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Indiana Fever section tactics with head trainer (HC), Christie Facets, marking the 6th WNBA HC to be fired this offseason

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Indiana Fever section tactics with head trainer (HC), Christie Facets, marking the 6th WNBA HC to be fired this offseason

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The GIST: The Indiana Fever parted ways with head coach (HC) Christie Sides yesterday, making her the sixth WNBA HC (of 12) to be fired in an already spicy offseason. Pass the milk — it’s time for a deep dive.

The background: The LA Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics, and Fever have all dismissed their HCs in the last month, a remarkable turnover following one of the most-watched WNBA seasons of all-time.

  • Notably, five of the six aforementioned teams (excluding the Fever) finished in the bottom half of the standings this year and four of the six (Sparks, Sky, Wings, and Mystics) didn’t make the playoffs at all.

But why?: Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but the WNBA is surging, dictating pop culture and drawing record-breaking eyes to the court. There’s skyrocketing pressure to win, and changing up a front office can have franchise-altering results.

  • And the offseason shakeups are likely far from over. Numerous league legends are currently free agents, and the right HC can lure the shiniest star away from their current team. The ripple effects from the WNBA’s successful 2024 season have only just begun.



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Adidas Adizero EVO SL Shoe Evaluation

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Adidas Adizero EVO SL Shoe Evaluation

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There aren’t many shoes I would run a marathon right out of the box in…

OK, that’s a bit of a lie, because unless I’m racing for a time, I’m usually willing to put things to the test in pursuit of a good review opportunity.

But truthfully there aren’t many non-carbon plated shoes that I would run a marathon in without rigorously testing them first. (Maybe the Asics Superblast 2 – although I did an 18 and 20 miler in them to see if I wanted to wear them at Berlin – full review coming soon).

So with the idea that putting 26.2 miles in the Adizero EVO SL trainers (plus two shakeout runs) would be a good way of properly testing them, and the fact they looked REALLY good with my outfit, I went with them on race day.

Inspired by the original, record-breaking Adidas supershoe, the PRo EVO 1, the Adizero EVO SL is for every runner, not just the elites. This isn’t a £450 single wear shoe, these are designed to be trained in, raced in, for long runs or picking up the pace (although they do look very similar!)

The LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam, according to Adidas, is designed to provide cushioning and comfort for optimal energy return without carbon rods.

The upper and collar are more substantial than their race day plated shoes, which makes sense given you’re likely to put more wear and tear into your everyday shoe. The collar is firmer than the Pro 4 (having felt it, not run in it!) but not as rigid as Adizero Boston 11.

The upper is a thicker mesh that is more stable and supportive whilst the heel toe drop is 7mm, (39m in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot). It feels like enough for my heel striking running style and plenty of stack for a really comfortable run. I personally like a decent amount of cushioning, even on speedier runs (ha, what are those – haven’t done anything *fast* in a while!) and. these provide a plush ride without that slipper feeling that a lot of cushioned shoes give.

Pros

Cost – running shoes have gotten really expensive and I wouldn’t have been shocked if these were priced around £200. Refreshingly they’ll be on sale for £130 when they’re released today (update they sold out immediately, Personally I think that’s really good value!

Weight – these are the lightest shoes in the Adidas training shoe line. At just 224g for a size 8.5UK these feel very lightweight despite it being 86g heavier than the EVO 1 carbon shoes.

Sizing – these came up true to size, I wore my usual running shoe size 6.5 UK. I also have a wider foot and didn’t have any pinch points with these. Adidas shoes do tend to come up quite narrow in many of their styles but I had no issues in these. I did get one small blister on race day but I think that may have been more due to my socks, which btw were also new – whoops.

Cons

Sole – I found they got a little bit slippy in the later stages of the race during the water stations. Whilst they have the Continental rubber on the sole, its Continental Rubber (Conti Winter) at the forefoot and CL Rubber (Clear Rubber) at the back. Now I don’t know what the difference but I wonder if I found these a bit more slippery as a heel striker, especially towards the end of the race when my form would have been a bit sloppy.

I’m not sure how these would stand up to the slick roads during a British autumn/winter – especially with the leaf coverage. I would not say these are a hybrid shoe – I push my road shoes to the limit on the Thames Path, but I’ll keep as strictly pavement.

Tongue slippage – someone mentioned this to me at the shake out run, and although I didn’t experience any issues with it, it was visually apparent after a couple of mins wearing the trainers that the tongue had slipped down – it would have been amazing if it had been gusseted.

Adidas suggest these shoes are designed for running and when you’re not… personally that wasn’t the case and I didn’t find them to be a shoe I’d pick up to wear sightseeing/to an expo or other long day on my feet. And for those looking for more stablity/support, the upper doesn’t provide a lot – I had no issues on race day or in the miles I’ve logged subsequently (I’ve run about 50 miles in these in the last month).

