No Cap Space WBB Podcast

The Primer:

2023-2024 Record & Results: 38-0 (16-0 SEC) NCAA National Champions

Who graduated:

Kamilla Cardoso: 14.4 PPG, 9.2 REB, 2.0, AST

Who transferred out:

That doesn't happen at South Carolina. Just kidding, nobody this year.

Who transferred in:

Maryam Dauda, forward: 10.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.2 APG, Past School

Who is coming back:

Te-Hina Paopao: 11.0 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.7 APG

Raven Johnson: 8.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG

Milaysia Fulwiley: 11.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.2 APG

Sania Feagin: 6.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 APG

Ashlyn Watkins: 9.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.1 APG

Tessa Johnson: 6.6 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.1 APG

Bree Hall: 9.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.5 APG

Chloe Kitts: 9.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.4 APG

Sakima Walker: 2.0 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.1 APG

Adhel Tac: DNP-injured

The Players You Know:

The defending champs bring back pretty much the entire roster so all names are probably familiar but a few stood out on the well oiled machine that is USC.

It was the clip viewed round the world, literally, as Milaysia Fulwiley dazzled the crowd with a nifty layup during the Gamecocks’ season opener in Paris. The world was put on notice then and made sure her name was one to remember.

Tessa Johnson stepped up as a freshman in key moments during the NCAA Tournament and showed the future is bright for USC.

Raven Johnson capped the revenge tour off with impressive defense against the insanely talented Caitlin Clark and gave Gamecock faithful one of the most memorable highlights in program history.

The Players You Need to Watch:

Freshman forward Joyce Edwards is here and Joyce Edwards is her. I've had the privilege of watching her in a few local highschool tournaments and the motor matches the talent. She was involved in every play on both ends of floor and that has continued during her preseason debut as a Gamecock.

Forward Maryam Dauda is a familiar name having played against the Gamecocks while at Arkansas and her skill set coupled with her energy caught the eye of Dawn Staley, who praised her specifically in a press conference last year. Look for her to give the Gamecocks even more versatility in the frontcourt.

Season Expectations:

Last year the young Gamecocks were a literal question mark and they managed to go undefeated and win a national championship. This year the expectations are somehow higher. USC retooled and the dominance honestly should continue and end with another title. The big names on the roster have even more experience and the new kids on the block have the hunger necessary to help make it happen.

Games You Can’t Miss:

vs. UConn, Feb 16: Old money versus New Money with New Money trying to balance the scales. The title count is still heavily in UConn's favor, but the Gamecocks have blown out the Huskies several times over the last few years both in regular season and in title games. At this point, UConn has something to prove.

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The Huskies newest transfer, Kaitlyn Chen, sits down with No Cap Space WBB to discuss her move to Storrs while Greer sets you up for one of the most anticipated UConn seasons in recent memory.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

The Primer:

2023-2024 Record & Results: 29-6 (13-5 Pac-12) NCAA Elite Eight

Who graduated:

McKenzie Forbes: 14.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.3 APG

Kayla Padilla: 7.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 2.6 APG

Kaitlyn Davis: 6.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.7 APG

India Otto: 1.1 PPG

Who transferred out:

Taylor Bigby: 4.8 PPG, 1.5 RPG, transferred to TCU

Kayla Williams: 2.5 PPG, 1.3 RPG, transferred to Cal

Roxane Makolo: 0.9 PPG, 1.4 RPG, transferred to Georgia

Who transferred in:

Kiki Iriafen: 19.4 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, transferred from Stanford

Talia von Oelhoffen: 10.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.0 APG, transferred from Oregon State

Who is coming back:

JuJu Watkins: 27.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG

Rayah Marshall: 10.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG

Clarice Akunwafo: 2.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG

Dominique Darius: 2.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG

Malia Samels: 1.5 PPG, 1.1 RPG

Aaliyah Gayles: 1.1 PPG, 0.9 RPG

The Players You Know:

JuJu Watkins. Enough said.

Kidding aside, the Women of Troy will run through their sophomore guard. Watkins is a superstar already and is going to command the attention of every defense that plays USC. But what head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has managed to do is retain much of the talent around her while augmenting the starting five with portal stars. Rayah Marshall was, and still is, the unsung hero of this team and does so much work defensively and on the boards. Now you add Kiki Iriafen, a versatile defender with a consistently expanding offensive game at three levels and you have a clear upgrade from their frontcourt last season. Talia von Oelhoffen joins and is a sneaky good addition. The Oregon State system is very structured in its roles and those that have followed TVO since high school know that she is a scorer that can play in a more free flowing offense like USC’s. I’m interested to see the degree to which she breaks out. That four are an amazing core to begin with.

