Thursday, October 31, 2019

AP top 25 preseason rankings has Oregon on top

AP top 25 preseason rankings:

1 Oregon (25) 697 33-5 7
2 Baylor (3) 675 37-1 1
3 Stanford 631 31-5 6
4 Maryland 596 29-5 9
5 UConn 569 35-3 2
6 Texas A&M 554 26-8 14
7 Oregon State 525 26-8 11
8 South Carolina 518 23-10 15
9 Louisville 477 32-4 5
10 Mississippi State 443 33-3 4
11 UCLA 380 22-13 20
12 Florida State 354 24-9 25
13 Kentucky 342 25-8 17
14 N.C. State 320 28-6 10
15 Texas 303 23-10 23
16 Notre Dame 290 35-4 3
17 Michigan State 205 21-12 NR
T-18 DePaul 174 26-8 24
T-18 Miami 174 25-9 19
20 Arizona State 118 22-11 22
21 Syracuse 103 25-9 12
22 Arkansas 93 22-15 NR
23 Minnesota 90 21-11 NR
24 Indiana 86 21-13 NR
25 Michigan 77 22-12 NR

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

One week to go

One week from today, college basketball season begins (!!!!)

College team news:

ESPN's Power 5 predictions.

SEC coaches have picked Texas A&M to win the conference this season.

VCU is the A-10 favorite.

South Dakota State is aiming for another NCAA Tournament run.

Missouri State preview.

How and why Ball State ended up with two freshmen from Spain.

Arizona notebook.

Rice holds high expectations heading into the year.

Wisconsin looks to build on last year's Big Ten Tournament success.

What the Sooners said at media day.

Idaho State is battling an uncommon uncertainty.

College player news:

The top four rebounders in college hoops are back for the year.

The Cox sisters will face off in Baylor's Type I Diabetes Awareness game.

Gabby Gregory is making an immediate impact for Oklahoma.

College coach news:

Tara VanDerveer previews Stanford's season.

Cincinnati coach Michelle Clark-Heard begins her second season with an established culture.

Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell has donated $1 million to a park in Lexington.

What we learned about Kellie Harper from Tennessee's exhibition game.

The Megan Duffy era has begun at Marquette.

Deb Patterson has joined Kamie Ethridge's staff at Washington State.

NCAA news:

The NCAA has cleared the way for athletes to profit from their names, images and likenesses.

But some say, don't be fooled.

Key questions.

Former Ohio State great Jantel Lavender has joined the Big Ten broadcast team.

WNBA news:

Natalie Achonwa has won the season-long WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.

Erica Wheeler can't be stopped.

The Golden State Warriors will honor the most powerful couple in sports: Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Gushing news

Feels like we're finally getting into the swing of things........

College team news:

Baylor are the favorites to win their tenth straight Big 12 title.

Pac-12 predictions.

Deep, talented Maryland are favorites to win the Big Ten.

Louisville looks to continue their climb up the ACC ladder.

Notre Dame faces a big rebuild after back-to-back title runs.

Purdue beat the Irish in a closed scrimmage Saturday.

UConn needs role players to step up this season.

Oregon State is ready for a "dream team" challenge and a big season.

Boise State returns hungry after last year's record-breaking season.

Tennessee preview: back court.

Meet Nebraska.

Can Bucknell hold on to the Patriot League's top spot?

North Dakota State begins a new chapter.

Charleston Southern faces big challenges this season.

College player news:

This season's top returning passers.

Sabrina Ionescu returns for her final season and chase for the title.

All heart and soul, Haley Gorecki can make Duke history this year.

The versatility of Leaonna Odom makes her the best choice to run the Blue Devil offense.

This senior tandem has stepped into a leadership role at DePaul.

Ana Llanusa and Mandy Simpson are looking to fill big roles for Oklahoma.

Llanusa is benefiting from a clean bill of health.

Kendall Grasela is stepping up for Penn.

Poised and confident, Kayla Belles is ready to make a bigger impact for Michigan State.

Taylor Jones had an impressive debut for Oregon State yesterday.

How Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw is living out her dream playing for Iowa State.

College coach news:

Kellie Harper is set to make her debut as Lady Vols coach.

College conference news:

The SEC enters the season without a true post player.

NCAA news:

2019-2020 NCAA Tournament dates and schedule.

The NCAA meets tomorrow to consider allowing athletes to profit from endorsements.

WNBA news:

The WNBPA and WNBA have extended the current CBA to Dec. 31 as negotiations for a new contract continue.