Overall I really like these as a great, affordable all rounder shoe. I think Adidas has done a fab job at creating something that not only looks the part but really does work as a versatile shoe for training and for those not wanting to fork out for carbon plating, a race day shoe.

Whilst I really like the shoe, I do kind of hate these limited early releases then full releases 6 months later. There are limited pairs are on sale today before full release in March 2025!

Are you tempted to buy a pair? What shoes/kit shall I try out next?

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FIBA: Two undefeated EuroLeague Ladies groups stay coming into Week 4

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FIBA: Two undefeated EuroLeague Ladies groups stay coming into Week 4

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We’re three weeks into group play in EuroLeague Women, meaning that each competing club has played every other club in their respective groups once. Per FIBA’s official EuroLeague competition system—freshly updated for the 2024-25 season—they’ll now do it again in round robin fashion, repeating their previous matchups on different home courts, before before the first round of group play officially ends and the qualifying clubs advance to the second round.

Though there are three more weeks to go, we already have a good idea of which clubs are going to be advancing. Reigning EuroLeague Women champions Fenerbahçe Opet and ÇBK Mersin (both based in Turkey) were heavily favored entering the 2024-25 season, and they’re the only two clubs in the competition that still have undefeated records in group play. They also occupy the top two positions in FIBA’s latest EuroLeague Women power rankings.

Fenerbahçe’s and Mersin’s pursuits of group play perfection are just two of many EuroLeague Women storylines to follow this week. Since every game will be a rematch from Week 1, we’ll get to see plenty of adjustments made, particularly from the clubs who lost their opening-week matchups. There are also a handful of players, such as Brionna Jones (ZVVZ USK Praha), Haley Peters (Villeneuve-d’Ascq LM) and Luisa Geiselsöder (Basket Landes) who weren’t with their respective clubs in Week 1 but could be difference-makers this time around.

Tuesday, October 29

Tango Bourges Basket (2-1) vs. ÇBK Mersin (3-0)

When: 11:30 a.m. ET

Where: Servet Tazegül Spor Salonu in Mersin, Turkey

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Amy Okonkwo, Morgan Green, Pauline Astier, Kariata Diaby (Tango Bourges Basket); Marine Johannès, Natasha Howard, Karlie Samuelson, Yvonne Anderson, Iliana Rupert, Marine Fauthoux, Regan Magarity (ÇBK Mersin)

Matchup details: Mersin may be the favorite in Group B, but Bourges has looked strong since losing to the Turkish club in Week 1. After a pair of blowout wins over Brno and Olympiacos, Bourges is now shooting 41.3 percent on 3-pointers, which is tops among all EuroLeague Women teams. Of course, with players like Johannès, Samuelson and Rupert, Mersin is more than capable of knocking down some long shots, too. These are two well-rounded clubs and while Mersin likely has the edge at home, Bourges will be a threat if it can get Diaby (69.2 percent shooting from the floor) some good looks at the rim.

Villeneuve-d’Ascq LM (0-3) vs. Fenerbahçe Opet (3-0)

When: 12 p.m. ET

Where: Metro Energy Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Shavonte Zellous, Kelsey Bone, Carla Leite, Haley Peters (Villeneuve-d’Ascq LM); Ariel Atkins, Emma Meesseman, Tina Charles, Gabby Williams, Julie Allemand, Nikolina Milic, Sevgi Uzun (Fenerbahçe Opet)

Matchup details: This is a rematch of last season’s EuroLeague Women championship game, but while Fenerbahçe has remained the class of the competition, Villeneuve-d’Ascq hasn’t maintained any of that momentum. The French club is shooting a horrendous 31.4 percent from the field and scoring just 56 points per game—both worst in EuroLeague Women—and a poor statistical matchup against a Fenerbahçe team currently forcing 13 steals per game. The addition of Peters (11 points and five rebounds last week) should help a little, but it would be a surprise if Fenerbahçe doesn’t turn this game into a blowout by the second half.

Casademont Zaragoza (2-1) vs. KGHM BC Polkowice (1-2)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: City Sports Hall in Polkowice, Poland

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Markeisha Gatling, Helena Pueyo, Tanaya Atkinson, Stephanie Mawuli (Casademont Zaragoza); Alexis Peterson, Amanda Zahui B., Rennia Davis, Emma Cannon (KGHM BC Polkowice)

Matchup details: Polkowice gave Fenerbahçe perhaps the closest game it will play in the group phase last week, but has only a heartbreaking loss to show for it. Things were similarly close the last time Polkowice and Zaragoza met; that one didn’t go in the Polish club’s favor, either. It’s certainly no fault of Cannon’s, who has been one of the most productive players in the competition to date (21.7 points and 10 rebounds per game); her matchup against Atkinson will be one to watch, as will Peterson’s with Pueyo, who has been a strong backcourt defender for Zaragoza.

