Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter (12) makes a reception during the CU Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday April 22, 22023. "Offense" defeated "Defense" by a score of 39 to 27. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News).
The Colorado Buffaloes are entering a wild card type of year. After going 1-11 for the 2022 season, experts are unsure where the team is heading this season because most of the team and the entire head coaching staff is new this season.
Colorado added coach Deon Sanders as the new head coach last year with a five-year, $29.5 million deal which will earn him $5.5 million in the first year.
QB Shedeur Sanders and cornerback Travis Hunter at PAC-12 Media Day 2023. Photo by Jevone Moore
Since taking over Sanders has almost completely changed the roster. Well over 80% of Colorado’s 2022 roster moved on which includes 52 scholarship players who have entered the transfer portal, 43 since the conclusion of the spring game in April.
On the flip side, Colorado has added more than 35 players since last December. Several players added by Sanders followed him from Jackson State where Sanders previously coached, including cornerback Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (his son).
Other notable players new to Colorado includes Arkansas defensive lineman Jordan Domineck, who had 34 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 last season, and Washington edge rusher Sav’ell Smalls, a former five-star recruit in the 2020 ESPN 300.
Sanders even flipped a transfer who had already committed to another school: Auburn receiver Tar’Varish Dawson Jr, who originally committed to Colorado. He changed his mind for the opportunity to play for Sanders.
Coach Prime talks to the press at Colorado’s media day at Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder, CO on Friday August 11, 2023 (Laura Domingue/ fi360 News)
The added talent to Colorado will help with their tough schedule this year in the highly competitive Pac-12, which begins on Sept. 2 at Texas Christian University, who ended last season with a 13-2 record. The team will then follow with their first home game against Nebraska, followed by Colorado St, Oregon and USC.
Sanders previously coached in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and ended last season with a 12-1 record. The coach’s overall record is 27-6. His changes in the off season reflect his winning attitude that has followed the coach since his hall of fame NFL career.
Overall, this is a new team with a new coach at Colorado, and it’s hard to tell what will happen, but it all begins on Sept. 2.
LOS ANGELES, [August 21, 2023] – University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt announced today that Jennifer Cohen, recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the most powerful, influential, and outstanding women in sports, will serve as the university’s 10th Director of Athletics and the Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics’ Chair. Cohen, who will start in Heritage Hall on Tuesday, will lead USC Athletics into one of the most transformative eras in its long and storied history.
With three decades of intercollegiate athletics experience, most recently leading the University of Washington’s athletics department for the past seven years, Cohen is recognized as a fiercely competitive national leader who takes a student-centered approach to building culture and winning the right way. Cohen joined Washington in 1998 as an assistant director of development before moving to the university’s central development office to focus on fundraising efforts on behalf of the office of undergraduate education. She also spent time with the UW’s regional gifts program before returning to athletics to oversee the department’s major gifts program prior to becoming the director of athletics in 2016. Before arriving at Washington, Cohen held a variety of roles in intercollegiate athletics administration at Pacific Lutheran, the University of Puget Sound, and Texas Tech University.
USC File Photo
“Jen is an experienced, engaged, and steadfast leader who takes a student-centered approach in building and running an athletics program. And, she has built a reputation as a fierce competitor who wants to win in every sport the right way,” said President Folt. “We are experiencing an unprecedented transformation in college athletics, and Jen has the strategic vision and experience to lead USC Athletics through this historic time which includes joining America’s premier conference, the Big Ten, and hosting several venues for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There has never been a more exciting or important period in the history of USC athletics.”
Recently, Cohen spearheaded the University of Washington’s acceptance into the Big Ten Conference, effective in 2024. Under her leadership, the Husky Athletics programs have flourished, winning 19 Pac-12 championships during her tenure, including two in football, as well as men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s rowing, and boasting a softball program that remains one of the strongest in the nation. Several of her coaching hires were named Pac-12 Coaches of the Year, and Cohen, herself, was honored as a finalist for the Sport Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year in 2019.
