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Queens of the Court. Let's go. We're back. This is Queens of the Court. Welcome back to Queens of the Court, an Odyssey original podcast produced in partnership with the WNBA. And y'all know who it is. I'm your girl, Cheryl Swoops. And I'm Jordan Robinson. And Court. And Court.

- Is in session. - Is in session. - It's back in session, baby. Here we go. - Yes, that part. - Yes! - That was horrible, but y'all, it's the first one. - It's all right, we're getting back in it. We're still in our off season. We'll get back in mid-season form in no time. - Oh my gosh. - But it feels so good to be back. I'm sick, as you can hear my voice, but it's late. We just watched some great basketball games and I'm back with my girl, Sheryl.

are you? How is your off season? Why do I feel like we have to come on and do the podcast for us to catch up?

What is wrong with that? We've been so, so busy. But that's a good thing. Booked and busy is a good thing. It's a good problem to have. It is. I'm not complaining. I don't know. I've honestly been busy. I've been great. A little under the weather. Getting my life together. Watching my son play. I've just been doing a little bit of everything. But I am so excited to be back here with you and

See you doing all the things everywhere with a little fashion show, style icon. I've been checking you out. I'm trying, Cheryl. Thank you. I appreciate it. I really appreciate it. I've been a little bit of everywhere, but it feels good. This just feels like home. Like this means that the W season is about to start when me and you are on the mic together.

And I'm so happy to be back because I know that social has been missing us. They've been tagging us through all the storylines throughout the off season. And we're going to get to those. We miss you too. We are happy to be back. We're going to, we have weeks to get into all the storylines with the WNBA, but tonight we are recording this fresh off the elite eight games and

And I just want to get right into it because it was so much fun. Okay, let me just say this. I was a little nervous going into the Iowa LSU. I know, I know. First of all, I had butterflies like I was about to get out there playing. I was just...

so nervous because it was like you know when you like show someone your favorite show and then it's like you just hope it's a really good episode because you love it so much and you just want them to love it you know so i knew there was going to be so many fans that aren't

regular women's basketball fans tuning into this game. And I just wanted it to live up to the hype so bad. So that's why I was nervous. And I feel like it did. What are your initial thoughts? I feel like, I feel like Caitlin Clark lived up to the hype. Oh yeah. I honestly don't feel like the game lived up to the hype. The first half. The first half. Okay. I feel like the first half did.

But the second half, no. And we can, we can dive into that as much as you want to. Yeah. Yeah. I, I don't know. I think I was, I was expecting it to go like down to the wire, like, like biting your fingernails, gritting your teeth type of thing. I'm just going to go there and say it. I'm still trying to figure out like,

what LSU's defensive game plan was. And I'm not talking about defending Kaitlyn Clark, right? Not that. I need to know what the entire game plan was because I was lost, right? Like, here's my thing, because I've heard coaches say it. If your game plan is we're going to let Kaitlyn do what Kaitlyn does, right? Because we can't stop her. We can't slow her down.

But we're not going to let everybody else go off. Well, that didn't work because there was like, there was like no rotation. There was no help side. There was no, I'm used to seeing the physical, like LSU, you come in a paint, I'm gonna knock you on your, you know what? Like they just looked like a very different team to me. That's, that's why I say, I don't feel like it lived up to the hype. I still think it was, I still think it was a good,

Great game for TV. I just, I wanted more. I needed more. Wow. Wow. The bar is really high to be entertained. I thought it was a good time. I was, I was entertained. I just, okay. You just needed more. Well, let's talk about that defensive scheme because that was the, the talk of Twitter sphere a little bit. And specifically with Haley Van Lith guarding Caitlin Clark. Um,

I personally feel like I looked into Caitlin Clark's eyes and that first play of the game when Haley Van Lith was guarding her, she was like, oh, I wasn't expecting this. Here's a three. Like her first shot of the game was a three. And that continued throughout the whole game.

