No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode: Listener Mailbag: Biggest Surprises? Can UConn Go All the Way? + Coaching Legend Tara VanDerveer
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Host/Authors: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman

Episode Overview

In this episode of No Offseason, The Athletic’s comprehensive show dedicated to women’s basketball, hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman dive deep into listener questions about the NCAA tournament, analyze recent developments in the WNBA, and engage in an insightful conversation with legendary coach Tara VanDerveer. The episode offers a blend of tournament predictions, trade analysis, and expert coaching perspectives, making it an essential listen for fans eager to stay informed about the dynamic world of women’s basketball.

Unrivaled 3v3 League Season Recap

Ben Pickman begins the discussion by recapping the inaugural season of the Unrivaled 3v3 league, highlighting the championship game where the Rose Basketball Club triumphed over the Vinyl Basketball Club with a score of 62-54.

• Tara VanDerveer ([03:53]): “Chelsea Gray actually hit a half-court shot to give her team the lead over Vinyl at the end of the third quarter right as time was expiring.”
• Sabrina Merchant ([05:28]): Emphasizes the league's success in providing offseason visibility for WNBA players despite concerns about player injuries.

Key Takeaways:

• Rose Basketball Club emerged as champions, led by MVP Chelsea Gray.
• The Lunar Owls, despite a stellar regular season, were unexpectedly ousted in the semifinals.
• Unrivaled 3v3 has successfully offered WNBA players additional competitive opportunities during the offseason, though player health remains a concern.

Listener Mailbag: NCAA Tournament Predictions

The hosts address several listener-submitted questions, offering predictions and analysis for the ongoing NCAA tournament.

1. Biggest Surprise of the Tournament

   • Zena Keita ([13:07]): Predicts North Carolina State, Duke, and Carolina as standout performers, tapping into the strong basketball heritage of the Triangle area.
   • Chantelle Jennings ([14:11]): Highlights Kansas State as a potential dark horse if star player Ayoka Lee remains healthy and impactful.
   • Sabrina Merchant ([15:32]): Expresses skepticism about significant upsets, expecting top seeds to advance as anticipated.

2. Can UConn Go All the Way?

   • Tara VanDerveer ([18:26]): Suggests UConn’s success hinges on stellar performances from key players like Sarah Strong and maintaining strong defense.
   • Chantelle Jennings ([19:23]): Agrees on the importance of three-point shooting and leveraging UConn’s offensive strengths to overcome formidable opponents.

3. Impact of Unrivaled on WNBA Players

   • Chantelle Jennings ([07:30]): Discusses the benefits of increased visibility and competitive play for WNBA players, fostering better performance and brand building.

WNBA Trade and Free Agency Analysis

The conversation shifts to recent WNBA trade activities amidst pending Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.

• Natasha Cloud to New York Liberty Trade ([10:11] - [12:34]):
  • Ben Pickman explains that Natasha Cloud was traded to bolster the Liberty’s lineup ahead of a championship window, acquiring two first-round draft picks in the process.
  • Tara VanDerveer ([08:03]) underscores the financial implications of such trades, noting that participation in Unrivaled can significantly impact player earnings and set precedents for future negotiations.

Key Insights:

• The trade reflects teams’ strategic positioning in anticipation of CBA changes and expansion teams entering the league.
• Financial gains from leagues like Unrivaled are influencing player valuations and team building strategies.

Exclusive Interview with Tara VanDerveer

A standout segment features an in-depth interview with Tara VanDerveer, a coaching legend in women’s basketball, discussing her transition post-coaching, reflections on past tournaments, and future aspirations.

• Ben Pickman ([34:10]): Shares personal anecdotes about attending the NCAA tournament as a fan after retiring from coaching, highlighting the emotional shift from coaching to spectator.
• Tara VanDerveer ([47:23]): Reflects on her most memorable March Madness moment in 1990, emphasizing the excitement of unexpected victories and championship pursuits.
• Chantelle Jennings ([40:38] - [43:43]): Discusses the future of women’s basketball, advocating for increased revenue sharing, better marketing, and sustainable practices to support athletes and the sport’s growth.

Notable Quotes:

• VanDerveer ([08:08]): “Angel Reese... made $50,000 because her team won the championship. She wasn’t even in the building. That’s more than two-thirds of her rookie salary.”
• Chantelle Jennings ([40:38]): “We should improve marketing women’s sports and divvy up revenue sharing more equitably.”

March Madness Preview and First-Round Highlights

As the NCAA tournament progresses, the hosts provide a preview of upcoming first-round games, spotlighting key matchups and standout players.

• Sabrina Merchant ([57:29]): Focuses on competitive middle-seeded games like Richmond vs. Georgia Tech and Indiana vs. Utah, praising their offensive efficiency and three-point shooting prowess.
• Chantelle Jennings ([58:36]): Highlights Michigan State vs. Harvard and Kansas State vs. Fairfield as intriguing games with potential coaching implications and rising talents.

Highlights:

• Excitement around hyper-efficient teams and balanced bracketing.
• Emphasis on strategic plays, player performance, and potential upsets in tightly contested matchups.

Closing Remarks and Bracket Challenge

The episode concludes with a reminder about the ongoing bracket challenge hosted by No Offseason, encouraging listeners to participate and engage with the community.

• Zena Keita ([57:29] onwards): Encourages listeners to submit their brackets for a chance to join the group challenge, providing details on how to participate through Yahoo Sports Hub.

Conclusion

This episode of No Offseason delivers a comprehensive analysis of both collegiate and professional women’s basketball, enriched by listener interactions and expert insights from Tara VanDerveer. From dissecting the Unrivaled 3v3 league to making strategic NCAA tournament predictions and evaluating significant WNBA trades, the show offers valuable content for basketball enthusiasts. The inclusion of a coaching legend’s perspective adds depth, making this episode a must-listen for those passionate about the sport’s present and future.

Notable Excerpts with Timestamps

• Tara VanDerveer on Unrivaled Finals ([03:53]): “Chelsea Gray actually hit a half-court shot to give her team the lead over Vinyl at the end of the third quarter right as time was expiring.”
• Sabrina Merchant on WNBA Offseason Success ([05:28]): “...super fun to have this on during the WNBA offseason. I just liked having WNBA players in my live for that long...”
• Tara VanDerveer on Financials ([08:03]): “When we talk about one of the significant... what's Unrivaled players are getting... what sponsors are behind them. That's setting the stage for the CBA negotiation.”
• Zena Keita on Bracket Surprises ([15:49]): “Surprise is going to be that that parity that we've been talking about all year is not existent.”

Stay tuned for more episodes dropping every Tuesday and Friday, bringing you the latest and most insightful stories from the world of women’s basketball.