Instrumental in the hirings of football coaches Chris Peterseon and Kalen DeBoer, Washington Football made three-straight New Year’s Six bowl game appearances during Cohen’s first five years serving as the director of athletics, winning a pair of Pac-12 titles and a trip to the College Football Playoff in 2016. In 2018, the Huskies returned to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2001 after defeating Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The 2023 UW team is ranked #10 in the Associated Press preseason poll.
Cohen also currently serves as a member of the College Football Playoff Committee and as a member of the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches.
The UW athletics program also achieved unprecedented success in the classroom under Cohen’s leadership. This past year, the university posted its highest-ever, department-wide NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR), with eight of the university’s teams leading the Pac-12 Conference in GSR.
Among her many other accomplishments, Cohen spearheaded the effort to secure a 10-year, $119 million apparel partnership with Adidas that launched in 2019. With a background in development and revenue generation, Cohen has led the Huskies to record-setting fundraising levels over the past seven years.
“I have long admired the Trojan spirit and the USC community’s commitment to always Fight On with integrity and absolute dedication in pursuit of excellence both on and off the field,” said Cohen. “It is an honor of a lifetime to come back to Southern California to serve as USC’s director of athletics and officially join the Trojan Family. I am excited to help realize President Folt’s moonshot plan to reimagine USC Athletics, ensuring student-athletes from all of our 21 teams have the facilities and resources they need to succeed. USC is a national powerhouse in every measure of college athletics, and I look forward to honoring the Trojan heritage while working alongside the incredible USC Athletics team as we embrace both the opportunities and challenges of this complex moment.”
Over the past few months, USC Athletics’ interim leadership team, led by Dr. Denise Kwok, engaged with faculty, athletics staff, and student-athletes to better understand their key priorities for both the athletics department and its leadership. Cohen fits the criteria that was most important to USC student-athletes and other stakeholders. Parker Executive Search assisted the university in the search process.
“Jen Cohen is the best in the business! She is an elite athletic director and one of the finest leaders I have had the privilege of working with,” said Chris Petersen, former head football coach at the University of Washington. “Jen is a seasoned practitioner who uses her extensive experience to build winning environments and high performing cultures. She is tenacious, driven, and competitive, but always leads with compassion and class.”
USC is already well-positioned for its move to the Big Ten – a conference committed to academic excellence in addition to its athletic competitiveness – as USC Athletics set a new department record with a multiyear 2023 NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 990. USC also set its all-time high 2022 Graduation Success Rate of 93 percent, marking the ninth consecutive year of an increase.
In the 2022-23 academic year, USC student-athletes were also recognized with 27 First Team All-Americans and 16 All Pac-12 First Team honors; 11 teams finished in the Top 25; 16 teams made post-season appearances; and USC was named the Crosstown Cup Champions. Additionally, under Coach Lincoln Riley, USC Football was undefeated in the Coliseum in the 2022 season, and Caleb Williams was awarded the Heisman Trophy, making Williams the university’s seventh official winner of college football’s most prestigious award. USC’s beach volleyball team capped off the year winning its third straight national title. USC student-athletes can be found on the rosters for American and national teams from around the world and can be expected to be well-represented in at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Advancing President Folt’s moonshot to position USC Athletics for success is a key priority. USC is investing in world-class facilities to prepare USC student-athletes to succeed at the highest level, including a game-changing football performance center, a new home for women’s lacrosse and soccer at Rawlinson Stadium, major enhancements to Dedeaux Field, and a significant, multi-year enhancement to the Galen Center.
Cohen, a native of Arcadia, located in Los Angeles County, received her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and her master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports administration from Pacific Lutheran University.
Cohen has two adult sons, Tyson (21) and Dylan (18); both student-athletes at other universities.
INGLEWOOD, CA — With Tropical Storm Hilary pouring a deluge of rain over the Southland, the preseason contest between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Chargers was nearly canceled. Fortunately, SoFi Stadium has a tent canopy for these unforeseen events, and the New Orleans Saints thwarted a Los Angeles Chargers late surge for a 22-17 victory on Sunday, August 20.
Fans were hoping to see new Saints quarterback Derek Carr. The former Las Vegas Raiders QB is poised to lead New Orleans back to relevance since the retirement of Drew Brees, and it remains a mystery and wonderful plot going into the NFL season. Saints backup Jameis Winston put up another efficient performance in Week 2 against the Chargers.
