Tag: Tina Charles

Hannah Hidalgo is USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year

Congrats, Hannah!

[autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] only has played college basketball for a month, but the Notre Dame freshman phenom already is making an impact. She’s the nation’s leader in steals (6.0 a game) and one of its top scorers (23.6 points a game). But that doesn’t begin to describe what she’s done overall this year.

Hidalgo has won the prestigious USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award for how well she did in international play this season. During the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, she averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 assists a game to help the U.S. win the gold medal. Joni Taylor, her coach from that tournament, said it best:

“Hannah Hidalgo is a name you will not forget.”

In winning this award, Hidalgo is joining elite company in more ways than one. She is only the fourth player to win it before beginning her collegiate career, joining Paige Bueckers, Brianna Stewart and Janelle Bailey.

Many women’s basketball legends, some of which remain active and others are enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, have won this award since it was first given out in 1980. These include Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Cheryl Miller, Katrina McClain, A’ja Wilson, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Katie Smith, Natalie Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Chamique Holdsclaw, Seimone Augustus and Lynette Woodard.

If that list is any indication, Hidalgo is on her way to becoming not only an Irish legend but a legend of the sport. It probably wouldn’t surprise her either because she indicated such when Fighting Irish Wire asked her about it after the Irish’s win over Lafayette:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think I know what God has blessed me with, and so, it’s a lot easier when I have teammates like the ones that I do. That makes the game just so much easier.”

Here’s to the latest of what should be many more honors for someone who’s just getting started.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

2022 WNBA season MVP futures: favorites, sleepers and predictions

Who do you have winning the MVP?

The countdown to opening night of WNBA’s 26th season has officially reached single digits. Training camps are well-underway, preseason games are happening and rosters are being trimmed to their regular-season form in preparation for the W’s May 6th start.

And while the fringe roster players are sweating out the days of training camp, wondering what their futures as WNBA players hold, the established players and team leaders are gearing up for what they hope will be a magical season. There are a select few who have the power to make that happen, we call those MVP candidates.

We take a look at the elite players’ odds to win the MVP award, while also pinpointing the sleepers and longshots.

Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Indiana Fever vs. Washington Mystics match up, with WNBA betting odds, picks and best bets.

The Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics get their WNBA regular season underway Saturday at 5 p.m. ET at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in the league’s bubble site, or “Wubble” – which the players have been calling it. We analyze the Fever-Mystics WNBA betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.

The Mystics embark on defense of their crown, and the WNBA champs can partially thank the Fever for their recent success. Winning the Eastern Conference by three games last season, Washington can point to its 3-0 straight-up record vs. Indiana, while going 1-1-1 against the spread (ATS) in those contests.

Fever vs. Mystics: By the Numbers

  • Since the start of the 2017 WNBA regular season the Mystics have rattled off 10 consecutive victories over the Fever, going 6-3-1 ATS. The average margin of victory in last season’s three-game regular season sweep was 19.7 points per game, even with one battle decided in overtime.
  • Seven of the past eight in this series have ended up going Over, and Washington has scored 82 or more points in seven of those outings. The Mystics averaged a gaudy 97.7 PPG in the three meetings in 2019.
  • The Mystics (+250) are listed as the favorites to repeat as WNBA champions. The Fever (+4000) are long shots to win it all – only the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings (+6600 each) have longer odds.

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Fever vs. Mystics: Key injuries

Fever

  • F Lauren Cox is out. She arrived Thursday evening to the bubble, and players have to quarantine in their rooms for four days after arrival.

Mystics

  • F Tina Charles was deemed a high-risk individual by the league’s independent doctors and received a medical waiver, opting out for the season.
  • C Elena Delle Donne, the 2019 MVP, has been battling the after-effects of Lyme disease for several years and did not receive a medical waiver, but she is not expected to play.
  • F LaToya Sanders also elected to opt out due to health reasons.
  • G Natasha Cloud elected to skip the 2020 season, focusing on social justice instead.

Fever vs. Mystics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

WNBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 10:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Mystics 87, Fever 78

Moneyline (ML)

The MYSTICS (-133) are missing some of their big guns, but they’ll still have enough to upend the Fever (+110) in the opener. The defending champs aren’t losing this one.

Against the spread (ATS)

The spread is -1.5 for WASHINGTON (-110). Perhaps this one is close at halftime and into the third quarter, but look for the Mystics to pull away from Indiana (+1.5, -110) late.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 162.5 (-120) has hit in each of the three meetings last season, and seven of the past eight in this series. Even without Charles, Cloud and Delle Donne on the floor, the Mystics have a powerful offense. They won’t erupt for the 97.7 PPG they averaged in three games against the Fever last season, but Washington will do enough for the win and an Over result.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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