It was shocking to everyone. And I feel like it was also shocking to Haley Van Litt. Like she didn't even seem like she knew that that was going to be her assignment. And to your point, it wasn't only about the on-ball defense. They were going under screens and then the center was sagging off. And then where was the rotation was late. Jordan, there was no defense. Like that, I'm still lost. And to your point,

When you're defending a player like a Caitlin Clark, who all she needs to do is see one go through, like it's, it's already going to be a long night. And for her to start the game hitting that three, I was like, Oh no. Yeah. Good luck trying to slow her down. So there are so many things you said in that. I'm like, if you don't know anything else about Caitlin Clark, you know, she's a shooter.

Don't ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. You know, I don't even want to say ever. I'm going to say ever. Don't ever, ever, ever, ever go under a screen on her. So my thing is, right, like get up in her, crowd her space, make her have to shoot twos. Because from what I see with Caitlyn, she's either a three-point shooter, right, or she's going all the way to the basket.

There's no like mid range in between. Let me go by one, two dribble pull up. So, you know, she is deadly from behind the line. Okay. So you can't stop her, but what,

Help. Just help. Somewhere. Somebody. And it wasn't just her. It was everybody else. Right? Layups. Their transition defense was non-existent. Wow. Yeah. The transition defense. I mean, we knew Kaitlyn Clark is an incredible passer, but it was...

It was like send a safety back at some point, you know, don't even crash the offensive rebound, just send somebody back. And I want to read off some of these stats because you said it was the others that were also going off for Iowa. And that's what I kind of said going into this game.

This team for Iowa is better to me than last year's team. Kaitlyn Clark is going to Kaitlyn Clark, but the team around her is better. And you have, you know, Stolke, their post player, only had eight points, but you let Martin go off for 21 points. And then, you know, someone else for 16. And Marshall only had three points, but you let everybody else kind of go off around 16.

Kaitlyn Clark as well. Kaitlyn Clark went nine for 20 from three, ended with 41 points. I mean, I think I tweeted it. I was like, at some point, someone's just so on fire that it just becomes comical. Like she was just letting them fly and the rim was as big as the ocean. But that's also a lack of defense on LSU's part.

I just, you know, and I'm really not trying to be funny. I'm not trying to be anything just curious, like for LSU in your practice and because you can't, you can't have a scout team pretend like somebody's Caitlin Clark, right? But you can practice a defensive scheme.

Like this is the plan. So here, here's why I said what I said earlier, because when I look at who started for LSU on the perimeter, you have Williams, Flage and Van Lith, right? Your, your guards. So of the three is Haley, the weakest defender, probably, I guess. So in my mind, I'm thinking if you're starting Haley,

off with Van Lith guarding Clark, you must be saying we're going to take our chances and let Caitlin do what she does, but we're not going to let others score. But that didn't work very well. And then on the other end of that, on the offensive end for LSU, you have to get the ball to Angel inside. They have not a soul. No.

that could guard her that could stop her and even if she shoots it or or or Mauro shoots it they're gonna go get the offensive boards I saw at one point where Angel was just frustrated and she was like give me the you know what ball I saw that too yeah they just they um I I personally was

I don't want to say disappointed, but I was surprised. Like I was just surprised at how different this LSU team looked.

in comparison to how they looked against other good teams like a South Carolina, right? Like they competed, they fought, not literally. But I mean, you know, they competed, they fought, they, they play defense. It just was a different team to me. Yeah. And you saw it in spurts. I will give credit.

to Angel and how after that first time out that LSU called because you know I would uh they jumped them from the start of the game but first time out Angel came out and was like I am on a mission and she was getting steals she was blocking shots getting old boards and like

It was a lot of those things that she was creating her own offense from those offensive rebounds, especially because Iowa was in a zone. But yeah, you're right. They went away from her. And I feel like that has been frustrating watching throughout this tournament just broadly. Just you see a lot of post dominance and then the guards are either fearful of getting the turnover from trying to get the post entry pass or they just...

try to do something else. And it's like, stick to what's working. Like that is a theme. Yes. You know what it looked like to me in a way was, all right, big girl, we gave, you took the last five shots. Now it's my turn.