He completed 13 of his 21 attempts for 169 yards, including a nice deep ball to rookie running back Kendre Miller that set up the game’s first touchdown. To those who obsess over Fantasy Football, this rookie has the potential to be a star right out of the gate.
The TCU Horned Frog made an incredible, over-the-shoulder diving catch on a throw from starting quarterback Jameis Winston that resulted in a 27-yard gain down to the Los Angeles 7.
Even with the roof keeping most of the rain out, it was a sloppy game featuring six punts but was entertaining and had the intensity and feel of a regular season game.
The credit goes to Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick. He compiled 233 yards through the air and two interceptions while rushing for a couple scores on the ground to go along with 63 yards on seven carries.
The play of the game was when the Chargers were inside the 5-yard line, when stick rushed out of the pocket and bulldozed his way into the end zone. It appears Stick will be a reliable and steady backup should Herbert get injured.
Trailing by 5, the Chargers had one final drive to score touchdown and win the game. On 4th Down, Stick got stuck by a giant Saints lineman as he heaved the football. It was intercepted by New Orleans and that was the ball game.
One final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium remains before the fun starts. The NFL regular season begins on Sunday, September 10th. As the Miami Dolphins visit SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Kickoff is slated for 1:25 pm on Sunday, September 10th.
The Bolts have garnered plenty of headlines and TV stories about how this could be their year. There’s only one way to find out.
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Storm were unable to extend their winning streak to a season-high of three games, as they fell in a hotly contest battle to the Minnesota Lynx in the first of two games that these teams will play in three days. Having won five of their last seven games, the Storm were unable to maintain their strong form of late as Seattle played sloppy all game long on the offensive end. As a result of their struggles on that end of the court, the Storm defense was only able to do so much to contain Minnesota’s stars such as Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride.
The Storm began this game with plenty of energy, as center Ezi Magbegor got the scoring started for her team and her general activity was big for Seattle in the first quarter. While the Storm did have positives on offense, whether it was Magbegor’s general activity or rookie Jordan Horston getting involved early, there was general chaos from Seattle that the Lynx were able to take advantage of. The Storm have struggled with taking care of the basketball in recent weeks after somewhat shoring that issue up, and Minnesota was able to capitalize on that early and for the entirety of the game. At the end of the first half, both teams had committed the same number of turnovers with eight, but the Lynx had scored seven more points off those turnovers than the Storm did.
“First, our turnovers. It’s the points that they generated off of them, it’s very difficult to be in games, stay in games and not taking efficient shots on goal. It’s difficult to play an entire game without Ezi on the floor, an entire game with stretches, minutes of the game without her on the floor and the second half in particular, holding them to 32. Thought that there was better defensive effort, locked in a little bit better on McBride and Collier. Some good moments from Sami for sure. Some good defensive effort, defensive blacks in the second half, but third quarters stalled out in offense again. Not able execute, taking really tough shots and not being able to generate points,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on what went wrong in this loss.
Ahead of tonight’s contest, Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn had discussed how important this homestand was, as having the days to practice and preach the importance of avoiding stalling on offense is time that the Storm wouldn’t have if they were on the road. While working to improve on that, Seattle stumbled on the same issue in this contest as the Storm offensive attack hit a snag in the third quarter. Seattle only tallied eleven points in the frame, shooting a poor 27% from the field and turning the ball over four times. With their leading scorer in Jewell Loyd continuing to struggle from the field, Seattle was unable to find their footing and it dug them a deeper hole to try and scrape out of.
“No traps today. I think McBride was just in passing lanes and very aggressive in my opinion. Seeing this defense with Minnesota and her, lots of congestion, gaps, that makes it really difficult to find those lanes and get to the rim. Just one of those nights for Jewell, in my opinion,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on what she saw from Jewell Loyd’s tough night.
Following today’s loss to the Lynx, the Storm have wrapped up their four-game homestand and will head out on the road for a three-game trip that begins with a rematch against this same Minnesota team. These two teams will get back to action after a day off, which is just a travel day, when they meet at the Target Center on Sunday, August 20th with a tipoff time of 4PM PST. With a lot of positives to take from today’s game and obvious mistakes that need to be corrected, the Storm should have a gameplan prepared that has them in good position to knock off a Lynx team that currently sits as the three seed in the Western Conference.
