The forecast, Seattle's weekly women's sports show, hosted by Maggie Mertens, features a special March Madness bracket bonus episode with a round table of Seattle basketball enthusiasts and experts. The panel includes Angela Garbes, a national bestselling author and basketball fan; Jen Barnes, the mind behind Seattle's first women's sports bar Rough & Tumble and co-founder of Salmon Bay FC; and Kristen Tollefsen, a local educator and college basketball fan who covers the University of Washington Huskies.

The discussion centers around the excitement of March Madness, with a focus on potential upsets and Cinderella stories. The panelists express their predictions and preferences for the tournament, highlighting teams like South Carolina, UCLA, and UConn as strong contenders. They also discuss the potential of the University of Washington and other teams like Texas and Iowa State, with a particular interest in standout players such as Audi Crooks.

The conversation touches on the growth of women's basketball and the increasing popularity of filling out brackets, which has become a fun and engaging way for fans to participate in the tournament. The panelists share personal anecdotes about their experiences with March Madness and the joy of watching games with family and friends.

In conclusion, the panelists make their final predictions for the tournament, with Angela Garbes backing Iowa State for an upset against UConn, Jen Barnes supporting South Carolina, Kristen Tollefsen favoring UCLA, and Maggie Mertens rooting for Texas.

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Angela Garbes is a writer based in Seattle, Washington, where she lives with her family on Beacon Hill. She’s the author of the national bestseller Essential Labor, called “a landmark and a lightning storm, a gift that will be passed hand to hand for years,” by The New Yorker. You can watch Angela discuss Essential Labor and the value of domestic work on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah or listen to her conversation with Terry Gross on Fresh Air. Angela is also a HUGE basketball fan and closely watching Iowa State and Audi Crooks this tournament.

Jen Barnes is the founder and CEO of Rough & Tumble, the world’s first company purpose-built to promote gender equity in sports viewing and fandom. Since launching in 2022, she has led Rough & Tumble to become a national leader in the women’s sports sector—transforming how we watch, celebrate, and come together around the game.

With over 25 years of experience building vibrant, award-winning companies, Jen brings deep entrepreneurial expertise and a lifelong passion for sports and equity. A former athlete and avid fan, she most recently partnered with NWSL players and WNBA owners to co-found Salmon Bay FC, Seattle’s first pre-professional women’s soccer team—expanding opportunities for women athletes and fans alike.

Kristen Tollefsen is a local educator who has 15+ years of experience building relationships with students and families and fighting for a more inclusive educational experience. Kristen is also a HUGE college basketball fan, has coached high school basketball, and currently covers UW Husky Women’s Basketball for the UW Dawg Pound on SB Nation.

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The Forecast is a Production of :

KVRU (https://www.kvru.org/shows/the-forecast/) & JEFFSCOTTSHAW

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Executive Producer + Host // Maggie Mertens // [email protected]

Executive Producer // JEFFSCOTTSHAW // [email protected]

Additional Production Support Provided By // Crystal Fincher & Shannon Cheng & Maurice Jones Jr.