Podcast Summary: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: The 2025 Women’s Final Four is Set + What’s Up with NCAA Decision-Making
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Ben Pickman, Grace Rayner, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant

Introduction to the Final Four and Elite Eight Recap

No Offseason kicks off with the hosts delving into the excitement surrounding the recently concluded Elite Eight and the imminent Final Four. Zena Keita and Ben Pickman lead the conversation, highlighting key performances and setting the stage for the Final Four discussions.

UCLA vs. LSU: A Battle of the Top Seeds

The first major topic centers on the thrilling matchup between the number one seed UCLA Bruins and the number three seed LSU Tigers, which UCLA won 72-65.

• Performance Highlights:

  • Lauren Betts (UCLA): Dominated the boards with 17.7 rebounds despite sitting out the entire second quarter.
  • Gabriella Hawke (UCLA): Scored 18 points, contributing significantly to the win.
  • Tamia Gardner (LSU): Made a substantial impact off the bench.

• Key Insights:

  • Grace Rayner [07:54]: "Lauren Betts didn't really beat us. And you look at this box score and she had maybe a quote, unquote, 17 points still for Lauren..."
  • Ben Pickman [09:02]: "They are one of the deepest teams in the country with one of the best players in the country in the middle."

The Bruins showcased exceptional three-point shooting and bench strength, ultimately outlasting LSU.

South Carolina vs. Duke: Upsetting the Defensive Powerhouse

South Carolina triumphed over Duke with a close score of 54-50, surprising many given Duke’s reputation as a defensive juggernaut.

• Player Contributions:

  • Chloe Kits (South Carolina): Led with 14 points, including crucial free throws.
  • Siya Fagan (South Carolina): Delivered 12 points and 8 rebounds, proving pivotal in the victory.

• Strategic Analysis:

  • Ben Pickman [10:42]: "South Carolina was a more talented team than Duke and so it's unsurprising that they ended up advancing just on talent discrepancy alone."
  • Chantel Jennings [12:28]: Discusses Malaysia Folwile as the X factor for South Carolina, emphasizing her impact when she steps onto the floor.

The victory underscores South Carolina’s evolving team dynamics and their ability to grind out wins despite offensive challenges.

Texas vs. TCU: Defensive Mastery and Key Player Performances

Texas secured a 58-47 win over TCU, emphasizing strong defense and standout performances from key players.

• Notable Performances:

  • Rory Harmon (Texas): Demonstrated leadership and resilience post-ACL tear.
  • Madison Booker (Texas): Scored 18 points with excellent defensive play.

• Strategic Breakdown:

  • Ben Pickman [15:03]: "Madison Booker is an advantage player on every single possession down the court... why she's one of the best players in college basketball right now."
  • Grace Rayner [14:34]: Praises Rory Harmon’s role alongside Madison Booker as a "pretty dangerous duo."

Texas’s defense limited TCU’s three-point shooting, despite TCU being one of the top three-point shooters of the season.

UConn vs. USC: UConn’s Dominance and Systemic Strength

The UConn Huskies faced off against the USC Trojans, showcasing UConn’s robust system and star power.

• Game Highlights:

  • Paige Becker (UConn): Scored 31 points, demonstrating elite scoring ability.
  • Sarah Strong (UConn): Notable for her 17 rebounds and three-point shooting.

• Coaching and Strategy:

  • Ben Pickman [21:18]: "UConn has three players who are capable of dominating a game... their execution and star players make them a formidable force heading into the Final Four."
  • Grace Rayner [19:53]: "Sarah Strong was outstanding. She hit threes and finished with 17 rebounds."

UConn’s ability to execute within their system allows multiple players to shine, making them a strong contender for the championship.

NCAA Tournament Locations: Spokane vs. Birmingham

A significant portion of the discussion examines the NCAA’s decision to host the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight in Spokane and Birmingham, respectively, highlighting logistical challenges and regional accessibility.

• Logistical Challenges:

  • Practice Time: Ben Pickman [26:51] points out the limited practice time teams receive, affecting preparation.
  • Travel Strain: Zena Keita [32:03] and Ben Pickman [33:57] discuss the extensive travel required, especially for teams like UConn moving from Spokane to Tampa.

