Louisville at Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge

Mel adds his 25cents: South Carolina Has The No. 1 Look in Hoop Hall Challenge

Third-ranked South Carolina, coached by Philly roundball legend Dawn Staley, ran roughshod over No. 5 Louisville after a competitive first quarter to gain a non conference 83-59 triumph.

Afterwards media here, those watching from afar via ESPN2, and other observers said despite Notre Dame’s No. 1 ranking and No. 2 Connecticut’s recent upset of then-No. 2 Baylor, the team on the floor right now that is looking like the best bet to leave Dallas on April 2 with the NCAA trophy is Staley’s unbeaten Gamecocks (4-0), who also own an impressive win over then-No. 7 Ohio State in Columbus.

    “As you can see we’re pretty balanced,” Staley said of a roster offering several all-American candidates and at least one player of the year contender in 6-foot-5 junior A’ja Wilson. 

From Graham: South Carolina defense shuts down Asia Durr to improve to 5-0

Almost in the shadow of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, No. 3 South Carolina and No. 4 Louisville played a game that was about entry into a select club.

South Carolina is already in, just as its coach is enshrined among select company in the building across the highway from the MassMutual Center. Louisville is not yet in the club. The Cardinals have championship aspirations — but not yet championship expectations.

Connecticut, Notre Dame and South Carolina have those expectations.

And after South Carolina’s 83-59 win Sunday, that is how it is going to stay for now.

More basketball: Polls! AP Women’s Basketball Poll Week 4. Hello, Colorado, Auburn, Texas A&M. And someone’s got some ‘splainin’ to do re: Tennessee and Texas (I’ll get to see them live next Sunday. Woot!).

As for the “polls-in-waiting” crew? Not sure what Arizona State’s done to deserve attention, but we’ll be keeping an eye on VaTech, Georgia Tech and Cal.

Well deserved: Virginia Tech’s Chanette Hicks is espnW’s player of the week

Learn a little more about Maine’s coach Richard Barron from Sue’s Coach’s Chair Q&A.

Games: Honestly, not a lot on the schedule that piques my interest today or tomorrow. Wednesday offers:

Undefeated Towson v. Georgetown

USC v. #25 Texas A&M – they’re a combined 10-1.

Battle of New Jersey: Princeton v. Seton Hall

Battle of New York: Albany v. St. John’s

Big 10/ACC Challenge: #20 Syracuse v. Michigan State (6-1)

Big 10/ACC Challenge: #1 Notre Dame v Iowa (5-2)

Battle of New Mexico: Aggies v. Lobos

McNeese v. Tulane: Two 4-1 teams.

Battle of Colorado: State v. Denver. Williams’ Rams have played a tough schedule so far, expect them to get their groove back.

Battle of California: Fresno State v. San Francisco

 

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Oh, won’t the polls be interesting…

It was deja vu all over again for Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Kenny Brooks got an important program win, 67-63, behind a huge game (on both ends of the floor) from Chanette Hicks. Not only did the Vols lose for the second time in two years, it’s their second consecutive loss to an unranked team. The box score is really ugly… and you’ve got to wonder how so much talent can play so poorly.

After a pretty even first half, then #3 South Carolina made a strong argument for being the team to beat, cruising to a 24pt win over #4 Louisville. 

#8 Ohio State was no match for #5 Baylor’s size and defense. The Buckeye’s shot 34% as Mitchell tried to do too much on her own (5-20). Alexis Jones was terrific, but the Bears really need to work on their free throws (59%).

DePaul jumped all over Syracuse in the first quarter, and never let the Orange get close. Typical Demon-ball – 19 threes – and poor Syracuse defense resulted in a 108-84 romp.

#19 West Virginia handled High Point and #13 Oklahoma put away Colorado State.

Neither #21 Miami, #15 Washington or #2o Kentucky faced much of challenge.

George Washington dispatched Western Kentucky, 68-49.

Temple fought back to earn a victory over Quinnipiac, 71-68.

Speaking of fighting back, that’s what Auburn did, behind Brandy Montgomery’s 28pts. They came back from 17 down to beat Indiana, 71-67.

That’s 5-0 for Towson.

Rutgers finally gets a win – perhaps it was ’cause Billie Jean King was in the house?

Whoops! Perhaps they got distracted by their win over Syracuse? Drexel falls to Bucknell (which, if you recall, has improved a ton), 78-66.

It was tight, and it was against a struggling UT Martin team, but a win’s a win – Vandy moves to 5-1.

Warned ya – UT Arlington owned Seton Hall, 86-61.

UNLV dumped Ole Miss, 64-57, and moves to 5-0.

Ooof – Chattanooga falls to Maine, and it was ugly: 49-39. Next up for the Mocs? Tuesday at UConn. Gulp.

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Nothin’ like a little travel, turkey and tournament to shake you up…

Folks are on the road, soaking up some sun, playing back-to-back and learning some lessons…and no, I’m not going to bring out the word parity, because that takes a 10 year study. But I will say, “Pay attention to the programs that don’t have a number next to their name (yet).”

Oh, those fourth quarters. Michigan had #10 Florida State in their sights, but Shakayla Thomas happened. Seminoles by 14.

#24 Michigan State had to come back in the fourth to take down Cal Northridge, 63-59.

Washington State went toe-to-toe with #6 Maryland through three quarters, finally falling 79-69. Terps’ Brionna Jones had a 20/20.

Riddle me this: Purdue has been pretty awful so far, and yet they gave #11 Stanford a run for their money. Cardinal win, 78-69.

As expected, the Orange v. Buckeyes game was a battle. #8 Ohio State’s got Kelsey Mitchell and you don’t, y’all. #11 Syracuse shot for crap, kept it close but couldn’t pull out the win.

TCU played Notre Dame even through the first half, then…. not so much. #1 Irish over Horned Frogs by 33.

Similar-ish story with DePaul and Baylor. #5 Bears over #18 Blue Demons by 32.

No one’s giving # Mississippi much love, and they certainly didn’t give San Jose State much affection, romping by 37. The 6-0 Bulldogs will likely cruise until January 8th when they face off against Tennessee.

Kelsey Plum (with whom I share a birthday!) had 44, the rest of her teammates had 50, and Seattle had 64. #15 Huskies win.

