Inside Pac-12 Women's Basketball

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy interview Arizona head coach Adia Barnes (5:28), who talks about how her and her family are holding up in response to the Coronavirus. Adia shares how her husband's family in Italy is doing under lock down orders (7:36). Coach discusses the difficulty of delivering the message to her team about the cancellation of the NCAA tournament (11:30) and what their legacy will be (14:05).

Coach Barnes talks about the changes in recruiting due to the travel regulations and the effect it has on the transfer portal (16:20). She also reveals that Aari McDonald has yet to make her decision on whether she is returning for a senior season (18:20) and talks about how the closure of gyms and facilities has impacted her players (20:06). Adia wraps her interview talking about her favorite moments of the season (25:44) and reflects on the change her coaching took this season (31:30). She also thanks the incredible support the Pac-12 fans have given her this season (35:00).

Mary and Ash wrap the pod with final thoughts on the best season that they have ever covered (37:40) and Mary gives her final Murphy's Law (38:45).

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy react to Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard being named first-team All-Americans (3:22) and discuss what their initial reactions were to hearing that March Madness was canceled (4:50).

Oregon head coach Kelly Graves joins the podcast and shares how he has been spending his free time (8:15). Coach describes the scene of when he found out that the postseason was canceled and how he broke the news to his team (10:20). Kelly also shares details of the call NCAA president Mark Emmert had with him about the cancellation of the tournament (14:00).

Coach Graves talks about how Sabrina is handling the situation and looks ahead to the bright future she has ahead of her (15:45). Coach relives the accomplishments his team had this year and how the team was able to capture the attention of the entire country (18:30). He talks about Ruthy Hebard's legacy in tandem with Sabrina's (22:20) and looks ahead to what his team will look like next season (25:12). Kelly ends his interview speaking of how Sabrina influenced all of basketball (29:35) and reflects on the moment he will never forget for years to come (37:45).

Mary and Ash wrap the pod discussing what Oregon's season meant (40:05) and what they will remember from one of the best teams in the history of women's basketball.

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson & Mary Murphy recap a full weekend of basketball in Las Vegas, and describe the joy Oregon played with while winning the Pac-12 Championship (2:10). They recall the scene on the television set when they found out about Aari McDonald’s engagement (5:00), and Mary shares her favorite non-basketball moments of the tournament (9:00).

Oregon guard Minyon Moore joins the show, and talks about her incredible performance in the Pac-12 Championship game against Stanford (13:52). Minyon describes the incredible depth of this Oregon team (16:55), and reveals how the Ducks have developed such a strong defensive mentality (17:35). The senior guard talks about her decision to transfer to Oregon, and reveals how the two ACL tears she suffered in high school helped shape her into the player she is today (23:00).

California head coach Charmin Smith calls in next, and talks about the Golden Bears’ ability to bounce back this season (34:54). She praises her freshman class’ continuous improvement throughout the year (37:38), and surmises that the strong end to the season will help on the recruiting trail (39:18). Charmin explains how she is trying to emulate the job Adia Barnes has done at Arizona (41:00), and how much she appreciates competing in a tough conference (42:30).

Ash and Mary finish the podcast talking about USC and Colorado’s WNIT chances (45:48), and Mary shares why she is so excited to watch “The Women of Troy” on HBO about Cheryl Miller and the groundbreaking USC women’s basketball team (47:30).

(Television Call Courtesy: ESPN - Voice of Adam Amin)

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy break down the conference award winners and discuss whether Sabrina Ionescu is the best player in conference history (1:15). Mary opines if she sees any snubs in the all-conference teams (5:28) and what her biggest weekend storyline was after spending it in Eugene (6:30).  Ash and Mary discuss Sabrina's speech on Friday after clinching their 3rd straight regular season title (11:05) and what made Kelly choke up (15:26).  They also relive Cal's big win over Arizona (17:45) and the implications the NCAA Top 16 reveal had for the Beavers and Wildcats (20:35).

Arizona head coach Adia Barnes joins the show and discusses the Wildcats' big win over Stanford (23:21) and the letdown that followed vs Cal (26:06).  She talks about her team's ability to stay hungry (29:32) and the school making a case to host in the NCAA Tournament (31:00). Adia praises the Tucson community (31:50) and talks about how easy it was for her to connect to the fans having gone to school at Arizona (33:40).  The Arizona coach speaks of Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Aari McDonald's dominance on both ends of the court (35:40) and makes the case for why the standout junior should return for her senior season (38:22).  Adia wraps the interview previewing the Pac-12 women's tournament in Las Vegas, and reveals who could be an x-factor for the Wildcats (43:05).

Mary and Ash break down the notable tournament matchups (47:32) and Mary picks a team that could make some noise (50:02).  They wrap the podcast discussing if anyone can defeat Oregon (50:51) and Stanford's health leading into the weekend (52:04).