So you took five. Now I need to take two. Then somebody else is like, well, then when am I going to get my shots? And then when am I going to get my shots? Like in a, in a game like that where you're trying to get to the final four, it's not equal opportunity. It ain't about you go get yours. You go get your, it's about you.

get the rock to the person that's going to get the job done. And against this particular team, Iowa, they didn't have anybody that could guard Angel on the block. And so I felt like that was kind of a miss for LSU as well. Real quick before we move on to the next game, Flage has...

had an incredible tournament to me. I think she finished with 23 points, 10 on 18 shooting. And it was the type of bucket she was getting to. It was a little bit like,

okay, we seem unsettled. Give me the ball. I'm going to make something happen. And as a sophomore, that confidence, and we just saw it time and time again throughout the games to get them to the Elite Eight. And then I feel like she did it again. It was a little bit too little too late. I feel like she could have also guarded Kaitlyn Clark, but she already had three fouls, and it was after Kaitlyn already had 37. And it was like – Right. So at that point, like why –

I don't even know why. Why do you switch? Yeah, because here's my thing. You talk about what Flagey's done in the tournament offensively, but defensively, you saw what she did in the game today and even other games. That's why I was like, you know what?

I was looking forward to that matchup. I was like, Flage Johnson on, on Caitlin Clark is going to be one to watch because Flage is a competitor. Like she's going to get up in your space. She going to talk a little smack. You might, you know what? You might light her up a few times, but she's going to keep coming. She's going to keep coming. And, and I also kind of feel like that,

Had we seen that matchup, right? She may have frustrated Caitlin a little bit. But then that's also going to light a fire under her squad.

Cause I didn't see them doing a lot of what LSU does, like talking and pumping each other up and let's go. Like, I just didn't see it. So that's why I was like, what, like, where is that LSU team? But yes, Flage Johnson has been a bucket and she's been a defender in the tournament. So shout out Flage. Big foe, not the little one. Yeah. Big foe.

Well, we're going to take a quick break. And then when we come back, we're going to talk about the other Elite Eight game between Juju and Paige Buckets. Stick around. And now a word from our sponsors at Betterment.

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This episode is brought to you by Honda. When you test drive the all-new Prologue EV, there's a lot that can impress you about it. There's the class-leading passenger space, the clean, thoughtful design, and the intuitive technology. But out of everything, what you'll really love most is that it's a Honda. Visit Honda.com slash EV to see offers. Welcome back to Queens of the Court. So the Nightcap Elite 8 game was...

Honestly, the one that I had circled, I had this game on my bracket. I was so excited for Juju against Paige Beckers, UConn versus USC. And I knew it was going to be a different game than Iowa LSU, which was just, you know, Iowa and LSU were flamethrowers trading buckets. I knew this was going to be a different pace. UConn only had like six and a half players, really like.

Not even fully seven players in the rotation. USC is also new and led by a freshman. So this was a different type of matchup. What were some things that you liked about this matchup? Same, right? Like I've been a Juju fan from day one. So good. And I love her name, by the way.

But also Paige Beckers. Like I love Paige. I love her all around game. We can get into her more specifically later, but here is what I will say. Love him or hate him. That is Gina or Emma. He is going to always find a way to get his squad right where they are. I don't care if it's three players, right?

they're going to find a way to compete and win ball games. The fact that they have, well, I think six, seven players maybe. And not only do they compete, they found a way to win this game. They're headed back to the final four. And then one, you, you stay out of foul trouble, but then when your guard picks up four, she manages to play without fouling out. Right. And,

Yeah. Again, so I'll say love him or hate him. That's impressive. That is so impressive to me the way he, I don't know, the way he just finds a way to get it done. So as for me, as I look at the matchup moving forward, I know I haven't talked about USC yet, but as I look towards the matchup of Iowa and Connecticut,

I like that matchup. Oh, yeah. That's going to be fun. Geno is going to come with a defensive game plan. Oh, yeah. And just the confidence and the swag that they play with, that UConn players play with. Listen, this is going to be a good one. Paige and Kaitlyn, I love it. I love everything about this matchup. But I won't look ahead. I'll...

