No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: The 2025 Women’s NCAA Title Game Preview
Release Date: April 5, 2025
Host/Authors: Zena Keda, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman
Presented by: MassMutual

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason, the hosts—Zena Keda, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman—delve into the highly anticipated 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Title Game. With defending champions South Carolina set to face off against UConn, the discussion covers recent game performances, key player analyses, team strategies, and predictions for the championship showdown.

Recap of Last Night’s Games

South Carolina vs. Texas

Zena Keda opens the discussion by expressing surprise over last night’s outcomes:

“These games did not go the way that I think the entire nation expected them to go, at least from a competition perspective.” ([05:15])

Sabrina Merchant highlights Texas’ challenges against South Carolina:

“It's really hard to beat South Carolina when they make jumpers... South Carolina, although their shooting has not been to the level that it was last year during their undefeated season, if they can start hitting some threes, it’s...” ([07:02])

Ben Pickman focuses on Texas’ defensive struggles:

“Giving up 38 points to South Carolina in the first half... That spelled trouble.” ([07:36])

Shantelle Jennings points out Madison Booker's uncharacteristic second foul:

“It just felt really uncharacteristic for her and I wonder sort of what was going on in that situation.” ([09:37])

Zena Keda critiques Texas' overaggressive strategy:

“They were more aggressive trying to get the guards, the South Carolina guards, to catch the ball way further outside the arc...” ([10:17])

UConn vs. UCLA

Shantelle Jennings praises UConn’s defensive prowess against UCLA:

“Their defense was fantastic... UConn made sure no one else did. London Jones and Gabriela Hawke has held a zero points, no midfield goals.” ([14:33])

Ben Pickman comments on UCLA’s offensive collapse:

“They couldn't buy a bucket, they couldn't stop a bucket. Like what was going on.” ([15:37])

Sabrina Merchant underscores UConn’s offensive efficiency:

“UConn's offense statistically was the best in the country over the course of the regular season.” ([28:16])

Zena Keda reflects on UConn’s historical performance:

“If you’re UConn, you’re not guaranteed to get back to two games away from a national championship every year...” ([20:09])

Key Player Performances and Insights

Madison Booker (Texas)

Ben Pickman discusses the impact of Booker’s fouls on Texas’ game rhythm:

“Madison Booker scored 11 points and has one rebound, which was her stat line last night.” ([09:37])

Shantelle Jennings emphasizes Booker’s critical role:

“Texas does not get to the national championship if Madison Booker scores 11 points...” ([09:37])

Lauren Betts and Sarah Strong (UConn)

Shantelle Jennings lauds Sarah Strong’s composure and skill:

“Sarah Strong looks like she's shooting hoops in her backyard... she is so comfortable, so unfazed.” ([22:28])

Zena Keda echoes the sentiment, highlighting Strong’s pro-ready abilities:

“If Sarah Strong was available in today's draft, I take her before I take Paige Beckers.” ([25:13])

Sabrina Merchant analyzes UConn’s offensive strategy:

“When UConn shoots the ball well from three, they're basically impossible to beat.” ([31:03])

Az Fudd (UConn)

Shantelle Jennings notes Fudd’s breakout performance:

“AZ Fudd can keep up this hot shooting... she had six three-pointers.” ([36:28])

Zena Keda anticipates Fudd’s role in the championship:

“She needs to start hitting these shots and seeing them fall.” ([36:29])

Team Strategies and Coaching

South Carolina’s Depth and Team Play

Ben Pickman highlights South Carolina’s balanced scoring:

“Nine players played more than 15 minutes against Texas and seven players scored at least six points.” ([25:35])

Sabrina Merchant emphasizes the importance of South Carolina’s depth:

“They have the number of bodies that they can just continue to put out there to keep the level of activity high defensively.” ([33:04])

UConn’s Defensive Dominance

Shantelle Jennings praises UConn’s defensive tactics:

“They forced 14 first half turnovers and 19 overall in the game.” ([14:33])

Sabrina Merchant discusses UConn’s ability to maintain offensive efficiency:

“They can maintain their offensive efficiency... that's a testament to that program and their consistency.” ([29:00])

Coaching Insights

Zena Keda commends Dawn Staley’s leadership:

“I do not want to bet against Dawn Staley because she is a mastermind.” ([40:58])

Ben Pickman analyzes UConn’s coaching resilience:

“They played their worst game at the worst possible time... knowing that they played their worst game at the worst possible time.” ([19:17])

Preview of the Title Game: South Carolina vs. UConn

Zena Keda sets the stage for the rematch:

“This is now an opportunity for South Carolina to get their look back, but it’s looking like UConn is playing like a team possessed.” ([21:03])

Shantelle Jennings focuses on UConn’s offensive strength:

“With Paige Beckers and Sarah Strong, they have not been lower than 30 minutes even in some very big margins of victory.” ([31:03])

Sabrina Merchant outlines South Carolina’s potential strategies:

“Speed up the pace of the game so that UConn can't be so deliberate within its half-court sets.” ([33:04])

Ben Pickman highlights key matchups and X-factor players:

“An X factor question... she is the ultimate X factor.” ([33:58])

Predictions and Final Thoughts

Ben Pickman predicts a UConn victory with a significant lead:

“I see this going the reverse of that [South Carolina jumping out to a lead against Texas].” ([38:44])

Shantelle Jennings anticipates a closer game but still in favor of UConn:

“I have UConn by six. I think it'll be a lower scoring game than we saw for UConn against UCLA.” ([39:18])

Sabrina Merchant confidently backs UConn:

“I think the Huskies get their first since 2016.” ([40:16])

Zena Keda underscores the strategic and coaching prowess on display:

“These are two of the best coach teams in the country that are going to be going up against each other.” ([37:20])

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by reaffirming their predictions and the excitement surrounding the upcoming championship game. With South Carolina’s depth and team play pitted against UConn’s offensive and defensive dominance, the title game promises to be a thrilling showdown. The episode concludes with anticipation for the reaction and analysis in the following week’s episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Zena Keda: “These games did not go the way that I think the entire nation expected them to go...” ([05:15])
• Sabrina Merchant: “It's really hard to beat South Carolina when they make jumpers...” ([07:02])
• Ben Pickman: “Giving up 38 points to South Carolina in the first half...” ([07:36])
• Shantelle Jennings: “It just felt really uncharacteristic for her...” ([09:37])
• Zena Keda: “They were more aggressive trying to get the guards...” ([10:17])
• Shantelle Jennings: “Sarah Strong looks like she's shooting hoops in her backyard...” ([22:28])
• Ben Pickman: “Madison Booker scored 11 points and has one rebound...” ([09:37])
• Sabrina Merchant: “When UConn shoots the ball well from three, they're basically impossible to beat.” ([31:03])
• Zena Keda: “If Sarah Strong was available in today's draft, I take her before I take Paige Beckers.” ([25:13])
• Ben Pickman: “I see this going the reverse of that [South Carolina jumping out to a lead against Texas].” ([38:44])

Credits

• Host: Zena Caida
• Co-Hosts: Chantelle Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman
• Producer: Tanika Burrell
• Executive Producers: Andrea B. Scott, Cassius Fleming
• Theme Music: Marcus Begala
• Video Editor: Brenna Haupt
• Managing Editor of Women’s Basketball at The Athletic: Shannon Ryan
• Head of Audio: Jessie Burton
• Director of Audio Operations: Tim McMaster

Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and exclusive interviews on No Offseason as the excitement builds towards the championship game.