No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: After all the Upsets, Tara Makes History Release Date: January 23, 2024
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman
Introduction
In this episode of No Offseason, The Athletic’s premier show dedicated to women’s basketball, hosts delve into a whirlwind week of unexpected game outcomes, celebrate a historic milestone in coaching, and explore a unique situation unfolding at TCU. The conversation is insightful, engaging, and rich with expert analysis, making it essential listening for fans and followers of the sport.
A Week of Upsets in NCAA Women's Basketball
The episode kicks off with a discussion about an exceptionally turbulent week in NCAA women’s basketball, marked by numerous upsets that have left fans and analysts questioning the reliability of ranking systems.
Tara Vanderveer highlights the sheer number of unexpected results:
“Last week NCAA women's basketball wanted to put on a record. It felt like I counted 10 big upsets in the top 25.” [06:14]
Ben Pickman attributes the upsets to the competitive balance and the strategic advantages brought by the transfer portal:
“It's just a reminder of the competitive balance across women's college basketball this year... and the importance of the transfer portal.” [07:34]
They cite specific games, such as Texas Tech's victory over Iowa State and Miami’s win against NC State, emphasizing how lower-ranked teams are challenging established powerhouses. This unpredictability underscores the depth of talent and the tactical prowess of coaching across the league.
Ben Pickman further explains:
“In a basketball season, a good team or a great team is going to lose to a good team some nights because they're having an off shooting night...” [07:34]
Tara VanDerveer: Making History
The centerpiece of the episode is the celebration of Tara VanDerveer’s historic achievement as she becomes the all-time winningest NCAA basketball coach, surpassing 1,203 career victories with Stanford's latest win over Oregon State.
Tara Vanderveer shares her excitement and reflects on the journey:
“I think that's why women's basketball is on the rise right now. It's super exciting.” [06:14]
Ben Pickman provides an in-depth look at Tara’s career, including her formative years coaching a junior varsity team at Ohio State:
“Tara VanDerveer, ...she had a team that she could call her own, and she really led them, and there was a lot of conditioning involved. That was a big thing that I learned.” [14:53]
The hosts discuss Tara’s leadership style, her humility, and the profound impact she has had on her players. Ben recounts how Tara deflected personal accolades to highlight her team’s contributions:
“She really deflected all that attention back to her players and gave them so much credit.” [25:03]
Tara Vanderveer recounts the support from alumni and former players, emphasizing the lasting legacy she has built:
“She wanted to make sure that everyone shared in with her. She was giving kisses to the guards even. It was a really cool moment to have witnessed.” [26:48]
The episode pays homage to Tara’s dedication, discipline, and the strong community she has fostered within Stanford’s basketball program.
TCU’s Unprecedented Open Tryouts Amidst Injuries
Shifting gears, the hosts delve into a startling development at TCU, where a cascade of injuries has forced the women’s basketball team to hold open tryouts—an almost unheard-of scenario in modern NCAA basketball.
Tara Vanderveer provides a breakdown of the situation:
“They had to cancel two games as a result of this. They could not play against Iowa State and Kansas State as a result of their injuries.” [35:47]
Ben Pickman discusses the unprecedented nature of TCU’s move and introduces Sarah Sylvester, a volleyball player being invited as a walk-on to the basketball team:
“TCU volleyball had a good run in the NCAA tournament. She led the TCU and ranked 6 in the Big 12 in blocks per set.” [32:01]
The hosts explore the potential social and athletic dynamics of integrating a volleyball player into the basketball team, touching on aspects like conditioning, team chemistry, and the differences between the two sports. Tara reflects on her own multi-sport background to contextualize the challenges Sarah might face:
“From a physicality perspective, it's definitely going to be interesting. She's coming off a season, so... how much she's gonna play, what her role is gonna be.” [40:43]
Ben Pickman adds humor and curiosity about the social interactions and adjustments Sarah will need to make:
“I wonder how much do you have to alter your class schedule? Like, what other social plans change?” [32:10]
The discussion highlights the resilience of student-athletes and the adaptive strategies coaches must employ in the face of unexpected disruptions.
Conclusion and Closing Remarks
The episode wraps up with heartfelt congratulations to Tara VanDerveer for her monumental achievement and well-wishes for the TCU team navigating their current challenges. The hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for upcoming interviews and analyses, promising more in-depth coverage of NCAA and WNBA events.
Tara Vanderveer concludes with an inspiring message:
“Keep listening, keep learning, and keep loving the game, because that's the only way we're going to keep growing it.” [42:38]
Ben Pickman adds a final note on the exciting times ahead:
“It's a pretty surreal story in college basketball right now.” [41:26]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Tara Vanderveer: “Last week NCAA women's basketball wanted to put on a record. It felt like I counted 10 big upsets in the top 25.” [06:14]
- Ben Pickman: “It's just a reminder of the competitive balance across women's college basketball this year... and the importance of the transfer portal.” [07:34]
- Ben Pickman: “In a basketball season, a good team or a great team is going to lose to a good team some nights because they're having an off shooting night...” [07:34]
- Tara Vanderveer: “I think that's why women's basketball is on the rise right now. It's super exciting.” [06:14]
- Ben Pickman: “Tara VanDerveer, ...she had a team that she could call her own, and she really led them, and there was a lot of conditioning involved. That was a big thing that I learned.” [14:53]
- Ben Pickman: “She really deflected all that attention back to her players and gave them so much credit.” [25:03]
- Tara Vanderveer: “She wanted to make sure that everyone shared in with her. She was giving kisses to the guards even. It was a really cool moment to have witnessed.” [26:48]
- Tara Vanderveer: “They had to cancel two games as a result of this. They could not play against Iowa State and Kansas State as a result of their injuries.” [35:47]
- Ben Pickman: “TCU volleyball had a good run in the NCAA tournament. She led the TCU and ranked 6 in the Big 12 in blocks per set.” [32:01]
- Tara Vanderveer: “From a physicality perspective, it's definitely going to be interesting. She's coming off a season, so... how much she's gonna play, what her role is gonna be.” [40:43]
- Ben Pickman: “I wonder how much do you have to alter your class schedule? Like, what other social plans change?” [32:10]
- Tara Vanderveer: “Keep listening, keep learning, and keep loving the game, because that's the only way we're going to keep growing it.” [42:38]
- Ben Pickman: “It's a pretty surreal story in college basketball right now.” [41:26]
Final Thoughts
This episode of No Offseason masterfully balances the excitement of on-court achievements with behind-the-scenes narratives that shape the landscape of women’s basketball. From celebrating coaching legends to navigating unprecedented team challenges, the hosts provide a comprehensive and engaging overview that both informs and inspires listeners. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or a casual observer, this episode offers valuable insights into the dynamic world of women’s basketball.
Subscribe and Stay Updated Don’t miss out on future episodes filled with exclusive interviews, expert analyses, and the stories that matter most in women’s basketball. Subscribe to No Offseason on your preferred podcast platform and join The Athletic community in celebrating and supporting the sport that never stops.