Monday, September 21, 2020

Lack of answers on postponed WNBA semifinal calls for deductive reasoning

Yesterday morning the WNBA announced the postponement of game one of the playoff semifinal series between the Seattle Storm and the Minnesota Lynx, after more than one Seattle player's COVID-19 test earlier in the day came back with inconclusive results.


At 7:15 p.m. PT, an email from the league to media members announced two games for Tuesday: game two between the Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces at 4 p.m. PT, and game two of Storm-Lynx at 6 p.m. PT. Both are slated to be on ESPN2, as per the schedule on ESPN's website (though the second game is suspiciously tabbed for both ESPN2 and ESPN3).


The WNBA has posted no information about the rescheduling of the game, and a representative declined comment today. The Storm did not return a request for comment. What the franchise did do is put out their usual pre-game injury report today: "No injuries to report. Note: additional team COVID-19 test results pending."


Tomorrow morning will mark 48 hours since the inconclusive test results were assessed. As per the bubble protocol all season long, players who have inconclusive test results and then test negative every time after that within those 48 hours are then activated to play.


Seattle has pre- and post-game news conferences scheduled for tomorrow, indicating that they're planning on playing, whether or not the athletes with inconclusive tests are cleared or not. That's bold, even for a team with the depth that the top-seeded Storm has.


Last week the remaining playoff teams moved lodging locations to a hotel near IMG Academy, as students were returning to school there for the fall. Did the movement and/or the new digs cause the problem? The bubble had been functioning flawlessly since July.


More importantly, why wouldn't the league just come out and say that they're waiting on updated COVID-19 results and are planning for a game one just in case? Why not be as transparent as commissioner Cathy Engelbert was yesterday in announcing the postponement decision?


This is not the first time the actions of the WNBA have mystified the media and fans. Of course we're all hoping the much-anticipated Seattle-Minnesota series can begin. But even more importantly, we pray that every player in that new residence area is safe and healthy.

Tomorrow is uncertain

 Playoffs news:


Sun-Aces preview.


The WNBA has scrambled to reschedule yesterday's playoff game after inconclusive COVID-19 tests.


There is little clarity from the league as the Storm-Lynx series sits in limbo.


WNBA player news:


The emotional fatigue of the WNBA bubble.


Kayla McBride: it's OK to fall apart.


Inside Jacki Gemelos' improbable season.


Renee Montgomery on the urgency of voting.


NCAA news:


College season could be saved by plans for bubbles in big cities.


The NCAA has formed a DI women's basketball student-athlete engagement group, composed of 32 members.


The group gives players a greater voice on initiatives and issues.


College coach news:


Columbia has hired Falon Baker as an assistant coach.


UNCW has two new assistant coaches.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Sun romp; Storm-Lynx postponed

 Today's result:


Jasmine Thomas' career-high 31 points lead the Sun over the Aces, 87-62.


The Storm-Lynx semifinal was postponed due to inconclusive test results for Seattle.


The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, according to an email from the league at 7:15 p.m. PT.


WNBA team news:


The Sun punched first today.


WNBA player news:


How Thomas' career game put Las Vegas on its heels.


Awards:


Dearica Hamby was named Sixth Woman of the Year.


Las Vegas' Dan Padover was named league basketball executive of the year.


WNBA news:


The league honored Ruth Bader Ginsburg prior to today's game.


NCAA news:


Multiple DI athletic directors have signed a collegiate coaching diversity pledge.


College team news:


Mississippi State is preparing for its first year under coach Nikki McCray-Penson.

I finally figured out how to do the new format

I'm back in business. No response from community forums, no help available anywhere else. But I kept messing with it until I figured it out. It's a cold world we live in now, but I'm old-school persistent.

Onward with this blog, which has been going since 2008.

The last few days worth of posts are still on womenshoopsworld.com.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

New format = death

This blog is suddenly using a new format today, and has not provided any instructions in how to format. So until we figure it out, we are moving to the main website, WomensHoopsWorld.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Sun, Mercury prevail in round one

First round, single-game elimination results:

The Sun powered past the Sky, 94-81, behind 26 points and 13 rebounds from Alyssa Thomas.

Shey Peddy's buzzer-beating three-pointer lifted the Mercury over the Mystics, 85-84.

WNBA player news:

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart are expected back for the Storm's playoff opener.

Crystal Dangerfield is the master of the bubble.

Bonus:

WNBA player said they still want justice after the Breonna Taylor settlement.

They want the officers arrested.

College player news:

Nebraska's Taylor Kissinger is medically retiring.

College coach news:

This wife-husband duo is reviving FIU.

Roneeka Hodges has joined Old Dominion as an assistant coach.

Jumping off before the first round

Playoffs news:

Predicting who wins the title.

Seven questions ahead of the playoffs.

The referees for the playoffs were named earlier today.

Mystics playoff preview.

DeWanna Bonner leads the Sun into the playoffs.

Awards:

A'ja Wilson is the AP's player of the year.

WNBA team news:

Don't crown the Seattle Storm just yet.

The Chicago Sky assisted Courtney Vandersloot in reaching her assists milestone.

WNBA player news:

Diana Taurasi is still living up to her "white mamba" nickname.

Leilani Mitchell came to the Mystics to chase a title. Instead, she lead a young team into the playoffs.

Arike Ogunbowale and Chennedy Carter gave their teams hope for the future.

Monique Billings on faith, focus and the future.

NCAA news:

What Wednesday's ruling will mean for the upcoming college basketball season.

Capping coach salaries is being discussed at a congressional hearing.

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Two more postseason berths secured

Today's results:

DeWanna Bonner's double-double led the Sun past the Liberty, 70-65.

The Dream stopped the Fever, 102-90.

Diana Taurasi's big first half paced the Mercury past the Aces, 92-85.

Tonight's wins put the Sky and Lynx in the playoffs

Tomorrow's game schedule:

Lynx vs. Sky

Sparks vs. Wings

Mystics vs. Storm


WNBA team news:

What the Sparks must address before the playoffs.

The playoff picture is coming into focus as teams clinch berths.

The league's power rankings for the week.

WNBA player news:

Sue Bird is probable to return for the Storm tomorrow.

Natalie Achonwa discusses the league's 48-hour stoppage last week.

Chiney Ogwumike talks about the importance of the late Chad Boseman to African culture.

Players of the month for August are Courtney Vandersloot and A'ja Wilson.

Rookie of the month is Crystal Dangerfield.

Former Texas standout Imani McGhee-Stafford wants her alma mater to show up for its Black student athletes.

WNBA coach news:

Bill Laimbeer is the coach of the month for August.

College conference news:

The Big East Tournament is returning to Connecticut.

The state could have a lot to prove if there's a bubble situation.

NCAA news:

The Basketball Oversight Committee is proposing a Nov. 25 start date.

The NCAA VP of women's basketball is confident there will be a season.

Phoenix will make a bid for the Final Four on Thursday.

College program news:

Michigan and Texas have eliminated many jobs and cut salaries.

College coach news:

Northern Colorado assistant coaches discuss being Black on the bench during this time of social injustice battles.

Washington has announced coaching staff changes.

Jordann Reese is a new assistant coach at Creighton.

Kelsey Plum joined Arkansas, former college coach Mike Neighbors and former teammate Chantel Osahor as a graduate assistant.