No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Chantel and Sabreena kick off their discussion by exploring potential strategies for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft—who might be protected, and which players could come as surprises?

Then the duo get us ready for the Final Four by breaking down the South Carolina–UConn rematch and the potential pressure for UCLA and Texas as they chase a championship. They discuss what this moment means for players and coaches, the influence of new faces, and the expectations surrounding these games. The conversation also highlights the quest for redemption for teams that fell short in previous tournaments and the excitement of these matchups, even amid predictions of chalk outcomes.

Finally, they share their predictions for the national title game.

REFERENCES:

First look at the Final Four: Who has the edge? South Carolina or UConn? Texas or UCLA? by Sabreena Merchant

How Dawn Staley reinvented South Carolina without losing its edge by Jerry Brewer

Texas is 2 wins from Vic Schaefer’s first title and him saying it’s his best team by Chantel Jennings

Lack of parity isn’t a problem. Goliaths in women’s Final Four is good for the sport by Sabreena Merchant

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Layshia open their conversation with the return of A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier to USA Basketball, discussing how Team USA is shifting its focus toward developing younger talent and moving away from a more exclusionary approach.

They then dive into the transition of the Connecticut Sun to the Houston Comets, highlighting the excitement surrounding the Comets’ return and the challenges facing the Sun’s fanbase. The duo also explores the role of NBA ownership in providing resources and stability, along with the cultural differences between Connecticut and Houston.

We wrap things with a story on how WNBA players connected with a key figure in negotiations.

REFERENCES:

A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier head to Team USA camp; Caitlin Clark to sit out session by Sabreena Merchant

Rockets owners to purchase Connecticut Sun, relocate team to Houston: Sources by Mike Vorkunov

Houston Comets expected to return after WNBA’s Connecticut Sun relocate to Texas by Mike Vorkunov

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Chantel break down the Elite Eight games of the NCAA women’s tournament, taking a look at key moments and the players that made all the difference – from Blanca Quiñonez to Lauren Betts, and from Madison Booker to Madina Okot. Then, they turn their attention to the games of the Final Four, previewing what could happen on Friday in Phoenix.

REFERENCES:

UConn advances to 25th Final Four with win over Notre Dame by Cameron Teague Robinson

Leave the nets … for now. UConn, as always, plans for bigger Final Four celebrations by Chantel Jennings

How Angela Dugalić set the tone for UCLA’s Final Four run by Sabreena Merchant

UCLA headed back to Final Four after comeback against Duke by Grace Rayoner

Lauren Betts and UCLA return to Final Four with unfinished business by Jerry Brewer

Texas decimates Michigan for return trip to Final Four by Cameron Teague Robinson

Texas is 2 wins from Vic Schaefer’s first title and him saying it’s his best team by Chantel Jennings

Final Four field is set: South Carolina joins fellow No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA and Texas by Grace Rayoner

First look at the Final Four: Who has the edge? South Carolina or UConn? Texas or UCLA? by Sabreena Merchant

__

No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Sabreena react LIVE to the Sweet 16’s biggest moments, then break down the key matchups and players to watch heading into the Elite 8.

REFERENCES:

Women’s Sweet 16 takeaways: Duke’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer stuns LSU in epic finish by Cameron Teague Robinson, Chantel Jennings, Grace Raynor and Sabreena Merchant

Notre Dame’s unlikely run to the Elite Eight started with offseason dedication to Niele Ivey by Cameron Teague Robinson

Duke’s NCAA Tournament revenge tour continues. Up next: UCLA in the Elite Eight by Sabreena Merchant

A shot, a season, a stand: Duke and Ashlon Jackson refuse to fall against LSU by Jerry Brewer

Flau’jae Johnson’s final moment at LSU doesn’t define her storied career by: Devon Henderson

Kim Mulkey denies rumors she’s retiring after LSU’s Sweet 16 loss: ‘It’s just a lie’ by Grace Raynor

Women’s Sweet 16 takeaways: Michigan beats Louisville; TCU ends Virginia’s Cinderella bid by The Athletic College Basketball Staff

Geno Auriemma airs frustration with NCAA Tournament’s two-site regional format by Devon Henderson
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena and Layshia begin by discussing the uncertain future of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before turning to the upcoming expansion draft, where they analyze potential player selections and the strategic decisions facing new teams.

They then explore the vital role of coaching, particularly under high-pressure circumstances, emphasizing the importance of trust and communication between coaches and players. Drawing on memorable game moments, they highlight the impact of player-coach interactions and the balance between intensity and care, showing how trust is crucial in challenging situations.

We close things out with Layshia’s Lens, featuring a buzzer-beater moment.

REFERENCES:

Adam Silver praises Cathy Engelbert, but hasn’t discussed her future with WNBA board by Mike Vorkunov

WNBA sets expansion draft for April 3 as Toronto and Portland begin to build rosters by Curt Anderson

WNBA expansion draft big board: Who will Toronto and Portland select? by Sabreena Merchant

Maryland coach Brenda Frese went viral for yelling at Oluchi Okananwa. There’s more to the story by Elise Devlin

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at [email protected]

Show Links:
-YouTube: @No-Offseason
-Instagram: @tanooffseason
-TikTok: @no_offseason

Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.