No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: What A Weekend in Women's Hoops
Release Date: January 30, 2024
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman
Episode Overview
In this compelling episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita and Chantel Jennings delve deep into the highlights and pivotal moments from a thrilling weekend in women's basketball. The discussion spans the marquee matchup between South Carolina and LSU, the intricacies of selecting The Athletic’s All America team, and an in-depth analysis of UConn’s evolving dynasty amid rising parity in the league.
1. South Carolina vs. LSU: A Historic Showdown
[04:51]
Zena Keita opens the conversation by highlighting the significance of the South Carolina (SC) vs. LSU game, labeling it "the number one watch game in NCAA women's basketball this season and really in history." She emphasizes the high stakes and the immense viewership, noting that approximately 1.56 million sportsmedia viewers tuned in, making it the second-highest rated women's college basketball regular-season game since 2010.
Key Highlights:
- Chantel Jennings provides a detailed breakdown of the game's context, mentioning SC's 1,000th win and the competitive edge it brought. She reflects on the game's competitiveness and its impact on elevating the sport's visibility.
- The hosts discuss the impact of Angel Reese’s foul-out, which led to SC's decisive 11-3 run. Chantel states, "Kim Mulkey likes a loss on her schedule. She doesn't want to go undefeated even in that," highlighting LSU's strategic approach under pressure.
- Zena underscores the importance of the game living up to the hype, stating, “I feel like anytime that women’s basketball is on this level of a platform, you want it to be that level of hype and that level of just drama.”
Notable Quotes:
- Chantel Jennings [12:34]: “But to me, this game showed the mettle and sort of the poise of this team in a way that they'll be able to lean on this learning.”
- Zena Keita [17:55]: “But I love that there’s a lot of amazing clock management by Dawn Staley at the end of the game, too.”
2. The Athletic All America Team Selection Process
[19:22]
Transitioning from game analysis, Zena introduces the topic of The Athletic’s All America team, prompting Chantel to explain the meticulous selection process. The team is chosen through individual votes from the hosts, which are then compiled and ranked by their editor, Shannon.
Key Highlights:
- Chantel elaborates on the challenges faced while selecting the top ten players, noting, “This is not straightforward. And then you’re looking at a bunch of different things. You’re thinking about the games you’ve watched this year. You’re looking at stats, you’re thinking about fit.”
- The discussion touches on the importance of recognizing players who shoulder more responsibilities, especially those whose teams rely heavily on their performance due to injuries or team dynamics.
Notable Quotes:
- Chantel Jennings [21:06]: “Trying to find and think of an order, specifically the 10 best players in women's college basketball right now is hard.”
- Chantel Jennings [24:05]: “Every player who's on the All American list right now would trade that spot for a spot in the Final four with their team.”
3. UConn’s Current Struggles and Potential Decline
[32:13]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing UConn’s recent performances and the challenges facing their historically dominant program.
Key Highlights:
- Zena provides an extensive background on UConn's illustrious history, including 11 NCAA Division I National Championships and a 14 consecutive Final Four appearances.
- Discussion shifts to recent setbacks, particularly the loss to Notre Dame with a score of 82-67, emphasizing the impact of injuries on the team’s depth and performance.
- Chantel draws comparisons to other sports dynasties, expressing concerns over whether UConn can maintain its legacy amidst a rise in competition and internal challenges. She states, “They look human because they’re injured.”
Notable Quotes:
- Chantel Jennings [35:55]: “UConn is still a top 25 team right now. We should probably be talking about whether or not they’ll be hosting first weekend of the tournament.”
- Zena Keita [41:22]: “For UConn, it is fair to compare them to what they have done, because UConn set the bar and they happily took that bar when they were winning.”
Discussion Points:
- Chantel emphasizes the importance of player fit and how UConn’s traditional balanced offensive approach is being challenged by the current roster and injury setbacks.
- The hosts debate whether UConn’s struggles are temporary due to injuries or indicative of a deeper decline in their dynasty. Chantel mentions, “UConn is just… it is tough. Have they fallen? Yes, absolutely.”
4. Rising Parity in Women's College Basketball
[28:50]
The conversation highlights the increasing competitiveness in women's college basketball, attributing it to the dispersal of top talent across various programs rather than concentration in traditional powerhouses like UConn.
Key Highlights:
- Zena remarks on the importance of player-program fit in the modern landscape, noting that players are now prioritizing systems that complement their play styles over simply joining historically dominant programs.
- Chantel agrees, stating, “Fit over anything else. Like, the fit needs to be what is the best match for these players,” and discusses how this strategic alignment is leading to a more balanced distribution of talent.
Notable Quotes:
- Chantel Jennings [26:03]: “I'm not projecting here. I'm not saying, like, oh, well, these are, you know, I’m voting on what I've seen.”
5. Upcoming Game Previews
[47:56]
As the episode nears its conclusion, Zena outlines key matchups to watch in the upcoming week, offering insights into potential game-changers and areas to monitor:
- UNC vs. North Carolina State - Thursday at 8 PM Eastern
- UNC vs. Virginia Tech - Sunday at 12 PM Eastern
- USC vs. Stanford - Friday at 10 PM Eastern
- UCLA vs. Stanford - Sunday at 4 PM Eastern
- South Carolina vs. Ole Miss - Sunday at 1 PM Eastern
Key Highlights:
- Emphasis on how recent losses by top teams like Utah, UCLA, and USC set the stage for intense rematches.
- Anticipation of tactical showdowns, particularly highlighting Coach Yo's respect for Dawn Staley in the South Carolina vs. Ole Miss game.
6. Concluding Thoughts
[51:12] Zena wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay engaged with the upcoming games and continues fostering a sense of community among women's basketball enthusiasts. Chantel provides final reflections on UConn’s potential to rebound and the importance of appreciating the sport's growth and the players' resilience.
Notable Quotes:
- Zena Keita [51:12]: “All right, folks, that is all for today's episode. Appreciate you guys tuning in as always for the Athletic, I'm Zena Keda encouraging you to keep listening, keep learning and keep loving the game because that is the only way we're going to continue to grow it.”
- Chantel Jennings [46:32]: “I think they are underachieving with the talent they have currently in key moments. That's fixable.”
Conclusion
This episode of No Offseason masterfully encapsulates the dynamic landscape of women's college basketball, offering listeners a thorough analysis of pivotal games, player recognitions, and the shifting power paradigms within the sport. Through engaging dialogue and insightful commentary, Zena Keita and Chantel Jennings provide a comprehensive narrative that not only informs but also celebrates the relentless spirit of women's basketball.