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy recap the week that started with Satou Sabally's decision to forego her senior year and declare for the WNBA draft this April (1:30).  Mary describes the scene at Haas Pavilion Friday night with Steph Curry in attendance as Sabrina Ionescu dropped her 25th triple-double (2:29).  Mary and Ash also talk about the 3 ranked Pac-12 teams being upset over the weekend by unranked opponents (3:44).  

Ash and Mary discuss Sabrina's powerful speech at Staples Center memorializing Kobe Bryant (6:00) and the triple-double performance she put on at No. 4 Stanford later that night (12:00). Mary discusses Stanford's work-in-progress mentality (14:50) and shares how special the Buffs top 25 win over Arizona was on senior day (18:11). 

Washington senior Amber Melgoza joins the show and discusses what it's like to sweep the L.A. schools after so many overtime losses this season (21:35).  The Pac-12 Player of the Week also talks about teammate GiGi Garcia's journey and what her getting to play on Senior Day meant (24:13). Melgoza opens up about her journey with ADHD and the struggles she had adjusting her freshman year (29:35). She also reminisces about her BMX racing growing up (38:00) and praises the performance Sabrina had Monday both on and off the court (42:09).

Mary and Ash discuss the emotional senior day for Bulgarian native Borislava Hristova and the reaction she had seeing a message from her mom (46:23).  In Murphy's Law, Mary warns teams not to dismiss the bottom half of the league (49:34) and breaks down UCLA's potential run in the NCAA tournament (52:25).

Pac-12 Networks’ Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy discuss Arizona's Sam Thomas performance this weekend (1:30). Mary shares the story of Washington's Khayla Rooks and why returning to Tucson was extra special for her (3:48). Ash and Mary recap the Bruins overtime win over the Beavers (6:35) and discuss how Oregon State can bounce back after dropping 3 straight games (9:27).  Alaska natives Ruthy Hebard and Alissa Pili's player of the week honors are discussed (14:32) and Mary and Ash talk the reaction Oregon grad transfer Minyon Moore received at USC this weekend (15:49). 

Stanford point guard Kiana Williams joins the show and breaks down the last seconds of her buzzer beater vs Colorado (23:40).  Williams shares the reactions of her coaches and teammates following the wild win (28:16).  Kiana also discusses the impact of having Maya Dodson back playing for the first time this season (31:45).  

Kiana looks ahead to Stanford's upcoming game vs Oregon and shares what she learned after their 32-pt loss to the Ducks earlier this season (33:25). Kiana talks about growing up with 3 older brothers and her tight relationship with her dad (35:35). The junior also discusses playing with Michaela Onyenwere and Mikayla Pivec in the Pan Am games over the summer (45:42) and who she thinks is the most underrated player is in the league (46:43).

Mary and Ash discuss Cal's Cailyn Crocker's crazy weekend on and off the court (51:35) and Mary reveals who she thinks can make a deep NCAA Tournament run other than Oregon (56:47).

(Radio Call Courtesy: Tunein - Voice of Kevin Danna)

Pac-12 Networks' Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy discuss the Bruins statement win at Stanford and the significance of UCLA's first Bay Area road sweep since 1999 (4:57). They discuss the Wildcats' bounce-back mentality in defeating Oregon State to notch Arizona's first ever top 10 road win (6:04). The ladies discuss the significance of losing Kennedy Brown for the season due to an ACL injury (8:10) and how it will affect the Beavers moving forward. Mary breaks down Mikayla Pivec's game-winner vs Arizona St with 0.4 seconds on the clock (11:44) and the teachable moment it gave another team.  They also talk Pivec's name being added to the list of Senior CLASS Award finalists after an uproar over her exclusion (17:05). Ash and Mary discuss Oregon remaining No. 3 in the country and Sabrina's reaction to her 24th career triple-double (20:38).

UCLA's head coach Cori Close joins the show (27:00) and shares what made getting conference win #100 in the Bay Area so special. She discusses what it took for her team to defeat Stanford (28:48) and what Chantel Horvat and Lindsey Corsaro bring to the squad (31:00). Coach praises the job Charmin Smith has done at Cal in her first season and how the Bears challenged them (33:17).

Coach Close discusses what teachings she has taken from John Wooden (36:36) and the deeper meaning of why she has a shovel and broom in her office (39:08).  Cori shares how she tries to infuse joy in her players (47:50) and gives a self evaluation in her 26th year of coaching (51:10). 

Mary shares the dancing skills of USC's head coach Mark Trakh she witnessed over the weekend (54:53) and the impressive road sweep the Utes had over the Washington schools (57:20).  Ash and Mary discuss if teams want to avoid the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament so they don't have to play Oregon (58:22) and if anything but a national championship would be a disappointment for the Ducks (1:00:58).