Seattle, WA – On WNBA “Rivalry night,” the Seattle Storm handily defeated the Phoenix Mercury to complete the season sweep. Across the board, the Storm performed well and were able to lock up their fifth win in the past seven games as Jewell Loyd looked back to herself again with a 24-point effort and Seattle’s bench played a strong role in the win. Phoenix held a lead a little over five and a half minutes into the game, but that was all they’d get as the Storm took over from there and never looked back. Despite the loss of Gabby Williams to injury and Ivana Dojkic to overseas commitment, the Storm have won back-to-back games since losing them and have been able to play better basketball tonight than that first win.
As mentioned, the Mercury came into this game strong as they held their largest lead, seven points, with a little under five and a half minutes into the first quarter. Phoenix’s starting five was spreading the offense around and finding their spots early while Seattle tried to get set into their gameplan, as the Storm were trying to avoid another poor shooting game after barely managing to escape with a win over the Dream last time out. After a few inefficient games from the field, Seattle guard Jewell Loyd started this contest with 14 points in the fourth quarter to push the Storm into the lead and have them never look back from it. Nicknamed “The Gold Mamba,” Loyd ended up with 23 points in the first half as Seattle settled into their game and was able to get their second scorer Ezi Magbegor heavily involved, with the bench providing quality minutes to end the half with a 16-point lead.
“I think just being able to lock down defensively, especially coming out at halftime. But I think that also shows that growth, just being able to not let that lead or let their comeback kind of get to us. I think we did a great job of just being able to stop that and counter that, just kind of stay poised and stay together in that moment,” Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm center, on the team closing this game out.
While they’ve found ways to do it before, just not very often, the Storm have needed their superstar shooting guard Jewell Loyd to carry their offense just about all season long. Loyd’s put-up monster numbers all season en route to what an MVP campaign would be if Seattle’s record was better, but has seen a dip in production in recent weeks as teams focus on trapping her and trying to take her out of the gameplan. Jewell ensured that she was going to be a factor in the Storm win from the get-go, as her 14 points kick started the Seattle offense and helped get her teammates going as well, including the team’s second scorer in Ezi Magbegor who finished with 17 points. While Loyd scored only one point in the second half after dropping 23 in the first, her jolt of energy translated onto the scoreboard and helped Seattle grab momentum early from Phoenix.
“I have all the confidence in everyone on the team. Regardless of me scoring or not, I know that I’m able to be a screener, I know I can still play defense, I’m still involved, I’m relying on everyone else. Everyone else steps up and we’ve seen that before. It’s nice to know that regardless of if I’m hitting or not, we’re taking good shots,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm guard, on the team holding on to their halftime lead.
Following this satisfying victory on rivalry night over the Mercury, the Storm will get a few days of rest/practice before they finish off their four-game homestand on Friday, August 18th. That day at Climate Pledge Arena will see Seattle hosting the Minnesota Lynx for a 7PM PST tipoff as the Storm look to win their third straight by toppling a Lynx team that currently sits in a playoff spot after struggling heavily to begin the season. Getting those few days of rest and practice before this game gives Seattle a chance to clean things up before this contest. If you’re not attending here in person in Seattle, that game will be broadcast on ION.
INGLEWOOD, CA--The NFL preseason kicked off with the battle for Los Angeles featuring the two tennats of SoFi Stadium- the Rams and Chargers. On Saturday, August 12 the Bolts new offense ran over the Rams in a 34-17 drubbing.
Numerous rookies for the Chargers were excellent in the victory. For example, three rookies combined to score the team’s four touchdowns, including an exhilarating 81-yard punt return from fourth-rounder Derius Davis.
Los Angeles Chargers new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is already putting his fingerprints on the new look offense. Moore is putting his stamp on the Chargers ground attack, which has been lacking for years.
That was clearly not the case on Saturday night, as the Chargers steamrolled the helpless Rams defense around for 214 yards on the ground. It is early, but this appears to be a potent offense with an identity.