Yes, they won, but #23 Arizona State seems a tad offensively challenged. Sun Devils over St. John’s, 54-41.

Interesting: LSU over NC State by 1. Great shot of Tiger’s bench as as Raigyne Moncrief hits the game winner.

Air Force gets its first win of the season.

Hello pollsters, Colorado’s now at 6-0.

And Oklahoma State is, too.

And let’s not forget Georgia Tech, which gave Missouri its first loss of the season, 72-70.

Or Utah, which eked out a 1-point win over St. Mary’s.

Or South Florida, which won handily over Georgia, 81-65.

Good win for Wake Forest over a tough Elon team, 78-68.

Anyone notice that Boise State is undefeated? As are the UNLV Lady Rebels. Or that Norfolk State beat Lehigh by 24?

There’s the team I know! Arkansas-Little Rock give the Billikens their first loss of the season, 56-43.

Why does Ole Miss schedule such a soft out-of-conference slate? Let’s see what happens when then face #19 West Virginia on the 4th of December, shall we?

Re: Arkansas, see above. They’ll face Mississippi State on the 5th.

And yes, Cal may be under the radar, but there’s something that’s not: Cal’s Gottlieb ready for motherhood

The Cal women’s basketball players have a new pregame ritual: get taped, hydrate, focus. And rub their coach’s belly. 

“Before every game I touch her stomach,” said forward Kristine Anigwe. “It’s a miracle. It’s really special it’s happening right in front of us.”

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb told her team in early November that she and her partner, Patrick Martin, are expecting a baby, due May 9. Gottlieb has created a family atmosphere in her six years at Cal, and the baby news has only added to that sense of commitment and bonding.

SUNDAY * Sunday * sunday*

#3 South Carolina v. #4 Louisville, 1pmEST ESPN2 (Prep with LaChina, Jeff and A’a)

#17 Tennessee v. Virginia Tech (Hokies are undefeated and it’s in Blacksburg), 2pmEST – Read LadySwish on the game.

Seton Hall v. UT Arlington (Mavericks are undefeated, but it’s in Walsh Arena), 2:30EST

#11 Syracuse v. #18 DePaul (Both are coming off losses), 5pmEST, YouTube.

I tease, but it is a battle of the undefeateds: UNLV v. Ole Miss, in Nevada, 5:30PM.

#8 Ohio State v. #5 Baylor. ’nuff said. 7:30PM, YouTube.

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Stuffed…

Folks who had no trouble chowin’ down on the competition: #10 Florida State, #11 Stanford, #5 Baylor.

The turkey was a little dry for #19 West Virginia, which squeaked by Auburn, 56-52.

Ditto for #11 Syracuse, which escaped George Washington, 74-71.

And #7 Mississippi State, which used a strong fourth to  escape Oregon, 75-63.

Turkey was really dry for Florida, which let Northwestern hang around until boom, they Wildcats took the lead and feasted on Gators.

Told ya! Michigan stole #25 Gonzaga’s stuffing, winning 78-66. Big Blue’s now up to 5-0.

Told ya! South Florida stomped North Carolina, 83-55.

Clemson moved past the Swoopes-less Loyola (So, is anyone following up on that story?), 61-40 and then Wright State, 75-51.

Well, that was unexpected: Behind Caliya Robinson‘s career-high 30 points, Georgia handled Minnesota…handily, 70-58.

You know, if you play the Team X beat Team Y who beat Team Z… who then beat team X game, you won’t be able to make heads or tails of this season so far…For instance, try and make sense of Gonzaga upsetting Stanford and then falling to Florida State, 87-69.

Ditto with Georgetown defeating Penn State, the team that took down Tennessee.

By request: Hey, look! Toledo is 4-0! Of course, after Friday’s game, they’re 4-1, but they sure gave #9 UCLA a tussle!

I see you Troy, beating Villanova, 93-85.

So, who’s going to give #6 Maryland a battle? ’cause #23 Arizona sure wasn’t up to it. Terps romp, 83-42.

So often that fourth quarter is where the potential upset disappears. Ohio State/Kelsey Mitchell pulled away from Florida Gulf Coast to get the 79-66 win.

Kansas State is 5-0 and I’m not sure they’ll face a real challenge until they meet UConn on the 11th.

At 5-0, Colorado’s got to feel good. Let’s see what happens when they meet Ryun’s Colorado State team on the 8th… and then later, when they face UCLA January 1st.

Okay, it’s getting beyond ugly in Piscataway. Princeton invited Rutgers to Jadwin and wiped the court with’em, 64-34.

So, Georgia Tech beat Georgia and now Dayton. Does this mean we should talk the Ramblin’ Wreck seriously?

Perhaps they’re flying under the radar, but let’s check on Cal (5-0) after they face Oklahoma on the 20th.

That’s a solid 16-point win for Green Bay over Chattanooga. Looks like the Phoenix are setting up nicely to rule the Horizon again.

Well, ouch: Georgia State (yes, Georgia STATE) beat American 59-58, via a buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Double ouch – looks like it’s going to be a tough year for the Flames: Liberty fall to 0-4 courtesy of a buzzer beater loss to Valpo.

Pop! goes the 4-0 start. Virginia falls to St. John’s, 66-55.

Not. so. fast. Marquette is tripped up by Santa Clara and earns their first loss, 65-62.

Down goes Minnesota again, and UNC bounces back for the 91-77 win.

Saturday

Notre Dame v. TCU could be fun – 1pmEST

How will Arizona State recover v. St. John’s? 4pmEST

Eyes on this one down in Florida: #18 DePaul v #5 Baylor, 5pmEST.

Half-an-eye on Washington State v. #6 Maryland, 6:30pm.

Full eyes on #11 Syracuse v. #8 Ohio State, 7:30pmEST.

Really full eyes on #10 Florida State v. Michigan, 8pm.

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Nibbles and Bits

Oklahoma ‘wared the wabbits and won, 74-60. (thankyouverymuchImhereallday!)

Texas, West Virginia (5-0) and Kentucky  romped.

Harumph – Texas A&M stuffed the usually feisty Arkansas-Little Rock.

Undefeated Oklahoma State had no trouble with Northern Iowa, 81-57.

