No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode: Can Anyone Catch UConn?

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keda, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the upcoming college women’s basketball season, coaching carousel news in the WNBA, and looming CBA (collective bargaining agreement) negotiations. The central theme: Can any team catch reigning national champion UConn, and who are the biggest threats or storylines to watch this year? The hosts use their insider access, sharp analysis, and signature banter to break down top teams, impact transfers, standout freshmen, and the latest league developments.

Key Discussion Points

1. Coaching Carousel in the WNBA

[04:40]

• Major Hire in Toronto: Sandy Brondello, former New York Liberty coach, expected to take the head coach role at the Toronto Tempo, an expansion franchise.
  • “She goes to a totally blank slate to an opportunity to build up a foundation from scratch.” — Ben Pickman [05:19]
  • Brondello chose the challenge of building a new franchise over openings in Seattle or Dallas, despite Dallas being particularly enticing due to the presence of rookie superstar Paige Bueckers.
• Dallas Wings: Set to hire Jose Fernandez (former USF head coach), bringing in decades of college experience but new to the WNBA. Extra scrutiny and expectations come with coaching Paige Bueckers and moving to new facilities.
• Seattle Storm: Job search ongoing; roster uncertainty yet opportunity to build around Dominique Malonga, possibly as a future face of the league.
• Trends: Importance of “player-coach” duos and front office-coaching alignment, as exemplified by Brondello and GM Monica Wright Rogers in Toronto.

2. CBA & Revenue Sharing Dispute

[12:08]

• Discussed Adam Silver’s comments promising a “big increase” in WNBA salaries, but deflecting on true revenue sharing.
  • “Adam Silver said it himself…Share isn’t the word. It’s not in their vocabulary.” — Ben Pickman [13:05, attributing WNBPA’s Terry Jackson]
• Players’ stance: Seek CBA language that ties salaries to a percentage of league revenue (akin to the NBA’s BRI structure), vs. current system of fixed cap and conditional bonuses.
  • “This rapid growth has rendered this system really un for the players and that’s what they’re looking to change.” — Zena Keda [15:16]
• No deal yet. Both sides want increases, but how much and by what mechanism are unresolved.

3. College Basketball Preview: Who Can Catch UConn?

[17:48; main segment begins]

• UConn, defending champion, returns stars Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong, KK Arnold, and adds key transfers (Sarah Williams).
• UCLA as Top Challenger:
  • “They were ranked number one longer than any other team during the regular season last year...a one-and-done chance for UCLA to figure it out.” — Sabrina Merchant [19:30]
  • Talent includes Lauren Betts (All-American), Kiki Rice, Charlize Ledger-Walker, Gianna Neepkins, an experienced, senior-laden core.
• South Carolina: Significant losses (injury to Chloe Kitts, several players to WNBA), heavy focus on Joyce Edwards’ breakout, big transfer addition of Taniya Latson.
  • “So much of how this roster is constructed this season is set up for [Edwards] to blossom.” — Ben Pickman [22:29]
  • Add Madina Okot (6’10” wingspan, rim protection) and Taniya Latson (dynamic scorer).
• Texas Longhorns: Headlined by Rory Harmon (back), Madison Booker; projected as a legit title threat if three-point shooting improves.
  • “Texas is 46 and 4 in games that both Rory Harmon and Madison Booker have played.” — Ben Pickman [24:22]
• LSU: Retains and reloads with Flau’jae Johnson, milkes big transfer in Kate Koval.
• Freshman Spotlight:
  • “The field being open for [Jazzy Davidson], right? Because JuJu’s out… the floor is hers.” — Zena Keda [28:09]
  • Davidson (USC), Aaliyah Chavez (Oklahoma), Addy Deal (Iowa), Alexandra Eschmeyer (Stanford), Sienna Betts (UCLA)—the new faces have real opportunity to star immediately.

4. Impact Transfers & Team Transformations

[36:04]

• Olivia Miles to TCU: “Everything at TCU this year is going to start with, end with, revolve around Olivia Miles...” — Ben Pickman [36:04]
  • Given keys to the offense, surrounded by veteran transfer and returners.
• Kate Koval to LSU: "If LSU wants a true big, somebody who is going to make a presence in the paint…that is a real opportunity for Kate Koval." — Sabrina Merchant [38:09]
• Cody McMahon to Ole Miss: SEC’s physical, athletic style fits her game better than Big Ten; she’s got a lot to prove ahead of a wide-open WNBA draft ([40:43]).
• Other Transfers: Camille Pierre (Vanderbilt to NC State, important for frontcourt depth), Yarden Garzon (Indiana to Maryland, instantly boosts Maryland’s three-point shooting).