Rewind. Rewind. Reverse. Rewind. But you know, the thing with SC for me, we talked about Juju and as talented as she is, as good as she is, she's still just a freshman. And don't get it twisted because I thought she played well tonight, but I thought there were times in the game tonight that the moment that

seemed too big for not just her, but for the team, right? Like, like we're, we're really here and we have a chance to make it to the final four. So I, I kind of felt like that moment got a little big for them and it was just the opposite for Connecticut. Cause they were like, this is what we do, right? It doesn't matter how many players we have. This is, this is what we do.

And it's not even that group of UConn players, because I was looking at that part too. It's a little bit of USC, you know, what's their storyline coming in? This is the first time since 1994, you know, the last time they were in this position. Cheryl Miller was a coach and Lisa Leslie was on the floor and it was unfamiliar territory for

for the program itself. And then you have UConn on the other end, they're going to their 23rd final four, you know, went 14 years straight. And even though it wasn't these specific players that did all of those things, it's just kind of the Jersey that we're wearing right

we're used to this. This is the expectation that we have as a program. This is just what we do. And no matter what, like you said, shout out to Gino, because that was management. What he did those fouls. I was like, oh, they're going to run out of players. A couple of players fell out. And I think, um,

I don't know. I think someone either tweeted it or something I read where someone said, like, it's funny when there are more players on UConn's bench in street clothes than there are in uniform. And those aren't just normal players. Like, those would probably be a starting five on any other program's rosters. So the fact that they made it this far...

Gino said the other night, he was like, you know, I thought only childbirth was miracles or having a baby was a miracle. If we make it this far, this is a miracle that we did it. And it's like, you know, when you think about all the teams that he's had in the past where they've just been stacked and he can sub five in and five out and they're all WNBA caliber players.

This team led by Paige Beckers, who finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds. Aaliyah Edwards, who declared for the draft, 24 points, 6 rebounds. Just showed how ready they were for the moment and how much they're like, we are not getting off this floor. You're going to have to drag us off this floor. They played every single minute of that game. And that experience...

Just seemed like it was too much for USC. And credit to Juju. I mean, 29 points, 10 rebounds. She took a lot of shots. She had to do a lot. But I think it was a reminder. You know, I've been working with the Pac-12 all year, so I've got to see her from...

That very first game against Iowa State, you know, that in Vegas where they put everybody on notice that Juju is the real deal to her 51 point game, to her becoming the setting the record for the scoring record for freshmen. Like she's the real deal. But I knew. No question about it.

That this wasn't the team that was, you know, this is her first go at it. She's going to come back. They're going to load up. USC has a number one recruiting class coming in next year. They're going to be better. But it was still great to see what I've seen all season long, that Juju is her. She's it. The bun, the edges, stay late. And she glistens. She don't sweat. She glistens.

Lashes are still there. It's just impeccable. Juju is going to be a problem. She's going to be a problem for the next three years or four, three or four years, however many. I love the kid. You know, I will say this. I love how she never gets rattled.