Will you look at UC Davis, all undefeated so far under coach Jennifer Gross.

Honestly, Portland State has been awful for a while, so I’m going to shout out their current their win over Seattle, which brings their win total to two. This is Lynn Kennedy’s first season with the Vikings.

Ouch – Pepperdine is win-free. So’s Furman and Air Force (which has had an awful few years. Let’s hope coach Chris Gobrecht can move the needle forward).

A tale of two seasons: Marist (0-6). Auburn (5-0)

Thursday:

SOMEbody’s got to lose: NC State v. Kansas State, 1pm

Ah, the Bahamas: Minnesota (0-4) v. Georgia (3-1), 3pm

SOMEbody’s got to lose, part deux: North Carolina v. South Florida, 5:15pm

SOMEbody’s got to lose, part trois:  Auburn v. West Virginia, 7pm

…part quatre: Gonzaga v. Michigan. Really have my eye on this one.

Yea! Mid Major Poll! Drexel, Gonzaga make biggest jumps in espnW mid-major poll

As the mid-major rankings near their second decade, you probably know the drill. There is a lot of good basketball being played beyond major conferences, and while “mid-major” might be a flawed label with too many imperfections to catalog, the goal here is to highlight those teams that aren’t getting as much attention right now and could make a lot of noise come March.

The rules remain that any team not in the ACC, American, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC is eligible for consideration. Check back every two weeks for the new top 10.

Division I AP/USAToday are pretty similar to each other.

Around the Rim podcast: 

This week, women’s basketball analyst LaChina Robinson sits down with Louisville head coach Jeff Walz and South Carolina junior forward A’ja Wilson ahead of their post-Thanksgiving matchup on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

We know this: Coach Stone has SLU women’s basketball on the rise

“The passion continues to boil and burn inside me because my job is to foster female leadership, be a loving, caring human being to my players as I am with my own children and get these young women to believe in themselves, their coaches and their teammates,” said the 31-year veteran of coaching.

Stone wants to transfer her enthusiasm and energy to her players.”It’s really why I walk onto the court every day,” she said. “The result — the wins, the losses, the score at the end of the game — is what we are evaluated on, but there’s so much more that goes into it. I love being around the players, the bus rides, the travel, the meals, having the players over to the house, just being around and getting to know them for being more than just being a basketball player.

Under the radar: Cal women’s basketball hopes to build on hot start at Cal Classic

So, is there a new storyline? UConn Women: Could It Be A New Big Three? Other Things Learned

The 79th consecutive victory could have been plucked from a previous year. For a team that is defined by the players no longer in uniform, winning its first four games and notching that type of victory is significant.

“I think we just prove that every game we are going to put up a fight and we are not just going to give the game to anybody,” Katie Lou Samuelson said. “We’re not going to go down without a fight and I think we have shown that in the past few games, but we have a long road ahead of us and good competition coming up so we’re going to have to keep that up.”

They certainly will, considering their next streak of games: Chattanooga, DePaul, Texas, at Notre Dame, at Kansas State, Ohio State, Nebraska, at Maryland.

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Paul Zeise: In her own battle with cancer, Appalachian State women’s basketball coach draws inspiration from James Conner

WNBA

From Taffy Brodesser-Akner at espnW: The Audacity Of Height: When you’re 6-5, it’s just assumed you’ll play hoops. But it wasn’t until Elena Delle Donne questioned her path that she really stood out. 

Elena Delle Donne makes her body into a C-shape — no bigger, an end parenthesis — as she hunches over a workbench whose tabletop hits her midthigh at best. She’s in her garage on her parents’ rolling-hills estate in Delaware, and she’s been tasked with holding a clamp steady while her fiancée, Amanda Clifton, uses wood glue and a nail gun to affix a small plank of wood to a greater wooden canvas. They’re making a piece of wall art, one of the 30 orders they’ve received from fans or woodworking connoisseurs since they Instagrammed their first project, a coffee table. Amanda does most of the design and cutting work. Elena’s duties are more in line with this clamp work. “It’s because she’s so strong,” Amanda says. Elena moves her legs into a sturdy stance and screws the clamp in steady.

This is how she uses her monolith, her Statue of Liberty of a body, in the offseason. There are no months for the remarkably versatile forward-guard, just a season and an offseason. 

By the way, you’ll never understand irony if you don’t see it in the confluence of Thanksgiving and Standing Rock. If you’d rather not self-indulge during “Black Friday,” consider visiting this Amazon.com list.

Standing Rock Needs You

#NODAPL. Mni wiconi. Water Is Life. We are water protectors that stand with the Tribal Nations and supporters of all backgrounds that seek to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline from being built on and through indigenous land. 

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Giving new meaning to the words “Road Trip”

Notre Dame and Louisiana-Lafayette started on one court, had a power failure, and moved over to another court to complete that game. Does this count as a “double away game win” for the Irish? And I’m sure all of Turner’s family has “never say we don’t travel to see your games” ammo for the rest of her life.

Lots of feasting by UConn, South Carolina, Baylor, West Virginia and Washington.

Florida got a bit of a tussle from Arkansas State.

So, yah, maybe something HAS changed at Marquette. The Golden Eagles upset #22 Oregon State, 74-73.

Speaking of change: Hello, Ducks (as Sabrina Ionescu earns first Pac-12 freshman of the week award) ! Oregon flat out routed #24 Michigan State, 88-55.

Change ain’t going to be easy for Barnes at Arizona. Record crowd, but North Texas got its first win of the season, taking down the Wildcats, 62-58.

Keep an eye on Buffalo – not only are they 4-0, but they did so courtesy of a 71-69 win over Duquesne, who’s no slouch.

Noticing Towson is 4-0, Princeton is 0-4 (and Delaware is 4-0), and Virginia Tech is 5-0.

Maryland: Five things Maryland fans should be thankful for this Thanksgiving

So, it seems the NCAA exploring changes to women’s basketball tournament format

The committee is asking the schools and conferences for feedback on several alterations, including having the opening round at 32 sites and having the second round and regionals played at the same location. Moving the Final Four back would add a bye week to the tournament schedule.

Travel safe, y’all….and if you’re anticipating having some frank, difficult conversations with family members, here’s some advice.