Imagine when Austin Ekeler joins that party. An improved running attack will also open up the playbook for quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense.
Photo by Jevone Moore / CCO
Wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a few dropped passes before catching an 8-yard touchdown pass. The first, but surely not the last time Johnston will find the end zone this season.
When stars from both teams sit in preseason games, its dificult to gauge how well the teams will perform once the regular season begins.
The Chargers sat a majority of the offense; including quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Ditto for the Rams, who sat quarterback Mathew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald. Although it is disappointing fans were unable to catch a glimpse of their favorite players, it is something that is commonplace in the first exhibition game.
However, the simple fact remains that neither of these teams can afford the risk of losing their star players in August, otherwise their hopes of reaching the playoffs will be dashed. Their hopes as well as the season will be probabably be lost.
For the Rams, the bright spot was rookie quarterback Stenson Bennett out of Georgia. He finished his college career at Sofi Stadium by dismantling TCU, 65-7 in the National Championship in January of this year.
Bennett passed for 191 yards and a touchdown for the Rams in his first NFL action.
“It was fun to finally get out there and honestly get hit,” Bennett said. “I’m not going to win many of those, but it’s good to feel like a football player again. It’s fun to get out there and compete.”
Elijah Dotson, an undrafted rookie from Northern Colorado, had 37 and 40-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter for the Chargers. This put the game out of reach, and sealed the victory for the Bolts.
Next weekend, the Rams as well as the Chargers will be hosting games at Sofi. First the Rams welcome the Silver and Black, the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, August 19.
The following day, Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints will visit SoFi to face the new and improved Los Angeles Chargers.
Seattle, WA – In their first game without athletic forward Gabby Williams and rookie European point guard Ivana Dojkic, the Seattle Storm won one of the more improbable games of the season and tallied just their third home victory this year. This contest was a physical battle between the two teams, while both sides struggled shooting from the field and from the free throw line. Atlanta controlled three quarters of this contest before Seattle locked in defensively to hold the Dream to just seven points in the final frame, including a scoreless streak of seven minutes. In clutch time, it was the Storm’s best players who propelled the team to victory as Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor both poured in nine points each in the final ten minutes.
The first half of this contest between the Storm and Dream saw both teams in a physical battle with numerous fouls and poor shooting numbers. Seattle was especially poor shooting from the field, shooting a dismal 13% after the first quarter and slightly improved 27% at halftime. The Storm offense looked a mess with frantic possessions that left them looking unprepared on offense, failing to get into the paint and forcing shots instead of getting into sets and letting the game come to them. Their defensive play and relentless approach with the basketball kept them in this game, ensuring that they weren’t facing a giant deficit at the halfway mark, but it was clear that the Storm were not performing to their best ability on offense and if they were to do that, they’d surely have a lead in this game.
Seattle Storm (Photo by Stan Morris / fi360 News)
“I mean, just trying to get a rhythm and that’s probably the best way, to get to the line and find that rhythm at the same time. I mean, yeah, I didn’t shoot great tonight, but those are shots I’ve been taking all season, so I’m not going to get too caught up on it. I feel more frustrated because I want to help my team, and I’m not doing that,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm guard, on her first half struggles and using free throws to get back on track.
Going into the final quarter up by 13 points and with the Storm sputtering along on offense, hitting an extended offensive lull like what we’ve seen throughout their 2023 campaign, this game almost certainly seemed headed in favor of the Dream. Atlanta had been getting to the free throw line and getting some key Seattle players, like Jordan Horston, into considerable foul trouble. But, despite the things working against Seattle such as their poor offensive form in this game, Jewell Loyd not shooting like herself, and Atlanta getting to the free throw line, the Storm remained within a single digit deficit. Seattle’s resilient manner, despite all that has been stacked against them, continues to keep them in games and did so tonight.
“Defense. That’s where we locked in on. We were getting good looks and it just wasn’t falling. I think Jordan came in and gave us great minutes, she forced big steals, big plays, rebounds. Mercedes came in, and I told her this after the game, she kept me so engaged. I mean, her voice is so heard in our huddles, throughout any of our defensive stuff, her voice was heard, and she really got us through. Everyone came, they were ready to go and that’s what we needed,” Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm guard, on what sparked the comeback.