Right. There were a couple of times tonight I saw like emotion from her where she got frustrated with the ref. But you don't see that. I was it's very rare. Yeah. Yeah. She she keeps a straight face. Good call. Bad call. Heck of a shot. Bash. Whatever. You never know.

how she's feeling or thinking because she doesn't show any emotion. She plays very poised. And for a freshman, that's impressive. So it's kind of scary to think about how good she will be because she is the real deal. Yeah. And my favorite part, I guess the matchup that I was looking forward to between Juju and Paige was the shot

making and the shot creation. I think they were both, I think Paige probably moves a little more without the ball and you saw her just getting really good passes and able to hit it from the mid range a lot, but she was also pulling up from three. She had a little bit of everything in her bag, but

Juju is so the body control that she plays with and how she's able to just glide down the floor. Like it doesn't even look like she dribbles down the floor. She just glides and gets to her spot, unrattled floats and gets to the free throw line. And it's an and one every time. So it's like poetry in motion. It's so beautiful to watch. And I, I mean her in the open court,

Just to watch her do the things that she can do with the basketball in her hands. Like, I don't know if I didn't know she was a freshman, I would say, what WNBA team does she play for? Oh, yeah. You know, just some of the some of the stuff that she seriously, some of the stuff she can do with the ball in her hands in the open court. It just leaves you in awe where you're like, wow, wow. I know. And it broke my heart.

- It broke my heart seeing her so emotional and crying at the end of that game, because I know she gave so much the whole season and in this game particularly, but she's gonna be back. Like she's gonna be back, she's gonna be better. There are some things that she still needs to clean up 'cause she's a baby, she's a freshman. - For sure, for sure. - She has a lot to learn. But you kind of hinted at it, the final four,

Woo. It's going to be so, so good. On one side, NC State versus South Carolina. I mean, NC State has been putting on a show, but those Gamecocks just look, I mean, undefeated. They're looking incredible. And then on the other side, you got UConn and Iowa. That's next weekend in Cleveland.

You don't gotta make a prediction, but I mean, it's gonna be fun. - Here's what I will say about NC State. You know how I feel about South Carolina, right? - Yeah. - But in case people are wondering, let me just let everybody know. I ride hard for Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. So for one moment, I have to do this because

No one expected South Carolina to do what they've done. No. After losing all of her freshies. And this is a rebuilding year for Dawn. Okay. So that was everywhere. People, everybody was talking about that.

So I just need some of that same energy from people to celebrate them. Like, they're undefeated. And we're not talking about that enough. That's impressive. For Dawn to have done and continue to do what she's doing with this team is impressive. So let's just celebrate that just to tab it. But back to NC State. I'm excited to see Saniya Rivers. Mm-hmm.

play against her former Gamecocks for one. And yeah, and she's good. Like I love Saniya's game. And Isaiah, that kid, young lady, excuse me, she can just flat out stroke that basketball. NC State, they're kind of, they're like scary good to me.

And why I say that is because, yes, I'm going with South Carolina. But if South Carolina does not come to play, NC State could be the spoiler.

Yeah, because you have nothing to lose. You're NC State. Absolutely. You're not supposed to be here. You're just, you're making history. The men's team is going like, you're not supposed to be here. You're just having a good time. And South Carolina is undefeated and supposed to win. So you kind of go in, you playing a little loose if you're NC State. And I don't think they call her Zaza.

Zaza. James, she's just going to let it fly. And you talk about a game plan, a defensive game plan, it's going to be there. Yes, for those scores. I'm excited. I'm excited about that game. And I already told you my excitement about Connecticut and Iowa. That'll be good.

We'll be there in Cleveland. We'll see you guys there. You don't have to. I don't have one. I just want good basketball. I want, I think just for a second before we bump to break, just all the eyes that have been on women's basketball and the

I mean, just going on social media and having everybody top to bottom talking about these games and talking about the star power that is within women's basketball, it

I just get giddy when I think about it because it's living up to the moment and it's fun. And shout out to Andrea Carter and Chanae Agumike. The coverage and studio for ESPN was on point. And Elle Duncan. I love that trio. Elle Duncan holding it down. I love that trio. Oh.

It was so entertaining and it's just been really fun. And I can't wait for this to bleed over into the WNBA season, which we're going to talk about the WNBA draft after this quick break.

