Duke is "investigating" women's basketball following player exits.
For the second straight year, multiple players are leaving Loyola Chicago. This puts the demeanor of coach Sheryl Swoopes into question.
New Nebraska coach Amy Williams now has to build trust with the current squad. She aims to win "the right way." Peers admire Williams' vision, hope and work ethic.
Colorado players are buying into new coach JR Payne's positive message.
Ravon Justice is Prairie View A&M's new coach.
Coach Wes Moore looks to take NC State to the next level.
Darnell Haney has been promoted to associate head coach at Jacksonville.
Clarisse Garcia is Auburn's new assistant coach.
Seven former players and the University of Illinois have reached a settlement.
College team news:
South Dakota is now searching for a new coach.
Ohio State looks to the future after a disappointing finish this season.
College player news:
Notre Dame forward Brianna Turner has had shoulder surgery and will be out six months.
Green Bay junior Latesha Buck has been granted her release from the program.
Texas center Sara Hattis will complete her fifth year of eligibility elsewhere.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Let the WNBA copy flow
The Draft:
The Sun have choices, but could take Morgan Tuck and Courtney Williams in the draft.
The Dallas Wings weigh their options with the fifth pick.
The Mercury enters the draft with flexibility.
Fourteen years later, the Storm are poised for another rapid rebuild.
Washington forward Talia Walton is one of 12 players invited to attend the draft.
Draft prospect Jonquel Jones on growing up in the Bahamas with Buddy Hield.
Rachel Banham is ready to take her game to the next level.
Seattle will get up close to Breanna Stewart, the "LeBron James of women's basketball."
West Virginia's Bria Holmes could be a first-round pick. Her professional dreams are close to reality.
My mock draft on SLAM, volume III.
Coach news:
New Sun coach Curt Miller is ready to put his stamp on the program.
The Sun have choices, but could take Morgan Tuck and Courtney Williams in the draft.
The Dallas Wings weigh their options with the fifth pick.
The Mercury enters the draft with flexibility.
Fourteen years later, the Storm are poised for another rapid rebuild.
Washington forward Talia Walton is one of 12 players invited to attend the draft.
Draft prospect Jonquel Jones on growing up in the Bahamas with Buddy Hield.
Rachel Banham is ready to take her game to the next level.
Seattle will get up close to Breanna Stewart, the "LeBron James of women's basketball."
West Virginia's Bria Holmes could be a first-round pick. Her professional dreams are close to reality.
My mock draft on SLAM, volume III.
Coach news:
New Sun coach Curt Miller is ready to put his stamp on the program.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Tyler Summitt's fall sets Tennessee fans back further
There have been a few more stories the last two days on the resignation and scandal around Tyler Summitt at Louisiana Tech. One saying questions about his maturity held up. Others had far more harsh words for the only child of coaching legend Pat Summitt.
But it was ESPN's Mechelle Voepel who was spot on in her story on Tyler Summitt crushing two fan bases:
People who follow women's basketball feel as if they watched him grow up. And now, everyone is watching his career and his reputation fall apart. It's painful to see......
But the biggest key to coaching is managing people, and that's something Summitt apparently wasn't prepared for. As a child, Summitt had been almost like a team mascot at Tennessee, and as he grew older, he was friends with his mother's players. But coaches need a very distinct separation from their players.
By the time Tyler entered the coaching world in 2012, Pat was already significantly changed because of her disease. Thus, the person who would have been the best and the most demanding professional mentor for him wasn't able to be that anymore.......
Some might point to his age and say that's the biggest explanation for why this happened. But Summitt insisted when he was hired that he was ready, and that his age was irrelevant because of the lifelong experience he had watching his mom's teams. So if age wasn't an impediment to Summitt getting this job, then it can't be used an excuse for him losing it.....
And THIS:
It's not an exaggeration to say that Tyler, all others close to Pat Summitt and the Tennessee women's basketball community have been in varying degrees of sustained grief since it was revealed that she was battling this insidious, horrifically cruel illness.....
