Tag: NCAAW

Bill Fennelly was flabbergasted after Sarah Strong’s spectacular night vs. Iowa State

His flabbers were GHASTED.

UConn freshman Sarah Strong was so good when the Huskies played Iowa State that Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly couldn’t believe it.

Listen, we tried to tell everyone about Sarah Strong. We even made this handy dandy guide of stellar freshmen you need to know headlined by her. However, we realize that not everyone will pay attention to what we say. Sometimes, they have to see it in person, and that’s precisely what happened to Bill Fennelly.

On Tuesday, Strong went scorched earth on the Cyclones, dropping 17 points in the 3rd quarter alone, as she shot her way to a career-high 29 points. (She also added nine rebounds and four assists, because why not.) Postgame, Fennelly was stunned by what he witnessed. “I don’t know if you can put it into words,” he told the media. “There’s certain people — Geno’s had them over the years — that the game looks really easy and it just pisses you off…She was so much better live than on video.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDtKmeGN6De/?igsh=OXduZGtyb2t0cG5l

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Caitlin Clark’s Iowa jersey retirement is happening on the perfect date

There was never a doubt.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have plans to retire Caitlin Clark’s jersey, and we wouldn’t expect anything less.

It’s not often that someone’s jersey goes up into the rafters just a season after they completed their college career. However, it’s probably a foregone conclusion once you have things like a special home-court decal commemorating the shot that made that person the leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history. Obviously, they already have a resume worthy of such an honor.

So, it shouldn’t be shocking that the Hawkeyes would go all in on celebrating No. 22 with the perfect date to retire her jersey. When will it happen? On February 2, 2025 — yes, 2/2. Of course, Caitlin is scheduled to be in attendance as the Hawkeyes play USC. Grab the popcorn (and maybe some tissue), folks. This should be good.

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LSU desperately needs Flau’jae Johnson’s leadership to thrive in post-Angel Reese era

It’s time, Flau’jae. This is your team.

Looking at the LSU Lady Tigers this season, it’s clear that Kim Mulkey’s squad is struggling to find its leader. Team staple Angel Reese is no longer on the roster, and without her, LSU has seemingly lost its swagger, grit, and tough, no-nonsense type of basketball.

At the time of publishing, the Tigers are undefeated (12-0), and many wouldn’t bat an eye about a team steamrolling its competition. However, a light non-conference schedule hasn’t quelled the concerns about LSU. For example, there isn’t a ranked team with more 20-turnover games (5) than LSU. Moreover, Mulkey and her staff don’t believe the Lady Tigers have a clear leader.

Per Cory Diaz of the Lafayette Observer, LSU associate coach Bob Starkey expressed concern. “I think we have a void at leadership,” Starkey said. “When you do that, that can affect your team chemistry. We have certain players that want to lead at certain times, and that’s another area where we’re not consistent.”

To Starkey’s point, that couldn’t have been more evident during LSU’s win against Stanford. It took a combination of efforts from players like Mikaylah Williams and Kailyn Gilbert to walk away victorious. The win also included 21 points from Flau’jae Johnson, but she fouled out in overtime.

Transparently, a player of Flau’jae’s caliber can’t be off the floor with such a massive game on the line. It was a silent reminder that without Reese, Flau’jae has yet to step into the full-time leadership role that was left for her. Maybe she doesn’t have to lead the Tigers alone, but it’s clear. This is Flau’jae’s team.

There isn’t any other way around that, and to think otherwise is foolish. No one on the floor can do what she can at both ends or take over quite like she does. LSU is escaping with wins now because its schedule favors that. However, the road will only get more challenging when conference play begins, and until Flau’jae fully steps into the leadership spotlight, LSU will underachieve.

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Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo is must-see menace on both sides of the ball

Hannah Hidalgo is a two-way menace — a real hoops sicko.

It’s time to have a conversation about Notre Dame sophomore Hannah Hidalgo.