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All right, we're back. And I wish I had a little countdown of how many days until the WNBA season, but it's coming close.

And the WNBA draft, 2024 WNBA draft presented by State Farm is Monday, April 15th, 7.30 Eastern. You'll see it on ESPN. Fans are going to be in attendance this year. It's just going to be so good and so much hype around it. We know the Fever have that number one pick. Then the Sparks, Chicago, Sparks again, the Wings, that's kind of the top five picks.

But kind of transitioning from, you know, what we've been seeing in those performances in the Elite Eight. And I'm thinking about the people who have declared or who are seniors. And I'm looking at that draft stock. I'm kind of putting my WNBA GM hat on and I'm like, what can they bring?

to a team? What do they still need to work on in the summer? Like there's a lot that I'm kind of thinking about when I wrap my head around that. Angel Reese is someone who has 48 hours. Her clock is ticking as we are doing this pod. If she's going to declare or not. Kaitlyn Clark has declared, Cameron Brink, Cordoso from South Carolina, Nika Mule, UConn, Aaliyah Edwards.

Um, Rekia Jackson from Tennessee is someone who I think is just going to make a fantastic pro player. Um, Alyssa Peely from Utah. But while you're watching this tournament, have you also been thinking about the transition or, or what in their game is going to transition to a pro? I have, I think even before the tournament, I will just tell you that,

outside of Caitlin, right? Cause that's a given her going to Indiana. Um, Rekia Jackson is ready. Like Rekia Jackson is nice. If, if, if, if I'm the sparks, give me Rekia Jackson. Oh, I think it's how mock drafts come out before the tournament. I know it's not all supposed to be on the tournament, but like,

When you look at, I mean, I love Cameron Brink from Stanford. I love her. But when you look at her games in the tournament versus Rekia's games. There is no comparison. Sparks. Like Rekia and on both ends of the floor. Rekia, I just, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme. Rekia Jackson. I would say...

I was a little surprised that Cardosa declared for the draft. I thought she would go back to South Carolina for another year. Really? Yeah. Really? Why did you say that? I honestly think she could use another year at South Carolina. Just in getting her body, her game back.

like ready for the next level. I feel the same way with Angel. I know she has 48 hours. I would love to see Angel...

Even if she doesn't stay at LSU, whatever, I would love to see her get one more year of college ball under her belt so she can work on her post moves, work on her game, get stronger. I would love to see that. But if she's like, I'm done, had enough, I'm ready, then I think if drafted by the right team,

I think they could work with her and she could absolutely, she'll make a difference with a team just from her rebounding alone. Yeah, I agree. Rebounding is something you can't teach. Like you either have that ability and that will and want to or you don't. And Angel absolutely has it. So those are two players that when I look at the ones who have declared for the draft and I'm like, okay,

so i don't know i don't know i don't know but it's let me just in let me yeah go ahead i'm just gonna repeat what i said rakia jackson is her a bucket like a match-up nightmare it's kind of it's kind of crazy i think it's so interesting that it's it's um it's a lot of post players and you know it's cardoso cameron brink

Angel Reese getting in the mix. I think Angel has to also think about that when declaring like, okay, look at the other post players that I'm kind of going up against in the draft. I think you also have to look at that. And I think Cardoso has...

proved that she can improve. Like when you look at her from a freshman in South Carolina, from a sophomore to a junior to where she is now, you're like, okay, strides have been taken. So I would also say,

think of that and consider that when I am a GM, I'm like, okay, if we work on some, she's proven to get better and can be coachable, but also what she does on the defensive end is some of those things, like you said, that you can't teach that she really has a nose for the ball and hunts for the ball. And I would say the same about Cameron Brink, you know, coming off as a PAC 12 player of the year and defensive player of the year. And one of the strongest conferences in the country, um,

