1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're listening 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,520 Speaker 1: to new music from Mountjoy Camp and counting pros while 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:10,039 Speaker 1: we put Big X's on our calendars so work doesn't 4 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: interrupt our college hoops watching. It's Thursday, March sixth, and 5 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: on today's show, we'll be chatting with ESPN's Alexa Philippoo 6 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: about just how mad this March will be, her front 7 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:21,920 Speaker 1: runner for Player of the Year and her favorite memories 8 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: of Diana Tarassi, plus keeping tabs on unrivaled rosters. A 9 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: legislative win we can actually celebrate Anna twenty four year 10 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: pro decides it's time to hang them up. 11 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 2: It's all coming up right after this. 12 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 1: Welcome back slices. Here's what you need to know today. 13 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: Let's start with some news out of Washington, DC. A 14 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: bill that would have redefined Title nine with the goal 15 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 1: of prohibiting transgender athletes from playing school sports has failed 16 00:00:53,560 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: in the Senate. The bill, which passed in the House 17 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: in January, would have codified into law Trump's executive order 18 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: threat to remove federal funding from schools that allow transgender 19 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:05,479 Speaker 1: girls and women to compete on teams consistent with their 20 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 1: gender identity. As a result, of the bill failing in 21 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: the Senate. That executive order is all that exists at 22 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: the federal level for now to Unrivaled, where we've got 23 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 1: some roster movement to update you on heading into the 24 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:17,759 Speaker 1: final weekend of the regular season. 25 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 2: First up the good news. 26 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,640 Speaker 1: Marina Mabry made her Unrivaled season debut earlier this week, 27 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: playing twelve minutes in the Phantom's ninety two to seventy 28 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: nine loss to the Lunar Owls on Monday, and Mabor 29 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: even Millie Rock during her introduction, showing off her biggest 30 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: area of improvement so far at Unrivaled dance moves. The 31 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: Phantom are currently last in the standings looking for a 32 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 1: Hail Mary to close out the regular season. Maby's return 33 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: helps because they won't have Sabrina Yenescu for the final run. 34 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 1: Per the league, Yenescu is done for the season due 35 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 1: to prior commitments that she made before signing on for 36 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: the league's inaugural season. Lace's BC player Natisha Heideman has 37 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: been reassigned to the Phantom to help even out team numbers. 38 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 1: We've been super enthusiastic about Unrivaled all season, but I 39 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: do think by next year need to tighten up some 40 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: of these things. I don't know that they'll be treated 41 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: as completely legitimate if they have players who are incapable 42 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 1: of playing out an entire season because of commitments, or 43 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: if they're consistently moving around players from team to team. 44 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: But for now we understand season one some kinks iron 45 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: out unrivaled regular season wraps up this Monday, with the 46 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 1: top four teams qualifying for the semi finals on March sixteenth. 47 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 2: The Lunar Owls and. 48 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 1: Roseby C have both locked up playoff spots, with Vinyl 49 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: Missed Laces and Phantom fighting for the final two. Speaking 50 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: of Sabriana and NSCU, she also made news this week 51 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: by being introduced as an investor in NWSL team BAFC. 52 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: She'll also be serving as the club's official commercial advisor, 53 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: a role that, according to the team's press release, will 54 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: allow her to quote support BAFC athletes as they work 55 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:50,280 Speaker 1: to build their portfolio of brand endorsements. End quote more 56 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:54,359 Speaker 1: NWSL Houston Dash forward Yuki Nagasato has announced that she's 57 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 1: retiring from soccer following a twenty four year professional career. 58 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: The Japanese international made her Olympic debut in two thousand 59 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: and four, and was a member of the country's twenty 60 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 1: eleven World Cup winning squad. She played eight seasons in 61 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: the NWSL, spending time with the Chicago Red Stars, Racing 62 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 1: Louisville and Houston Dash. In twenty twenty, Nagasato also made 63 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: history as the first woman to play for a Japanese 64 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: men's team when she joined her brother's team, which played 65 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 1: in Japan's second tier professional league. Yuki is a fan favorite, 66 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: a team favorite, and an all around wonderful, joyful light 67 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 1: of a person. The game will really miss her more. 68 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: Soccer. Let's start by. 69 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: Rewinding back to last May, when FIFA announced its intention 70 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: to host a Women's Club World Cup in early twenty 71 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: twenty six, featuring sixteen teams from leagues around the world 72 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: like the NWSL, WSL and more. Now, the soccer organizing 73 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 1: body says it needs more time and is postponing the 74 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,400 Speaker 1: event until twenty twenty seven at the earliest, per the 75 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: Athletic The decision was made with input from clubs, confederations, 76 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: leagues and players unions, with those groups also advocating that 77 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 1: FIFA hosts a smaller four or six team event next winter. Instead, 78 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: keep you posted as we learn more. To motorsports news, 79 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: friend of the Show, Catherine leg will make her NASCAR 80 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: Cup Series debut this weekend, competing in the Shriners Children's 81 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: five hundred in Phoenix on Sunday. In doing so, she'll 82 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: become the first woman to compete in a Cup Series 83 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,720 Speaker 1: race since twenty eighteen. Way to go, Catherine, and if 84 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,920 Speaker 1: any of you slices miss that episode with her, go 85 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: back and listen ahead of Sunday's race. 86 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 2: We'll link to it in our show notes. 