The Players You Need to Watch:

Unmentioned within our primer are all the recruits that are coming to USC. In a way, this is a team that is built to win titles in a year or two after another year with Watkins as the centerpiece. The portal additions say ‘win now’ but then you look at everyone coming to win tomorrow too. 6’3 freshman Vivian Iwuchukwu will get great experience learning behind Iriafen while the guards all bring major pedigrees. Kennedy Smith is the reigning California Gatorade Player of the Year and Rian Forestier averaged 25.8 points and 13.9 rebounds per game at a 6A high school in Texas. Then you add Avery Howell, an alternate for the 2024 Canadian Olympic team and Kayleigh Heckel, who won gold with Team USA at the U18 FIBA Americup and you have a deep bench behind TVO, Malia Samuels and Watkins. It may take some time for them all to gel together but it gives Coach Gottlieb plenty to work with especially after a year in which South Carolina proved that the key to a modern champion is rotational flexibility and talent in every seat on the baseline.

Season Expectations:

Title or bust for USC, in my opinion. I wouldn’t necessarily call them a favorite because the other SC exists and UConn is bringing back a team that bounced the Women of Troy in the 2023 Elite Eight. But the goal is clear: give JuJu options to ease her burden on offense and let her cook. I’m very interested to see which freshmen step up and how the front court rotation shakes out with Iwuchukwu, Lauren Williams, Rayah Marshall, Clarice Akunwafo and Kiki Iriafen. The fact that I can name five potential impact players — two of which are already stars in Iriafen and Marshall — is a testament to the roster construction. The engine is Watkins but there is more here than there was last season. I’d be stunned if a team got them out before the Final Four. After that, we just might be treated to some of the most anticipated basketball games of the season.

Games You Can’t Miss:

vs. No. 20 Ole Miss, Nov. 4 12:00 pm ET — The opener and against a team that hangs its’ hat on stifling defense. A great early season test.

vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 23 4:00 pm ET — A potential Final Four preview and one of the best guard battles all year. TVO - JuJu vs. Hidalgo - Miles? Yes please!

vs. UConn Dec. 21 8:00 pm ET — A rematch of last years’ Elite Eight. Paige vs. JuJu. Need I say more?

vs. UCLA Feb. 13 10:00 pm ET — The Battle of Los Angeles, Part 1. The frontcourt fight here will be the best part of this one. Kiki Iriafen vs. Janiah Barker.

vs. UCLA Mar. 1 9:00 pm ET — Battle of L.A. Part 2. Might be for a Big Ten regular season title depending on how it all shakes out.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

The Primer:

2023-2024 Record & Result: 33-5 (14-4 Big 12) NCAA Elite 8

Who graduated:

Shaylee Gonzales: 9.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG

Who transferred out:

Deyona Gaston: 8.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, Transferred to Auburn

Amina Muhammed: 6.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, Transferred to Oregon

Khadijah Faye: 5.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.2 APG, Transferred to Pittsburgh

Gisella Maul: 2.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.5 APG, Transferred to Cal

Who transferred in:

Laila Phelia: 16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, Transferred from Michigan

Kyla Oldacare: 5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.5 APG, Transferred from Miami

Who is coming back:

Madison Booker: 16.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG

Rori Harmon: 14.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.8 APG, 3.1 SPG

Taylor Jones: 12.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.3 APG

Shay Holle: 7.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2 APG

The Players You Know:

Texas rosters a spoil of riches. Three players in Rori Harmon, Madison Booker, and Laila Phelia, have all led teams to success while also racking up individual accolades. Now they all come together on one team with incredible pieces surrounding them to fill the gap. 

Harmon is returning from a torn ACL but when healthy is one of the best two-way players in the entire nation. From the moment she stepped on campus in Austin she was given the keys to this team. Now, entering what could be her final season in burnt orange, there is a sense of build that has now happened where this feels like it could be THE year for Texas.