5. Draft Class and Age Limit Discussion

[45:23]

• This draft cycle is “wide open”—teams could be looking for anything from traditional bigs (Lauren Betts) to dynamic point guards (Olivia Miles), international talents (Awa Fam, 6’5” guard/forward from Spain, playing at the highest levels in Europe).
  • “Who knows, Zena, that is really the exciting part of this season…” — Ben Pickman [47:04]
• Age eligibility debate: Despite more “pro-ready” freshmen, there’s little player-led push to lower the WNBA’s domestic eligibility age, especially now that NIL money provides financial cushion in college.
  • “It is inherently anti-labor to deny adult people the rights to play in the best league in the world…But there’s just so many advantages for college players, for WNBA players, that the college system exists the way it is.” — Sabrina Merchant [49:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There is a difference between a regular season powerhouse and a postseason powerhouse…and that’s exactly the difference between UCLA and UConn.” — Zena Keda [21:11]
• “You can't only have offense that runs in the paint. It's great, but they gotta be able to spread it out and diversify.” — Zena Keda on Texas’ shooting [25:42]
• “Aaliyah Chavez is a highlight reel. I'm thinking Malaysia Ful Wylie in Oklahoma – very much with the handles, with the abilities.” — Zena Keda [28:52]
• “I was very excited about Kate Koval’s year. Now that she has this opportunity at LSU, she’s gonna be closer to her brother, I believe, who’s also at LSU. That familiarity is huge.” — Zena Keda [40:16]
• “Cody McMahon...was just such an offensive force, a player you can feel…But we saw her offensive game kind of stall out a little bit…She transfers down to Ole Miss. This will now be her senior year…she stands to really surge up that class if she has a more efficient, effective year on both ends.” — Ben Pickman [40:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:40] — Toronto Tempo hires Sandy Brondello; Dallas/Seattle coaching search.
• [12:08] — CBA debate: Revenue sharing, Adam Silver’s comments, and what players want.
• [17:48] — College hoops preview main segment: Can anyone catch UConn?
• [19:17] — UCLA as UConn’s top challenger; deep dive into their roster.
• [21:52] — South Carolina’s post-title transition and notable transfers.
• [24:22] — Texas Longhorns’ status; evaluating their title hopes.
• [26:50] — Freshman to watch: Jazzy Davidson, Aaliyah Chavez, Addy Deal.
• [36:04] — Impact transfers: Olivia Miles (TCU), Kate Koval (LSU), Cody McMahon (Ole Miss), others.
• [45:23] — Early WNBA draft talk; who could go number one and eligibility age discussion.

Tone & Style

• Candid and analytical: The hosts blend deep-cut basketball insight with accessible and often witty banter.
• Insider yet relatable: Clear explanations of why certain teams/talents matter, while poking fun at media day pictures and acknowledging the increasingly “brand-conscious” college athlete environment.
• Forward-looking: Much of the discussion is about potential, unknowns, and who will rise—whether on college courts, in WNBA free agency, or in future drafts.

Summary Flow

1. WNBA news sets the stage—New coaching faces, ambitions, and franchise moves reflect the ever-evolving landscape of women’s basketball.
2. CBA negotiations and the salary debate—Player empowerment and the structure of pay in a rapidly growing league become central, with unresolved tension between league and players.
3. Extensive college preview focuses on whether UConn can repeat, which veteran-laden teams (UCLA, Texas, South Carolina) or incoming freshmen/transfers can shake up the hierarchy.
4. Draft class uncertainty closes the loop—Scouts and fans alike will have a wild ride, with no slam-dunk top pick and the ever-present question of whether the NCAA’s age limit will ever budge.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a comprehensive scouting report for the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season, packed with insights into how new faces, new rules, and new ambitions are shaping both college and professional women’s basketball. Whether you want to know which teams are poised to topple UConn, who the next young superstar is, or how labor battles off the court will shape the league’s future, this episode is your playbook.