0
We're number 2! We're number 2!
Posted by Alex W.C.
on
11:51 AM
in
WNBA
Quite the fitting chant, considering the outcome of yesterday's games. Even though Stanford and Connecticut were favored to be in the mix for the championship, not everyone put them in that spot of their bracket. Just goes to show, sometimes being counted out is all you need to push ahead.
And with that being said, congrats to Texas A&M and Notre Dame on making it to the 2011 NCAA womens championship game. History will once again be made, because not since 1994 has the championship game not been host to a number one seeded team. This will be the first trip for the Aggies, and the second for the Fighting Irish.
May the best team win.
***Update 4/5/2011 - Congrats to Texas A&M on their first championship! You've earned it!***
Following the championship game (see countdown clock above), the WNBA will host the 2011 draft on April 11th, 2011. As It's been said before, Maya Moore is a lock for the number one pick for the Minnesota Lynx.
Lynx fans, say hello to your newest member!
(Click here to see a video tribute to Maya, courtesy of ESPN)
(Click here to see why Maya is arguably the best player in women's college basketball, courtesy of ESPN Sports Science.)
With the number one pick being no mystery, the number two spot could prove to make things interesting. It seems that "2" is the special number, between 2 second seeds in the NCAA Championship game, and the elusive #2 pick giving a hint of unknown.
So, without further a due, here are my top five fave draft prospects, in no particular order:
Liz Cambage - This 6'8" aussie standout has already made things interesting. With Maya at the #1 pick, that leaves Tulsa, who have the #2 pick, with the ability to Draft Cambage. But she has stated that she does not have the desire to play in Tulsa, while the Shock have stated that it will go ahead with it's plans, whatever those plans may be.
Cambage - “I don’t want to play at Tulsa,” Cambage said. “I’ve made that clear. They want to make me a franchise player, but I’m not going to the WNBA for that.
Coach Richardson - “Our situation is very unique, and if that’s the person we will choose and pick, then that’s the person that we will choose,” he said. “Whether or not she decides to play, that would still be her option of what she needs to do. So our position is we’re going to do the things we do regardless of what a player is going to say.”
Others weighing in on the situation:
Ben York, SLAMonline - "It's disappointing to hear, to say the least. I think she would be a great fit on that team. For whatever reason, Tulsa has been unfairly labeled as a place where no one wants to play. I think they have great fans and a lot to look forward to. It will just take some time to get to that point."
David Siegel, Dishin' & Swishin'/ Swish Appeal "I have to think that a lot of her comments are the fact that she is so young, and concerned about the pressure that will be put on her, and the scrutiny she will be under. I thought the comment she will try not to stress about it and will let her agent handle it was an indicator that she will go wherever he tells her to.
If I'm Tulsa, I can't pass on her, regardless of those comments, unless I get knocked over with a superstar deal, which isn't going to be coming."
Amber Harris - A 6'5" forward from Xavier who can score, rebound, and dunk. Brittney who?
Jantel Lavender - This 6'4" center who was big 10 player of the year - for FOUR years - also took the time top rack up a record number of rebounds, 1,422 to be exact.
Courtney Vandersloot - Poised to be the next Sue Bird, her point guard skills have developed tremendously, helping her to lead her Zags to an Elite Eight Appearance.
Kayla Pedersen - Had to give a shout out to a hometown AZ girl, even though she hails from Stanford. This do-it-all player should make a good for just about any team.
I know, I know, there are many I am missing, but these are the ones I've enjoyed to watch during the tournament. For a more complete list of prospects, head on over to the WNBA Draft website.
This draft should play out nicely, but I would expect to see a few surprises too. Don't forget to tune in to the 2011 WNBA Draft on ESPN on April 11th at 3:00pm (EST)
Who do you think is going in the first round? Thoughts?