Valencia Basket Club (2-1) vs. ZVVZ USK Praha (2-1)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Královka Arena in Prague, Czech Republic

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Alina Iagupova, Stephanie Mavunga, Yvonne Turner, Leticia Romero, Bernadett Határ, Alba Torrens (Valencia Basket Club); Brionna Jones, Isabelle Harrison, Maite Cazorla, Valeriane Ayayi, Maria Conde, Emese Hof (ZVVZ USK Praha)

Matchup details: This is perhaps the most compelling matchup of the week, especially considering Valencia soundly defeated perennial powerhouse Praha in their first meeting. Praha didn’t have Jones at its disposal, though; in her season debut last week, Jones recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds, and she’ll be a problem for just about every opponent moving forward with her size and strength. We’ll see how Valencia handles the challenge; the Spanish club is currently leading EuroLeague Women in rebounds per game at 42.7, and it wouldn’t be surprising if this game turns into a battle in the paint.

Wednesday, October 30

Žabiny Brno (1-2) vs. Olympiacos B.C. (0-3)

When: 11 a.m. ET

Where: Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, Greece

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Elissa Cunane, Eliška Hamzová (Žabiny Brno); Kyra Lambert, Ivana Raca, Rebecca Tobin (Olympiacos B.C.)

Matchup details: Of all the team-wide Week 1 performances, Brno’s 3-point barrage (16-for-27) may have been most anomalous. The Czech club will, of course, try to find that kind of offense again against Olympiacos, which has allowed 87 points per game through three weeks and is not looking like a team that can stand up against most others in the competition. Even if Brno can’t replicate its previous 3-point output, this still qualifies as a must-win game, given the level of competition elsewhere in Group B; Brno simply isn’t as good as Bourges or Mersin and thus must take wins where it can get them.

Basket Landes (1-2) vs. DVTK HUN-Therm (1-2)

When: 1 p.m. ET

Where: DVTK Aréna in Miskolc, Hungary

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Destiny Slocum, Leïla Lacan, Sam Fuehring, Luisa Geiselsöder (Basket Landes); Kaila Charles, Aleksa Gulbe (DVTK HUN-Therm)

Matchup details: Landes’ Week 1 win against DVTK wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing—the two clubs combined to score just 99 points—but it counted all the same. Landes has had little success since then, however, and could really use a breakout offensive performance. That will be tough against DVTK’s signature defense, though the Hungarian club has had some inconsistencies of its own, most recently dropping an important game against Avenida. Things in Group A are far from decided, and both clubs could really use a win to avoid falling into too deep of a hole in the standings, but DVTK being at home this time around likely gives it the advantage.

UNI Győr (0-3) vs. Umana Reyer Venezia (2-1)

When: 1:45 p.m. ET

Where: Palasport Taliercio in Venice, Italy

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Cyesha Goree, Virag Kiss (UNI Győr); Awak Kuier, Lorela Cubaj, Kamiah Smalls (Umana Reyer Venezia)

Matchup details: Venezia was dealt a rude awakening by Praha last week, and after a strong start to group play it’s clear the Italian club’s young roster has more work to do before it’s mentioned among EuroLeague Women’s best. Győr won’t present nearly as much of a challenge, though; Reyer won in blowout fashion in Week 1, holding Győr to 59 points on 36.5 percent shooting, and based on the numbers Győr has posted since then (two more losses by a combined 29 points), there’s not much reason to believe things will be any different this week.

Beretta Famila Schio (2-1) vs. Perfumerias Avenida (2-1)

When: 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Pabellón Municipal de Würzburg in Salamanca, Spain

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Kitija Laksa, Jasmine Keys, Janelle Salaün (Beretta Famila Schio); Arella Guirantes, Sika Koné, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Arica Carter (Perfumerias Avenida)

Matchup details: This is one of the week’s more intriguing matchups, especially given the lopsided result the last time Avenida played Schio. Most would agree that Avenida has a much more talented team than that 92-58 score would suggest, but the Spanish club must now prove it was a fluke. Schio has been terrific at taking care of the ball so far, averaging just 11.3 turnovers per game, and has a pair of shooters in Laksa and Salaün that can cause major problems. We’ll see if Avenida’s frontcourt of Koné and Herbert Harrigan can give Avenida a physical advantage.