87 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: Speaking of friends of the show, Bob's letter Alana Meyers 88 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: Taylor will be in action at the World Bobsled and 89 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 1: Skeleton Championships in Lake Placid, running today through Sunday and 90 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: March fourteenth through sixteenth. 91 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: These are the first. 92 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: Bob Sled and Skeleton World Championships to be held in 93 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 1: the US since twenty twelve. Want to see how Alana does, 94 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: We'll link to the website where you can find the 95 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,839 Speaker 1: schedule and race results in our show notes. Speaking of 96 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 1: fast cold sports and yet another friend of the show, 97 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: We've got a little cross country skiing news. The bi 98 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 1: annual World Championships in that sport are currently underway in Norway, 99 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 1: and on Wednesday, the American duo of Jesse Diggins and 100 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: Julie Kern won silver in the team sprintcond and straight 101 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: podium finish in the event after they claim. 102 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: Bronze two years ago. 103 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: And last, but not least, we want to send a 104 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 1: huge congratulations to US women's national team and Portland Thorns 105 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 1: forward Sophia Wilson formerly Sophia Smith, who's pregnant with her 106 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: first child. Wilson and her husband Michael, a wide receiver 107 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:20,960 Speaker 1: for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, made the announcement via a 108 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 1: post on Instagram yesterday and included photos of the two 109 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:27,599 Speaker 1: holding sonogram images and the caption quote, life just keeps 110 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: getting sweeter, speaking asweet. If you haven't seen Michael rattling 111 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 1: off all of Soph's acomplishments and saying. 112 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: If she can do it, he can do it. Get 113 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: ready for some serious cheese in, y'all. 114 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 1: We'll link to that video and their baby announced post 115 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: in our show notes. We're wishing you a happy and 116 00:05:44,000 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 1: healthy pregnancy. So we got to take a quick break. 117 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: When we come back, we're talking besketball. I love that, 118 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,800 Speaker 1: but I shouldn't be singing right now. My voice is trash. 119 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,160 Speaker 1: Alexa Philipoo caught up with her yesterday. It's coming up next. 120 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 2: Joining us now. 121 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,919 Speaker 1: She covers college hoops and the WNBA for ESPN. Previously 122 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: covered the Yukon Huskies and the Connecticut Sun for the 123 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: Hartford Current, and her work has appeared in the Dallas 124 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:19,039 Speaker 1: Morning News, Seattle Times, and Cincinnati Enquirer. A Stanford alum, 125 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: her past jobs include interning at the House Committee and 126 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: Oversight and Government Reform, and founding and working as head 127 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: chef of gourmet cookie company Mad Moose Bakery. 128 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 2: It's Alexa Philippoo, a high school chef. 129 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,160 Speaker 3: I did not think that was going to ever see 130 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,600 Speaker 3: the light of day on something work related, but yes, 131 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 3: I loved Here's the thing, Sarah, though, I like to 132 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 3: bake the cookies, but I don't eat cookies. 133 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 4: So like it was like I lost out most of 134 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 4: the fun. I just was doing it because I enjoyed it, 135 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 4: but I never. 136 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 2: Really Okay, Yeah, where'd we get the name Mad Moose Bakery? 137 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 4: Oh? It's honestly a long story. But I was selling 138 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 4: them to my cousin and his nickname was Moose. I 139 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,600 Speaker 4: don't even remember how that came about. So it was 140 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 4: a playoff of like moose, like the animal, but then 141 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:10,720 Speaker 4: like moose, like you know, a dessert. 142 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: Moose, So chocolate moose. Yeah, exactly right, sounds sounds very 143 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:14,640 Speaker 2: high school. 144 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 1: Well, congratulations on being entrepreneurial even at a young age. 145 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: And congratulations on the ESPN contract extension that was just announced. 146 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,880 Speaker 1: So you're sticking around with the Worldwide Leader. Happy to 147 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: hear you'll be sticking around, especially because we love getting 148 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 1: your expertise on all things college hoops. Conference tournaments are underway, 149 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: so any upsets you're watching. 150 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 4: For upsets, I mean, I think we have to talk 151 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 4: about the SEC. I mean at the time that we're 152 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 4: recording this, I know, like Tennessee just they won their 153 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 4: game very comfortably against Texas adem but they're a nine 154 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 4: seed in the in the SEC tournament, which is wild, right, 155 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 4: So that conference is just so deep, So I don't know, 156 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 4: necessarily it feels like, yes, maybe we'll have South Carolina 157 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 4: and Well Text I guess like be the ultimate teams 158 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 4: that will face off in the final, But just because 159 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 4: of the depth of the conference, then you know, you 160 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 4: just don't know. Maybe if a certain if Kentucky gets hot, 161 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 4: if at Tennessee refinds its groove after that huge loss 162 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 4: to Georgia, so maybe we'll see some upsets. And then 163 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 4: you know, acc I want to see if Knitter Dame 164 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 4: kind of refinds its groove, if anyone else can really 165 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 4: challenge them, or if you know, it's really they're still 166 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 4: the team to beat. So those are the two I 167 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 4: really have my eye on. And then I think with 168 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 4: Big ten, we're probably just expecting UCLA USC Part three, 169 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 4: Big twelve. Yeah, I think I would probably picked TCU 170 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 4: at this point to they seem like they're the best 171 00:08:35,720 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 4: team right now, especially with Kanadasity a little injured, So. 172 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, who knows. 