NCAA
Comin’ home: Auriemma happy to see Elliott back at UConn
The State: This 5-star freshman can ‘rebound with the best of them,’ Dawn Staley says
Arkansas: Darts, Music & Tin Lunchboxes With Mike Neighbors
Fresno Bee: Remember Stacy Johnson-Klein? She’s back in coaching — and far from Fresno State
WNBA
The Kids are All Right: USC’s Allisha Gray wins award over Deshaun Watson, Aaron Judge, Ben Simmons and more
It’s been that kind of season: Fittingly, veteran Sue Bird puts finishing touches on WNBA’s record-setting week
SNY: Former Husky Sue Bird continues to build on body of work
“As you get older for a lot of players it’s not that they don’t want to play or that they get tired of it or bored with it, it’s usually that their bodies give out,” Bird said. “Whether it’s the world championships or leading the WNBA in assists or being number one in the most games played, all these rankings have nothing to do strictly with basketball success but with consistency. It is more about taking care of yourself.
“You look at Tom Brady or LeBron James and that’s all anybody talks about is what great shape they keep themselves in. For myself and Diana (Taurasi) especially, we are kind of starting that trend in women’s basketball where if you take care of yourself I don’t see why … When I turned 30 the first question I got was ‘How much longer do you want to play?’ I don’t see why that can’t be when you turn 40.
The Athletic: ‘She wants to be the best player in the world’: Already Seattle’s finest, Breanna Stewart has loftier goals
Waterbury Republican American: Maturing Stewie, already UConn icon, now major force in WNBA
Somethin’ up their sleeve: Aces pummel Fever to move within half-game of WNBA playoff spot
Well, hello! WNBA dark horse Atlanta Dream gallop to second seed
Let’s get learning: WNBA Playbook: Los Angeles Sparks ‘Double Wing
Candace Parker has proven over time to be a threat to pass, drive or score from anywhere. Los Angeles Sparks head coach Brian Agler appears to have unleashed a familiar action in a slightly different fashion that both gives the keys to Parker before the defense gets completely set and directly involves his three best players as scoring threats — Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chelsea Gray.
Los Angeles went on to score 13 points on five possessions in what I’ll refer to as a ‘Double Wing’ look
One way to get some “time with at home with the kid”: Mercury guard Diana Taurasi officially suspended for Wednesday game vs. Chicago Sky
A trade – certainly not a blockbuster, but: Dallas Wings acquire Washington guard Tayler Hill in exchange for forward Aerial Powers
More fiscal breakdown from David : The WNBA — Or The NBA — Should Pay The WNBA Players More
Plum is definitely right about one thing: We don’t really know the revenue and expense numbers for the WNBA. At least, we don’t know these numbers as well as we know about the corresponding numbers for the NBA.
Each year, Forbes estimates the revenues and operating income of each NBA team. In 2016-17, according to Forbes, only the Cleveland Cavaliers had an estimated operating income below zero. Therefore, we know that virtually every NBA team had a positive operating income.
Well, maybe not. Even though the NBA gives us far more information on revenue and expenses, views on the NBA’s profitability vary.
Maaaaan, do I have some catching up to do: Around the Rim
LaChina Robinson & Terrika Foster-Brasby weigh in on Liz Cambage’s historic performance and the All-Star roster. Plus, they welcome Connecticut Sun Executive Vice President Amber Cox to bring a front office perspective to some hot topics and talk to High Post Hoops’ Howard Megdal in the “Growing the Game” segment.
Vote early, vote often: Sportswoman of the Year
Have you scrolled through this list? power50.bleacherreport.com/
Damn: Former Clemson women’s basketball and Clemson athletics legend Barbara Kennedy-Dixon passed
Kennedy was a two-time All-American, a three-time First Team All-ACC selection and a two-time ACC Tournament MVP during her four-year playing career at Clemson, from 1978-82. She went on to serve the Clemson Athletic Department as an administrator or in a coaching role for 31 years. Kennedy-Dixon was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989, and the Clemson Ring of Honor in 2000
Finally, yes, I know: Former Penn St. women’s basketball coach Rene Portland dies at 65. But, let me say this: As someone who knows Rene Portland primarily through stories of her hurtful bigotry, it’s hard to honor her impact on women’s basketball without giving equal weight to the damage she did to the young women under her – and the silence of those who knew better and said nothing.
Women's Hoops Blog 