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Subs Gas 3-1 Comeback Win Over Iceland

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Subs Gas 3-1 Comeback Win Over Iceland

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Taking the pitch for the first time as 2024 Olympic gold medalists, the world No. 1 USWNT kicked off their three-match international window with a strong showing against No. 13 Iceland on Thursday.

Forwards Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, and Sophia Smith all found the back of the net in the 3-1 victory.

The US has yet to lose under head coach Emma Hayes, who now boasts an 11-game unbeaten streak dating back to her June 1st debut.

Alyssa Thompson is the fourth teenager to score for the USWNT this year. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

19-year-old Thompson shines in USWNT return

After missing the Olympic cut in July, Alyssa Thompson announced her return to the USWNT in style by scoring her first-ever international goal on Thursday.

“I’ve really appreciated her living up to her own expectations for herself, and demonstrating the behaviors and the performances that she wanted to see,” Hayes said of the 19-year-old ahead of last night’s friendly.

At just 18 years old, Thompson was a late addition to the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup roster. More recently, the Angel City forward’s NWSL goalscoring surge thrust her back into the national team spotlight.

Thompson is now the fourth teenager to score for the US in 2024 — the most since 2000, when six players under 20 found the back of the net.

Second-half subs and debuts secure USWNT win

Hayes’s Thursday starting XI drew heavily on her Olympic roster, but impact subs and a few fresh faces lifted the team over the Icelandic competition.

The second half saw Gotham FC attacker Yazmeen Ryan and Washington Spirit defensive midfielder Hal Hershfelt earn their first USWNT caps, while both Shaw and Smith scored off the bench to overcome Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir’s 54th-minute equalizer.

Thursday’s tilt also celebrated Emily Sonnett’s 100th cap, as the USWNT stalwart started in central defense alongside Naomi Girma.

Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy Haught yells instructions during a match.
Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy Haught received her first USWNT call-up, replacing injured Jane Campbell. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Haught replaces Campbell for remaining USWNT friendlies

During training for last night’s match, USWNT backup goalkeeper Jane Campbell suffered a muscle injury, sidelining the Houston Dash net-minder for the rest of the October international window. In her stead, Hayes has called up Utah Royals keeper Mandy Haught to the senior national team for the first time.

The 25-year-old Haught, who won the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham FC, will join the USWNT roster for both Sunday’s second match against Iceland and next week’s game against No. 33 Argentina.

How to watch Sunday’s USWNT vs. Iceland international friendly

The US will be back in action against Iceland in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday at 5:30 PM ET.

The friendly will include a ceremony honoring longtime USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara’s retirement, as well as a recognition of forward Mal Swanson’s 100 caps.

Live coverage will air on TNT.



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WNBA: Disregarded by way of Solar, White anticipated to be employed by way of Fever

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WNBA: Disregarded by way of Solar, White anticipated to be employed by way of Fever

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Another day, another WNBA team parting ways with their head coach.

On Monday, the Connecticut Sun became the seventh team to dismiss their head coach since the end of the 2024 season, with the organization choosing to move on from Stephanie White after two seasons. White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year, led the Sun to a 55-25 record and two semifinals appearances.

Sun president Jen Rizzotti said in a statement:

We want to thank Stephanie for her time in Connecticut and her commitment to our organization over the past two seasons. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

White’s dismissal seems of a different flavor than the six previous coaches who have been fired. Earlier this month, rumors emerged that White could be a candidate for open head coaching positions. At her end-of-season press conference, the coach then revealed that she and her family were going through a “tough” time, sharing:

I’ve had a family emergency. That’s why I had to postpone and [I’m] still dealing with it now. So, it’s been a it’s been a tough time, but I knew that I needed to get in front of you guys and wrap up, certainly, our season. I appreciate the patience as I continue to navigate this situation.

Quite possibly, a return to her home state of Indiana will allow White to better balance her family situation with a WNBA head coaching position. The Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile, who first reported potential league interest in White, indicates that multiple league sources expect Indiana to hire White. The Fever’s decision to move on from head coach Christie Sides on Sunday seems, in large part, motivated by the prospects of bringing White back to the organization where she played (2000-04) before serving both as an assistant coach (2011-14) and head coach (2015-16).

As one of the WNBA’s most highly-regarded coaches, White can’t be blamed for potentially wanting to be at the helm of a younger team with upward momentum. The Fever’s youthful upside, led by Caitlin Clark, who will be 23 years old at the start of next season, and Aliyah Boston, who will be 24, contrasts with the Sun’s fading prospects. Alyssa Thomas will be 33 years old when the 2025 season begins, while Bonner will turn 38 during the season. And, there’s no guarantee that they’ll still be in Connecticut, as the pair, along with Brionna Jones, are unrestricted free agents.