173 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 4: We'll have to see. Well. 174 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: And with Notre Dame, you mentioned NC State, you know, 175 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: technically the number one seed because of the tie breaker 176 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: in that one. So yeah, it's whether or not they 177 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: can be the team that they were kind of most 178 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: of the season, or they have a particular issue trying 179 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 1: to beat the wolf Pack in this tournament. Going forward, 180 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: let's look ahead to the NCAA tournament. For new or 181 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 1: maybe for those who are unfamiliar, how much do these 182 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: conference tournaments matter and how much does regular season success 183 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: impact seating. 184 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think, well, obviously we have a wealth of 185 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:15,199 Speaker 4: data up to this point that the committee is using 186 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 4: to decide what the bracket looks like, and we were 187 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:21,640 Speaker 4: able to see specifically with those top sixteen teams in 188 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 4: the reveal last week, what they're thinking was up to 189 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 4: that point. Of course, so much has happened literally since 190 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,559 Speaker 4: that reveal that day, there were a ton of upsets. 191 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 4: Throughout the last week, there have been a ton of upsets, 192 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 4: and I think what's unique about this year is that 193 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 4: you know, you have it's all also, we should say 194 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 4: different for each conference and different for each team. Some 195 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 4: teams are fighting to make it into March period, but 196 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 4: when we're talking about some of these real contenders or 197 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 4: the power for you know pretty much which teams are 198 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 4: probably going to make it. But then it is, like 199 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 4: you said, all about seating, and for this year, it's 200 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 4: really interesting because the top sixteen teams, it feels like 201 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 4: a lot is fluid. There's still number one seeds up 202 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 4: for grabs. The teams that get to host those are 203 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 4: the top sixteen seeds I've been referring to, So that's 204 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,640 Speaker 4: all really fluid as well. There's been upsets like Ohio 205 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,720 Speaker 4: State losing that like right now, they're not slated to hosts. 206 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 4: According to Charlie Gums projections, could a team like Maryland 207 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 4: go on a run and get back in that position. 208 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,200 Speaker 4: Kansas State is a little bit of a precarious spot too, 209 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 4: So we're looking at who's going to host. We're also 210 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 4: looking at who's going to get that number one overall seed, 211 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 4: and I think that who ends up having a really 212 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 4: strong run the next week is We're going to termine 213 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 4: a lot of that. So I think it's exciting because 214 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:35,559 Speaker 4: there's a lot of intrigue and it doesn't feel like 215 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 4: anything in the Stone. 216 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 2: So much parody wide open field. 217 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:41,720 Speaker 1: You mentioned we got our first look at what the 218 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: top sixteen looks like from the Basketball Committee before those 219 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: upsets and thing offers tournaments. But UCLA, Texas, USC and 220 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 1: Notre Dame the number one seeds. And to your point 221 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:54,880 Speaker 1: about the home advantage, it's a debate that's raged for 222 00:10:54,960 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 1: several years in the women's game of should we still 223 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:01,800 Speaker 1: be giving home court advantage and host opportunities to teams 224 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: or should it be like the men's tournament where it's 225 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 1: neutral sites. Do you think we're still at a place 226 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: in the women's game where it's beneficial to have those 227 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 1: home sites and to encourage tickets and attendance and everything 228 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 1: by you know, placing them in basketball hotbeds, or are 229 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 1: we at a spot where we might be able to 230 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 1: move toward neutral sites. 231 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:22,680 Speaker 4: Personally, I love that teams could host in a women's game, 232 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 4: and I think there's nothing like I just remember actually 233 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 4: one time walking into it was a second round game 234 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 4: here in stores. I'm saying here in Stortside. I'm literally 235 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 4: here in stores after having to do some interviews here 236 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 4: and so just walking into the gamble pavilion and it 237 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 4: was like an atmosphere for a second round game. I 238 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 4: was not expecting, but it was electric. You could feel 239 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 4: just like the tension brewing, and it was a really 240 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 4: actually tough game for Yu Kong. As we're playing, I 241 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 4: think it might have been you see yes at the 242 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 4: time or yeah, that sounds right. So I think it's great. 243 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 4: I think you know, they're really well attended. You're not 244 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 4: seeing environments where it's like no one's in the stands 245 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,199 Speaker 4: and it's like, what's the point here? And my argument 246 00:12:06,280 --> 00:12:09,560 Speaker 4: for keeping that too is like you should you know, 247 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 4: I know this doesn't apply to maybe some of the 248 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,800 Speaker 4: lower mid majors, But for the most part, if you're 249 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 4: in the conversation to host, you know you have the 250 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,720 Speaker 4: like if you want to host like investor program, do 251 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 4: well in the regular season and in your conference tournament, 252 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 4: and then you can be in a position to have 253 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 4: that you know, quote unquote advantage. So I think it's great. 