No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: The Freshman Are NOT Freshmen
Release Date: November 10, 2023
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman
Presented by: Michelob Ultra
Introduction
In the November 10, 2023 episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita and national women's writer Chantel Jennings delve into the tumultuous start of the NCAA women's basketball season. This episode, titled The Freshman Are NOT Freshmen, explores the unexpected loss of LSU, the rising impact of freshmen players, and significant player returns, all while providing expert analysis and insightful commentary on the evolving landscape of women's basketball.
LSU's Unexpected Loss to Colorado
The episode kicks off with a critical examination of LSU's surprising defeat against Colorado, where the defending champions and number one ranked team fell to the 20th ranked Colorado with a final score of 92-78.
Zena Keita sets the stage by highlighting the high expectations placed on LSU following their championship win and notable offseason changes:
"[LSU] came out on top in the NCAA women's basketball in March Madness. And then they opened up this season number one ranked and lost to number 20. Colorado score was 92 to 78. Not the expectation that folks had."
[05:31]
Chantel Jennings provides an in-depth analysis of the game dynamics:
"The team that plays better that night wins. And I think on Monday, the team that played better on Monday, one, like Colorado came in and let's give some credit to Jalen Sherrod, like put together a hell of a game all around."
[06:49]
Chantel emphasizes Colorado's teamwork and offensive efficiency, noting their 24 assists on 33 field goals and Frida Foreman's seven three-pointers as pivotal factors in their victory.
Concerns about LSU's Effort: A significant concern raised was LSU's perceived lack of effort, as pointed out by coach Kim Mulkey:
"The fact that she [Kim Mulkey] was kind of worried about the lack of effort on her team, that to me is the biggest red flag."
[08:54]
Comparisons to WNBA Teams
Zena draws parallels between LSU's early-season struggles and the New York Liberty's initial losses in the WNBA, suggesting that a single loss doesn't necessarily predict a team's overall success:
"This isn't a buy game, right? This isn't them going to some mid major and being like, hey, can you come and play us? No, this is the number 20 team. And so I agree with you."
[09:05]
Chantel concurs, highlighting LSU's potential to regroup and maintain their status as a Final Four contender:
"LSU is still a Final Four team. And honestly, when you and I are sitting here and we're talking in April and LSU has punched their tick four, we're going to look back at this game..."
[09:05]
The Rise of Freshmen Players
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the emerging impact of freshmen players, who are defying expectations and contributing substantially to their teams.
Highlighting Notre Dame's Freshmen: Chantel spotlights Hannah Hidalgo and Malaysia Fu Wiley from Notre Dame, praising their performances and leadership despite their rookie status:
"Those two are about to set us up for basketball heaven for the next four years."
[14:14]
Zena adds that these freshmen are playing with the poise and skill typical of veterans:
"They are playing like veterans... the freshmen are not freshmen this year."
[16:43]
Juju Watkins at USC: The conversation shifts to Juju Watkins from USC, whose impressive debut garnered attention:
"Offensively, she had 32 points, five assists, six rebounds... she really had her hands on everything."
[24:00]
Factors Contributing to Freshmen Success: Chantel attributes the confidence and performance of these freshmen to their extensive experience in high-level competitive basketball:
"...the proliferation of the EYBL and those circuits that players are playing on... being a Nike athlete, being on shoots with LeBron..."
[25:26]
Zena reinforces the idea that modern training and exposure have prepared these freshmen to excel under pressure:
"They are playing with a confidence... the visibility now feeds into the kind of gesturing that you're seeing from these younger players."
[28:25]
UConn's Paige Beckers' Inspiring Return
The episode also highlights the emotional and significant return of Paige Beckers from injury to the UConn team.
Zena describes the overwhelming support and genuine excitement surrounding Paige's comeback:
"There was so much empathy, but also the sympathy for her injuries and her wanting to play so badly... she was able to come back and get that sort of love now."
[31:37]
Chantel reflects on Paige's resilience and the impact of her return on the team's dynamics:
"She has to come back and get over that hump of like, okay, I'm back... she's back on the floor, which I'm sure, in hindsight, she'll come back to really be grateful that she's just on the floor again."
[34:07]
Depth and Versatility in Teams
A key theme discussed is the importance of depth and versatility within teams, using South Carolina and Notre Dame as primary examples.
South Carolina vs Notre Dame Bench Strength: Chantel analyzes how South Carolina's deep bench contributed to their victory over Notre Dame:
"South Carolina has more depth than they've had in a long time... players like Malaysia Fu Wiley and Saniya Fagan came off the bench and made significant contributions."
[18:26]
Notre Dame's Challenges: Contrastingly, Notre Dame struggled with limited bench depth, which impacted their performance:
"Notre Dame only had three players coming off the bench, which was a disadvantage compared to South Carolina's six."
[20:32]
Coaching Strategies: Both hosts discuss how coaches like Dawn Staley maximize their rosters, emphasizing the strategic use of versatile players to adapt to different game situations.
Look Ahead: Upcoming Key Matchups
In an exciting addition to the show, Zena introduces the new segment "Look Ahead," where upcoming crucial games are highlighted.
Featured Game: South Carolina vs Maryland Terrapins
"This Sunday, November 12th at 10:00am Pacific, 1:00pm Eastern, South Carolina takes on Maryland Terrapins."
[38:23]
Why Watch: Chantel emphasizes Maryland's junior standout, Cheyenne Sellers, and her role in leading the team against a formidable South Carolina squad:
"Cheyenne Sellers is one of my favorite juniors in the country... I'm really excited to see what she does with it."
[39:31]
The hosts encourage listeners to mark their calendars for this highly anticipated matchup, promising an engaging and competitive game.
Conclusion
Wrapping up the episode, Zena and Chantel express their enthusiasm for the season's developments and tease upcoming interviews and in-depth analyses. They encourage listeners to continue supporting the show and staying engaged with the dynamic world of women's basketball.
Zena Keita concludes with a motivational note:
"Encouraging you to continue listening, keep learning, keep loving the game because that's the only way we're going to grow it, folks."
[42:56]
Key Takeaways
- LSU's Loss: Despite high expectations, LSU’s early-season loss highlights the unpredictability of basketball and underscores the need for team cohesion and effort.
- Emerging Freshmen: Freshmen like Hannah Hidalgo, Malaysia Fu Wiley, and Juju Watkins are making significant impacts, demonstrating that they are more than just newcomers.
- Player Returns: Paige Beckers’ return to UConn is a testament to resilience and adds depth to the team’s lineup.
- Depth and Versatility: Teams with deeper benches and versatile players, such as South Carolina, are better equipped to handle high-stakes games.
- Upcoming Matchups: Key games like South Carolina vs Maryland are pivotal and offer exciting narratives to follow.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Zena Keita:
"That to me is the biggest red flag."
[08:54] -
Chantel Jennings:
"No one wins a national title in November. The sky is not falling in Baton Rouge."
[07:20] -
Chantel Jennings:
"Those two are about to set us up for basketball heaven for the next four years."
[14:14] -
Zena Keita:
"They are playing like veterans. The freshmen are not freshmen this year."
[16:43] -
Chantel Jennings:
"I'm really excited to see what Cheyenne Sellers does with it."
[39:31]
This episode of No Offseason provides a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the early NCAA women's basketball season, highlighting key games, player performances, and emerging trends. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the sport, this summary encapsulates the vibrant discussions and expert insights that make the show a must-listen for women's basketball enthusiasts.