Now, Tyler's resignation under embarrassing and difficult circumstances is another blow to Lady Vol Nation. It likely wounds them in a deeper way, in fact, than it does the Louisiana Tech fan base, whose emotions are probably more disappointment and anger as their program -- which now must hire its fourth coach in the past decade -- is getting such negative publicity.
It's true: Tennessee fans - including myself - are not over losing Pat, and we may never be.
That's no doubt why fans were hysterical, and at times irrational, in the face of each loss this past season. When the Lady Vols fell out of the top 25 in February for the first time in 31 years, I stayed off of any type of Tennessee-related social media. I didn't want to read it, as the high-pitched screams were just as obvious through a computer screen. I'd already lost one friend, who insists Holly Warlick should be fired quickly. I quit Facebook. I quit almost everything.
Since the Tyler Summitt scandal surfaced, I'm even more glad I'm off all social media but Twitter. The majority of Tennessee nation has yet to heal, and now they are set back even further.
In all of sports history, there haven't been circumstances quite like Pat Summitt's. It's no wonder her adoring fans don't know how to get over it.
But it was ESPN's Mechelle Voepel who was spot on in her story on Tyler Summitt crushing two fan bases:
People who follow women's basketball feel as if they watched him grow up. And now, everyone is watching his career and his reputation fall apart. It's painful to see......
But the biggest key to coaching is managing people, and that's something Summitt apparently wasn't prepared for. As a child, Summitt had been almost like a team mascot at Tennessee, and as he grew older, he was friends with his mother's players. But coaches need a very distinct separation from their players.
By the time Tyler entered the coaching world in 2012, Pat was already significantly changed because of her disease. Thus, the person who would have been the best and the most demanding professional mentor for him wasn't able to be that anymore.......
Some might point to his age and say that's the biggest explanation for why this happened. But Summitt insisted when he was hired that he was ready, and that his age was irrelevant because of the lifelong experience he had watching his mom's teams. So if age wasn't an impediment to Summitt getting this job, then it can't be used an excuse for him losing it.....
And THIS:
It's not an exaggeration to say that Tyler, all others close to Pat Summitt and the Tennessee women's basketball community have been in varying degrees of sustained grief since it was revealed that she was battling this insidious, horrifically cruel illness.....
Now, Tyler's resignation under embarrassing and difficult circumstances is another blow to Lady Vol Nation. It likely wounds them in a deeper way, in fact, than it does the Louisiana Tech fan base, whose emotions are probably more disappointment and anger as their program -- which now must hire its fourth coach in the past decade -- is getting such negative publicity.
It's true: Tennessee fans - including myself - are not over losing Pat, and we may never be.
That's no doubt why fans were hysterical, and at times irrational, in the face of each loss this past season. When the Lady Vols fell out of the top 25 in February for the first time in 31 years, I stayed off of any type of Tennessee-related social media. I didn't want to read it, as the high-pitched screams were just as obvious through a computer screen. I'd already lost one friend, who insists Holly Warlick should be fired quickly. I quit Facebook. I quit almost everything.
Since the Tyler Summitt scandal surfaced, I'm even more glad I'm off all social media but Twitter. The majority of Tennessee nation has yet to heal, and now they are set back even further.
In all of sports history, there haven't been circumstances quite like Pat Summitt's. It's no wonder her adoring fans don't know how to get over it.
Singing everyone's songs
College season still winding down/wrapping up as WNBA draft inches closer.......
Player news:
Tiffany Mitchell's final words to Gamecock fans.
Days before announcing their new head coach UMass lost top player Cierra Dillard to transfer. She has landed at Buffalo.
Sophomore forward Karli Herrington is leaving Central Michigan.
Alabama transfer Karyla Middlebrook has joined Kansas State.
Indiana transfer Jess Walter has landed at Northern Kentucky.
Team news:
The Oregon Ducks' culture paved the way for a successful and enjoyable season.
NC State outlook for next season.
Coach news:
Nebraska has hired Amy Williams from South Dakota as their new coach.
Recruiting and fresh ideas are important to Tennessee coach Holly Warlick in her assistant coach search.