254 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:31,440 Speaker 4: I would probably be really disappointed they move away from it. 255 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 4: I see why people like neutral sites, but like, we 256 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 4: do get neutral sites obviously once we get to the 257 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 4: regionals and then the final four, so we have that 258 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 4: built in. But I just think campus sites, it's still 259 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,760 Speaker 4: college athletics. And yes, also too, they're gonna be upsets, 260 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 4: like we're seeing more and more upsets in the women's game. 261 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 4: So hopefully it's a good balance, like for the whole 262 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 4: scope of the tournament that you have a little bit 263 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,079 Speaker 4: at that college field, but also the neutrality and the 264 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 4: later on. 265 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: How many teams deep do I have to go for 266 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: you to say that they have a legitimate chance to 267 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: win it. 268 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 4: All, I'd say six. Do you want me to name 269 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 4: them or do you want to game them together? 270 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, let's hear. 271 00:13:10,240 --> 00:13:13,679 Speaker 4: Yeah, So I think, let's you know you have at 272 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 4: the top Texas USC. I might be messing up the 273 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 4: exact rankings right now, South Carolina, UCLA, Yukon and Notre Dame. 274 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:26,000 Speaker 4: Notre Dame, I think those are the six for me. 275 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 4: Some people like to put else you in there, but 276 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:33,040 Speaker 4: I haven't seen that championship level play for them. I 277 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:35,560 Speaker 4: mean I wouldn't be I don't think i'd pick them 278 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 4: to make the final for her right now, but I 279 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:38,880 Speaker 4: wouldn't be shocked if they do, because they just obviously 280 00:13:38,960 --> 00:13:40,599 Speaker 4: have the talent. But yeah, for me, it's been to 281 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 4: six that I really think have the shanga shot. I 282 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 4: think that's been honestly pretty consistent throughout the season that 283 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 4: those above the rest. 284 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 1: Yeah, they've kind of shuffled around the top the top rankings. 285 00:13:52,120 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 1: Are there any potential dark courses? Is there a team 286 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,640 Speaker 1: maybe LSU is one, but is there a team that 287 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: you think if everything is hidden, yeah, they could do 288 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: some damage. 289 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think so. The Big twelve is interesting because 290 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 4: I feel like they've it's been like a very the 291 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 4: ones completely emerge as a power, like you kind of 292 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:14,719 Speaker 4: saw that from TCU, but then they've had their own 293 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 4: ups and downs. Kansas State. I think it's unfortunate Aoka 294 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 4: Lead has been injured, especially towards like the end of 295 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 4: the season, so that's a factor for them. But like 296 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 4: those are two teams I would definitely watch, like if 297 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:29,640 Speaker 4: they really catch fire at the right time, Kansas State 298 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 4: again would need I think Aoka Lead healthy and contributing 299 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:34,640 Speaker 4: and on the floor to be able to go in 300 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 4: a run. And TCU obviously, I know we talked about 301 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 4: them before the last time I was on with their 302 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:42,840 Speaker 4: kind of duo of Helly Van Left and Stoner Prints 303 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 4: and then I don't know if I feel that strongly 304 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 4: about this in the sense that they just were upset 305 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 4: in a really kind of maybe tellyway against Georgia. But 306 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:55,240 Speaker 4: Tennessee again, like they have to they could probably Like 307 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 4: I guess what we could say about them is like, 308 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 4: obviously they could lose to anyone. They just lost to Georgia, 309 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 4: but I also think it could beat a lot of 310 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 4: good teams, and we saw them against a lot of 311 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 4: the good SEC teams earlier this year, come really close 312 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 4: to Vega, and then they have the big win against 313 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 4: you go too against. 314 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, any under the radar storylines, we should be following 315 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 1: either on the court or off the court. 316 00:15:15,640 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 2: Entering the tournament. 317 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 4: I'm just really interested to see. You know, this is 318 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 4: the first year after you know, Caitlin Clark had kind 319 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 4: of taken the whole basketball scene by storm. I think 320 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,080 Speaker 4: a lot of people in the sport were saying, you know, 321 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 4: she's obviously a star in her own right, but there 322 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 4: were other stars too that were, you know, really doing 323 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 4: great things. And so now that you know she's moved 324 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 4: on to the WNBA, I'm really eager to see which 325 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 4: stars are going to show out the most in March. 326 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 4: Is it going to be the pagebackers, and is it 327 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 4: going to be the you know, the Juju Watkins or 328 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 4: you know, could Hana Hidalgo be in that conversation, or 329 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 4: maybe it's you know, other people we haven't talked about yet, 330 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 4: like Mikaela Blake for example at Vanderbilt. She's one of 331 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 4: the best freshmen in the country. There's another great freshman 332 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 4: and Sarah Strong who could really make her name in 333 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:02,920 Speaker 4: March as well. So I just it's always that like 334 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 4: time where you're just like, who's going to be that 335 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 4: team or that player that really emerges. Like last year 336 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 4: we didn't think NC State would necessarily do that, and 337 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 4: then they're there in the final four for the first 338 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 4: time since you know, they had been there since like 339 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 4: ninety eight or ninety nine. So I just love that 340 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 4: kind of anticipatory feeling of like you just don't know 341 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 4: exactly what's gonna happen or who's gonna, you know, really 342 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 4: pop off. And then and then once like we get there, 343 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 4: I'm just look very fascinated to see, like who's actually 344 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 4: in Tampa by the end of it, if it's going 345 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 4: to be one of mostly from that group of six 346 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 4: that we talked about, or maybe you know some people 347 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 4: were surprised. 