No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: The Lowdown on the Elite Eight
Release Date: March 30, 2025
Hosts: Ben Pickman and Shantelle Jennings

Introduction

In the March 30, 2025 episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Ben Pickman and Shantelle Jennings provide an in-depth recap of the Sweet 16 games, highlight standout performances, analyze upcoming Elite Eight matchups, and offer predictions for the advancing teams. Filmed live from different time zones—with Ben in Birmingham, Alabama, and Shantelle in Spokane, Washington—the hosts deliver comprehensive coverage of the NCAA and WNBA landscapes.

Recap of the Sweet 16

The episode begins with a recap of the recent Sweet 16 games, highlighting key victories and standout performances:

• Spokane Games:

  • LSU defeated NC State with a score of 80-73.
  • UCLA overcame Ole Miss (76-62), with Lauren Betts scoring a phenomenal 31 points.
  • UConn advanced past Oklahoma, bolstered by a strong second half from Paige Beckers who amassed 40 points.
  • USC triumphed over Kansas State, despite missing key player Juju Watkins.

• Birmingham Games:

  • Duke bested UNC.
  • South Carolina edged out Maryland.
  • TCU secured wins over Notre Dame and Texas with scores of 67 and 59, respectively.
  • Tennessee also advanced.

Standout Performances

Paige Beckers’ Stellar Play (08:44)

Shantelle Jennings emphasizes Paige Beckers’ exceptional performance:

“Paige Becker's tonight was just playing out of her mind... she hit 6 of 8 from 3-point range... she is playing with such a motivation.”
(08:44)

Beckers showcased her scoring prowess, drawing comparisons to Caitlin Clark with her impressive shooting and leadership on the court. Her ability to take and convert critical shots was pivotal in UConn’s advancement.

Coaching Insights (11:14)
Shantelle discusses the challenges Coach Geno Auriemma faces in maximizing Beckers’ potential:

“He wants her to have more of that attack-first mentality... it's not her natural instinct.”
(11:14)

Beckers’ natural inclination to distribute the ball over taking numerous shots presents a strategic challenge for the coaching staff aiming to leverage her scoring ability effectively.

USC’s Freshman Emergence (10:55)

In the absence of Juju Watkins, USC saw significant contributions from freshmen:

“Kennedy Smith step up... Avery Howell started for the Trojans with 18 points.”
(10:55)

These young players not only filled the gaps left by Watkins but also brought fresh energy and resilience to the team, as evidenced by their light-hearted moments post-game.

Anissa Morrow’s Dominance (10:50)

Shantelle highlights Anissa Morrow’s impressive stats:

“35 minutes against the Wolf Pack... 30 points, 19 rebounds.”
(10:50)

Morrow’s relentless rebounding and scoring capability make her a formidable force, contributing significantly to LSU’s victory.

Analysis of Key Matchups

LSU vs. UCLA (20:59)

Shantelle Jennings analyzes the rematch dynamics and key players:

“Anisa Morrow in terms of her relentless rebounding effort... Sabrina picked UCLA, I'm kind of thinking it might be LSU's game.”
(20:59)

The game is positioned as a close contest, with both teams having strengths and vulnerabilities. Lauren Betts’ performance for UCLA will be crucial, while LSU’s guard play, particularly Flage Johnson's return, could tilt the balance.

USC vs. UConn (23:49)

The rematch between USC and UConn is dissected, focusing on team adjustments:

“Paige Beckers is playing her best... USC’s freshmen have responded... I just don't think they have enough of the pieces to beat UConn.”
(23:49)

Despite USC’s adaptability and freshman contributions, UConn’s cohesive performance, led by Beckers, is deemed the decisive factor favoring their advancement.

South Carolina vs. Duke (27:19)

Ben Pickman and Shantelle discuss South Carolina’s strategies against Duke:

“Reagan Richardson, Ashland Jackson, Toby Fournier... South Carolina jumping out to a 16-point lead.”
(27:17)

South Carolina’s aggressive play and defensive strategies are highlighted as key elements that could lead them past Duke, especially if they maintain their early-game momentum.

TCU vs. Texas (30:57)

The clash between TCU and Texas is explored, focusing on offensive and defensive matchups:

“Madison Booker... Sedona Prince... Texas plays aggressive, physical defense.”
(33:13)

Ben leans toward a Texas victory, citing their defensive prowess and Madison Booker’s impact. However, the potential for TCU’s Haley Van Lith to disrupt Texas’s defense remains a critical variable.

Predictions

Shantelle and Ben provide their takes on the Elite Eight outcomes:

• LSU vs. UCLA: Shantelle predicts a close game, leaning slightly towards LSU due to their balanced team dynamics.

• USC vs. UConn: Unanimously favoring UConn, citing Paige Beckers’ exceptional form and overall team strength.

• South Carolina vs. Duke: Confident in a South Carolina win, emphasizing their aggressive start and Leisure Wiley’s standout performance.

• TCU vs. Texas: Ben slightly favors Texas for their defensive capabilities and key players like Madison Booker, though acknowledges TCU’s potential to surprise.

Conclusion

As the Elite Eight approaches, No Offseason provides listeners with expert analysis and insightful commentary on the paths teams must navigate to reach the Final Four. With standout players stepping up and strategic matchups defining the outcomes, the anticipation builds for the next phase of the NCAA tournament. Hosts Ben Pickman and Shantelle Jennings conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to tune in for further coverage and predictions as the tournament intensifies.

Notable Quotes

• Shantelle Jennings (08:44):
  “Paige Becker's tonight was just playing out of her mind... she hit 6 of 8 from 3-point range... she is playing with such a motivation.”

• Shantelle Jennings (11:14):
  “He wants her to have more of that attack-first mentality... it's not her natural instinct.”

• Ben Pickman (27:19):
  “I wouldn't be shocked on Sunday if we saw a very similar script that South Carolina is going to come out, throw the first punch, throw the second punch... just keep punching throughout.”

• Shantelle Jennings (33:13):
  “If TCU is a team that can knock down a ton of threes like Maddie Connor, Madison Connor can get hot from beyond the arc... it just wouldn't totally shock me if TCU came out on top.”

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