Oregon sits atop ESPN's preseason top 25

Interesting rankings to start the year:

1. Oregon
2. Baylor
3. UConn
4. Stanford
5. Maryland
6. Oregon State
7. Louisville
8. South Carolina
9. Texas A&M
10. Mississippi State
11. Florida State
12. UCLA
13. NC State
14. Kentucky
15. Texas
16. Notre Dame
17. Minnesota
18. Miami
19. Arizona
20. Arkansas
21. DePaul
22. Drake
23. Michigan
24. Indiana
25. Tennessee

Lisa Leslie Award preseason watch list

The top 20 centers to watch:

Bayley Plummer, Appalachian State

Queen Egbo, Baylor

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Connecticut

Jade Williams, Duke

Kristin Scott, Iowa State

Kayla Cooper-Williams, James Madison

Shakira Austin, Maryland

Beatrice Mompremier, Miami

Elissa Cunane, NC State

Kate Cain, Nebraska

Janelle Bailey, North Carolina

Eleah Parker, Penn

Ae'Rianna Harris, Purdue

Nancy Mulkey, Rice

Aliyah Boston, South Carolina

Maya Dodson, Stanford

Charli Collier, Texas

Ciera Johnson, Texas A&M

Brittany Brewer, Texas Tech

Mariella Fasoula, Vanderbilt

Katrina McClain Award preseason watch list

The power forward top 20:

Cate Reese, Arizona

Unique Thompson, Auburn

Lauren Cox, Baylor

Summer Hemphill, Buffalo

Sara Rhine, Drake

Leaonna Odom, Duke

Kiah Gillespie, Florida State

Peyton Williams, Kansas State

Ayana Mitchell, LSU

Stephanie Jones, Maryland

Naz Hillmon, Michigan

Taiye Bello, Minnesota

Ruthy Hebard, Oregon

Brooklyn McDavid, Pacific

Eleah Parker, Pennsylvania

Bella Alarie, Princeton

Francesca Belibi, Stanford

Joyner Holmes, Texas

N'dea Jones, Texas A&M

Hanna Crymble, Vermont

Cheryl Miller Award preseason watch list

It will be a tough choice for this award:

DiDi Richards, Baylor

Megan Walker, Connecticut

Chante Stonewall, DePaul

Francesca Pan, Georgia Tech

Ashley Joens, Iowa State

Rhyne Howard, Kentucky

Kaila Charles, Maryland

Courtney Woods, Northern Illinois

Sam Brunelle, Notre Dame

Ana Llanusa, Oklahoma

Vivian Gray, Oklahoma State

Satou Sabally, Oregon

Mikayla Pivec, Oregon State

Shadeen Samuels, Seton Hall

DiJonai Carrington, Stanford

Mia Davis, Temple

Rennia Davis, Tennessee

Kayla Wells, Texas A&M

Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA

Borislava Hristova, Washington State

Anne Meyers Drysdale Award preseason watch list

Twenty on the list for this award:

Aari McDonald, Arizona

Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas

Juicy Landrum, Baylor

Christyn Williams, Connecticut

Lauren Loven, Denver

Becca Hittner, Drake

Haley Gorecki, Duke

Kathleen Doyle, Iowa

Taylor Mikesell, Maryland

Destiny Pitts, Minnesota

Aislinn Konig, NC State

Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern

Taylor Robertson, Oklahoma

Minyon Moore, Oregon

Erica Ogwumike, Rice

Kiana Williams, Stanford

Stephanie Watts, USC

Jocelyn Willoughby, Virginia

Amber Melgoza, Washington

Tynice Martin, West Virginia

Nancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list

Twenty point guards to watch for the upcoming season.

Te'a Cooper, Baylor

Crystal Dangerfield, Connecticut

Kelly Campbell, DePaul

Nicole Cardano-Hillary, George Mason

Ali Patberg, Indiana

Lauren Dickerson, Miami-Ohio

Cierra Hooks, Ohio

Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon

Destiny Slocum, Oregon State

Stella Johnson, Rider

Tyasha Harris, South Carolina

Tiana England, St. John's

Sug Sutton, Texas

Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M

Miyah Barnes, UAB

Kay Kay Wright, UCF

Japreece Dean, UCLA

Dru Gylten, Utah

Taja Cole, Virginia Tech

Chloe Wanink, Wofford

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Storylines unfolding

College team news:

Maryland's freshman won't have to wait to contribute.

Texas A&M is primed for a big season.

Green Bay and Wright State are co-favorites in the Horizon League.

FGCU is the ASUN first pick.

Rice is tabbed to top C-USA.

Missouri State feels disrespected by the MVC poll.