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Dragon Fire!

Denise Dillon’s Drexel team has been the little dragon that could almost – well coached, under-talented, fighters. Well, now they have TWO signature wins this season. First, they knocked off Penn State (who toppled #13 Tennessee) then they peeled the #11 Orange with a last second three. ‘ware the Dragons Den? (And how much are you enjoying these upsets!)

No such drama for Louisville or South Carolina.

Michigan’s up to 4-0. #25 Gonzaga is up next.

Arkansas is too, and likely shouldn’t face a challenge until January 4th when they face Mississippi State.

Ummmm… what the hell? Eight Jayhawks ejected, but Kansas women’s basketball team still gets first win

Bye: Texas Tech: Sophomore point guard Japreece Dean to transfer

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Never fails…

I suggest someone’s seat is warm, and they turn around and pull a huge upset.

Penn State had a nice lead, watched #13 Tennessee pull close, then put on the jets and powered to a 70-56 win. Holly is not pleased.

“They were inspired; we were not,” UT coach Holly Warlick said. “(Those) young ladies wanted this game a lot more than we did and the result is they played outstanding.”

A monster first halfmonster first half put Notre Dame in the driver’s seat over Washington and they earned the WNIT title.

St. John’s miserable fourth quarter (3pts) helped a depleted Miami team earn a 12-pt win.

#12 Florida State handled James Madison by 20.

Stanford cruised to a 34 point win over CS Northridge.

They took their foot off the pedal in the fourth, but Jordin Canada‘s near triple-double set up #9 UCLA for the win over Cal Poly.

Tough start to the season for #8 Texas. #10 Mississippi State used a big second quarter to send the Longhorns their second loss, 79-68.

#6 Maryland, #5 Louisville, #4 South Carolina, #3 UConn, #2 Baylor romped.

Well, it wasn’t pretty, but it’s probably mighty satisfying: Georgia Tech over Georgia, 52-45.

Well, hello, Wake Forest – I see you storming to a 28pt win over Eastern Michigan.

Yup, it was an interesting coaches game: Vanderbilt over Duke, 77-73.

Very long season. Purdue loses to Southern Illinois by 3.

VERY long season. Rutgers falls to Virginia, stands winless on the season.

Very fun season? Minnesota pastes Seton Hall, 90-57.

Baby steps continue for the Tribe. William & Mary over ODU.

Talk about baby steps – UMass gets a buzzer-beating win over Montana, pleasing new coach Verdi to no end, I’m sure.

Billikens win! They’re 4-0.

Northern Colorado is no fluke – they take down San Diego.

Repeat after me: ‘Ware the Wabbits! South Dakota State knocks off Iowa on the Hawkeye’s home court, 66-64.

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Good thing I don’t bet with “smart money,” right?

Opponents watching #3 UConn v. #2 Baylor saw a tight game sealed by a fearless freshman. Pretty sure Dangerfield will have an up and down season, but if her play against the Bears is reflective of her upside, wow. And no, folks, they won’t drop the “lost the Big Three” narrative ’cause it’s the backdrop for this Husky reboot.

As for the Bears – guess it wasn’t the perfect time to renew the rivalry, huh?

Their eyes met from across a midcourt circle on a hardwood floor: the 62-year-old coach, who had just won his 314th game at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut, and the 18-year-old freshman, who had just won her first. Geno Auriemma and Crystal Dangerfield smiled, took a step or two toward one another and then warmly embraced. Some Huskies go four years without such an overt display of affection from a coach, much less from the demanding Auriemma.

Moments earlier, the third-ranked Huskies had dispatched No. 2 Baylor, 72-61, to win their, yawn, 77th straight (technically, an upset). The sinewy 5-foot-5 Dangerfield did not start in her home court debut, but she led all scorers with 19 points. “I thought she was the best player on the floor,” said Baylor coach Kim Mulkey. “I don’t think she realizes how valuable she is to them. She sure kicked our ass.”

Well, the Phoenix almost singed the #1 Irish. 

#11 Stanford wasn’t so lucky as Lisa Fortier and  Gonzaga got a HUGE win, 68-63.

Maybe #23 Indiana’s tight game against Chattanooga was a warning: The Hoosiers fall to a program that (perhaps) will finally get some national attention: Western Kentucky by 11.  (Though this makes Hilltoppers’ loss to UTA even more puzzling)

Love me some in-city rivalry: San Diego wipes out San Diego State, 93-46.

Well, hello! It went to OT, but Northern Colorado came away with a good program win over FGCU, 77-74.

Whoops – Fresno State blows a double-digit lead and CS Northridge gets the 61-57 win. Now in re-evaluation mode after second straight loss

While Washington State will revel in a 3-0 start, San Francisco will do its best to forget the game was ever played.

Boink! Down goes #15 Kentucky! JR Payne gets a cool win for her program, 79-69.

Down goes #18 Arizona State! Does a 3-0 start mean Carolyn Kieger has changed something at Marquette?

Reality check – Princeton’s now 0-3.

Yes, it’s waaaay early in the season, but any time Audra Smith’s Clemson can go 4-0, it’s worth noticing.

Dang – Marist is still winless and yes, they’ll have to move forward without Allie Clement.

Kenny knows basketball: Va Tech escapes UCF, 67-64, and moves to 4-0.

‘ware the wabbits – they maul the Grizz, 84-43.

Yes, that’s the Friars at 3-0.

And yes, that’s UNLV at 3-0, courtesy of a 77-66 win over USC.

Blue Hens move to 3-0, courtesy of a hideous game v. the Bonnies.

Yes, coach Charlotte Smith is no joke. Elon defeats Central Michigan, 71-57.

Things to look for Sunday:

#12 Florida tries to bounce back v. James Madison (1pm).

In-state rivals meet, both 3-0: Georgia Tech v. Georgia (2pm)

A good, “Where’re you at?” match up: Eastern Michigan v. Wake Forest (2pm).

Stanford will try and get its head back on straight v. Cal Northridge (2:30pm)

Poor Mississippi Valley State gets to face Baylor (3pm).

Another battle of the undefeateds: Minnesota v. Seton Hall (3pm).

