The dub:
Fever....the bad news keeps coming, as Katie Douglas will be out for several more weeks, due to a bulging disc in her lower back.
Coach Lin Dunn and Tamika Catchings talk about how the Fever will deal with the injuries.
Catchings blogs about the team's White House visit last Friday.
Dream....have signed Ruth Riley to replace Sancho Lyttle, who is playing in Spain.
Storm....Complain? No, Nakia Sanford is having too much fun.
Talking with Sue Bird.
Sky....Epiphanny Prince's Russian team failed to advance out of the first round of the world championships, so she is returning to the Sky.
Lynx....Rebekkah Brunson is a rebounding machine.
Mystics....a minute with Crystal Langhorne.
Silver Stars....throwback Tuesday - Danielle Adams over the last couple years.
Games:
Mystics at Storm tips off shortly.
Tomorrow the Lynx visit the Mercury.
College news:
Nine for IX short film on Vivian Stringer.
Cappie Pondexter calls her former coach a model of grace and dignity.
Whoopi Goldberg was the executive producer.
Injuries have forced Vanderbilt's Stephanie Holzer to retire.
Catching up with Virginia coach Joanne Boyle.
Minnesota's Rachel Banham had successful surgery on both knees this week.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
Another off night
General WNBA news:
Western and Eastern conference players of the week are Diana Taurasi and Angel McCoughtry, respectively.
Team news:
Dream....the overlooked Dream are turning heads with their 6-1 start.
Lynx....practice report for today.
Liberty....signed Avery Warley to replace Cheryl Ford.
Mercury....Brittney Griner on dating, tatoos and freedom. With a poignant quote from teammate Diana Taurasi:
"Look, Brittney wasn't able to be Brittney at Baylor," Taurasi says. "That happens all over America. We all feel that way like your program is more important when you're at that age. But in reality, without her, who gives a (expletive) about Baylor? I'm glad she's able to be who she really is now."
Western and Eastern conference players of the week are Diana Taurasi and Angel McCoughtry, respectively.
Team news:
Dream....the overlooked Dream are turning heads with their 6-1 start.
Lynx....practice report for today.
Liberty....signed Avery Warley to replace Cheryl Ford.
Mercury....Brittney Griner on dating, tatoos and freedom. With a poignant quote from teammate Diana Taurasi:
"Look, Brittney wasn't able to be Brittney at Baylor," Taurasi says. "That happens all over America. We all feel that way like your program is more important when you're at that age. But in reality, without her, who gives a (expletive) about Baylor? I'm glad she's able to be who she really is now."
Val Ackerman recommends changes to NCAA Division I women's basketball
Former WNBA president Val Ackerman has conducted interviews with stakeholders in women's basketball, and the report she gave the NCAA has been released. Among her recommendations:
Many of Ackerman’s interviews included discussions about the Division I women’s tournament and whether changes might be needed to improve attendance and visibility.
As a first step, Ackerman recommends switching the Women’s Final Four dates back to a Friday/Sunday format instead of the current Sunday/Tuesday format. Many of the people she spoke with believe it is burdensome for fans to give up two weeknights and return home on a Wednesday to attend the Women’s Final Four under the current format.
Another of Ackerman’s recommendations is to have the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee explore using a two-site, super-regional format for the second week of the tournament when the regional semifinals and finals take place, rather than the current four-site format.
The concept calls for sending eight teams to each of the regionals, which could create more of a festival atmosphere, potentially attract more fans and cut costs. This would mean conducting four regional semifinals and two regional finals at the same site, ideally in cities where interest in women’s basketball has proven to be high.
She also said there was sentiment within the membership to allow the top 16 seeds in the tournament to host first- and second-round games.
And:
Following four decades of growth under Title IX, Ackerman believes women’s basketball has advanced to the point where key decision-makers should now adopt more aggressive sales, marketing and promotional strategies so the sport can generate bigger crowds and, in turn, better financial results.
Ackerman noted that grassroots marketing is vital to the success of women’s college basketball and that many interviewees saw a pressing need for coaches to remain actively involved in cultivating fan support in their local markets.
And:
Ackerman believes the time is right for women’s college basketball to conduct a rigorous self-examination and chart out its next phase of growth.
I don't disagree with one thing she said.
And I wish she was still WNBA president.
Many of Ackerman’s interviews included discussions about the Division I women’s tournament and whether changes might be needed to improve attendance and visibility.
As a first step, Ackerman recommends switching the Women’s Final Four dates back to a Friday/Sunday format instead of the current Sunday/Tuesday format. Many of the people she spoke with believe it is burdensome for fans to give up two weeknights and return home on a Wednesday to attend the Women’s Final Four under the current format.
Another of Ackerman’s recommendations is to have the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee explore using a two-site, super-regional format for the second week of the tournament when the regional semifinals and finals take place, rather than the current four-site format.
