Saturday, September 28, 2019

USA, Canada will face off for AmeriCup

Canada beat Brazil, 66-58.

The USA downed Puerto Rico, 78-54.

Both teams will battle for the AmeriCup championship tomorrow.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Two days until Game 1

WNBA team news:

The Finals pit a bunch of Terps against each other.

The series is a battle of the true believers, and the redemption-seekers vs. the doubt defiers.

The Mystics are hungry for their first WNBA Championship.

Sun fans gave the team a rocking send off today.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud are behind one of the best WNBA teams ever.

A healthy Kristi Toliver has put Washington's offense over the top.

Shekinna Stricklen is a Tennessee Vol thriving in Connecticut.

Former South Florida star Courtney Williams is ready to shine in the Finals.

Jasmine Thomas interview.

Tamera Young is the nicekicks WNBA kicks on the court champion.

SI's first and second all-decade team.

WNBA coach news:

Mike Thibault is closing in on an elusive WNBA title.

Thibault hopes Connecticut is done being disrespected.

Bonus:

The WNBA survives in spite of itself.

USA Basketball news:

The US faces Puerto Rico and Canada will take on Brazil in the semifinals.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa is using AmeriCup to grow and develop her game.

Candice Agee and LA Premier hope their chemistry pays off in this weekend's Red Bull 3X3 tournament.

College team news:

Indiana State opens the season with 14 new players - the most of any DI program in the nation.

Intensity is increasing at Illinois.

College coach and AD news:

First-year Western Carolina coach Kiley Hill isn't backing down after offseason chaos.

Hartford AD Mary Ellen Gillespie is on leave.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Eye on the Finals, and 40 days until college season

WNBA team news:

Three things to know about the Finals.

Questions ahead of the series.

Washington hopes to win their first title.

Disrespect has fueled Connecticut to the Finals.

Suncast, Finals version.

The future is bright for the Aces.

WNBA player news:

Layshia Clarendon hopes to play in the Finals.

Not long ago, Natisha Hiedeman was without a job.

WNBA coach news:

To win a championship, Mike Thibault's team has to beat the franchise he spent 10 years building.

Bonus:

The WNBA is eyeing mental health coverage that will mirror the NBA's.

It's at the top of their list.

Teresa Weatherspoon is a new assistant coach the the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans.

Tamika Catchings has opened her house to pro golfer Mariah Stackhouse.

Camille Little has retired, but isn't leaving basketball.

AmeriCup news:

The USA battled past Brazil, 89-73, to go 4-0.

College team news:

Pac-12 broadcast schedule.

Arizona is slowly integrating six newcomers.

Why is Syracuse playing Notre Dame and Louisville twice each?

Colorado State seeks a bounce-back season.

College player news:

Chloe Chapman plays both basketball and soccer at Georgia.

The NCAA has ruled that Georgia Tech transfers Elizabeth Balogun and Liz Dixon are immediately eligible to play for Louisville.

Sharna Ayres and Awa Trasi have found a home in the U.S. with LSU.

College coach news:

In her fifth season at the helm of Utah, coach Lynne Roberts thinks this could be her best team yet.

The Aaron Roussell era has begun at Richmond.

FIBA AmeriCup team named

USA Basketball named the FIBA AmeriCup team today:

The talented roster includes Jordin Canada, Napheesa Collier, Tina Charles, Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Sylvia Fowles, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Arike Ogumbowale, Katie Lou Samuelson, Khadijah Sessions, Brittney Sykes and Elizabeth Williams.

Competition will be Sept. 22-29 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Great photo gallery.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Semifinal round 2 tomorrow

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Sparks at Sun, 3:30 p.m. PT

Aces at Mystics, 5:30 p.m. PT

Both on ESPN2


Game storylines:

Connecticut wants to come out on top in a season full of changes.

The Sparks seek more balance against the Sun in game 2, and are eager to have a better performance.

With a place to call home, the playoffs could be different for the Mystics this season.

Kelsey Plum has rediscovered her game for Las Vegas.

Bill Laimbeer said officials made a conscious decision not to honor his call for a timeout on Tuesday.

WNBA team news:

Looking ahead to the Liberty's possible future.

WNBA player news:

Despite the challenges of rehab, Breanna Stewart thinks she can come back better than ever.

The ROY award is just the beginning for Napheesa Collier.

Asia Durr had successful arthroscopy on her hip today to repair her labrum.

Teaira McCowan made a statement in her rookie season.

Sue Bird discussed equality for women in sport at Duke.

Five highlights from a recent Maya Moore appearance.

Award time:

Leilani Mitchell is the most improved player of the year.

Cheryl Reeve is the WNBA basketball executive of the year.

USA Basketball news:

National Team quotes.

College team news:

Green Bay will be tested early and often.

College coach news:

Former Virginia coach Joanne Boyle is finally able to bring her daughter home and call her an American citizen.

Recruiting news:

From bullied to Louisville commit, Olivia Cochran keeps going.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Dramatic endings

Today's results:

The Sparks knocked out the defending champion Storm, 92-69.

Credit to Seattle, who probably shouldn't have had as good of a season considering all their injuries.

A steal and a half-court heave by Dearica Hamby lifted the Aces over the Sky, 93-92.