But it's like the fouls, you're fouling out so much. And when your team needs you, you're fouling out. That just makes me scratch my head and go, you can't get two shot block happy. And you're not going to be blocking WNBA player shots like this. Like you're going to get blocks.

but you're not going to be swatting them to the third row. They're just too creative and they're too shifty and they're taller and bigger than you. So how are you going to be able to stay on the floor or else your WNBA career is going to be on the bench watching your team? No, that's a great point. And you know, another player that I look at and I think she is really good at

at the collegiate level. That's Elisa Peely. Yes. Right? Like, but I wonder how her game translates to the next level just from her size, like her position, because she plays center for Utah. And like, that's not going to be the position she will play in the WNBA. I know. And so when I look at her, I'm like, she's going to have to be like,

a three or a stretch four, but does her, does her game say she can be a three or a stretch four? I know she shoots the three, but I'm looking at it from a more consistent perspective.

just the consistency of it and her ability to handle the ball and also defend that position. Yeah. That's the key. Yeah. Can she switch out there one through three? Yeah. I don't know. People have said, is it like an Alyssa Thomas type of player, but she can shoot the three, like kind of that brute force in there. But...

Listen, AT is just different, though. I know. I know. It's hard to compare. It's hard. It's hard to compare. But it's also, I think Alyssa Peely can be one of those players that surprise you if she gets on the right team and is put in the best position for her because she's a score. Like, she's going to get you a bucket no matter what and to the best of her ability. Well, and that's what it's about, right? Like...

getting drafted by the right team. And so that's why I also look at, you know, like Cardosa, but she's already declared, but I'm just saying, for example, a Cardosa, an Angel, do you wait and come out next year? Because then maybe your draft stock will be higher or,

the team that you probably will fit better with. Do you know what I mean? Like it's all about fit also. All about fit. So if you get drafted by the right team at whatever position that is you play, then yeah, you could be very successful at the next level. It's all about right fit. So I don't know. It's going to be interesting. But Rekia Jackson is ready. Yeah.

She's ready. She's ready. I want to say right fit. I mean, just for a quick second, I think it's a no brainer. Caitlin Clark is going to she's going to be really great. But I see the passing of Caitlin Clark and I can't help but

but think about the pieces that are in Indiana that she's going to be able to pass to and make better. And Aaliyah Boston already was rookie of the year last year and was having an incredible year, but the pick and roll is going to be incredible. And that's going to be really fun, fun to watch. And I think her passing is going to be able to translate well to the W the shot, the shooting, you know,

You already saw Brittany Sykes on Twitter. She knew the scouting report. She was already talking about how she was going to guard Caitlin Clark. It's going to be all the defenders in the leagues like dream to be able to read that scout, but she's going to have to get creative and figure out what else she can, she can bring in her game. But I think the passing is something that will, will translate. Her, her passing ability is, I don't know if people talk about it enough, but

Because she can absolutely pass the rock. Her shooting from behind the arc is, I mean, it's bananas. But yeah, I was on Twitter. I saw it all too.

Not saying that they'll stop her, but it's not going to be as easy. Yeah. Yeah. As I think a lot of people think it will be. Right. So, yes, she will get some shots off, but she's going to have to be able to. She has to get a mid range game and in between games because getting all the way to the hole in the W is.

It's going to be a little different than it is in college. Right. So her, her in between her mid range game, I think she's going to have to work on that. My thing is on the defensive side of the ball. Right. When, when I, when I look at, at Iowa, like I knew they were going to play LSU in a zone and LSU, unfortunately just couldn't make any shots, but even playing them in a zone, they weren't able to,

guard angel in the paint, right? Yeah. But when they go when they went to a man, Caitlin typically defends the other team's worst offensive player. And in the WNBA, not very many teams play zone, right? So yeah, you're gonna have to be able to guard somebody.

Yeah. Or we saw what happens in the finals when they single you out. Like, that's what you don't want. And I think that's something that, of course, she's going to know that that's going to be a part of her game that she needs to grow. That's something that I think is a lot of...

