No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: Trust Scale: Which Teams Should You Believe In?
Release Date: December 3, 2024
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman

Episode Overview

In the episode titled "Trust Scale: Which Teams Should You Believe In?", the hosts of No Offseason, including Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman, delve into the current landscape of women's college basketball. They explore which teams have earned the trust of fans and analysts based on early-season performances, player dynamics, and coaching strategies. The discussion is rich with analysis, personal insights, and expert opinions, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the teams to watch as the season progresses toward the playoffs.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. The Concept of Trust in Team Performance

Zena Kaeda opens the conversation by framing the episode around the idea of "trust" in evaluating team performance. She poses critical questions about which teams can be relied upon to perform consistently throughout the season and in high-stakes tournaments.

Zena Kaeda (04:50):
"When there's so many games and so much fun being had across the association, sometimes it does come down to who do you trust?"

2. UConn Huskies: A Team to Trust?

Ben Pickman advocates for the UConn Huskies as a team deserving of trust despite having played only six games. He highlights their low turnover rate and effective three-point shooting as key factors contributing to their reliability.

Ben Pickman (07:27):
"Those are the UConn Huskies. They are the team that right now I trust more than anyone else... They average just 11 and a half turnovers per game, the fewest of a UConn team since at least 2009."

Chantel Jennings counters by questioning the strength of UConn's early-season opponents and raises concerns about their front court depth.

Chantel Jennings (10:45):
"I don't put a ton of stock into stats at this point in the season... If you're a team like UConn, I don't really care what your numbers look like against Fairleigh Dickinson. I care what you look like against good teams."

3. UCLA Bruins: Emerging as a Trustworthy Contender

Chantel shifts focus to the UCLA Bruins, expressing a strong desire to trust them based on their versatile player Lauren Betts and the addition of experienced players like Charlie Sledger Walker.

Chantel Jennings (18:15):
"They have the versatility where, you know, I don't think there's sort of a more versatile player than 63 Tamia Gardner at this point... Their guard depth is really good."

Ben Pickman shares optimism about UCLA's potential, citing improved offensive efficiency and the experience of their roster.

Ben Pickman (27:06):
"Lauren Betts is even better right now, averaging 19 and 12, 64.5% shooting from the field... They have a ton of vets in the backcourt, a ton of experience."

4. TCU Horned Frogs: Rising Through the Ranks

The discussion moves to TCU, with both Ben and Chantel expressing cautious optimism. They commend TCU's defensive prowess and the impact of key players like Haley Van Lith and Justice Carlton but note the need for sustained performance against tougher opponents.

Chantel Jennings (28:37):
"They are currently climbing into the top 10 of the latest AP bowl... Haley Van Lith, who was one of my favorite freshmen last year, coming back into the game."

Ben Pickman highlights TCU's impressive start and the importance of their upcoming games in solidifying their trustworthiness.

Ben Pickman (30:30):
"They have some depth. Someone like Layla Philia, transferring to Texas, that's definitely the kind of player you want as the season progresses."

5. South Carolina Gamecocks: Solidifying Trust through Resilience

Zena Kaeda introduces South Carolina as a team she trusts, emphasizing their veteran leadership and resilience following a rare loss early in the season.

Zena Kaeda (34:10):
"South Carolina losses, the only loss they have this season is Tahina Powpow's first loss in a South Carolina jersey... They are accustomed to winning and figuring out what it takes to get it done."

6. LSU Tigers and Duke Blue Devils: Teams with Trust Issues

The hosts express skepticism about LSU and Duke, citing inconsistent performances and concerns about depth and defensive capabilities.

Chantel Jennings (46:51):
"LSU has the second highest scoring margin in the NCAA, 39 points... Texas too, what's happening between these two teams?"

Ben Pickman (37:01):
"Their offense is significantly better than what it has been in the past three or four years under Kara Lawson... their free throw percentage is at the 32nd percentile nationally."

7. Iowa State Cyclones: Underperforming Expectations

Iowa State is another team discussed with reservations, as the Cyclones have not met the high expectations set during the preseason despite having talented players like Audi Crooks.

Ben Pickman (41:50):
"Iowa State hasn't popped yet in terms of looking at their shot profile or a number of their metrics... If you're an Iowa State fan, hope that they can build on the momentum."

8. The Importance of Scheduling and Future Matchups

A recurring theme is the impact of a team's schedule on establishing trust. The hosts emphasize that upcoming games against strong opponents like Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and UConn will be pivotal in determining the reliability of teams like Texas and UCLA.

Zena Kaeda (58:30):
"December is gonna be chock full of them... We're gonna be covering them all as we always do."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

1. Ben Pickman (07:27):
   "Those are the UConn Huskies. They are the team that right now I trust more than anyone else... They average just 11 and a half turnovers per game, the fewest of a UConn team since at least 2009."

2. Chantel Jennings (10:45):
   "I don't put a ton of stock into stats at this point in the season... If you're a team like UConn, I don't really care what your numbers look like against Fairleigh Dickinson. I care what you look like against good teams."

3. Chantel Jennings (18:15):
   "They have the versatility where, you know, I don't think there's sort of a more versatile player than 63 Tamia Gardner at this point... Their guard depth is really good."

4. Ben Pickman (30:30):
   "They have some depth. Someone like Layla Philia, transferring to Texas, that's definitely the kind of player you want as the season progresses."

5. Zena Kaeda (34:10):
   "South Carolina losses, the only loss they have this season is Tahina Powpow's first loss in a South Carolina jersey... They are accustomed to winning and figuring out what it takes to get it done."

6. Ben Pickman (37:01):
   "Their offense is significantly better than what it has been in the past three or four years under Kara Lawson... their free throw percentage is at the 32nd percentile nationally."

7. Ben Pickman (41:50):
   "Iowa State hasn't popped yet in terms of looking at their shot profile or a number of their metrics... If you're an Iowa State fan, hope that they can build on the momentum."

8. Zena Kaeda (58:30):
   "December is gonna be chock full of them... We're gonna be covering them all as we always do."

Conclusions and Takeaways

The episode underscores the complexity of determining trust in women's college basketball teams, emphasizing that early-season performances, player development, and upcoming challenging matchups are crucial indicators. While teams like UConn and UCLA show strong potential due to their disciplined play and experienced rosters, concerns about scheduling strength and depth in teams like LSU, Duke, and Iowa State indicate a need for cautious optimism. The hosts agree that the forthcoming games in December will be instrumental in reshaping their trust scale, and they commit to ongoing analysis as the season unfolds.

Zena Kaeda (60:08):
"Do I not have a team just yet? UConn, though, give me the next two big matchups. They play Louisville on Dec. 7, and they play Notre Dame on Dec. 12. Give me those two wins. Ben. I'm with you, bro. We're in the same boat."

Final Remarks (60:17 - 62:12):
The hosts conclude by encouraging listeners to subscribe for more in-depth coverage and analysis of women's basketball, while also highlighting the challenges fans face in accessing games across various streaming platforms. They emphasize the importance of continued support and viewership to foster the growth and recognition of women's college basketball.

Closing Thoughts

"There's a lot of things we're considering when it comes to who do we trust and what. I think the biggest consensus is overall, it's still a little early... December is gonna be chock full of them." – Zena Kaeda

This episode serves as a valuable resource for fans seeking to understand the early indicators of team performance and reliability in the competitive world of women's college basketball. By meticulously analyzing team dynamics, player contributions, and the significance of upcoming games, the hosts provide a nuanced perspective that enriches the listener's appreciation of the sport.