Intrigued by the coaches, more than the teams: Duke v. Vanderbilt (3pm).

WNIT Final: Intrigued by the teams AND the coaches: Notre Dame hosts #17 Washington (3pm)

Wabbits v Hawkeyes in Iowa City (3pm)

Have the Texans recovered? They face #10 Mississippi State in Starkville (6pm).

In other news:

Sorry, but no sympathy for the program not knowing something so obvious. Profound sympathy for the players, though: Thomas More vacates 2015 national title 

’cause no, it’s never to early: Senior Watch: The Road to WNBA Draft 2017 Begins

The W’s coaching revolving door lands Pokey Chatman in Indianapolis.

Ouch: Aerial Powers Out 4-6 Months After Hip Surgery

Yea! Essence Carson gets her day in Paterson

There’s a new mayor in town: Former WNBA Star Tamara James Is Giving Back to Her Hometown in the Best Way

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So, that was a lot of basketball… now,

what do we know, now that we’ve actually seen them play? Who the heck knows.

BUT: THANK YOU FOR PLAYING EACH OTHER, TOP TEAMS!!!

Florida State and UConn put on a great show – skill, guts, boneheaded moves… all that was missing was an OT.

Who doesn’t love a good transfer? Ask South Carolina, as they powered their way to a win over Ohio State.

No, it’s not your imagination, Baylor is Big. And they killed UCLA in the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter proved decisive in the Texas/Stanford game, too, as the Cardinal eased away for the win.

See above note as Chattanooga was outscored by 10 in the fourth, leading to an 11-point Florida win.

Yup, Missouri is dealing with injuries, but Nebraska may be dealing with something bigger – Huskers lose, 55-35.

Goodnight, Knights – Elon over Rutgers, 66-54.

Kent State at 2-0.

Dominant Diamond drives Tennessee to victory.

Interesting: Cincinnati over Bowling Green, 68-58.

Of note: Liberty is now 0-2.

Ditto: Marist, 0-3.

Boom! to instate rivalries: New Mexico stomps all over New Mexico State, 84-55.

A good win: Utah over Fresno State, 65-55.

All ranked teams romped on Wednesday.

So, let’s keep an eye on Georgia – they beat BYU by 30.

No sympathy from Princeton, I’m sure: Penn is now 0-2, falling to Binghamton, 61-48.

I see you, 3-0 Cornell Bears.

And you too, SMU, galloping over Kansas, 75-63.

TONIGHT, you might be able to watch a great match up/test: Baylor v. UConn (ESPN3). Safe bet is the Bear’s size and experience over home court. Read all about it:

Baylor’s size could pose problems for UConn, Mechelle

UConn Women Suddenly Lack Height, And Mighty Baylor Awaits, Courant
UConn Women’s Insider: Sue Bird Says Not To Worry About This Group Of Huskies, Courant
No. 2 Baylor At No. 3 UConn, Courant
UConn women face another big test in No. 3 Baylor, Register
Gameday capsule: Baylor at UConn women’s basketball, Register
Women’s Basketball: Huskies must combat Baylor’s size in home opener, Daily Campus
Learning experience for Huskies old and new, SNY
Why Kia Nurse believes UConn can defy its critics and win a national title this season, Excelle Sports
UConn has been the standard when it comes to WNBA Draft, Waco Tribune

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In review…

Albany and Maine both went up against top 20 teams… and lost. Mississippi State’s Vivians looked to be in mid-season form scoring 26, and this time it was Evelyn Akhator as high scorer for Kentucky.

Yes, there is no Maggie Dixon Classic at the Garden this year (sad face) but there was at Depaul. I’m sure Doug’s happy the Blue Demons won… but what’s he gonna say about the 80 points they gave up to UAB?

The Lauren Hill Tip Off game was won by Xavier.

Utah started the season on a good note, defeating Montana State, 74-64.

Could be a tough season for the Boilermakers. Villanova downed them, 58-44.

First win! Yes, it was over Alcorn State, but a win is a win. Excelle asks: Can new coach Adia Barnes save Arizona women’s basketball?

First loss! #23 Indiana stomps Vanderbilt, 94-61. You knew it would happen, and I’m guessing coach is learning a lot about her Vanderbilt team.

Yikes – Princeton starts the season 0-2 as Rizzotti gets her first win as GW coach.

Princton’s (recent) bane, Penn, did well against Duke – played the last three quarters even. That first quarter, though… Blue Devils 68, Quakers 55.

Quinnipiac continues it’s winning ways, orchestrating the program’s largest comeback (17pts) win and sending new coach Shauna Green and the Dayton Flyers to an opening loss, 63-60.

Okay, way too early, but… Rhode Island’s been slowly improving under Daynia La-Force. Marist has been slowly deciding. Rhodies shoot 50% and defeat Red Foxes by 21.

Hello, Virginia Tech, taking down newly powerful Georgetown, 73-63. Kenny Brooks’ team held  Dorothy Adomako to 14 points.

Tough season alert – UTEP is now 0-2, falling to SWAC traditional Texas Southern, 89-68.

Ouch. That’s an 0-2 start for St. Mary’s as they fall to Washington State, 85-69.

Someone needs Debbie Antonelli’s ice bucket – St. Francis (PA) over Wisconsin, 103 – 100.

Interesting – Eastern Michigan is a strong program (even with Verdi leaving for UMass) — which explains their furious fourth quarter comeback. Not enough, though, Morehead State gets the 78-73 win.

Sue’s Coach’s Chair with Rick Insell.

Some games on tonight, but kinda tough to see and featuring some brilliant scheduling….

6pm EST #4 Ohio State v # 7 South Carolina – BTNplus

Ohio State women’s basketball | Matchup against South Carolina a lot like last year’s
Women’s basketball: OSU, South Carolina matchup will feature two of the best
Point Well Taken: Ohio State is in good hands with Kelsey Mitchell
How USC kept Ohio State away from Dawn Staley

6pm EST # UConn v # Florida State – ESPN2. A little shine’s off this game if Romero’s hamstring keeps her off the court.

Florida State women face UConn on Monday night
UConn women could face tall test against Florida State
UConn’s Geno Auriemma Looks Into a Mirror and Sees Gregg Popovich,
Uncertainty Surrounds UConn Women As They Open The Season At Florida State
Geno – “Well, people will recognize the uniforms.”

