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Good morning! ☕️ Quick note for you today: we won’t send an email on Monday for President’s Day.
In the meantime, we’ve got a nationally televised top 10 match-up this Saturday, with No. 3 South Carolina taking on No. 6 LSU at 8:30 PM ET on ABC. Yes, please.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. A New Unrivaled 1v1 Champ Will Be Crowned 👑
Unrivaled’s 1v1 tournament wraps this weekend. Round 2 gets underway tonight, and the semifinals and finals are set for Saturday. By the end of it, we’ll have a brand-new queen.
📺 Round 2 tips tonight at 7:30 PM ET on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. You can see the full 1-on-1 schedule here.
WHY IT MATTERS: After Wednesday’s first round, we already know this thing is unpredictable. Sonia Citron, Shakira Austin, Veronica Burton, and Rae Burrell all pulled off upsets. Yes, there are favorites, but the talent in this league is so deep that anyone (even someone we don’t expect) can walk away with the $200,000 grand prize.
🗳️ Who wins the Unrivaled 1v1 title?
2. Is There Real Momentum in WNBA CBA Talks? 👀
We may finally be getting somewhere on the new WNBA CBA. In an interview this week, Breanna Stewart said there’s real momentum following the face-to-face meeting between players and league leadership. (Sports Illustrated)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is one of the most encouraging updates we’ve heard in months. The deal isn’t done, but Stewart, who serves on the players’ union executive committee, sounded optimistic. If both sides are feeling momentum, that’s a strong sign we’re closer than ever to getting a deal across the finish line.
3. Mikayla Blakes For National Player of the Year?🔥
For most of the season, the National Player of the Year conversation has centered on Sarah Strong. It’s time to widen that lens. Vanderbilt sophomore Mikayla Blakes has been lights out this season, leading the nation in scoring at 26.2 points per game and propelling her No. 5 Commodores into position for a deep national tournament run. (Vanderbilt Athletics)
WHY IT MATTERS: Blakes was already an impressive scorer as a freshman (23.3 PPG last year). Now she’s taken it up another level. She dropped 34 last night in a win over No. 4 Texas, her fourth straight 30-point game. She now has seven 30-point games in SEC play, the most in a season since 1999-2000.
And it’s not just scoring. She competes defensively, takes charges, and sets the tone with effort. Vanderbilt is 24-2 and just a half game back of South Carolina in the SEC. In the toughest conference in the country, that’s no small thing.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Playoffs Down Under: The WNBL, Australia’s pro league, begin their post-season play this weekend.
High-Tech Hoops: The Big 12 is adding LED-powered floors for both the women’s and men’s conference tournaments in March.
Good Vibes: If women’s basketball makes you happy, so will this mug. Because it’s all about your vibe.*
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether adding Angel Reese will boost Rose BC’s playoff run, and you all were split. Exactly 50% of you think she’ll make an immediate impact. The other 50% believe there just isn’t enough time left in the season.
