Podcast Summary

Podcast: No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show
Episode: Overreacting to the NCAA Season
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant
Guest: Ira Gorawara (The Athletic)

Episode Theme

This episode is all about early overreactions to the start of the NCAA women’s basketball season. The hosts—joined by The Athletic’s Ira Gorawara—dive into standout performances, wild statistics, emerging storylines, and hot takes about which programs and players might define the year. The discussion also branches into off-court news, professional league investments, and WNBA All-Star Game hosting challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Record-Breaking Performances in Early NCAA Action

Grace College Shatters Scoring Record

• Grace College women’s team scored 172 points vs. Ohio Christian, smashing the all-division record.
• They forced 42 turnovers and scored 93 fast break points (more than Ohio Christian’s entire total of 91).
• Only made 10 threes; most points came on fast breaks and layups.
• Sabrina Merchant (03:18):
  “They ran a full for 40 minutes... When you are up by 80 plus points in the final minute of a game, I don't know how I would feel as the opposing coach if my team was still getting full court pressed.”

Standout Individual Stats

• Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame): Set an NCAA men’s or women’s record with 16 steals in 28 minutes against Akron, plus a school-record 44 points.
• Audi Crooks (Iowa State): Dropped 43 points in just 20 minutes against Valparaiso.
• Zena Keita (06:24):
  “That’s disgusting. Disgusting is ridiculous. That's amazing.”

Impact on Upcoming Matchups

• Anticipation is building for Notre Dame’s matchup vs. Michigan, where Hidalgo’s defense will be tested.

Off-the-Court: Athletes Investing & Growth of Women’s Sports

Juju Watkins Becomes a Pro Sports Investor

• Juju becomes the first college player to invest in a women’s pro team (Boston Legacy FC, NWSL), joining Aaliyah Boston in the ownership group.
• Hosts question the logic—LA native Juju investing in Boston?
• Sabrina Merchant (08:31):
  “Aaliyah Boston investing in Boston Legacy makes sense for obvious reasons... For Juju Watkins, is she friends with Aaliyah Boston? I'm not really understanding the connection here.”

NWSL & WNBA Growth

• More college athletes are leveraging NIL and making investments, signaling widespread growth in women’s pro sports.

WNBA All-Star Game: Why Are Teams Reluctant to Host?

Chicago to Host Again—but Why Not Others?

• Despite recent All-Star buzz, few teams are bidding to host.
• Only Chicago bid for 2026; 2025 was assigned to Indy without a bid.
• The hosts discuss the high financial burden, ownership reluctance, and evolving relevance of All-Star Games.
  • Sabrina Merchant (11:01):
    “What exactly do All-Star Games mean in our modern sports landscape? ...Maybe there's a limit on how much money they're actually willing to spend on other things because there's a lot of costs taken out of pocket to host All Star.”

Venue Logistics and Value

• Success in Phoenix and Indiana attributed to venue/fan experience; concerns raised about Chicago’s ability to provide the same.

Overreacting to the Early NCAA Season

Special Guest: Ira Gorawara

Ira Gorawara’s Background

• Wrote viral piece on “sorority influencers” and their surprising impact and earnings (17:10-19:32).
• Confirmed as a bona fide women’s hoops fan.

The Overreaction Segment (Starts at 21:05)

1. South Carolina’s Most Important Player… Might Be Tessa Johnson

• Sabrina Merchant (21:05-24:14):
  • Argues Tessa Johnson is now the most impactful player for South Carolina—not Joyce Edwards or Tenia Latson.
  • Johnson’s versatility: scoring at all three levels, critical for Gamecocks' spacing, defensive matchups.
  • Johnson shooting 70% on twos, 47% from three: “When you talk about people who are just going to provide some shooting, for the Gamecocks it's pretty much Tessa Johnson and nobody else.”