Arizona's hiring of Adia Barnes as coach was about her ability - not her alma mater.
Shandrika Lee is Colorado's new assistant coach.
Lisa Hayden has been promoted to associate head coach at Illinois State.
Three ways to convert losses into wins from a "defeated" basketball coach (Quentin Hillsman).
UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey is never in the background.
Ex-Xavier assistant coach Bryce McKey was found not guilty of sex abuse.
State of the game:
Let them play: the double standard in women's basketball.
WNBA news:
Former Mercury president Jay Parry is the WNBA's new chief operating officer.
How No. 1 picks have defined WNBA history.
St. John's Danaejah Grant and Aliyyah Handford are gearing up for the draft.
Transactions and signings have been slow this year, and even more so the last two weeks. Apparently everyone's waiting to see how the draft pans out.
International news:
New Zealand is trying to qualify for the Olympics.
Player news:
Tiffany Mitchell's final words to Gamecock fans.
Days before announcing their new head coach UMass lost top player Cierra Dillard to transfer. She has landed at Buffalo.
Sophomore forward Karli Herrington is leaving Central Michigan.
Alabama transfer Karyla Middlebrook has joined Kansas State.
Indiana transfer Jess Walter has landed at Northern Kentucky.
Team news:
The Oregon Ducks' culture paved the way for a successful and enjoyable season.
NC State outlook for next season.
Coach news:
Nebraska has hired Amy Williams from South Dakota as their new coach.
Recruiting and fresh ideas are important to Tennessee coach Holly Warlick in her assistant coach search.
Arizona's hiring of Adia Barnes as coach was about her ability - not her alma mater.
Shandrika Lee is Colorado's new assistant coach.
Lisa Hayden has been promoted to associate head coach at Illinois State.
Three ways to convert losses into wins from a "defeated" basketball coach (Quentin Hillsman).
UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey is never in the background.
Ex-Xavier assistant coach Bryce McKey was found not guilty of sex abuse.
State of the game:
Let them play: the double standard in women's basketball.
WNBA news:
Former Mercury president Jay Parry is the WNBA's new chief operating officer.
How No. 1 picks have defined WNBA history.
St. John's Danaejah Grant and Aliyyah Handford are gearing up for the draft.
Transactions and signings have been slow this year, and even more so the last two weeks. Apparently everyone's waiting to see how the draft pans out.
International news:
New Zealand is trying to qualify for the Olympics.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Four days until the WNBA Draft
WNBA news:
WNBA coaches conference call transcripts from Friday.
Prospects Imani Boyette, Jonquel Jones and Tiffany Mitchell discuss the draft.
Aerial Powers is looking to be Detroit Country Day's first WNBA player.
The WNBA revisits the 2013 draft.
If revenues increase, the pay gap will diminish, former president Val Ackerman says.
College player news:
Oregon State's Sydney Wiese will remember the feelings of their Final Four run.
Notre Dame transfer Taya Reimer has landed at Michigan State.
Breanna Stewart is the co-winner of the Sullivan Award.
Stewart's career history.
Coach news:
Coach Josh Barnes will stay at Youngstown State after receiving an offer from Kent State.
Tyler Summitt:
The Tyler Summitt scandal could have a long-lasting effect on college women's basketball.
WNBA coaches conference call transcripts from Friday.
Prospects Imani Boyette, Jonquel Jones and Tiffany Mitchell discuss the draft.
Aerial Powers is looking to be Detroit Country Day's first WNBA player.
The WNBA revisits the 2013 draft.
If revenues increase, the pay gap will diminish, former president Val Ackerman says.
College player news:
Oregon State's Sydney Wiese will remember the feelings of their Final Four run.
Notre Dame transfer Taya Reimer has landed at Michigan State.
Breanna Stewart is the co-winner of the Sullivan Award.
Stewart's career history.
Coach news:
Coach Josh Barnes will stay at Youngstown State after receiving an offer from Kent State.
