The podcast is up and here’s some of what you’ll hear:
Hello to our sponsors!!
Jostens and old friends Werner Ladder!
Debbie reminds us: Year One: 180,000 clicks on podcast. Year Three: 350,000.
Starting Five: Beth throws five questions at Debbie
1) Where have you been lately, Debbie?
Debbie: Since Atlanta: New York City (Seton Hall v St. John’s) , Norman (Oklahoma v. Baylor), Nashville (Georgia’s first loss (Beth’s fault)), Lubbock (Texas v Texas Tech), Chapel Hill (UNC v Maryland), Blacksburg (V. Tech v Virginia) and Louisville (Walz v McGraw Milestone alert: McGraw’s 600th)
And Flint Hat and Boot Shop: Debbie got a present for Beth
2) Did you watch the dominating performance of UConn? (And now being talked about in mainstream media and men’s basketball circles.)
Debbie: They are a machine, both ends of the floor. Recall I came up with “How do you beat Connecticut” last year? I don’t think they’re going to lose, but bullet points? Forget about them get into foul trouble. Forget injury. They’ve overcome both. So: create foul trouble
1) Defend the post! (Tina will replace Lisa Leslie in USA Basketball)
2) Have to score points in the paint
3) Spread the floor, make’em play east and west and maybe. But it’s a big maybe.
4) Mental toughness – they’re not taking a place off on either end of the court. Not one. So, if you don’t bring it….
5) You’ve got to believe you can do it.
Beth: Nice to see the rest of the nation paying attention.
Debbie: Where has the rest of the nation been? This is a dominating team. It’s incredible. These kids are on a mission. (Our fault?)
3) Are all the Conference races “over”?
Debbie: Pac 10, Big 10, Big East: Yes. ACC? No idea. Big 12? No idea. 3 or 4 loses could be the winner. SEC: No idea.
4) Fight at Georgetown-Louisville. I was there and it was embarrassing. Consequences.
Debbbie: There better be something. Make a decision and move on – no answer yet.
5) Are you going to watch the Oregon/Stanford game? (Ducks scored 112 pts last and lost!)
Debbie: Of course! We were put on this world to score! (Does Paul W doctor the nets at Oregon?)
Check out the Jostens.com\Kay Yow line of jewelry. Also, Jostens gives us the “Diamond in the Rough” moment – the jewel that might have been missed: Bianca Thomas, Ole Miss: 42pts v. LSU
Debbie: 8 players have scored over 40. 2 from Mississippi.
Shootaround guest: Connie Yori, Nebraska head coach
B/D: Share with us the mood around campus.
CY: The city of Lincoln and the entire state are excited about what’s going on with our program. Trying to stay grounded. Players handling media coverage very well.
B/D: Talk about Kelsey Griffin.
CY: She’s been doing a lot for years. Sat out last year w/injury. Played inside at first, now developed game away from the basket. You name it, she’s got it in her offensive arsenal. Great on the low block.
Defensive – does so much. 4 charges v. Baylor.
B/D: Last year 15 wins. This year already 16. How?
CY: It’s not all that complicated: better players and Kelsey – who I think is one of top 10 players in country. We’re a spread offensive team, two scoring options in post.
B/D: What did you bring from Creighton to Nebraska?
CY: We recruit to players that have versatility. Post players w/ a 15 ft shot.
B/D: Does your son Lucas understand what’s going on?
CY: He has no idea. (Laughs)
B/D: Describe when you dropped 42pts on Iowa State.
CY: That was a long time ago. (Laughs) When you take 80 shots in a game, you’re bound to get 42. To be honest, when I saw first three games of conference play (Iowa State, Texas, Baylor) I thought – “We could be 0-3.”
B/D: Secret to beating Baylor?
CY: Goes to the diversity of our game. If you have to go head to head v. Griner, don’t know that any individual can score against her, consistently. Tried to get her away from basket. I knew we had to make threes (we took 34).
B/D: Uncharted territory with win streak: How are you helping players keep even keel?
CY: Talk about it a lot. Encourage them to not look ahead. We’ve got an experience, grounded group.
Matt the Stat-Guy: News from the West Coast: Gonzaga has a new all-time scorer: Heather Bowman.
Werner Ladder – Rising above the Rest: LSU retires first female jersey- Seimone Augustus.
Debbie: A word about jerseys: A-10 game. Bonnies v. Dayton. It took me 15 minutes into the game to figure out who Dana Mitchell was. Me. An avid fan. Who knows her. Put the names on the back of the jersey?
Notes from the Cocktail Napkin:
1) NotreDamus back in town: How good was Debbie at predicting the future!
Duke v. UConn – I thought 36 pt victory. It was 33. UConn v ND – I got it right: 24pts. My Feb 4th: Jacki back in a Southern Cal jersy?
2) Welcome to the polls Vt. And good bye. Upset by BU.
3) Michigan State: 2-5. Is it the Shootaround Slide?
Comments? Questions: Shootaround@wbca.org
Also, if you’d like to be part of the Shootaround “So You Want to be a Sports Journalist” intern program, drop them a line: Shootaround@ wbca.org
Don’t forget: The podcast is up.
A Companion Blog for the First National Women's Basketball Podcast 