The concept calls for sending eight teams to each of the regionals, which could create more of a festival atmosphere, potentially attract more fans and cut costs. This would mean conducting four regional semifinals and two regional finals at the same site, ideally in cities where interest in women’s basketball has proven to be high.
She also said there was sentiment within the membership to allow the top 16 seeds in the tournament to host first- and second-round games.
And:
Following four decades of growth under Title IX, Ackerman believes women’s basketball has advanced to the point where key decision-makers should now adopt more aggressive sales, marketing and promotional strategies so the sport can generate bigger crowds and, in turn, better financial results.
Ackerman noted that grassroots marketing is vital to the success of women’s college basketball and that many interviewees saw a pressing need for coaches to remain actively involved in cultivating fan support in their local markets.
And:
Ackerman believes the time is right for women’s college basketball to conduct a rigorous self-examination and chart out its next phase of growth.
I don't disagree with one thing she said.
And I wish she was still WNBA president.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A tale of four games
What a day.
The Mystics squeezed by the Fever, 64-60. Washington is now 4-1 and Indiana, 1-5. Really.
The Dream are still tops in the East, as they knocked off the Sky, 88-74.
Another overtime for the Shock, but it was the Mercury, 108-103. Diana Taurasi had 29 for Phoenix, and Glory Johnson put up 32 for the Shock.
The Storm got one in Connecticut, beating the Sun, 78-66. Tina Thompson lead the way for Seattle with 17 points.
All-Star game is coming up:
All-Star ballot.
The Mystics squeezed by the Fever, 64-60. Washington is now 4-1 and Indiana, 1-5. Really.
The Dream are still tops in the East, as they knocked off the Sky, 88-74.
Another overtime for the Shock, but it was the Mercury, 108-103. Diana Taurasi had 29 for Phoenix, and Glory Johnson put up 32 for the Shock.
The Storm got one in Connecticut, beating the Sun, 78-66. Tina Thompson lead the way for Seattle with 17 points.
All-Star game is coming up:
All-Star ballot.
Fathers play a big role in the success of some WNBA players
Check out my Father's Day story, where I talk to Camille Little, Elena Delle Donne, Renee Montgomery, Ebony Hoffman and Monica Wright.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Upcoming games
Silver Stars at Sparks tips off shortly, and I will be there to tweet about it and cover the game: twitter.com/hoopism.
Tomorrow the Sky is at the Dream, the Fever visit the Mystics, it's Mercury at Shock, and the Storm at the Sun.
More on Katie Smith moving up to second on the WNBA points list.
Tomorrow the Sky is at the Dream, the Fever visit the Mystics, it's Mercury at Shock, and the Storm at the Sun.
More on Katie Smith moving up to second on the WNBA points list.
Friday, June 14, 2013
More game results
Lynx over Shock, 83-74, despite the struggles of Maya Moore.
Diana Taurasi lead the Mercury over the Sparks, 97-81. She had 34 points. The most exciting fact of the night: 13,605 fans attended the game.
In his post-game conference, Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said the franchise would waive Cheryl Ford because her knee isn't healing fast enough from injury.
Also in tonight's game, veteran New York guard Katie Smith became the league's second-leading all-time scorer.
Diana Taurasi lead the Mercury over the Sparks, 97-81. She had 34 points. The most exciting fact of the night: 13,605 fans attended the game.
In his post-game conference, Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said the franchise would waive Cheryl Ford because her knee isn't healing fast enough from injury.
Also in tonight's game, veteran New York guard Katie Smith became the league's second-leading all-time scorer.
Fever honored at the White House
The 2012 champions Indiana Fever were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House today. It is the Fever's first title.
Tonight's results so far:
Liberty 78, Sun 68.
Dream 68, Storm 59.
WNBA team news:
Lynx....are learning to win on the road.
Flashback Friday two.
Liberty....Cappie Pondexter, diary two.
Former Buckeye Katie Smith is still climbing upward.
Storm....the team is mentoring rookie Tianna Hawkins.
General news:
Chamique Holdsclaw pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm from an incident last November. She was sentenced to three years probation and a $3,000 fine.
Tonight's results so far:
Liberty 78, Sun 68.
Dream 68, Storm 59.
WNBA team news:
Lynx....are learning to win on the road.
Flashback Friday two.
Liberty....Cappie Pondexter, diary two.
Former Buckeye Katie Smith is still climbing upward.
Storm....the team is mentoring rookie Tianna Hawkins.
General news:
Chamique Holdsclaw pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and possession of a firearm from an incident last November. She was sentenced to three years probation and a $3,000 fine.
Mercury's Candice Dupree suspended for one game
Candice Dupree won't play in the Mercury-Sparks game tonight because she's been suspended for a game. Dupree made contact with an official during last Saturday's game against Indiana.
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