In Harmon’s absence, Booker introduced herself to the nation. The 6’1” forward took over the point guard responsibilities after Harmon’s absence and grew her game by the day. There is an argument to be made that her midrange jumper is the most unstoppable shot in the entire nation.

Phelia is the new face but brings a resume of her own from Michigan. Named to the All-Big Ten first team, she now enters a new role as an option rather than being the system. Fully expect Phelia to thrive as yet another great two-way player on this team. (For more on Phelia’s transfer, check out our interview with her from this Summer here!)

The Players You Need to Watch:

If I could make a postseason award, I would make the National Player that Does the Things Nobody Else Wants to Do Award. The name is still being workshopped. The point still stands however and Shay Holle would be a contender.

Holle truly does whatever the Longhorns need. Oftentimes it is her defensive prowess, which earned her a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, highlighted by her five steal effort against Baylor last year. Getting a chance to see her play up close at the Big 12 Tournament last year was so incredibly revealing to just how disruptive she is.

Another one of the “others” on this team, but a player who certainly can earn some national recognition, is Aaliyah Moore. Moore was making her way back from a major injury in the prior season and by the end of the year had found her stride. In the Longhorn’s final eight games, Moore made her way into double-figures scoring, three of those being double-doubles. Texas has starting quality size between Moore and Taylor Jones and even more size in their depth. Don’t be surprised to see Moore shine now that she has been back and healthy for an extended period.

Season Expectations:

There are no expectations too high for the Longhorns this season. At times in the buildup to this college season it has felt that the focus has stayed on the blockbuster teams of USC, UConn, and South Carolina, and don’t get me wrong they have earned it in various ways. But Texas is right there with them. It will be a new challenge this year as the team enters the SEC, and they go in ranked #2 in the conference from the preseason SEC polls, but they will be facing a much tougher schedule compared to the Big 12.

The good thing is that I trust defense. And Texas might end up being the best defense in the nation. I also trust the growth of Madison Booker, who absolutely shined as a freshman and now has some incredible reinforcements headed her way. 

It is a high standard, but anything below a Final Four will feel like a disappointment. Defense wins championships right? Texas has a defense. Need a star for the big moments? Texas has several. It will be on them to live up to the bar they have set with the talent on this roster, but I fully believe in them being able to reach it.

Games You Can’t Miss:

vs. #1 South Carolina, 1/12 (away), 2/9 (home) : We might end up getting a game three of this series in Tampa.

vs #7 LSU, 2/16: Vic Schaefer vs Kim Mulkey with a whole bunch of talent on the court? Yes please. 

Vs #10 Oklahoma, 1/2: High ranked rivalry game and revenge from Big 12 regular season sweep last year.

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Thanks for reading No Cap Space WBB! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

The crew got together to put a bow on the WNBA season and give takes on the widespread breaking news of the week across women's basketball!

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. All of our Luxury Tax episodes are also in video format on YouTube along with our post-games and video essays. Subscribe to be get notifications of live shows and updates on new content when it comes out. And follow along with us on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!

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Thanks for reading No Cap Space WBB! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

Well, that sure was something wasn’t it? The WNBA season, for all it’s highs and lows, ended with the New York Liberty claiming their first WNBA championship in franchise history. Yes, there will plenty to discuss regarding officiating and end-of-game sequences. But the one thing I kept coming back to is that mainstream discussion against an NLCS clinching game and Sunday Night Football shows the growth of the league.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

At times, the coverage of high school sports can be a bit shallow. You see a ranking, deem someone worthy of that ranking and then be excited when your team lands one of these top players.

Don’t get me wrong, you SHOULD be excited when your team lands that five star recruit, but let’s go beyond the ranking and find out more, this time with 2025 five star recruit and Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the Year Keeley Parks.

"Relief”. That was the word Parks used to describe how she is feeling now that her recruitment process is winding down, just one visit remains with Kansas.

September was about as packed as it gets for a recruit. The Parks family was traveling around the country, hosting home visits, and attending events like the Wootten Camp in Las Vegas, on what felt like more days than not over the course of the month.

It takes a toll on these major recruits, including missing out on major events in their lives.

“I’ve been gone every single weekend of September for visits.” said Parks. “It’s been a lot, but I’m also super thankful because a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do it. But I have missed out on Homecoming, football games, all that.”

There is a very difficult to balance for recruits on the verge of making a life changing decision. Parks and her family have been intentional in finding that balance.