348 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: Yes, And the stakes are really higher than ever, not 349 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: just because of the eyeballs and the fan interest, but 350 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: for the players, nil opportunities, the chance to make your 351 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: name on the highest stage, the chance to get people 352 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 1: to know you and make you a household name, really 353 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: happens so much during tournament time. And then also this 354 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 1: is the first year that leagues and teams get paid 355 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: when their teams advance. For such a long time, there 356 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 1: were payouts on the men's side, and there was a 357 00:17:01,040 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: real benefit to investing in your program and watching it 358 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,239 Speaker 1: go far and on the women's side, you go win 359 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: the whole damn thing and you get nothing. And so 360 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:11,399 Speaker 1: the fact that the women and the teams and leagues 361 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: are getting paid when there are teams advance just ups 362 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: the ante on everything. It makes everything bigger and more important. 363 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: At tournament time, you mentioned a couple of the names, Hannah, 364 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:26,040 Speaker 1: Paige Juju front runners for player of the year if 365 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: I give you Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Paigebackers, Lauren Betts, 366 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:34,119 Speaker 1: and then Tanaia Latson who's leading the league in scoring, 367 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: leading the country in scoring. Is there anybody that really 368 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: for you has already sealed it up personally? 369 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 4: I know some places have started to make their kind 370 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,600 Speaker 4: of proclamations, at least some of the media sites. I 371 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 4: don't necessarily know if it's one hundred percent of done deal. 372 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:52,639 Speaker 4: I think Juju Watkins might have the edge because of 373 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 4: those games against UCLA, because the fact that they won 374 00:17:55,640 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 4: the Big Ten title and they want it outright. You 375 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:02,879 Speaker 4: can say enough about what she's done this year and 376 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 4: specifically just like she has help around her, but she's 377 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 4: still the centerpiece of everything they do, and she's taking 378 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,679 Speaker 4: on so much in different areas before But you know, 379 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 4: if if USC stumbles in the Big ten tournament, in 380 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 4: Hanna Hidalgo goes on a run, or Pagebackers suddenly takes over, 381 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:23,920 Speaker 4: or baby Lauren Betts finds her way again. I think 382 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 4: it's it's interesting because these are humans making their own 383 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 4: decisions on this, and the voting process I think probably 384 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 4: differs based off each award or based off you know, 385 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 4: if it's a publication for claiming someone the player of 386 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 4: the year. So I think it's a little bit still 387 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,679 Speaker 4: up forgots. I don't think someone's completely separated themselves, but 388 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 4: right now would probably say that, like the edge probably 389 00:18:43,080 --> 00:18:47,160 Speaker 4: feels like it's it's juju. But we'll see what people say. 390 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: Another big thing to watch for during the tournament is 391 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,679 Speaker 1: how YU confers and whether that will affect star senior 392 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:56,199 Speaker 1: guard Azy Fud's decision to stay for another year she 393 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: has eligibility or go to the WNBA draft. Her most 394 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: recent quote was, we'll see about the fifth year. 395 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 2: That's what we've heard. Do you have a strong opinion 396 00:19:04,280 --> 00:19:05,439 Speaker 2: on what her choice should be. 397 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 4: She's such, she's in a unique situation because this is 398 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 4: really her first fully healthy year or I don't even 399 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 4: know if fully mostly. Yeah, since really her freshman year. 400 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 4: So I think she's she does seem to really love 401 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:26,920 Speaker 4: it at Yukon and to be able to play more 402 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:28,760 Speaker 4: here might be something that she wants to do. She 403 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,440 Speaker 4: might want to be able to prove like I can 404 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 4: do like a whole healthy season, or I can come 405 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 4: back and you know, I can compete it for a 406 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 4: national championship. You know, if she's back here with Sarah 407 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,960 Speaker 4: Strong leaning away, that's a pretty good, you know, two 408 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 4: player duo that would that would be really able to 409 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 4: compete for a championship. So but then at the same time, 410 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 4: you go into the w n b A and you're 411 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 4: able to just start your pro career right away. Maybe 412 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,440 Speaker 4: she would rather do that than you know, people talk about, 413 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 4: you know, the risk of getting injured again or whatnot. Obviously, 414 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 4: you know, there's only so much you can do can 415 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 4: control for that. But yeah, and then at the WNBA, 416 00:20:04,760 --> 00:20:07,199 Speaker 4: it's it's also very interesting this year because right like 417 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,640 Speaker 4: these players that are getting drafted this year, they're rocked 418 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 4: into a rookie scale contract that's probably not going to 419 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 4: be what the rookie scale contracts look like next year. Yeah, 420 00:20:15,480 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 4: because the CBA, right the CBA will look a lot different, 421 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 4: