No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Together in Phoenix after the national championship game, the whole No Offseason crew dives deep into UCLA’s decisive win over South Carolina. With a spotlight on UCLA’s six seniors — including Most Outstanding Player, Lauren Betts, and star guard, Gabriela Jaquez — Zena, Layshia, Sabreena and Chantel dissect UCLA head coach Cori Close’s incisive game plan to take down South Carolina, and her players’ elite execution of that plan. They also break down what went wrong for South Carolina, outside of not getting their shots to drop. Then, the crew speculates on what might come next for UCLA, with so many roster spots to fill next year and a newly open transfer portal.

REFERENCES:

UCLA clobbers South Carolina for first NCAA national title in program history by Cameron Teague Robinson

How UCLA’s super senior class, led by Lauren Betts, set the championship standard by Sabreena Merchant

For UCLA, a championship lesson came from losing by Jerry Brewer

Dawn Staley isn’t here for the drama. She’s here to protect the game by Jerry Brewer

Sacrifice and selflessness define coach Cori Close’s UCLA championship run by Chantel Jennings

What went wrong for South Carolina? The main thing: UCLA’s dominating defense by Grace Raynor

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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.

What exactly happened between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley at the end of UConn-South Carolina game? The No Offseason crew are live to dive into the behind-the-scenes of that moment, plus all the moments from last night's Final Four. Then, a look-ahead to the title game, where UCLA and South Carolina will meet for all the glory on Sunday afternoon. Plus, thoughts on the WNBA Expansion Draft.

REFERENCES:

The night Geno Auriemma snapped — and Dawn Staley showed the game has changed by Jerry Brewer

Geno Auriemma apologizes for behavior after heated exchange with Dawn Staley by Shannon Ryan

UConn’s chase for perfection ends with imperfect Final Four loss to South Carolina by Chantel Jennings

UCLA women’s basketball regained its focus to set sights on national championship by Sabreena Merchant

First look at the women’s national championship: Who will win? South Carolina or UCLA? by Cameron Teague Robinson

WNBA expansion draft winners and losers: Portland’s depth, Toronto’s future scoring 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.

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.