6:30 – #20 Florida v. Chattanooga

Florida heads to Chattanooga looking for second win
Mocs Busy Week Begins Monday at Home Against No. 20 Florida

7PM – #9 UCLA v. Baylor

UCLA women’s basketball team on cusp of greater heights
Lady Bears face No. 9 UCLA in early-season test at Ferrell Center
Daily Bears Report 11/14

8pm EST #8 Texas v #11 Stanford

Texas women open with a strong mix of veterans, highly-regarded freshmen
No. 11 Stanford jumps ‘into deep end of the pool’
Erica McCall leads Stanford women’s basketball

10PM EST Colorado State v. #17 Washington

UW Women’s Basketball player is driving force with unique jump shot
Leader of the Pack: How Kelsey Plum earned the Huskies’ respect
CSU Women’s Basketball Travels for Preseason WNIT Contest at No. 17/15 Washington

Check out ESPN’s Women’s college hoops preseason All-Americans

You can also check out their Power 5 preview and predictions

“I wish she played for me.” College coaches gush over opposing star players’ talents

Listen in to LaChina’s latest: Ahead of Monday’s women’s basketball matchups, LaChina Robinson sits down with Florida State guard Leticia Romero and Texas head coach Karen Aston for season insight and more.

I love it when Graham gets to write about women’s basketball: Turner is Notre Dame’s quiet cornerstone

 Notre Dame’s Brianna Turner played much of last season with what seemed at times like little more than one arm. Which speaks volumes about what sort of passion resides within someone who has otherwise played her whole life with what often seems one expression.

So far, A sparkling start for Notre Dame women’s basketball team

As for that other stuff: Put a face you know on it….

• When someone walks up to a total stranger using American Sign Language and says, “This is white America now. Take your retarded self and go somewhere else now. Trump is president now,” think about a recently retired WNBA champion and Olympian who was mocked because of her hearing impairment.
• When a drunk dude says, “Take off your hijab or I’ll burn you,” think about the woman who holds Massachusetts high-school scoring record for girls or boys.
• When the Episcopal Church that hosted someone’s uncles wedding is tagged with “Heil Trump” and “Fag Church” think of the Miss Basketball point guard who, with her wife and three children, is now Vanderbilt’s head coach.
• When a former senate staffer emails a journalist saying, “Why do you think Trump was elected? We’ve had it with watching our country being overrun by third world riff-raff,” think of the creators of the Nerd City Kids and their Nigerian-born parents.
• When swastikas are painted on an elementary school in Bethesda Maryland where a Jewish congregation worships, remember that Stanford point guard.
• When every single black freshman at Penn is added to a Facebook group call “N*gger Lynching” thing of every freshman playing for your team.
• When a 10 year old has to be picked up from school by her aunt because boy grabbed her vagina. “If the president can do it, I can do it,” ” think about every young girl you know who is playing basketball.

A List of Pro-Women, Pro-Immigrant, Pro-Earth, Anti-Bigotry Organizations That Need Your Support

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Aaaaaaaand… We’re OFF!!

So many games, so many conclusions not to make. BUT, for your consideration….

Florida State escaped Jacksonville State (no, not Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s Dolphins) I’m betting coach Sue is hoping Romero gets heathy right quick, as young UConn looms.

Maine drank up the Boilermakers, 67-47. This is not the same Bears team that challenged Albany for an NCAA spot, so kudos to coach Richard Barron.

Tennessee was not hitting on all cylinders against the coach-Brook-less Dukes and struggled to an 81-69 win. JMU has a frosh (nominee for “Fabulous First Names of 2016-17) to keep an eye on: Precious Hall.

ex-JMU coach Kenny Brooks’ new team, Virginia Tech, handled the much improved UNC-Asheville program, 71-52.

Abilene Christian has become a top team in the Southland. Not sure that explains why Missouri had such a hard time defeating them, 52-46.

No idea what conclusions one can draw from this, but Epps and #19 Kentucky romped over #14 Miami, 82-66.

Welp. Looks like it may be a tough season for Bollant, as the Thundering Herd galloped back and ran over Illinois, 55-53.

The FCGU Eagles flew up to Quinnipiac and got plucked, 66-56.

It a meeting of two legends, it was Foster’s Mocs over Stringer’s Scarlet Knights, 66-53.

I’m keeping my eye on Wake Forest this year. The Deacs beat Navy, 75-65.

Hello! Drake outlasted an always solid North Dakota team, 99-91.

Marist falls to Hofstra, 62-42.

The Bonnies fall to Niagara, 65-43. It’s the Purple Eagles’ first win v. St. B since 2006.

Samford gave Georgia Tech a tussle, falling 62-57.

Badgers, meet the 49ers. Charlotte whomps Wisconsin, 63-48, and made Jonathan Tsipis’ first game as the Badger coach miserable.

East Tennessee State made Butler sit, 68-59.

No new-team-first-win for Rizzotti, as George Washington falls to Georgetown, 72-57.

On the other hand, under new coach Kim McNeill, Rizzotti’s former Hartford Hawks toasted Boston College, 65-56.

No new-team-trying-to-heal-the-program win for La Tech’s , but a good showing against LSU, 77-73.

First one in the books! Coach Whites’ Commodores win 86-54.

No coach (new baby)? No problem. Associate head coach Karen Lange leads Georgia to a 14pt win over South Carolina State.

Lookee here! The Broncs of Rider beat the Tigers of Princeton. Rider’s nominee for “great first name of the 2016-17 season:” Stella Johnson.

The Drexel Dragons flamed Penn State, 83-60. Wonder how warm coach Washington’s seat is.

UC Riverside downs San Diego State 72-44. The Aztecs continue to be a cautionary tale for those who deny Title IX rights. Of course, Title IX may not be long for the books….

Ummm… whoops! UT-San Antonio falls to Angelo State, 85-77.

Great turnout by Bears fans for a tough first (away) game of the season. Cal prevails over St. Mary’s, 74-67.

New coach Molly Goodenbour inherits rising program, gets first win: San Francisco 91, Sacramento State 80.