Following today’s thrilling comeback victory over the Dream, the Storm will look to build a winning streak as they continue this four-game homestand when the Phoenix Mercury come to town on Sunday, August 13th. Tipoff at Climate Pledge Arena between Phoenix and Seattle is at 12PM PST, as the Storm look to stifle a Mercury team that defeated the mighty Connecticut Sun tonight while Seattle was making their comeback against Atlanta. Despite both teams struggling this season, sitting as the bottom two teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix and Seattle always tend to put on a good show against each other.
LAS VEGAS,NV– It was a star spangled blowout at the Team USA Showcase, with the United States men flexing their muscle on route to a 117-76 victory over Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It was a tuneup for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup, as our young stars like Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram and Austin Reaves stepped up in the second half. In 2019, the Americans finished a deflating seventh place in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The starting five for the USA was Brunson, Edwards, Ingram, Bridges, and Jackson Jr.
Team USA has four more exhibition games. First, they travel to Malaga, Spain, for bigger tests again Luka Dončić and Slovenia, and then a well-seasoned Spanish side. After that, USA Basketball heads to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for games to face Greece (without Giannis Antetokounmpo) then Germany.
Then the USA heads off to Manilla for the start of the World Cup where it will open against New Zealand on Aug. 26. The USA will also play Greece and Jordan in the group stages of the World Cup.
At the World Cup starting Aug. 25, there are 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advance to the 16-team, tournament-style knockout round. The USA is in Group C with Greece (without Giannis Antetokounmpo), New Zealand and Jordan.
Photo by Michael C. Floch
Judging by the crowds decible shattering applause, Los Angeles Laker Austin Reaves was by far the fan favorite. After checking into the game, he knocked down consecutive three pointers-which means the undrafted kid out of Oklahoma is caught up in REAVES-mania. Postgame, hundreds of fans in the stands lined up for an autograph as Reaves was headed to the locker room. Being the Class Act, and all around good guy he signed jerseys and Laker gear untill his hand was sore.
Team USA went on a 20-0 second-half run to pull away and dominate Puerto Rico 117-74 in a game played in Las Vegas (where the USA just wrapped up training camp). In a balanced attack where seven players scored in double figures, Anthony Edwards and Cam Johnson led the way with 15 points each.
Point guard Jalen Brunson is a natural born leader. Orchestraiting the offense, constantly making the correct pass abd shooting only when necessary. A true throwback to the position, and more importantly, his steely approach will help Team USA hopefully capture the FIBA World Cup. A feat which hasn’t occured since 2014.
“It took us a while to get going, but when we’re playing the defensive side of the ball and getting stops and turnovers and running, it’s pretty fun for us,” said Jalen Brunson.
Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 12, and Bobby Portis and Brandon Ingram scored 11 a piece for the USA.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and FI360 briefly caught up with the charming big man of the Memphis Grizzlies. I asked him how many shots he was going to block? He turned around, seen me in my wheelchair and bumped his fist to my shoe. His answer: “A Bunch!”
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Storm continue to struggle against strong front court teams and with finding consistency, as they fell to the Connecticut Sun by a score of 81-69 in an unusual day game at home. The Storm started things off well, only trailing by a point through the first quarter, but it was the second frame that caused trouble as Connecticut outscored Seattle by 15 points. The Storm also lost talented forward Gabby Williams to injury during that quarter, and the Storm struggled to fully climb back into this game once they began the second half.
Seattle got off to this game with a sense of urgency, as the Storm front court of Ezi Magbegor and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu led the way in terms of scoring. With the Seattle back court struggling to make shots, it was the back court and forward Gabby Williams who led the offense against Alyssa Thomas and this talented Connecticut Sun team. With Magbegor, the Storm’s second scoring option cemented this year, feeling herself already and Fankam Mendjiadeu chipping in as well, Seattle looked like they were ready to truly challenge Connecticut and their big lineup. Add in the fact that the versatile and lengthy Gabby Williams was finding her scoring touch early, and the Storm certainly had a fighting chance against the team with the third most wins in the WNBA. That was until the second quarter started.