Pac-12 Networks' Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy react to the first Top 16 reveal in which five Pac-12 teams were included (2:39). Ash and Mary discuss the significance of the Ducks dominating win over UConn (3:40) — their first ever road win over a Top 5 opponent — and Mary explains why Oregon has the potential to play even better (6:40). 

Aari McDonald joins the show (9:40) and reacts to Arizona being included in the Top 16. Aari shares what her mindset was going into their win over UCLA (12:50) and how she has grown to become a more vocal leader this year (14:00). The reigning Pac-12 player of the week tells Ash and Mary about Adia Barnes’ influence (15:13) and what Tee Tee Starks support has meant to her (16:00).  Aari praises her teammates and shares what they have allowed her to do differently in her game this year (17:50). She also shares what her favorite part of her game is (18:30) and what bucket she has prized the most this year (18:59).  She reminisces about playing with guys while growing up and what it brought to her game (20:56) and confides what it will take for her Wildcats to upset Oregon in Eugene (21:53). The Pac-12's leading scorer wraps her interview praising the fan support at McKale Center (24:45) and what her experience has been like playing under Adia Barnes (27:00).

Ash and Mary discuss the grueling triple overtime win Arizona State had over USC (29:08).  Even after being swept over the weekend, Mary explains why the Trojans still deserve credit (30:34).  Ash and Mary discuss UCLA's size potentially being an achilles heel this season (32:57) and the significance of Cal getting their first PAC-12 win this season (33:47). 

In this week's Murphy's Law, Mary highlights what makes Cal's CJ West's performance so special (36:28).  Mary also highlights the significance of Oregon blowing out UConn and what made Oregon's reaction so significant (37:30). She also gives her current coach and freshman of the year picks (41:04).  Ash and Mary wrap the episode breaking down the road to a top four seed in the Pac-12 Tournament (42:00).

Pac-12 Networks' Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy remember Kobe Bryant and discuss his impact on girl's and women's basketball (0:58).  They talk about the pregame huddle between Oregon and Oregon State before their game and the emotional prayer the teams shared (7:38).  Ash and Mary recap the Oregon sweep in the Civil War and highlight the difference made by Satou Sabally (9:55).

Kelly Graves joins the show and shares the team's reaction to the news of Kobe and Gigi and how special the pregame circle was between the rivals (12:08).  Kelly talks about how close Sabrina was to Kobe and Gigi and how he was a mentor to her (15:00).  Coach Graves says there will be a new focus for Ionescu given the circumstances (16:49).

Kelly talks about the importance of sweeping the Beavers (17:50) and the brutal schedule that awaits the Ducks (19:10). As the team prepares to face the Utes, Coach Graves reminisces about growing up in Utah and his relationship with his Dad (21:48). He talks about the impact Taylor Chavez and Jaz Shelley have had off the bench this year and their defensive efforts (26:09). Coach talks about facing Colorado head coach JR Payne this weekend and the amazing job she's done with her young squad (29:08).  Coach Graves also shares how excited he and his staff were when all five of his incoming freshmen were selected as McDonald's All-Americans (31:33).  Kelly closes the interview previewing their match vs UConn on Monday (34:38).

Ash and Mary talk the implications of Arizona's Territorial Cup sweep (37:37).  Mary shares her current coach of the year favorite (41:26) and how the freshmen in the Pac-12 have been playing tremendously (41:58). Ash and Mary wrap the episode discussing the significance of the Women's Final Four possibly coming to Portland or Phoenix (45:58) and this week's “Murphy’s Law” (47:30).

Pac-12 Networks' Ashley Adamson and Mary Murphy discuss expectations this weekend as No. 4 Oregon and No. 7 Oregon State clash in the Civil War (1:12). Mary breaks down Stanford's second half comeback against the Beavers (4:20), and the Cardinal's response after freshman Haley Jones went out with a knee injury (5:53).  Ash and Mary also give credit to the Trojans who beat their crosstown rival in double overtime, handing the Bruins their first loss of the season (7:45). Mary shares the high praise Tara VanDerveer had for Sabrina Ionescu (11:00) and goes over yet another record that Ionescu is on the cusp of breaking.

ESPN analyst and Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo joins the show, and shares what she saw in Oregon's dominant win over Stanford (16:00).  Rebecca talks about how Sabrina Ionescu reminds her of Diane Taurasi (20:15), and explains why the Pac-12 is the toughest conference in the nation (23:27). The ladies talk about the crossover of the men's and women's game (24:16), and Rebecca shares how defending the integrity of the women's game brought her to her husband (26:41).  Rebecca dives into her experiences coaching youth basketball and dealing with parents (29:30). The former WNBA player also gives her take on the new CBA, and what she felt was the most important part of the new deal (39:35).

Ash and Mary wrap the episode discussing the Territorial Cup (45:05).  Mary tells us the difficulties of guarding the Ducks and Beavers offenses (46:40), and gives a shoutout to the hot shooting of the Utes (52:18).