No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Can UConn and South Carolina live up to their hype, or is another team poised to crash the national championship race? Chantel and Sabreena break down the top contenders, biggest question marks, and players who could define the women’s college basketball season.
The duo dives into South Carolina’s loaded roster, UConn’s experienced backcourt, and the questions surrounding USC’s talent and team chemistry. Plus, they discuss how significant roster turnover could impact Texas and UCLA, why Michigan’s returning core has plenty of potential, and whether Oklahoma State’s revamped roster could surprise this season.
Finally, we look ahead to some of the season’s most intriguing early matchups that could offer a first glimpse of how the top teams stack up against one another.

REFERENCES:
Women's college basketball predictions: Who's making the 2026-27 Final Four? Our experts pick by Annie Costabile, Brian Hamilton, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant
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In the WNBA’s first-ever winner take all Game 7, the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream — clinching their first championship in just their second year in existence. How did they do it? Zena Keita, Annie Costabile, and very special guest — Valkyries star, Kiah Stokes — break down what happened on both sides of the ball, from Finals MVP Gabby Williams’ historic night to how the pressure of “Valkatraz” kept Angel Reese to just 8 points; plus, the impact of the vibes inside Ballhalla on a Halloween that won’t soon be forgotten - and former Golden State Warriors center, Festus Ezeli, stops by to comment on the game.

REFERENCES:

How did the Golden State Valkyries make history, fast-track their way to WNBA title in 2 years? by Annie Costabile and Brian Hamilton
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The championship will be decided in Game 7! With their season on the line, the Atlanta Dream came out firing in Game 6, taking down the Golden State Valkyries 80–69 to force a winner-take-all showdown in the WNBA Finals. Zena Keita, Annie and Sabreena break down how Atlanta kept its title hopes alive and what we can expect from a historic Game 7.

REFERENCES:
Atlanta Dream force first WNBA Finals Game 7 by decimating Golden State Valkyries by Annie Costabile
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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The Golden State Valkyries are ONE win away from a championship! Zena and Annie are LIVE from Ballhalla after Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, breaking down how Golden State took control with a dominant defensive performance and moved within reach of the title.

They dive into Kia Stokes’ game-changing night, the Valkyries’ adjustments against Angel Reese, and Veronica Burton’s growing impact on both ends of the floor. Plus, what went wrong for Atlanta, and what do the Dream need to change to keep their championship hopes alive?

REFERENCES:

Valkyries on verge of clinching WNBA Finals title after beating Dream in Game 5 by Sabreena Merchant
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
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Zena and Annie break down the Golden State Valkyries’ huge Game 4 win over the Atlanta Dream to even the WNBA Finals at 2–2! After making key changes to their starting lineup, the Valkyries got back to their defensive identity, forcing 17 turnovers and finding a way to steal a win on the road.

With the series tied, the momentum is up for grabs! Zena and Annie look ahead to a pivotal Game 5 back at Ballhalla and share their predictions for what’s next in this Finals showdown.

REFERENCES:
Valkyries switch things up, grind out Game 4 win to even WNBA Finals with Dream by Sabreena Merchant
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

Sign up for the No Offseason newsletter!

YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
TikTok: @no_offseason
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.