• NCAA’s Rationale:

  • Sabrina Merchant [28:48]: "The NCAA argued they weren’t getting good enough attendance at the four sites, achieving averages of 10,000 to 12,000 per game."
  • Chantel Jennings [32:03]: Emphasizes the challenge of selecting accessible cities, noting that Spokane and Birmingham are over 2,300 miles apart.

• Future Implications:

  • Ben Pickman [33:57]: Notes upcoming regional sites for 2026 and 2027, aiming for more central and accessible locations like Fort Worth, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia.

The Transfer Portal: Impact on Coaches and Players

The episode also tackles the surge in transfer portal activity, particularly its timing during the NCAA tournament and its ramifications.

• Transfer Portal Boom:

  • Sabrina Merchant [43:49]: Highlights the opening of the transfer portal on March 25th, leading to 595 players entering within the first 24 hours, a significant increase from previous years.
  • Ben Pickman [43:49]: Compares the transfer portal’s impact to "WNBA free agency occurring during the WNBA playoffs."

• Coaches’ Struggles:

  • Ben Pickman [43:49]: "Coaches are having to juggle preparing for their biggest games of the season with tracking the portal or making phone calls to prospective recruits."
  • Sabrina Merchant [45:51]: Discusses the emotional and logistical burden on both coaches and players, citing examples like LSU center Jersey Wolfenbarger feeling "selfish" during the tournament.

• Future Considerations:

  • Chantel Jennings [49:29]: Mentions potential changes to timing and regulation to better accommodate transfer activities without disrupting the tournament flow.
  • Ben Pickman [50:09]: Emphasizes the importance of maintaining team focus and prioritizing current players over potential recruits during critical tournament moments.

WNBA Draft Implications

As the tournament progresses, the hosts shift focus to the upcoming WNBA draft, discussing standout players who have elevated their draft stock through their performances.

• Highlighted Players:
  • Kiki Iriafen (USC): Sabrina Merchant [52:54] praises her increased role and leadership, especially after Juju Watkins' injury.
  • Sarah Ashley Barker (Alabama): Chantel Jennings [53:45] lauds her versatility and clutch performance against Maryland.
  • Saniya Fagan (South Carolina): Ben Pickman [54:27] and Zena Keita [55:21] highlight her multifaceted gameplay and coach’s high praise.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the challenges posed by the current NCAA tournament structure and the burgeoning transfer portal. The hosts emphasize the need for balancing immediate tournament goals with long-term team building while acknowledging the evolving landscape of women’s basketball.

• Key Takeaways:
  • Importance of team depth and star performances in advancing through the Final Four.
  • Logistical and accessibility issues stemming from the NCAA’s regional site selections.
  • The transformative impact of the transfer portal on team dynamics and coaching strategies.
  • Emerging talents poised for success in the WNBA, highlighting the interconnectedness of collegiate and professional women's basketball.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Rayner [07:54]: "Lauren Betts didn't really beat us. And you look at this box score and she had maybe a quote, unquote, 17 points still for Lauren..."

• Ben Pickman [09:02]: "They are one of the deepest teams in the country with one of the best players in the country in the middle."

• Chantel Jennings [12:28]: "Malaysia Folwile gives them such a spark and... she's a huge difference maker and will be in Tampa as well."

• Ben Pickman [15:03]: "Madison Booker is an advantage player on every single possession down the court... why she's one of the best players in college basketball right now."

• Sabrina Merchant [28:48]: "The NCAA argued they weren’t getting good enough attendance at the four sites, achieving averages of 10,000 to 12,000 per game."

• Ben Pickman [33:57]: "The NCAA has committed to using this format at least through 2028."

• Sabrina Merchant [43:49]: "595 players enter the portal within the first 24 hours, a significant increase from previous years."

• Chantel Jennings [52:54]: "Kiki Iriafen has become a much larger part and focal point of that offense, of that defense."

Final Note

No Offseason provides an in-depth and insightful analysis of the current state of women’s basketball, addressing both on-court performances and off-court developments. The hosts expertly navigate complex topics, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the tournament's dynamics and its broader implications for the sport.