Regardless, the WNBA coaching carousel keeps spinning.

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Watch Out for Denver Lacrosse in 2025

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Watch Out for Denver Lacrosse in 2025

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The Denver men’s lacrosse team looks poised to be a major threat in 2025. After a surprisingly strong season in 2024, the Pioneers seem ready to build off their success for years to come. With key players, an elite coaching staff, and a potentially solid schedule, they have all the pieces in place. The flashes of greatness Denver showed last season are likely to be amplified this upcoming year and opponents should definitely be on alert when they see Denver on their schedule.

The coaching transition in 2024 was a pivotal moment for Denver lacrosse. Losing a legendary coach like Bill Tierney was a huge change, considering his long-time influence on the program. Tierney had been Denver’s head coach since 2009, racking up a 167-59 record and going 69-8 in conference play. Under his leadership, Denver reached multiple Championship Weekend appearances, including a national championship in 2015. When it came time to find his replacement, Matt Brown was the clear choice. Brown had already been part of the Denver coaching staff before Tierney’s arrival and had stayed on as offensive coordinator for 14 seasons. During that time, he built one of the nation’s top-scoring offenses, often ranking in the top 10 and even reaching as high as third. His commitment to the program, combined with his offensive success, made him the natural fit to take over as head coach.

Many people anticipated a slower year in 2024, with Brown stepping into such big shoes. Instead, Denver came out firing, kicking off their season with a statement road win over Johns Hopkins in early February, beating them out in overtime. This win set the tone as few had viewed Denver as a top-tier threat prior to this point. They followed this up with wins over teams like Air Force, Utah, and a significant victory over highly ranked Cornell. They hit a tough stretch with close losses to a top 20 Yale team and a top-five Duke squad but bounced back to defeat Ohio State, Villanova, and Georgetown before the Big East tournament. Denver narrowly lost to Villanova by one in the conference tournament but still managed to make waves in the NCAA tournament. They handled Michigan with a solid 16-11 win and went on to topple a top-five Syracuse team, securing a 10-8 victory in a game they controlled from start to finish. Ultimately, they fell to rival Notre Dame, arguably one of the best teams in recent history, during Championship Weekend. Still, reaching Championship Weekend in Brown’s first season is no small feat.

What was especially impressive about Denver’s 2024 season was how they excelled on both sides of the ball. Although Brown is known as an offensive-minded coach, it was the defense that really shined, allowing only 9.4 goals per game, the fourth-best in the country. Their man-down unit led the nation, holding opponents to just a 15% success rate. Time and time again, Denver’s defense kept them in the game even during offensive slumps, although slumps were rare, with Denver scoring on 46.5% of their possessions, placing them 10th nationally. For a first-year head coach, especially one taking over from a legend, building a team with this level of balance is an impressive achievement. Brown’s 2024 season was the first time he truly had the reins, and he made it clear that Denver lacrosse was in good hands.

Looking to 2025, the Pioneers have a few gaps to fill due to a sizable graduating class, particularly on offense. They’ll miss the contributions of players like Michael Lambert and JJ Sillstrop, who led the team in points. But they’re hardly starting from scratch. Key players like Cody Malawsky, Noah Manning, and Kelly Mic will return, bringing with them a combined 86 points from last season. And Denver’s offense has never been solely reliant on individual talent—it’s built on a strong, versatile scheme that keeps producing results. Brown’s offensive mind will make the most of the roster he has. Defensively, they’re in an even better position, with minimal losses outside of their starting goalkeeper. The Denver defense should continue to strengthen and could very well be a top-five unit this season. Given Brown’s success in year one, it’s likely the Pioneers will start attracting even higher-level recruits.

What Matt Brown achieved in just one year is nothing short of impressive. With both the offense and defense performing at such a high level, Denver’s run to Championship Weekend was no fluke. They may have lost a bit of offensive talent, but their defensive core remains intact, and recruiting will only get easier as Denver keeps winning. This team is set up for dominance in college lacrosse for years to come. They’re primed to continue their reign over the Big East, and multiple Championship Weekend appearances are well within reach. While we don’t yet know their 2025 schedule, any team facing Denver should be on high alert. They’ve proven they can hold their own in the Big East and pull off upsets against top-tier out-of-conference opponents. Playing the Denver lacrosse program this season might feel like a death wish for out-of-conference teams, as the Pioneers have shown they can compete with anyone in the country.

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Freddie Freeman hits first walk-off International Sequence grand slam, LA Dodgers take 2-0 lead

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Freddie Freeman hits first walk-off International Sequence grand slam, LA Dodgers take 2-0 lead

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The GIST: The highly anticipated 120th edition of the World Series has more than lived up to the hype, with a whole lot of history made in LA before the series shifts to New York for Game 3 tonight at 8:08 p.m. ET. Capture it, remember it.