College player news:

Tyasha Harris is ready to lead South Carolina, and get hers on offense.

The Gamecocks have 10 legit starters, and every freshman stands out.

Naz Hillmon is ready to be a star for Michigan.

Emily Engstler is prepped for a bigger role at Syracuse.

Transfer Marta Sniezek is already a leading voice for Notre Dame.

Kentucky's smallest player, Jaida Roper, will be a big presence this season.

Oregon State's freshman are getting up to speed.

It's been a busy offseason for Duke's Miela Goodchild.

Terp freshman Zoe Young is remaining positive despite her ACL tear.

College coach news:

Quentin Hillsman won't be scheduling Rhode Island anytime soon.

Coaching is an unexpected second career for Delisha Milton-Jones.

The SEC's stability underscores a challenge for Tennessee coach Kellie Harper.

Quinnipiac coach Tricia Fabbri is ready to test her young team.

WNBA team news:

The New York Liberty's new home arena is the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, it was announced today.

WNBA player news:

Odyssey Sims pleaded guilty to DWI and was given 10 days of house arrest.

Bonus:

The USBWA has named their freshman of the year award in honor of Tamika Catchings.

Women are affecting change in the NBA in various roles.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Who will rule the SEC this year?

College conference news:

A panel of voters has tabbed South Carolina as this year's SEC champions, followed by Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.

Can see the Gamecocks coming out on top. Arkansas fifth and Tennessee sixth?

College team news:

New-look Notre Dame is getting used to changes.

Expectations remain high for the Irish.

Oregon is unfazed by high expectations.

Drake is ready to take the next step this year.

Iowa State is moving on after lost leadership.

Arizona State is renaming its home court Desert Financial Arena.

College player news:

Lauren Cox is poised to lead Baylor back to the top.

At the end of this season, Satou Sabally will have the option to forego her senior season for the WNBA.

UConn can be good if Crystal Dangerfield is great.

Kiara Lewis is ready to run the show for Syracuse.

College coach news:

Despite losing key seniors, coach Robin Pingeton says Missouri isn't rebuilding.

DoBee and Theresa Plaisance: a story of family hoops.

New Xavier coach Melanie Moore has a plan to turn the program around.

USA Basketball news:

The USA's 3X3 team trounced Russia, 22-3, to go undefeated into the quarterfinals of the World Beach Games.

WNBA news:

The CBA is the chief priority for the league this offseason.

Euroleague primer: where your favorite WNBA players will be overseas this winter.

Elena Delle Donne threw out the first pitch in tonight's Washington Nationals game.

Chelsea Gray spoke to women in the military today.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Monday, October 7, 2019

Game 4: ready to rumble

Game 4 tomorrow:

Preview.

Elena Delle Donne will play in Game 4 despite her back injury.

Her presence in Game 3 gave her team an emotional lift.

The Mystics want to clinch in Connecticut for coach Mike Thibault.

Film study: Washington's three-point shooting.

SunCast: Finals edition.

Jasmine Thomas discusses the Sun's adjustments for Game 4.

WNBA player news:

Delle Donne says having a herniated disc feels like having a pole up her back.

Elena Delle Donne's determination was the difference for Washington in Game 3.

Family comes first for Delle Donne.

Kristi Toliver knows how to win titles, and the Mystics are just one step away.

Kia Nurse will take the road more traveled if that's what it takes to get to the Olympics.

College team news:

Pac-12 media day notebook.

Coaches have voted Oregon the conference favorite.

Furman has been tabbed the favorites to win the Southern Conference.

South Dakota has been picked to win the Summitt League title.

Five unanswered questions for UConn.

Arizona is on a mission for more this year.

BYU is missing one big piece this season.

College player news:

Stanford's talented freshman class is already making its mark.

Oregon's Satou Sabally is playing for her injured sister Nyara this year.

Teammate Sabrina Ionescu is the face of college basketball, her coach says.

Oregon State's Kat Tudor is being patient rehabbing her ACL.

Iowa State needs Ashley Joens to take a leap this season.

Why expectations for Joens are growing.

Freshman Kiersten Bell will make it to the Ohio State record books, her coach says.

College coach news:

Tara VanDerveer talks about the possibility of passing Pat Summitt in the all-time wins category.

First-year Cal coach Charmin Smith has the support of Pac-12 coaches.

Smith must alter the Bears' style.

Jory Collins is flipping the script at North Dakota State.

USA Basketball news:

3X3 teams for the World Beach Games have been named.

High school news:

Predicting where the top 2020 undeclared prospects will sign.