Dang, Miners! You can grumble about flying under the radar and then lose your opener to Northern Arizona (no disrespect intended to the Lumberjacks), 65-51. You do get a nominee for “best first name of the season” contest: Sparkle Taylor.

Exhausted just thinking about this game: Long Beach State and Nevada went into OT and the ’49ers won, 97-92.

 

10,000 emails. If you see something, say something.

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Just a thought before the college season starts…

If you’re paying attention, you’ve already seen the fallout: a rise in acts of hostility towards homosexuals, immigrants, African Americans, Hispanics, Muslims the disabled and women.

If you’re paying attention, then you’ll realize the women who play the game you love — and many of their coaches — are now high visibility targets. They are out, activists and allies.

As fans, we know the misogyny and homophobia directed at women’s sports. Now, more than ever, I encourage you to stand with the team you love and promise that you. will. not. be. silent.

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Head Cold? WHO CARES! There’s a preseason game on! Woot!

(Which, of course, means the regular season is just. around. the. corner. WOOT!)

Follow her! Breanna Lewis will lead the way for K-State women’s basketball

Here’s looking at you, kids: Women’s basketball preview: Six new players ready to shine on promising OSU squad

Hello, Houston, we’re trying to fix a problem: Women’s basketball coach, team aim high in 2016

From Stillwater, 2016-17 OSU women’s basketball preview: Players to watch, storylines

Well, rats: Morgan Green dismissed from Michigan State’s basketball team

Mississippi: Experience, depth have Ole Miss women’s basketball thinking NCAA Tournament

Louisville: Women’s Basketball Revels in Front of Sold-Out Luncheon Crowd

North Carolina: Point: Dynamic guard play will lead Duke women’s basketball back into the top 15 and Counterpoint: Too many question marks for Duke women’s basketball to contend in the ACC

Congrats: Beth Cunningham, Niele Ivey to Join Notre Dame Ring of Honor

At least something is golden in ND:  Top-ranked Notre Dame is McGraw’s deepest squad in 30 years

Oh, them: UConn women’s basketball has a 75-game winning streak and something to prove

This’ll kick off your season sleep deprived! Georgia Head Coach Joni Taylor Welcomes Healthy Baby Girl

Gators: UF women’s basketball relying on depth to replace lost talent

Green Wave: Strong back court creates foundation for Tulane women’s basketball

Sooners: Experience has Sherri Coale’s Sooners confident entering new season

The turnaround continues: Talented Oakland women will need to grow into contender status in stacked Horizon

Undiscovered riches: UTEP team overlooked despite success

Wonder what kind of backslash this will create? Arkansas Women’s Basketball Team Kneels During National Anthem. Okay, they’re learning: U of A Chancellor and Athletic Director Respond. And some aren’t: U of A Fans React to Women’s Basketball Players Kneeling

Speaking of backlash: OIY, men of Harvard: Harvard men’s cross country team made lewd spreadsheets, report says

Two days after Harvard’s men’s soccer team was suspended for the rest of its season for creating lewd “scouting reports” about members of the women’s soccer team, the Harvard Crimson student newspaperhas reported that another men’s athletic program at the university made lewd comments about its female counterparts.

Who ya gonna blame? Nevada’s Bennett Named Chair of NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee for 2017-18

High School

Good news from Utah: Bear River girls basketball coach Bobby Hannah back on court after stroke

Sending good wishes to Alabama: Wenonah girls basketball coach Emmanuel Bell battles lung cancer, plans to coach this season

Longtime Wenonah girls basketball coach Emanuel Bell, one of Alabama’s most successful high school basketball coaches, is undergoing treatment for lung cancer, he announced Wednesday afternoon at Birmingham Basketball Media Day.

Bell said his cancer is in stage four, but he’s hopeful of what he termed a miracle.

Interesting: Nike Nationals leaving North Augusta, headed to Chicago

Meyer said part of Nike’s decision to move the event was a desire to create an atmosphere similar to that of the Peach Jam.

“If you were at the Peach Jam this year, you saw how awesome and how well attended (it was), and you’ve got ESPN and you’ve got all this media coverage, and I think in their mind they’re trying to figure out how can they produce the same type of atmosphere for the girls’ tournament,” Meyer said. “They’ve taken the event and moved it to Chicago to put it in a WNBA city, because one of the things they couldn’t do here is they couldn’t bring in WNBA players to attend the event because they’re playing. If you put it in a WNBA city, you give yourself a shot.”

WNBA

From the Jackson Clarion: WNBA excellence – Coach Van Chancellor

I don’t remember when I first met Van Chancellor. It was somewhere around 1982 or so. Ole Miss alum Charlie Adams asked me to host a sports show on the student TV station. He wanted me to cover women’s basketball. Now I first I wasn’t very excited. I mean, come on, we were in the SEC. I wanted a football or men’s basketball beat – something that was exciting. But Charlie sold me on the idea and told me how good the team was. I had no idea. Over the next four years I travelled around the southeast covering one of the best women’s basketball teams in the country.

Coach Chancellor had elite teams and twice was just shy a few points of making a Final Four. I was there. My heart was ripped out as well. Chancellor ran the program from 1978 to 1997 piling up 439 wins and only 154 losses. Now that Golden Era will be covered in another column. After butting heads with the late Pat Head Summit, Andy Landers at Georgia, Joe Ciampi at Auburn, the late Sue Gunter at LSU Chancellor was looking for a new challenge.

Kudos: WNBA remains industry leader in diversity hiring

In Australia: Chante Black is finding her groove.

In Alaska: It’s Showtime! Former Laker, WNBA coach Michael Cooper in Anchorage

Tanzania: Beard and Ujiri to attend Jr. NBA Final in Tanzania

In Texas: All-Star Guard Skylar Diggings Living Her Dream in the WNBA

Paging Renee? Jerry Colangelo announced today that he will not seek a third term as USA Basketball Chairman

Understand the wish, the reasoning is a little off: College coaches calling for consistent basketball rules

“FIBA, the NBA, college and high school, I wish we all had the same rules,” said Nevada coach Eric Musselman, who spent nine years as an NBA coach. “To me, it’s too confusing for the average fan to watch an NBA when there’s a 24-second clock in the NBA, then you watch the NCAA and there’s a different clock. Or you watch a women’s game and there’s four quarters and the men’s game has two halves. We’ve got to make it simple for the fan.”