So there's a ton of factors. She was joking that 422 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 4: she's not a great decision maker, which I relate to 423 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 4: I stressed out about decisions like that. So yeah, so 424 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 4: I'm really curious to see what she does. But I 425 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 4: think what's really just been great about her story is 426 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 4: that she's been able to really show, you know, why 427 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 4: she was a number one overall recruit, why she was 428 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:39,199 Speaker 4: so hyped coming out of high school, because of what 429 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 4: she's been able to do, especially in that South Carolina game. 430 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:43,880 Speaker 4: So hopefully either way, you know, she'll have a really 431 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 4: good path ahead of her. 432 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:48,119 Speaker 2: Let's switch gears to the w NBA. 433 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: Were there any really big off season moves that you 434 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:54,560 Speaker 1: think changed the trajectory of a team, like maybe the 435 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: team that took the biggest leap as a result of 436 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 1: the move they made this offseason. 437 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 4: I think it's got to be the Indiana fever. I 438 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:04,120 Speaker 4: mean the way that they were able to I mean 439 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 4: they they overhauled their roster, not by getting rid of 440 00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,640 Speaker 4: you know, their two stars, but like everyone around them, right, 441 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 4: So the players that they brought in are championship pedigree players. 442 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 4: They're veterans there and then from a best ball standpoint, right, 443 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 4: it makes a lot of sense like bringing it able 444 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:25,000 Speaker 4: to bring in a player like Natasha Howard as an 445 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 4: upgrade from Melissa Smith. No, you know, no kind of 446 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:31,240 Speaker 4: diss on Melissa Smith, but it's Natasha Howard. And then 447 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 4: you have Dewana bon or Sophie Cunningham. I have an 448 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 4: experience point guard to back up Kaitlyn Clark and Sydney Coolson. 449 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:40,679 Speaker 4: So I mean, I think the Fever are showing that 450 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 4: they are in the contender conversation, and that is not 451 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:45,880 Speaker 4: necessarily where most of us we weren't. We just weren't 452 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:47,359 Speaker 4: sure if they would be able to make that leap 453 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 4: that soon. And you know, basically your two of Caitlin 454 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 4: or your two of Kaitlyn and Aaliyah Boston being in 455 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 4: the on the court together. So I think by far 456 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 4: that they they really made the most noise. And for agents. 457 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:04,639 Speaker 1: Speaking of noise of free agency, Marina Maybray asked for 458 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 1: a trade out of Connecticut after they essentially got rid 459 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:08,480 Speaker 1: of their entire starting five. 460 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 2: She was only there for part of the season. 461 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,679 Speaker 1: After being traded from the Chicago Sky they said we 462 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:14,439 Speaker 1: will not trade you, not only because of what we 463 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: gave up to get you, but because we're also optimistic 464 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: about adding pieces around you and having you on the team. 465 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,760 Speaker 1: I see both sides of this, like why do you 466 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:23,480 Speaker 1: want to play around that doesn't want to be there? 467 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,919 Speaker 1: And also, we can't afford to have no leverage in 468 00:22:26,960 --> 00:22:29,000 Speaker 1: a trade situation when you've already made public that you 469 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,760 Speaker 1: want to leave and not get back enough in return 470 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:33,919 Speaker 1: for somebody that we gave up pieces to have and 471 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 1: build around. Where do you sit on how this will 472 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: be received by the rest of the WNBA watching the 473 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: Connecticut Sun operate, or even by Maybury and her ability 474 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,359 Speaker 1: to if she sticks around, put it behind her and 475 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,880 Speaker 1: play hard and well for that team. 476 00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a really interesting situation because we haven't, at 477 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 4: least since I've started covering the w BA, we haven't 478 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:00,080 Speaker 4: had a ton of really public, you know, trade requests 479 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:01,640 Speaker 4: and then a team just coming out and saying we're 480 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:05,159 Speaker 4: not gonna follow through with that. But I think, you know, 481 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:08,800 Speaker 4: Marina Mayby is someone who is really competitive, and so 482 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:13,120 Speaker 4: I I have a hard time imagining her completely just 483 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 4: like wanting to, like, I feel like when she's if she's. 484 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 2: Not gonna James Harden it Yeah, like. 485 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:22,200 Speaker 4: She's gonna want to win and want to like do well, 486 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 4: and you know, she's if she can prove her worth, 487 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 4: like whether or not she's in. Let's assume she's still 488 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:29,000 Speaker 4: at the Sun and she can prove her worth in 489 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:31,399 Speaker 4: twenty twenty five, that would set her up well in 490 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:34,920 Speaker 4: twenty twenty. Sorry, I'm just like what twenty twenty six? 491 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 2: Like what year is it? Yeah, what year is it? 492 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 4: And how are we already in twenty twenty six? But yeah, 493 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:40,399 Speaker 4: she can prove her worth in twenty twenty six, So 494 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 4: you know, I think the Sun are hoping it's a 495 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,199 Speaker 4: sort of situation where she really just decides when she 496 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:49,359 Speaker 4: things settle down, you know, I can you know, they 497 00:23:49,359 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 4: want her to be the centerpiece, right, they want her 498 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 4: to have the ball in her hands a lot, So 499 00:23:54,359 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 4: they're hoping that's an advantageous situation for both Marina and 500 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:01,159 Speaker 4: for the team. I think around the league, you know, 501 00:24:01,160 --> 00:24:05,320 Speaker 4: it's just really interesting the different paths that all these 502 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:07,919 Speaker 4: different teams on and the fact that like everything is 503 00:24:07,960 --> 00:24:11,399 