“I think I’ve had a good schedule of calls and stuff because a lot of schools want to talk like right after the visit.” said Parks. “I kind of just take a moment and be like I can’t do it today and just more like reflect on the visit”.

One thing Keeley won’t miss out on however, is getting her nails done. Like never. Every three weeks to be exact. Usually pink and white, yet to be determined if we will see a shift in the color choice to team colors down the road.

The other thing that is always for certain for Keeley is you won’t catch any of her Norman High teammates on aux. That is all her.

Naturally, we had to find out what is on the playlist. Parks loves NBA Youngboy and the other artist admittedly caught me a big off guard.

Keeley: And I love Rod Wave, even though his music’s kind of chill.

Tyler: You get kinda sad listening to Rod Wave before the game, don’t you?

Keeley: No, no, no. I don’t think so. Every time I listen to Rod Wave, I play great.

Well future school, you know what you need to put in the pregame playlist.

Now that we have gotten to know Parks a bit better, let’s dive into those potential future schools.

Parks announced her six finalists: UCLA, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Baylor, UNC, and her home team Oklahoma.

When asked about the potential of representing her hometown program, Parks described it as being both “cute” and “cool”, along with acknowledging the unique aspect of having her support system so close.

Parks has crafted herself into an incredibly multifaceted player that has the feel of being able to fit into any system, mainly because she is actively playing in several different roles across high school and Summer play.

“For high school, I’m always on the ball.” said Parks. “In AAU, it’s nice to be around other elite players because I can go off the ball and go on the ball too. And they make plays for a lot easier than high school”.

As her decision nears, Parks’ values in that decision have become increasingly clear.

* “I really want to have a good culture and teams with good culture usually win”

* “Immediate impact. I want to go somewhere where I’ll play right away and try to win a championship.”

* “Player development, like after basketball or even going to the WNBA”

So what is a prospective fan getting if Parks commits to their school? For starters, are getting something deeper than just an elite basketball player. You’re getting a person who loves to do TikTok dances and will be looking to earn her way to the locker room aux. You’re getting a player who deems her ability to lead by example her most underrated skill.

It goes beyond the ranking.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

After a Game One recap in which Chauny got her victory lap of ethical hate, the pendulum swung back to Andrew Haubner as Sabrina Ionescu’s two three pointers won the Liberty Game Three of the WNBA Finals.

Tyler and Andrew sit down and run through everything that happened in another banger of a matchup between New York and Minnesota. Among the topics discussed…

* Andrew gets his own victory lap.

* How the Liberty fought back from a first quarter hole on the road.

* Breanna Stewart reminds the world she’s a Tier 1 player.

* The impact of Alanna Smith’s injury for Minnesota.

* The Lynx’s offensive stagnancy late in the game.

* What happens heading into Game 4.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. All of our live show episodes are also in video format on YouTube along with our post-games and video essays. Subscribe to be get notifications of live shows and updates on new content when it comes out. And follow along with us on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

For the ethical hater, it is time. For the Hater-in-Chief of the New York Liberty, Chauny , Game One might as well have been Christmas.

The Minnesota Lynx came back from not but two double-digit deficits in regulation to force overtime, beating the Liberty 95-93.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. All of our live show episodes are also in video format on YouTube along with our post-games and video essays. Subscribe to be get notifications of live shows and updates on new content when it comes out. And follow along with us on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com

Welcome to another edition of The Legendarium Podcast. As part of our mission statement to bring the history of the game to you in a variety of ways, we at No Cap Space don’t hang our hat on just written profiles. As part of our Legendarium roll-out, every profile will have a print feature released on Wednesdays and a podcast on Thursday. The podcasts, in particular, are designed to give you a chance to hear the uncut sound of interviews done with hall-of-famers, star players and those that deserve their flowers all these years later.

In this podcast, you’ll hear from hall-of-fame coach Jody Conradt, former Texas Women’s Athletic Director Donna Lopiano, Hall-of-Famers Clarissa Davis, Andrea Lloyd-Curry, Fran Harris and Kamie Ethridge. We hope you enjoy learning about building a foundation in the heart of Texas and how the Longhorns brand creation of women’s basketball set the table for so many others in the future.

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to follow our Youtube page as well.

With the college season right around the corner, style like Legends with Homefield! Use promo code NOCAP15 for 15% off your first purchase here!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.nocapspacewbb.com