Perhaps you wanted to say you want to make it simple for the players, refs, coaches and announcers…. AND remember that the women’s game is often the testing ground for rule changes the men are leery about.

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It’s first preseason game time! Woot!

Guess it’s time to dive in to all the preseason news…

Polls: 

AP Division I: Notre Dame top spot.

USA Today: UConn in the top spot

ESPN: UConn still the 1 in espnW’s preseason women’s top 25

ESPN: espnW’s top 25 women’s players for 2016-17

WBCA Coaches Division II: Bentley rules.

D3Hoops: Massachusetts rules! (Amherst and Tufts top the rankings)

NCAA News

Arizona: New Arizona coach Adia Barnes is hustling.

California: ‘ware Division II! Tigers come up short in exhibition contest against Chico State

California: UCLA women’s basketball projected to win Pac-12 in regular season

Connecticut: UConn freshmen will be in spotlight in preseason opener and Former Olympic high jump hopeful Gabby Williams focused on basketball

Florida: UF women’s basketball relying on depth to replace lost talent

Florida: Jacksonville men’s and women’s basketball ready for higher expectations

Florida: USF junior forward Laura Ferreira ruled out

Idaho: Vandals have holes to fill, expanded roles for some

Indiana: Defense will be key for Indiana’s progression this year

Iowa: UNI looks toward newcomers and UNI has some key roles to fill

Iowa: Hawkeye women’s basketball players share musical pasts

Louisiana: LSU notebook: Numbers finally appear to be on the Lady Tigers’ side

Maryland: Maryland women’s basketball picked to win the Big Ten for the third straight season

Michigan, Graham Hays: Michigan’s Flaherty turns passion into prolific scoring

Mississippi: Blair Schaefer brings leadership to Mississippi State

Missouri: Hannah Schuchts to fill void in debut season for women’s basketball – After being forced to redshirt her first year, Schuchts will play a fundamental role amidst the loss of two top players.

Nebraska: Shepard goes into second season as leader for Husker women

Nevada: UNLV women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier hungry for winning

New York: UConn was fun to watch, but five-star recruit Desiree Elmore saw her future with Syracuse.

North Carolina: Three takeaways from UNC women’s basketball media day

North Dakota: UND women’s basketball team plans to push pace

Ohio:  Oft-injured Buckeyes finally have strength in numbers

Oklahoma:Coale tweaks offense

Oregon: Oregon women’s basketball plans to exceed expectations and Oregon Ducks’ women’s basketball freshmen class eager to get started

Pennsylvania: Lady Lions’ youth to play important role this season

Pennsylvania: Duquesne women’s basketball picked 2nd in A-10 preseason poll

Tennessee:  “Today is our only focus.”

Texas: Newcomers expected to contribute in North Texas head coach Jalie Mitchell’s second year

Texas: Women’s Basketball Adds Alyssa Michalke, 2015-16 Corps Commander, To Roster

Utah: Coach Finkbeiner is confident despite youth of USU women’s basketball team

Utah: Pac-12 preview: the University of Utah

Washington: One-two punch returns for UW women’s basketball: Kelsey Plum, Chantel Osahor

West Virginia: Coach Mike Carey – Basketball for a greater purpose

West Coast Conference: Gonzaga Favored In WCC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

WNBA

What do you think? Was Sparks-Lynx Game 5 the Best WNBA Game Ever?

Cerritos College’s Talon Marks: The LA Sparks must be recognized for their accomplishments

USA Today: The Sparks re-watched Game 5 of the WNBA Finals ‘about 7 times’ since winning title last week

Michelle puts a bow on Year 20: Introductions, Farewells, Records, Activism, Star Power

Thanks to the 20-year-loyal MSR’s ’20 in 20′ series ends with a tribute to WNBA greatness

Nneka Ogwumike pays a visit to alma mater, Cy Fair High

Also: Paterson’s Eastside High School to honor WNBA’s Essence Carson

The Wake: Minnesota Lynx rule Minnesota sports

So long! Sky Not To Retain Chatman In 2017

Rutgers women’s hoops to retire Pondexter’s number

Catch keeps busy: WNBA star teaches youth about game

New York Magazine: How I Get It Done: Newly Retired WNBA Superstar Swin Cash

WATN? WNBA’s Rushia Brown shares ‘passion’ at Grove Middle School

High School History: Culpeper (Va) flashback: Beginning a basketball dynasty

The autumn of 1971 (yes, they played girls basketball in the fall back then) marked the beginning of a Culpeper High girls basketball dynasty that would last for more than three decades. 

Coached by Pat Cullen, the varsity Devilettes went 11-0 that season and outscored their opponents by almost a 7-1 margin.

Led by Diane “Dee” Jones, Bernice Tharp and Nancy Southard, Culpeper easily won the Battlefield District regular season title. Unfortunately, there were no regional or state playoffs at that time for girls’ basketball.

Library Addition! The Unsung Heroines of Sports History Are Finally Getting the Recognition They Deserve

In 1996, Sheryl Swoopes became the first woman to join the WNBA. That same year she inspired the first legitimate women’s basketball sneaker, the Nike Air Swoopes, which revolutionized the game for women. At the time, because basketball shoes were made for and marketed toward men, women’s shoes were extremely hard to find. Female basketball players often wore smaller-sized men’s sneakers instead.

Nike sent lead shoe designer Marni Gerber to Swoopes’s hometown in Brownfield, Texas, where she spent time with Swoopes and her friends and family. Gerber designed the Air Swoopes for strong, athletic women like her, and Swoopes would go on to win three Olympic Gold medals.

Her story is one of many spotlighted in Molly Schoit’s new book Game Changers: The Unsung Heroines of Sports History,  which features iconic and lesser-known female athletes who paved the way for women in sports. The tome includes rarely seen photographs of athletes like Jackie Towanda, who became the first woman to box in Madison Square Garden, and Renée Richards, the first transgender woman to play in a professional tennis tournament. Click ahead to see tennis player Lorraine Williams, bullfighter Conchita Cintron, and Olympic skier Penny Pitou.

 

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