Tyler Summitt:
The Tyler Summitt scandal could have a long-lasting effect on college women's basketball.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
More transitions, more fallout
Team news:
Oregon State has laid the foundation for future program success.
With their big three gone, what is UConn left with next season? There are questions moving forward.
Player news:
Former Indiana guard Jess Walter has landed at Northern Kentucky.
Coach news:
James Madison associate head coach Sean O'Regan has been promoted to head coach.
Eastern Michigan coach Tory Verdi has left to take the head coach job at UMass.
Andrea Gorski is the new head coach at Bradley.
Elena Lovato is ready for the next stop in her coaching career.
Connie Yori:
Departing Natalie Romero says "immature players" pushed out Connie Yori.
Tyler Summitt:
Tyler Summitt's perceived favoritism of point guard Brooke Pumroy had divided the Louisiana Tech team for months.
Summitt was under investigation before his resignation.
WNBA news:
Former league president Val Ackerman said they should have experimented with lower rims.
Oregon State has laid the foundation for future program success.
With their big three gone, what is UConn left with next season? There are questions moving forward.
Player news:
Former Indiana guard Jess Walter has landed at Northern Kentucky.
Coach news:
James Madison associate head coach Sean O'Regan has been promoted to head coach.
Eastern Michigan coach Tory Verdi has left to take the head coach job at UMass.
Andrea Gorski is the new head coach at Bradley.
Elena Lovato is ready for the next stop in her coaching career.
Connie Yori:
Departing Natalie Romero says "immature players" pushed out Connie Yori.
Tyler Summitt:
Tyler Summitt's perceived favoritism of point guard Brooke Pumroy had divided the Louisiana Tech team for months.
Summitt was under investigation before his resignation.
WNBA news:
Former league president Val Ackerman said they should have experimented with lower rims.
Friday, April 8, 2016
A strange mix
This week has been back and forth from great news to horrifying news, and everywhere in between. So goes tonight's post, which feels like whiplash.
PS - This coach firing/recycling season is already too intense. Are we going to make it?
Player news:
Nebraska point guard Natalie Romero says allegations that lead to coach Connie Yori's firing aren't true. She has been granted a transfer. Jasmine Cincore also will not return.
Louisiana Tech won't grant a release to recruit Jaida Roper.
Post Kamera Harris has committed to Tennessee.
Coach news:
Her interim title gone, Tiara Malcom has been elevated to head coach at FIU.
Kacie Cryer is McNeese State's new head coach.
Mississippi State assistant coach Elena Lovato has left to become head coach at DII Arkansas-Fort Smith.
LSU assistant coach Tony Perotti has left to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Around the Rim podcast features Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey.
Award time:
Breanna Stewart has won the Wooden Award.
Tyler Summitt:
His indiscretion damages not just his own reputation.
He has disgraced his mother's legacy.
Mickie DeMoss is interim head coach at Tech.
WNBA news:
Change is in the air as the Sun will take another step in their rebuild.
Podcast with Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Wings guard Odyssey Sims is excited about the team's move to Dallas.
WNBA coaches say FGCU's Whitney Knight has a chance in the league.
Oregon State's Ruth Hamblin is ready to take on the WNBA.
South Dakota's Nicole Seekamp is preparing to play in the WNBA.
Sheryl Swoopes' pregnancy many years ago changed pro sports for women.
General sports:
You can't equate men's and women's sports, one columnist says.
PS - This coach firing/recycling season is already too intense. Are we going to make it?
Player news:
Nebraska point guard Natalie Romero says allegations that lead to coach Connie Yori's firing aren't true. She has been granted a transfer. Jasmine Cincore also will not return.
Louisiana Tech won't grant a release to recruit Jaida Roper.
Post Kamera Harris has committed to Tennessee.
Coach news:
Her interim title gone, Tiara Malcom has been elevated to head coach at FIU.
Kacie Cryer is McNeese State's new head coach.
Mississippi State assistant coach Elena Lovato has left to become head coach at DII Arkansas-Fort Smith.
LSU assistant coach Tony Perotti has left to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Around the Rim podcast features Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey.