I don't even want to say reps, but just open runs against WNBA caliber players and playing against people who are bigger, stronger, faster than you. And how are you keeping them in front of you? How are you able to switch off and not be a liability? Well, but Jordan, that also, you know, we were talking about getting drafted, going to the right team. It also helps if you go to a team or the right team who is,

teaches and coaches and preaches defense. They have a defensive philosophy that they put players around you that can make you a better defender, right? Do you know what I mean? Because you're, because you're a one-on-one ability to guard somebody and keep them in front of you and shut them down. Isn't that good? But they put you around players who can make up for that.

Is that Indiana? I don't know. It's just a question, right? Like, yeah, Aaliyah Boston sitting in the paint is great help side. But when Aaliyah Boston has to go on the perimeter to defend Stewie, then who's helping? Who's in the paint?

Like there's just, just like it works on the offensive side, right? Like you, you talked about her passing ability and the pick and roll with Aaliyah Boston. And, you know, you got Melissa Smith, you got Kelsey Mitchell, but then on the defensive side, what does that look like? Yeah. I also just want to give a shout out to the WNBA. Have you been seeing those commercials that they've been running and

to advertise for the draft where it's like Stewie eating the Rookios and Arike putting on the no shade. I mean, they're ready. They've heard the chatter around this rookie class coming in. They are so ready to lace them up and be able to, you know, not only have all of the Caitlin Clark fans in the crowd, but

for them to be able to perform but it's just like they're ready to be able to prove that they are pros they've been doing this for many many years they understand the Scout they are also at a really high level and those commercials are chef's kiss they are so funny and it it just makes me even more excited for the draft and for for what's to come all the matchups to see who fits

we're going to go through the whole training camp sagas, who gets waived, who should make a team. It's we go through it every year, but it's going to be really, really fun to see this caliber of talent, not only to see who declares and who goes back and plays another year, but the people who decide to come into the drafts,

Get ready. Get ready. Because it's going to be these Elite Eight matchups times 100 every single night. All 12 teams. They know. Every night. Every night. No off nights. No off nights. It's the best coaches in the world, too. The scheming of Becky Hammond going up against you, that's also what you're going to have to play against. It's going to be good. It's going to be juicy. Woo!

It's going to be good. It's going to be good. Well, we are, it's getting late. I'm coming down from this excitement of these games, but we're back, baby. Queens of the court. Let's go. We're back. We have so much more to talk about everything that was going on in the off season. You were pinging us, texting us, adding us. We saw it. We heard you. We're going to get to it starting next week. Cause not now it's getting late, but.

We love you guys. Thanks for staying subscribed all throughout the WNBA offseason. Now that we're back, tell your friends, tell your family, tell your mama, tell your cousin, tell your ex to subscribe to the show. Tell your ex's ex. Yeah, your ex's ex. You can also send us questions or feedback at our listener email at queensofthecourtatodyssey.com. And y'all know, like Jordan said, we're back, baby.

But you know, you can always find us on social media. I'm at air swoops 22 and she, her Jordan, she's just at, no, you don't get the whole, I don't, I see one. Why? All right. You don't get, you don't, she's not. Hey, anymore. You're just at, Hey, Jordan are right or wrong. I'll earn my wise as a season. I need the wise back. Cause I need you to be. Hey,

Jordan R. I'll earn them. I'll earn them as well. Okay, okay, okay. Queens of the Court is an Odyssey original created in partnership with the WNBA. The show is produced by Alex Ozzie. The executive producer is Lena Moss Glazer. Social media assistance from Isabella Apple. Imaging from T-Storm Battle. And court. Court. Is adjourned. Is adjourned. Oh, gosh. That was so bad. You know,

If the bar's on the floor, that only means we can go up. - Oh gosh, yes. - It's 10:00 p.m. - Hopefully Monica McNutt doesn't hear that. - That's another season.