LA Dodgers take commanding 2-0 series lead: Down to their final out and trailing by a run, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman blasted an astounding walk-off grand slam — the first-ever walk-off grand slam in World Series history — lifting LA to a 6–3 extra innings Game 1 win over the NY Yankees on Friday. Talk about a Hollywood ending.

  • Then Saturday’s Game 2 came down to the pitching: Dodgers hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto kept the Bronx Bombers’ bats at bay, yielding just one hit in 6 ⅓ innings of work en route to the 4–2 LA victory.

Shohei Ohtani expected to play in Game 3 despite shoulder injury: The LA superstar partially dislocated his shoulder while stealing a base during that Game 2 win but is still anticipated to suit up for tonight’s Game 3 from the Bronx.

  • As for NY, all eyes will be on their MVP candidate, Aaron Judge. The Yanks captain has just one hit and six strikeouts across nine at-bats in the World Series. Time to see if he can (all) rise to the challenge and help his squad avoid a devastating 3-0 hole.



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NCAAW: From South Carolina to USC to UConn, what to anticipate in 2024-25

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NCAAW: From South Carolina to USC to UConn, what to anticipate in 2024-25

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Just one week until the start of the 2024-25 NCAAW basketball season. In anticipation, here’s a quick catch up on what’s happened around the sport, from preseason rankings to NIL deals to conference realignment and key transfers:

South Carolina is No. 1 in preseason Top 25

On October 15, the AP revealed its top-25 preseason poll:

1. South Carolina (27) 2. UConn (2) 3. USC (1) 4. Texas 5. UCLA 6. Notre Dame 7. LSU 8. Iowa State 9. NC State 10. Oklahoma 11. Duke 12. Baylor 13. Kansas State 14. Ohio State. 15. UNC 16. West Virginia 17. Louisville 18. Maryland 19. Florida State 20. Ole Miss 21. Creighton 22. Kentucky 23. Nebraska 24. Alabama 25. Indiana

The defending champions from South Carolina, after finishing the last season undefeated and losing only one player to the WNBA (albeit a significant one in Kamilla Cardoso), enter the 2024-25 season at the head of the class, receiving 27 of 30 first-place votes. UConn earned two first-place votes, with USC receiving one.

Led by South Carolina, the SEC has a conference-high seven ranked teams, with four, including conference newcomers Texas and Oklahoma, in the top 10.

Bueckers, Watkins lead preseason All-America selections

On October 22, the AP announced its preseason All-America team, with UConn redshirt senior guard Paige Bueckers and USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins both earning unanimous selections. Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo, Texas sophomore forward Madison Booker and USC senior forward KiKi Iriafen round out the preseason All-America squad.

Other players who received votes were UCLA junior center Lauren Betts, Kentucky graduate guard Georgia Amoore, Oklahoma junior center Raegan Beers, Kansas State graduate center Ayoka Lee, LSU senior guard Aneesah Morrow and junior guard Flau’jae Johnson, Texas senior guard Rori Harmon, Iowa State sophomore center Audi Crooks, South Carolina sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, junior guard Raven Johnson and senior guard Te-Hina Paopao.

The 30-member panel that votes in the AP’s weekly top 25 poll also participated in the selection of the five-player team.

JuJu’s new deals

USC sophomore JuJu Watkins is a superstar on the court and off the court. Earlier this month, she extended her contract with Nike, giving her one of the most lucrative shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball. Watkins originally signed with the brand in October 2022, when she was a high school senior.

As our Edwin Garcia reported, Watkins also joined Gatorade’s team of elite athletes.

Conference check ins

The combination of conference realignment and the transfer portal, along with the comings and goings of head coaches, can make it difficult to get handle on the women’s college hoops landscape. Here’s a quick primer:

ACC

Stanford, Cal and SMU make their ACC debuts in 2024-25. The Cardinal also have a new head coach, as Kate Paye takes over after the retirement of the legendary Tara Vanderveer. Virginia Tech, Miami and Clemson also sport new head coaches. Megan Duffy, formerly of Marquette, helms the Hokies. Tricia Cullop, previously at Toledo, is in charge in Coral Gables. Shawn Poppie heads from Chattanooga to Clemson.

The Hurricanes also welcome the return of fifth-year senior guard Haley Cavinder, who had retired from college basketball after the 2023 season but has decided to exercise her final year of eligibility. Up in South Bend, Notre Dame is excited for the return of senior guard Olivia Miles, who missed all of last season rehabbing a knee injury; the Irish also add a pair of fifth-year senior forwards from the transfer portal in Liza Karlen (Marquette) and Liatu King (Pittsburgh).