Thanks to a fantastic start to the season with backcourt partner Olivia Miles, many conversations about the Fighting Irish have focused on the guard duo. But what has stood out to me in all the hoopla is just how well Hannah Hidalgo has been playing on both sides of the ball by herself.

Hannah is a two-way menace — A REAL BASKETBALL SICKO — who thrives on making matchups a living nightmare for opponents. Because in what world do you average nearly 25 points and seven rebounds a game while also averaging more steals (4.1) than you do turnovers (3.2)?

Did I mention that she’s just 5-foot-6, pulling out these sorts of hijinks?! Apparently, that casual stuff in Hannah’s world, and not enough people are talking about it for me. Just look at this NASTY WORK she did against Texas. A 30-burger with eight rebounds and three steals against a top-10 team. WHAT, HANNAH HIDALGO?! EXCUSE ME?!

To be clear, she’s a wrecking ball on the court, and it doesn’t matter who you are; Hannah will smile in your face and then proceed to drop buckets on your head top right before she takes your lunch money. (She ranks second in the country in steals.)

And, if you’re not careful, you’ll be part of her highlight reel when she inevitably decides to go deep inside her back of tricks and pull out ridiculous stuff like this.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDN9H1cxz9R/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=d5992998-53d5-436d-a5ce-e7797e9e6a09

Honestly, I’m campaigning for Hannah to be recognized as the best two-player in the country.  Write it down. Tell a friend. Spread the word.

No one is playing better basketball on both sides of the floor than Hannah Hidalgo. She is MUST-SEE TV, and women’s college basketball is better with her as one of the significant culture shifters this season.

Florida State’s Ta’Niya Latson surprisingly leads women’s college basketball in scoring

Remember the name — Ta’Niya Latson.

When Caitlin Clark moved on to the WNBA, most people assumed that USC star JuJu Watkins, second in points last season, would become the nation’s leading scorer. But it’s not Watkins who leads women’s college basketball this year — it’s Flordia State’s Ta’Niya Latson.

Latson’s been quietly on a tear, shredding up opposing defenses without fear to the tune of 28.6 points and five rebounds a game. Her silky smooth release and impressive body control allow her to work in any space. She’s shooting 48 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range, helping Florida State become the number two scoring offense in college basketball.

What’s more, Latson’s high basketball IQ on the court has helped her recently put up a triple-double against Gonzaga on November 30th and drop back-to-back 30-point games (bringing her total to four for the season) in just ten matchups. If you’ve been sleeping on Ta’Niya Latson, you might want to start paying attention.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDXo13pvAXh/?igsh=MTdkZmdxdGJva2lqbA==

 

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Hannah Hidalgo threw the most unreal pass on this assist to Olivia Miles for Notre Dame

Hannah Hidalgo is a real sicko for this.

Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles are already one of the best duos in women’s college basketball. But their chemistry after playing together for less than ten games makes ZERO sense.

People should be utterly baffled by how good Hannah and Olivia are.  Hannah is a two-way menace who puts up nearly 25 points and six rebounds on the offensive end and defensively picks pockets for an incredible 4.5 steals a game. Not to be left out, Olivia averages 17 points, six rebounds and six assists on 53 percent shooting.

When both are on the court, they’re making plays together that take other duos YEARS to come up with — like, I don’t know, a no-look backward pass FROM THE FLOOR. Yeah, that happened. Hildago poked a ball away, stole it, and while still on the ground, passed it over her head to Miles, who knew the ball was coming and was already moving up the floor for a bucket. WHAT KIND OF SORCERY IS THIS?! STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDN9H1cxz9R/?igsh=MTNhNmJzZWRiMDkwNg==

(Feature image courtesy of ESPN)

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What Flau’jae Johnson’s Unrivaled NIL deal means for her WNBA status

Flau’Jae Johnson’s Unrivaled deal might reveal her future WNBA plans.

LSU star Flau’jae Johnson has a new NIL deal with Unrivaled, and the partnership could have huge implications.

Despite having rosters loaded with talent, Unrivaled is ensuring that it also has stars for the foreseeable future. Earlier this year, the league announced a special NIL deal with UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers, and now it’s doing the same with LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson.