What a game, what a game. It took time to wind down after that.

Tuesday's round three:

Sparks will face the Sun

Aces will take on the Mystics


Travel changes:

The league is paying for charter flights to take today's winners to the East coast for Tuesday's games.

WNBA team news:

For the Mystics, pressure is a privilege.

How the Sun's commitment to a core group of players made them one of the league's best teams.

Award time:

Dearica Hamby has been named sixth woman of the year.

Nneka Ogwumike wins the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship award.

Bonus:

A fan was tackled at Staples Center today after running after the Ogwumike sisters.

USA Basketball news:

The Women's National Team will train in Miami this week, ahead of the FIBA AmeriCup, and new invitees include: Kelsey Plum, Brittney Sykes, Jordin Canada, Sydney Wiese, Diamond DeShields, Arike Ogunbowale, and Napheesa Collier.

Here is why.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Merchandise winners

Merchandise sales:

For the third straight season, Elena Delle Donne's jersey was the most sold.

Top 10 Most Popular WNBA Jerseys:

1. Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics
2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
3. Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
4. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
5. Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
6. Liz Cambage, Las Vegas Aces
7. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
8. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
9. Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
10. Kayla McBride, Las Vegas Aces

Top 5 Most Popular Team Merchandise:

1. Las Vegas Aces
2. Minnesota Lynx
3. Seattle Storm
4. New York Liberty
5. Washington Mystics

WNBA team news:

The Aces are preparing for their playoff game Sunday with male practice players.

The Liberty hold 44 percent odds of getting the No. 1 pick at next week's draft lottery.

Cheryl Reeve's contract and getting Maya Moore back are at the top of Minnesota's to-do list.

Re-visiting the 2008 on-court brawl between the LA Sparks and Detroit Shock.

WNBA player news:

Brittney Griner plans to play for the Mercury until she retires.

For Kristi Toliver, being injured for the first time means learning to let go.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough is poised to help the Mystics win the title.

Q&A with Jordin Canada.

WNBA coach news:

James Wade accepted the COY award yesterday with tears.

Bonus:

The WNBPA board of advocates brings strength in numbers.

College coach news:

UC Riverside has put coach John Margaritis on unpaid leave.

Former Holy Cross coach Bill Gibbons is suing the school for $750,000.

New Louisville assistant coach Jonneshia Pineda is bringing "positive juice."

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

It begins tomorrow

Tomorrow's round one games:

The Mercury will visit the Sky

The Mercury enter the postseason without Diana Taurasi, and with the season on the line.

The Sky faces a tough test in their playoff run.

The Lynx visit the Storm

Seattle's playoffs appearance contrasts with predictions of their early demise.

The Storm are ready, but are without their familiar superstars.

The Lynx head into the playoffs looking to surprise the WNBA all over again.

Sylvia Fowles needs to be at her best for Minnesota tomorrow.

WNBA playoffs news:

A look at the eight playoff teams.

It'll be a battle of the former champs.

Referees for the playoffs.

WNBA team news:

The Mystics are big favorites to be crowned WNBA champions.

The Sparks have turned their focus inward as they await their playoff opponent.

WNBA player news:

Natasha Howard is the league's defensive player of the year.

Eight players who could make a difference in the playoffs.

Storm players are excited about their inclusion in NBA2K.

WNBA coach news:

James Wade will be given the coach of the year award tomorrow.

NCAA news:

How the AP preseason poll predicts success in the college season.

California is moving a bill through that would allow college athletes there to make money from their names, images and likenesses.

The 12 most winning teams in college ball history.

The most winning coaches in DI history.

College coach news:

UMKC has extended coach Jacie Hoyt's contract through 2022-2023.

Sade Jackson is a new assistant coach at Wagner.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

The Sun get their wish

Today's result:

The Sun routed the Wings, 102-72, to clinch the second seed and a double-bye in the playoffs.

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Aces at Dream

Storm at Sparks

WNBA team news:

Las Vegas has their eye on a strong finish to the regular season.

Why the Sky could win it all.

Time is no longer on the Mercury's side.

There is plenty still yet to be decided.

In the WNBA, assists are as important off as on the court.

WNBA player news:

Elena Delle Donne is the clear MVP.

Candace Parker deserves our respect.

Angel McCoughtry isn't cleared to play, doctors say. Dream statement.

Sydney Colson's initiative has led the Aces to their identity, and a playoff run.

Kayla McBride breaks down her own game.

Liz Cambage is discovering her center.

Jonquel Jones is trying to help her native Bahamas in the wake of hurricane Dorian.

Jasmine Thomas has received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for August.

Arike Ogunbowale is the rookie of the month for August.

Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner are the Eastern and Western conference players of the month.

WNBA coach news:

Derek Fisher likes the home he's found in the WNBA.

Mike Thibault is the coach of the month for August.

College team news:

UConn, Louisville and NC State are in the way-to-early preseaon top 25.

The SEC has released their conference schedule.

College coach news:

Texas will retire Kamie Ethridge's jersey.

Joan Bonvicini will be inducted into Arizona's Sports Hall of Fame.

Chasity Melvin is a new assistant coach at Loyola Maryland.

Chancelor Huth has been promoted to assistant coach at SMU.