Big East

The heavily-favored Huskies have reloaded, not only welcoming back guard Paige Bueckers for a fifth and final season, as well as the numerous players who were sidelined by injuries last season, but also anticipating the arrival of guard Kaitlyn Chen, the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year who, after four seasons at Princeton, will play her graduate season at UConn. Freshman forward Sarah Strong, the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2024, further strengthens the souped-up squad from Storrs.

Elsewhere around the Big East, former Charlotte head coach Cara Consuegra takes over at Marquette, while Darnell Haney is officially the head coach at Georgetown after filling the role in an interim capacity last season. DePaul head coach Doug Bruno is expected to be away from the team indefinitely after undergoing an undisclosed medical incident in September.

Big Ten

The Big Ten is much bigger. Not only have USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington joined the conference, but two of those teams—the Trojans and Bruins—also bring some of the sport’s biggest names and highest expectations. At USC, a pair of transfers in senior forward KiKi Iriafen (Stanford) and fifth-year senior guard Talia von Oelhoffen (Oregon State), along with the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, will form a new, stronger supporting cast around sophomore star JuJu Watkins. Rival UCLA also is loaded, adding junior forward Janiah Barker (Texas A&M), fifth-year guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (Washington State) and junior forward Timea Garnder (Oregon State). The Ducks also will look for a bounce-back season in the Big Ten, boosted by fifth-year senior guard Deja Kelly (UNC).

The conference’s old standbys, however, will not easily cede ground to the newcomers, first among them being Iowa, which enters a new era with Jan Jensen as head coach and Lucy Olsen (Villanova) as the scoring star. Ohio State looks to remain competitive via the arrivals of fifth-year senior forward Ajae Petty (Kentucky) and junior guard Chance Gray (Oregon). A haul of transfers, among them senior forwards Christina Dalce (Villanova) and Amari DeBerry (UConn), senior guard Mir McLean (UConn/UVA) and junior guard Saylor Poffenbarger (UConn/Arkansas), are hoping to help Maryland rebound after a down season, while senior forward Karoline Striplin (Tennessee) and junior guard Shay Ciezki (Penn State) will look bring their 3-point shooting prowess to Indiana.

Big 12

Expect the Big 12 to remain a hotbed for women’s college hoops, as the departures of Texas and Oklahoma have been balanced by the arrivals of Pac-12 expatriates Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.

Kansas State, again led by indomitable grad center Ayoka Lee, and Iowa State, set to be steered by sophomore star center Audi Crooks, should benefit from continuity in a swiftly shifting women’s college basketball landscape, while Baylor will hope for a boost from senior forward transfer Aaronette Vonleh (Colorado). TCU will look to enter to the national rankings through the addition of grad guards Hailey Van Lith (LSU), Maddie Scherr (Kentucky) and Agnes Emma-Nnopu (Stanford).

TCU has given no indication that graduate center Sedona Prince will be away from the team. Prince’s former partner, Olivia Stabile, shared a series to TikToks that alleged Prince verbally and physically abused her.

SEC

With the arrival of Texas and Oklahoma, can South Carolina continue to reign supreme in the SEC? The two conference newcomers will benefit from their own newcomers. Senior wing Laila Phelia (Michigan) joins a Texas team that also is welcoming back senior guard Rori Harmon, who missed much of last season with a torn ACL. Oklahoma added junior center Raegan Beers (Oregon State).

After a down season, Kentucky hopes to rise up the ranks, with new head coach Kenny Brooks bringing star grad point guard Georgia Amoore with him from Blacksburg to the Bluegrass State. Up in Knoxville, new head coach Kim Caldwell is charged with taking Tennessee back to the (Rocky) top of the SEC. Caldwell’s tenure at Tennessee will begin without senior guard Kaiya Wynn, who tore her Achilles in a mid-October practice.

The Gamecocks enter the season with the status of junior forward Ashlyn Watkins uncertain due to an ongoing legal situation, but Dawn Staley’s squad remains stacked, further enhanced by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, the Gatorade National Player of the Year. (Edwards did nothing to quell expectations in her debut, posting 19 points and 12 rebounds, in only 18 minutes, in South Carolina’s first scrimmage.)

A few more new faces in new places who are intent upon helping their teams make noise in the conference include LSU senior guard Shayeann Day-Wilson (Miami), Auburn sophomore guard Taliah Scott (Arkansas), Mississippi State grad wing Eniya Russell (Kentucky) and Arkansas senior guard Izzy Higginbottom (Arkansas State).