1 Minnesota Lynx
2 Tulsa Shock
3 Chicago Sky
4 Minnesota Lynx from Connecticut Sun
5 Los Angeles Sparks
6 San Antonio Silver Stars
7 Tulsa Shock from Phoenix Mercury
8 Atlanta Dream
9 Indiana Fever
10 New York Liberty
11 Washington Mystics
12 Seattle Storm
And with that being said, congrats to Texas A&M and Notre Dame on making it to the 2011 NCAA womens championship game. History will once again be made, because not since 1994 has the championship game not been host to a number one seeded team. This will be the first trip for the Aggies, and the second for the Fighting Irish.
May the best team win.
***Update 4/5/2011 - Congrats to Texas A&M on their first championship! You've earned it!***
Following the championship game (see countdown clock above), the WNBA will host the 2011 draft on April 11th, 2011. As It's been said before, Maya Moore is a lock for the number one pick for the Minnesota Lynx.
Lynx fans, say hello to your newest member!
(Click here to see a video tribute to Maya, courtesy of ESPN)
(Click here to see why Maya is arguably the best player in women's college basketball, courtesy of ESPN Sports Science.)
With the number one pick being no mystery, the number two spot could prove to make things interesting. It seems that "2" is the special number, between 2 second seeds in the NCAA Championship game, and the elusive #2 pick giving a hint of unknown.
So, without further a due, here are my top five fave draft prospects, in no particular order:
Liz Cambage - This 6'8" aussie standout has already made things interesting. With Maya at the #1 pick, that leaves Tulsa, who have the #2 pick, with the ability to Draft Cambage. But she has stated that she does not have the desire to play in Tulsa, while the Shock have stated that it will go ahead with it's plans, whatever those plans may be.
Cambage - “I don’t want to play at Tulsa,” Cambage said. “I’ve made that clear. They want to make me a franchise player, but I’m not going to the WNBA for that.
Coach Richardson - “Our situation is very unique, and if that’s the person we will choose and pick, then that’s the person that we will choose,” he said. “Whether or not she decides to play, that would still be her option of what she needs to do. So our position is we’re going to do the things we do regardless of what a player is going to say.”
Others weighing in on the situation:
Ben York, SLAMonline - "It's disappointing to hear, to say the least. I think she would be a great fit on that team. For whatever reason, Tulsa has been unfairly labeled as a place where no one wants to play. I think they have great fans and a lot to look forward to. It will just take some time to get to that point."
David Siegel, Dishin' & Swishin'/ Swish Appeal "I have to think that a lot of her comments are the fact that she is so young, and concerned about the pressure that will be put on her, and the scrutiny she will be under. I thought the comment she will try not to stress about it and will let her agent handle it was an indicator that she will go wherever he tells her to.
If I'm Tulsa, I can't pass on her, regardless of those comments, unless I get knocked over with a superstar deal, which isn't going to be coming."
Amber Harris - A 6'5" forward from Xavier who can score, rebound, and dunk. Brittney who?
Jantel Lavender - This 6'4" center who was big 10 player of the year - for FOUR years - also took the time top rack up a record number of rebounds, 1,422 to be exact.
Courtney Vandersloot - Poised to be the next Sue Bird, her point guard skills have developed tremendously, helping her to lead her Zags to an Elite Eight Appearance.
Kayla Pedersen - Had to give a shout out to a hometown AZ girl, even though she hails from Stanford. This do-it-all player should make a good for just about any team.
I know, I know, there are many I am missing, but these are the ones I've enjoyed to watch during the tournament. For a more complete list of prospects, head on over to the WNBA Draft website.
This draft should play out nicely, but I would expect to see a few surprises too. Don't forget to tune in to the 2011 WNBA Draft on ESPN on April 11th at 3:00pm (EST)
Who do you think is going in the first round? Thoughts?
1 Minnesota Lynx
2 Tulsa Shock
3 Chicago Sky
4 Minnesota Lynx from Connecticut Sun
5 Los Angeles Sparks
6 San Antonio Silver Stars
7 Tulsa Shock from Phoenix Mercury
8 Atlanta Dream
9 Indiana Fever
10 New York Liberty
11 Washington Mystics
12 Seattle Storm