2. San Diego State Ready for a Run?

• Ira Gorawara (25:35-28:45):
  • San Diego State put up a tough fight vs. powerhouse UCLA.
  • 5’7’’ guard Naomi Panganiba—draws comparisons to speedy Jada Williams—stands out for her grit and versatility.
  • Overreaction: San Diego State could make it past the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Sabreena’s take: SDSU’s willingness to play tough opponents and stay competitive is noteworthy.

3. Maryland’s Top-10 Staying Power; Oklahoma to Drop Out?

• Zena Keita (31:21-36:17):
  • Overreaction: Maryland will stay in the AP Top 10 all season, while Oklahoma will be out soon and not return.
  • Maryland’s roster depth (Addi Mack, Poffenberger, Smichel), growing chemistry, and Brenda Freese running deep rotations make them a top-10 lock.
  • Oklahoma’s defense and lack of continuity questionable, especially in the SEC.
• Supporting Opinions:
  • Ira: “I wasn’t that impressed with Oklahoma against UCLA... I thought UCLA really came away with it in the end of the fourth quarter.”
  • Sabrina: Notes Oklahoma still has a lot of returners, “but the SEC is just going to eat them alive... they’re just not suited for that conference.”

Meta-Reflection on Overreacting

• Zena Keita (40:59):
  “I wonder if our enormous hot takes during the WNBA season that imploded so spectacularly have made us a little bit gun shy. ...We were bold and incorrect.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On South Carolina’s Tessa Johnson
  Sabrina Merchant (21:05-24:14):
  “She’s the only one really on the team that’s shooting any threes... She might be the most important player on this team as they try to win another national title.”

• On San Diego State’s Grit
  Ira Gorawara (28:45):
  “Unless they’re somehow pitted against, you know, LSU again in the first round... I think they're gonna make it past the first round.”

• On Oklahoma’s Viability
  Zena Keita (31:21-36:17):
  “Their ceiling is high—don’t know their floor yet... but once SEC play starts, their size is going to be exposed.”

• Meta-humor on Hot Takes
  Zena & Sabrina (40:59-41:13):
  “We were bold in WNBA season... We were bold and incorrect.”

Can’t Miss Segments (Timestamps)

• [03:18] Breakdown of Grace College’s Record-Breaking Game
• [05:19] Hannah Hidalgo’s 16 Steals for Notre Dame—Instant Legend
• [08:31] Juju Watkins Investments & NIL Trends
• [11:01] Why Hosting the WNBA All-Star Is So Hard
• [17:06] Introducing Ira Gorawara & Sorority Influencer Culture
• [21:05] Overreaction Segment Begins (Must-Listen!)
• [31:21] Maryland vs. Oklahoma Top 10 Debate
• [41:34] Ira on Covering More Women’s Basketball for The Athletic
• [44:13] Set Your Screens: Must-Watch Games This Weekend

Set Your Screens – Top Games to Watch

Recommendations begin at 44:13

• South Carolina @ USC (Jazzy Davidson vs. Tessa Johnson)
  Saturday, 6pm PT on FOX
• TCU vs. NC State
  Sunday, 10am PT on ESPN
• Richmond vs. Columbia
  Saturday, 7pm ET at Columbia
• Notre Dame vs. Michigan
  Saturday, 1pm PT on NBC

Final Thoughts

The episode blends deep statistical insight, playful banter, and a willingness to stake bold claims—while also acknowledging the unpredictability of early-season college basketball. There’s a recurring theme about the evolving landscape (both college and pro) for women’s hoops—from on-court exploits to business and organizational growth. Notable is the platform’s commitment to spotlighting lesser-seen teams (like San Diego State) and the real impact of up-and-coming talents.

Summary By Section Heads:

• Introduction & Theme
• Wild NCAA/Individual Game Stats
• Women Athletes As Investors
• WNBA All-Star Host Dilemma
• Overreactions: Key Debates
• Notable Quotes
• Top Games To Watch

This episode is perfect for listeners seeking both context and fresh perspective on the opening weeks of NCAA women’s basketball—with plenty of laughter, stats, and speculation you might not find anywhere else.