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JWS to Host Reside ‘Rapid Buddies’ at 2024 NWSL Championship

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JWS to Host Reside ‘Rapid Buddies’ at 2024 NWSL Championship

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Taking the pitch for the first time as 2024 Olympic gold medalists, the world No. 1 USWNT kicked off their three-match international window with a strong showing against No. 13 Iceland on Thursday.

Forwards Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, and Sophia Smith all found the back of the net in the 3-1 victory.

The US has yet to lose under head coach Emma Hayes, who now boasts an 11-game unbeaten streak dating back to her June 1st debut.

Alyssa Thompson is the fourth teenager to score for the USWNT this year. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

19-year-old Thompson shines in USWNT return

After missing the Olympic cut in July, Alyssa Thompson announced her return to the USWNT in style by scoring her first-ever international goal on Thursday.

“I’ve really appreciated her living up to her own expectations for herself, and demonstrating the behaviors and the performances that she wanted to see,” Hayes said of the 19-year-old ahead of last night’s friendly.

At just 18 years old, Thompson was a late addition to the USWNT’s 2023 World Cup roster. More recently, the Angel City forward’s NWSL goalscoring surge thrust her back into the national team spotlight.

Thompson is now the fourth teenager to score for the US in 2024 — the most since 2000, when six players under 20 found the back of the net.

Second-half subs and debuts secure USWNT win

Hayes’s Thursday starting XI drew heavily on her Olympic roster, but impact subs and a few fresh faces lifted the team over the Icelandic competition.

The second half saw Gotham FC attacker Yazmeen Ryan and Washington Spirit defensive midfielder Hal Hershfelt earn their first USWNT caps, while both Shaw and Smith scored off the bench to overcome Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir’s 54th-minute equalizer.

Thursday’s tilt also celebrated Emily Sonnett’s 100th cap, as the USWNT stalwart started in central defense alongside Naomi Girma.

Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy Haught yells instructions during a match.
Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy Haught received her first USWNT call-up, replacing injured Jane Campbell. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Haught replaces Campbell for remaining USWNT friendlies

During training for last night’s match, USWNT backup goalkeeper Jane Campbell suffered a muscle injury, sidelining the Houston Dash net-minder for the rest of the October international window. In her stead, Hayes has called up Utah Royals keeper Mandy Haught to the senior national team for the first time.

The 25-year-old Haught, who won the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham FC, will join the USWNT roster for both Sunday’s second match against Iceland and next week’s game against No. 33 Argentina.

How to watch Sunday’s USWNT vs. Iceland international friendly

The US will be back in action against Iceland in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday at 5:30 PM ET.

The friendly will include a ceremony honoring longtime USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara’s retirement, as well as a recognition of forward Mal Swanson’s 100 caps.

Live coverage will air on TNT.



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Dingwall trophy raise for Ross County Ladies as they win ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League

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Dingwall trophy raise for Ross County Ladies as they win ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League

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Ross County Women were presented with the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League trophy on Saturday, after a thrilling title race which went down to the final day.

A 1-0 win over title rivals and the current league cup holders Buckie Ladies secured Ross County the title in their inaugural season, and the trophy and medals were awarded to the team during the Scottish Premiership tie between Ross County v Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The young side were formed ahead of the 2024 season to provide pathways for their successful U18s team into senior football, and to grow the club’s footprint in the rapidly expanding women’s game.

Presenting the trophy was ScottishPower’s Brand Director, Julie Keough, Corporate Affairs Manager Heather McDonald and SWF CEO Aileen Campbell.

Ross County captain Laura Cameron said: “I’m incredibly proud of the team for winning the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands trophy in our first season.

“On a personal level, it’s been a privilege to captain Ross County Women to the title, but more importantly, it reflects the collective hard work from everyone, both on and off the park. The coaches dedicate an immense amount of time and effort behind the scenes, and the balance of experience and youth in the squad has been key.

“The U18s coming through are some of the most talented I’ve played alongside, and with the full backing of Ross County FC now in place, I’m confident this group will continue to succeed in the SWFL Regional league and beyond.”

Speaking afterwards, Aileen Campbell said: “Huge congratulations are due to Ross County, who have shown great ambition in the women’s game by fielding a winning team in their first attempt in the ScottishPower Highlands and Islands League, as well as now also entering the senior pyramid through our SWFL tier.

“I’d like to thank the club for giving the girls the platform they deserve by allowing us to present the trophy in front of a good crowd.”

Julie Keough, Brand Director at ScottishPower, said: “I have no doubt Ross County will be an inspiration to women and girls all across the region as they secured their first trophy win in their very first season – a huge congratulations to all the team. Their story demonstrates exactly why we want to support the Highlands and Islands league, to help break the barriers women and girls face when it comes to football and continue to grow and make accessible such a wonderful sport.”

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