Speaker 4: going to be a blank slate essentially in twenty twenty 504 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:13,359 Speaker 4: six is playing into this too. But right now, I 505 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:16,359 Speaker 4: think for the Sun, you know, they have some pieces 506 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:19,159 Speaker 4: that they want to you know, they have you know, 507 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 4: the Tina Charles or Marina Mabreen, Natasha Clouds still on 508 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 4: the roster you know as of now too, so you 509 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 4: know they could kind of try and compete with them. 510 00:24:26,080 --> 00:24:28,880 Speaker 4: But also the long term I think there are they 511 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 4: really are trying to kind of retool their roster and 512 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:36,800 Speaker 4: build with a younger core. So that's something that might 513 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:40,600 Speaker 4: take some time to actually see come into fruition. But 514 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 4: it's like so interesting because of the different timelines that 515 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 4: all these teams have, and there's not really a ton 516 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 4: of teams that are fully kind of committing to like 517 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,920 Speaker 4: a full rebuild and the you know in the traditional sense. 518 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,400 Speaker 4: I think maybe with the Mystics having so many first 519 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 4: round draft picks, they might kind of be a little 520 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 4: bit more like on that line. And they also have 521 00:24:58,680 --> 00:25:02,119 Speaker 4: obviously new Ga Avenue head coach too. But a lot 522 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 4: of teams are trying to compete or you know, be 523 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 4: really good this year too, and I think part of 524 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 4: that is just also there's so much attention on the 525 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 4: league now that no one wants to no one wants 526 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 4: to look bad off year, have off year, and then 527 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 4: also like they want to maintain. They want to maintain 528 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,120 Speaker 4: and apeel for free agents going into twenty six too, 529 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 4: so there's that element as well. 530 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:26,480 Speaker 1: One of the teams with the biggest changes of the 531 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 1: Phoenix Mercury, not just because of the shuffling of a 532 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:33,200 Speaker 1: handful of players, but because Diana Tarrassi did officially tell 533 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 1: us that she was retiring. We kind of knew it 534 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:38,880 Speaker 1: with that farewell video, but you never know what dts, 535 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:41,439 Speaker 1: so we were holding out hope and now that she 536 00:25:41,520 --> 00:25:44,200 Speaker 1: has announced her retirement. You were part of putting together 537 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: a really great story for ESPN untold stories about the 538 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:52,080 Speaker 1: retired WNBA legend from her teammates or competitors, coaches, family members. 539 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 2: Did you have a favorite from that story? 540 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 4: I did, and it was something that actually didn't make 541 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:00,960 Speaker 4: the final cut, so I waited talk about it. So 542 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 4: I talked with Morgan Valley, who was this assistant coach 543 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:09,480 Speaker 4: at Yukon now and was Diana's roommate in college, I 544 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 4: think for multiple years, and it was just it wasn't 545 00:26:12,800 --> 00:26:15,359 Speaker 4: as much like of a specific moment, but it was 546 00:26:15,400 --> 00:26:19,120 Speaker 4: more so like the story behind the bun that I 547 00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:21,960 Speaker 4: thought was just like incredible. But basically she was describing 548 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 4: to me, how like Diana used to like lay down 549 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 4: on the couch and like have her hair hanging off 550 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:30,159 Speaker 4: the back of it, and then she would have like 551 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:32,639 Speaker 4: a brush and the hairspray and this whole get up 552 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 4: and there was they used this like massive and I 553 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 4: was kind of confused about this, but I guess this 554 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,359 Speaker 4: was the thing. It was like a massive like Rice 555 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 4: Crispy treat that was like used as like a table 556 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 4: and so because like they're in this like cramped dorm, 557 00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 4: you know, and so like she's using this whole like 558 00:26:48,119 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 4: kind of setup to do the pair, to do the bun. 559 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:52,359 Speaker 4: Apparently at one point there was you know, she was 560 00:26:52,359 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 4: doing more of like a ponytail situation. But I loved 561 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 4: I just like could clearly picture Diane just like laying 562 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:01,199 Speaker 4: back and like spending all the. 563 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 2: Time get it as tight as possible. 564 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 4: And of course then you know has it's a living 565 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 4: kind of legend at this point and of itself. So right, 566 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:11,880 Speaker 4: I love that little bit of it. 567 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:14,840 Speaker 2: Where did the Rice Krispy treat fall into place? 568 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 4: Here? 569 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:17,040 Speaker 1: This is she was using that as a table to 570 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 1: lean against, or maybe it looked like a Rice Crispy tree, 571 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 1: but it wasn't. 572 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 4: Actually, it was definitely. Morgan definitely said it was a 573 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:26,159 Speaker 4: Rice Krispy treat and they were using it as it 574 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:28,119 Speaker 4: sounded like using as a table to like put some 575 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:30,879 Speaker 4: of the stuff on, because they didn't have maybe like 576 00:27:31,000 --> 00:27:33,679 Speaker 4: a huge table to begin with her a kind of 577 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:34,920 Speaker 4: stuff in the dorm. 578 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 1: So and I'm like, interesting, I'm looking it up right 579 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:43,120 Speaker 1: now and the world's largest allegedly is only two pounds, 580 00:27:43,800 --> 00:27:45,600 Speaker 1: so it just doesn't feel like it'd be big enough 581 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,200 Speaker 1: to use as a table. But I am seeing someone 582 00:27:48,200 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 1: on TikTok holding a relatively large. 583 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:51,920 Speaker 2: Rice Krispy treat. 584 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:55,440 Speaker 1: So we'll have to do some further research on exactly 585 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 1: how you can make a table out of a Rice 586 00:27:57,000 --> 00:27:57,640 Speaker 1: Chrispy tree. 587 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:00,760 Speaker 4: I think I have to definitely follow with her about that, 588 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 4: because that's us. 589 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:02,399 Speaker 2: Yeah, leave it. 590 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 1: Leave it to Tarasi to somehow give us the most 591 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: mysterious story possible, even when it's just about doing her hair. 592 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:11,359 Speaker 2: Well, everyone can check out that story. 