Award time:
Breanna Stewart has won the Wooden Award.
Tyler Summitt:
His indiscretion damages not just his own reputation.
He has disgraced his mother's legacy.
Mickie DeMoss is interim head coach at Tech.
WNBA news:
Change is in the air as the Sun will take another step in their rebuild.
Podcast with Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.
Wings guard Odyssey Sims is excited about the team's move to Dallas.
WNBA coaches say FGCU's Whitney Knight has a chance in the league.
Oregon State's Ruth Hamblin is ready to take on the WNBA.
South Dakota's Nicole Seekamp is preparing to play in the WNBA.
Sheryl Swoopes' pregnancy many years ago changed pro sports for women.
General sports:
You can't equate men's and women's sports, one columnist says.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Time to get off the stage
I have all these postseason topics to write about, to put some closure on what might be the best year of women's college basketball so far. Two columnists today (two who can write full time for a living) beat me to one of those ideas.
Philadelphia's Sam Donnellon asks, "Nothing against UConn, but where was the drama?" (in the Championship game).
He says blowouts are dull, and are a deflating letdown to a great tournament. I couldn't agree more. And every male ball player, coach or fan that I know who supports women's hoops expressed the same sentiments to me while apologetically explaining why they wouldn't be watching the title match up.
Speaking of viewership, New York's Ryan Chatelain says that though the Huskies are great, the ratings were low for the Championship game. Again, it's not fun when you already know the outcome. Villanova's surprise upset of North Carolina Monday night in the men's tournament - that was fun. Women's basketball fans have been hoping and hoping something similar would happen to UConn, but no dice.
Anyone who's dared to say they're tired of the Huskies the last few years has been dismissed with the tired "don't complain, just get better" line, which I addressed previously. But that's getting the issues confused.
I'll make it clear, UConn: all of us basketball fans, including the long-timers like myself, don't hate you. We don't think you're "bad for the game." We're just tired of you. You've been to the Final Four each of the last nine years, and have won six of the Championships during that time. You've kicked every team's ass in your conference(s) back to front, front to back. ESPN promotes you more than they promote their own selves; they might as well be named ESPConN.
It's no different than the 1950's, when my Dad's generation was sick of the New York Yankees, or the 1960's-1970's, when hoops fans were tiring of UCLA's dominance. And it's certainly nothing personal, so don't anyone fall into that modern-day trap of hypersensitivity.
Dear Huskies of greatness, thanks for everything, but it's time to get off the stage. Let's see some more upsets - of YOU.
Philadelphia's Sam Donnellon asks, "Nothing against UConn, but where was the drama?" (in the Championship game).
He says blowouts are dull, and are a deflating letdown to a great tournament. I couldn't agree more. And every male ball player, coach or fan that I know who supports women's hoops expressed the same sentiments to me while apologetically explaining why they wouldn't be watching the title match up.
Speaking of viewership, New York's Ryan Chatelain says that though the Huskies are great, the ratings were low for the Championship game. Again, it's not fun when you already know the outcome. Villanova's surprise upset of North Carolina Monday night in the men's tournament - that was fun. Women's basketball fans have been hoping and hoping something similar would happen to UConn, but no dice.
Anyone who's dared to say they're tired of the Huskies the last few years has been dismissed with the tired "don't complain, just get better" line, which I addressed previously. But that's getting the issues confused.
I'll make it clear, UConn: all of us basketball fans, including the long-timers like myself, don't hate you. We don't think you're "bad for the game." We're just tired of you. You've been to the Final Four each of the last nine years, and have won six of the Championships during that time. You've kicked every team's ass in your conference(s) back to front, front to back. ESPN promotes you more than they promote their own selves; they might as well be named ESPConN.
It's no different than the 1950's, when my Dad's generation was sick of the New York Yankees, or the 1960's-1970's, when hoops fans were tiring of UCLA's dominance. And it's certainly nothing personal, so don't anyone fall into that modern-day trap of hypersensitivity.
Dear Huskies of greatness, thanks for everything, but it's time to get off the stage. Let's see some more upsets - of YOU.
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