On Thursday, the new basketball organization announced that it’s signing the young hooper to a sponsorship that ensures her league equity. As part of the agreement, she will also create unique content for Unrivaled. (Perhaps we’ll get some Flau’jae originals or hype music from the rapper.)

https://www.instagram.com/flaujae/reel/DDNEnYnJtPg/

However, there’s a big elephant in the room. Johnson is still in college and has yet to indicate if she’s going to the WNBA, leaving many to wonder what her new deal means for the future.

Here’s a hint: Per Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, Flau’jae is expected to join Unrivaled in January 2026. Johnson would have to forgo her senior season at LSU to do that. If she decides to skip her final year, it could also mean she’s declaring early and going to the 2025 WNBA Draft.

She would technically meet the league’s criteria of being a senior or turning 22 in the same calendar year as the draft. That means she could play an entire WNBA season with Bueckers and still join her in Miami when Unrivaled’s second year starts.

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Hailey Van Lith’s redemption tour with TCU is already silencing the haters

It’s a bad time to be a Hailey Van Lith hater.

Hailey Van Lith has been balling since she transferred to TCU, and more people should be talking about it.

When Van Lith left Louisville, her decision to join Kim Mulkey and Angel Reese at LSU was lauded as one of women’s college basketball’s best transfer portal moves. On paper, it was program-changing. But reality painted a much different picture. Van Lith struggled in Mulkey’s system, and despite doing her best to work through it, her shortcomings were seemingly broadcast for the world to see. She became a meme and even a viral photo.

However, a second transfer to TCU — a move For The Win’s Mitchell Northam predicted would make the Horned Frogs a must-watch team — is already silencing Van Lith’s haters. She’s having a breakout season. In fact, the Washington native’s playing exactly the way we know she can.

Through eight games, Van Lith is averaging 19.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. Along with players like Sedona Prince, she’s also helped TCU stay undefeated and earn a No. 9 ranking, its highest ever in an AP Top 25 Poll.

Van Lith showed flashes of her old self this past summer at the Paris Olympics when she and Team USA Basketball’s 3×3 team won bronze. But it seems that the change of scenery and support from head coach Mark Campbell has fostered an environment that’s allowed her to blossom again. As TCU’s social media team recently stated about its star guard, “What are they gonna say now?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC-5Hi8NL6p/?igsh=MWV0endoM3FlYzNsbg==

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South Carolina wore Ring Pops and custom shirts during national championship ring reveal

This is fantastic.

Dawn Staley and South Carolina really celebrated their national championship with Ring Pops and “Ring Us” shirts, and in our opinion, that’s the only way to do it.

On Monday, South Carolina got the chance to continue relishing in its historic run last season. The Gamecocks reflected on an undefeated record and a national championship in the only way you should — with complete shenanigans.

Those antics included Ring Pops (because why not?!) and custom shirts that said “Ring Us” for the whole team. Pretty sweet, right? However, that’s not nearly as awesome as the team’s actual rings. South Carolina received two pieces of totally iced-out jewelry for winning the SEC Championship and their national title.

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(Feature image courtesy of ABC Columbia)

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Kim Mulkey wore a wild exotic pink tiger sweater during 100th win with LSU

Tigers for the Tigers.

Nobody wears an outfit quite like LSU coach Kim Mulkey, and her creation for her 100th win since landing in the bayou did not disappoint.

So, we need to apologize. We’ve been slacking our Kim Mulkey fit tracking for the last few weeks. (We know. We know. Sorry to disappoint.) Nevertheless, we’re up to speed now, and it’s just in time.

On Sunday, as LSU marched to a resounding victory, Kim Mulkey was wearing tigers — neon pink tigers striped like candy canes. We’re not kidding. As Kim earned her 100th win with the program, she was fittingly wearing a wild exotic tiger sweater, and it’s so on-brand (and so awful) that it’s glorious.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDDUzG-SPHO/?igsh=MXBybmNhaDNzdWcwMg==

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