“I’d missed like seven before. But it also just felt like we were kind of getting a little bit of momentum with that. So, to close the quarter well would have been nice. But yeah, it just felt good to see one drop, because I’d miss so many,” Sami Whitcomb, Seattle Storm guard, on why she let out a big yell during the first quarter.
Sun guard DiJonai Carrington is one of the better reserve players in the league and could start on a few rosters around the WNBA, showing why in today’s game. A participant in this year’s three-point contest, Carrington helped lead the burst of Sun energy that saw Connecticut dominate the frame and jump out to a 16-point lead at halftime. A few driving layups and rebounds from the guard saw her team’s lead grow and grow, which also appeared to wake up the rest of the Sun layup which got their other weapons like DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas fully activated. With the versatile Williams out with a foot injury, Seattle lost an incredibly valuable defender and lost major momentum from the beginning of the game.
“I thought we handled it well in the first quarter. They trapped Jewell every single time, we were getting into the pocket, our players were doing an excellent job being playmakers on their pocket. And then we went away from that, I thought we were setting drag screens early, getting some good looks offensively,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on how the Storm handled the Sun’s defensive aggression.
Following today’s matinee loss to Connecticut, the Storm will continue a four-game homestand when they host the Atlanta Dream on Thursday, August 10th with a tipoff time of 7PM PST. Seattle hosts an Atlanta team that has really turned their fortune around from last season, currently sitting with the fifth most wins in the WNBA and third in the Eastern Conference. It’ll be a tough battle for the Storm as they look to rebound from this loss and play a complete game, but Seattle has shown that they are capable of putting such efforts together.
Seattle, WA – Returning home from a three-game road trip that saw them snap their franchise worst ten-game losing streak to come into tonight’s contest with a two-game win streak, the Seattle Storm fell to the Dallas Wings. Seattle struggled with the paint presence and size of Dallas all night, in an otherwise close game that they were in the whole way through. The Storm battled to get this contest within single digits on multiple occasions, but as has been the case throughout 2023, Seattle was unable to close the gap and ultimately dropped their 20th loss on the season.
Storm star shooting guard Jewell Loyd left this game early as she suffered a turned ankle after a closeout from a Wings player. Loyd was on the court for a few minutes after the play had occurred, which was a jumper made by Jewell, before having to be helped off the Climate Pledge Arena court by two team staff members into the locker room. Play would resume afterwards, with the consensus being that this injury was bad and likely was going to keep Loyd out of the rest of the game, but Jewell returned just five minutes later. As per usual, Loyd was the best Storm player on the court as she went on to tally 31 points in this game to outduel Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale.
Photo by Stan Morris / fi360 News
“I just want the officiating crew to be mindful of their consistency on those plays. There’s a point of emphasis that we’ve been reviewing those plays all year, that continues to be consistent throughout the rest of the season and finding space is a point of emphasis,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on the dangerous play where Jewell Loyd suffered an injury.
Seattle’s struggles in the paint, whether that be their points in the paint or their issues with rebounding, have been apparent even dating back to last season when the team was making a run in the WNBA Playoffs to try and get Sue Bird a fifth and final title. The issue hasn’t been addressed consistently at any point during this season, at least to this point, and that continued tonight against a Wings team that rebounds well and is able to get second chance points off their offensive boards. It was one of Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn’s keys to the game, as stated in the pre-game press conference, and her Storm team failed to take care of that aspect of the game. Dallas scored 16 points off second-chance opportunities, which came in part due to their 17 offensive rebounds.
Photo by Stan Morris / fi360 News
“They thrive off of their offensive rebounds and their second chance points in scoring off with turnovers and we weren’t very good in those areas today,” Noelle Quinn, Seattle Storm head coach, on the Wings thriving in the paint.
Following tonight’s loss to the Wings in a short one-game return home, the Storm head back out on the road for a quick trip down to Phoenix for a battle against the Mercury on Saturday, August 5th with a tipoff time of 7PM PST. It’ll be a battle of the two teams sitting at the bottom of the WNBA standings, as both the Storm and Mercury have only tallied six wins each. That game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video here in the state of Washington, as the Storm will try to get back in the win column before they return to Climate Pledge Arena for a four-game homestand.