593 00:28:11,359 --> 00:28:12,960 Speaker 1: We'll link to it in the show notes because it's 594 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,600 Speaker 1: great to hear from all sorts of people just sharing 595 00:28:15,640 --> 00:28:18,159 Speaker 1: their stories about DT and it's always great to hear 596 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:19,879 Speaker 1: from you. So thank you so much for giving us 597 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:22,480 Speaker 1: some time and your expertise as we get really excited 598 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,160 Speaker 1: for these conference tournaments in March madness. 599 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:27,399 Speaker 4: Yeah, thanks for having me, Sarah. 600 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 2: We got to take another break. 601 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:30,879 Speaker 1: When we come back, one team finds a win in 602 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:40,640 Speaker 1: a step situation, stick around, welcome back slices. 603 00:28:40,680 --> 00:28:42,479 Speaker 2: We always love to hear from you, so hit us 604 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 2: up on email. 605 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:45,960 Speaker 1: Good game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a 606 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:48,680 Speaker 1: voicemail at eight seven two two o four fifty seventy 607 00:28:48,920 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 1: and you know what I'm going to say. Yep, don't 608 00:28:51,000 --> 00:28:54,520 Speaker 1: forget to subscribe, rate and review, give us five stars. 609 00:28:54,160 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 2: Tell us you love us. It's easy watch. 610 00:28:57,000 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 1: Women's basketball coach lost to Doge cuts stick sound to 611 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 1: lead his team to the NAIA Tournament, rating ten out 612 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 1: of ten Middle fingers to the Doge Bags Review. Nearly 613 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 1: twenty five percent of the workforce at Haskell Indian Nations 614 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:15,400 Speaker 1: University was fired last month as part of Doge's haphazard 615 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:19,200 Speaker 1: and politically motivated cuts, including fourth year women's basketball coach 616 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 1: Adam Strom. My buddy Kevin Blackistone wrote a story for 617 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 1: The Washington Post about Strom's firing, writing quote, I guess 618 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:29,479 Speaker 1: in the six trillion dollar plus federal budget. Getting rid 619 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 1: of the Native American women's basketball coach at an indigenous 620 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 1: university established by the government ostensibly in part to write 621 00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:38,720 Speaker 1: some of its voluminous wrongs against the Native people that 622 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: trampled makes a big difference. 623 00:29:41,360 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 2: End quote. 624 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:46,320 Speaker 1: More from blackistone on Haskell University quote, Haskell is one 625 00:29:46,360 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 1: of at least thirty five TCUs or tribal colleges and universities. 626 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:54,160 Speaker 1: They are not unlike HBCUs historically black colleges and universities. 627 00:29:54,440 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 1: They too, were born out of refusal by this land's 628 00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:00,520 Speaker 1: settler colonial class to provide any meaningful education to the 629 00:30:00,560 --> 00:30:04,080 Speaker 1: progeny of the millions of indigenous people it really preferred 630 00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: to eradicate, or the progeny of the millions of humans 631 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:11,240 Speaker 1: it traffic from Africa to exploit. Blackistone continues later quote 632 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 1: the mission of TCUs and HBCUs is to educate the 633 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,800 Speaker 1: marginalized ethnic and racial students referenced in their titles, and 634 00:30:17,880 --> 00:30:20,479 Speaker 1: Haskell is even more pointed as part of a treaty 635 00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:24,080 Speaker 1: and trust signed between American Indians and this country, Haskell's 636 00:30:24,080 --> 00:30:26,880 Speaker 1: mission is specifically to lift up those who are members 637 00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: of federally recognized tribes or can prove native ancestry through blood. 638 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,080 Speaker 1: Last fall, Haskell enrolled nine hundred seventy eight students from 639 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:37,120 Speaker 1: one hundred and forty six tribes. Seventeen make up the 640 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:40,360 Speaker 1: women's basketball team. And that's how their women's basketball coach 641 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 1: got swept up in the mailstream of malefaction metastasizing across 642 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,600 Speaker 1: the country because he was a federal employee at a 643 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 1: federally funded entity. 644 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:48,960 Speaker 2: End quote. 645 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:52,320 Speaker 1: It's an infuriating story of politically motivated cuts to a 646 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:55,400 Speaker 1: place that doesn't deserve it and can't afford it. But 647 00:30:56,160 --> 00:30:59,040 Speaker 1: Strom isn't walking away. Instead of leaving the team, he 648 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:01,880 Speaker 1: stayed on as an un paid volunteer and just led 649 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:03,960 Speaker 1: his squad to a fifty seven to fifty two win 650 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:07,640 Speaker 1: over Northern New Mexico in the Continental Athletic Conference championship game, 651 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:11,280 Speaker 1: earning a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. We are 652 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:14,160 Speaker 1: all rooting for you, Haskell and coach Strom. We'll link 653 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:16,040 Speaker 1: to that blackistone article in the show notes if you 654 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:18,800 Speaker 1: want to read it now, it's your turn, rate and review. 655 00:31:19,040 --> 00:31:22,960 Speaker 2: Go do it right now, do it, do it. Thanks 656 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:23,480 Speaker 2: for listening. 657 00:31:23,640 --> 00:31:27,520 Speaker 1: See you tomorrow, Good Game Alexa, Good Game Haskell Women's hoops. 658 00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:31,280 Speaker 1: You you eliminating programs and firing people under the guise of 659 00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:33,880 Speaker 1: saving money when it's really about cutting jobs and efforts 660 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 1: that help marginalize folks that you don't give a shit about. 661 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 1: Good Game With Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 662 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 663 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,960 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 664 00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:50,360 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 665 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive 666 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:57,200 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. 667 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:00,480 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez and Great Lynch. 668 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:03,760 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm Your Host 669 00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain