On the latest episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, host Natalie Heavren is joined by The Next’s BIG EAST beat writer, Tee Baker, to discuss all things relating to the conference. The two go over UConn’s success and likelihood of finishing first in the conference. They also review the statuses of other teams in the BIG EAST and make some predictions about the rest of the season.
Heavren opens the show by asking Baker about the latest UConn injury updates. “As it relates to injuries,” Baker says, “it’s just been a tough past several years.” However, Baker identifies a silver lining. “I will say that in terms of how bad it’s gotten over the past several years, in this moment, we are in a season of less injuries than usual.”
Later on, Heavren and Baker discuss the BIG EAST’s preseason polls, and whether or not their results have held up. “How have Creighton and Providence fared as teams picked second and third in the conference’s preseason poll?” Heavren asks.
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
Baker starts with Providence. “So far,” they say, “it’s been a little disappointing to see the way they started BIG EAST play.” As for Creighton, “they have just been an elite program for the past several years,” Baker says. “They reached the NCAA tournament three seasons in a row.”
Heavren and Baker close out the show by looking at the future. Heavren asks Baker who they think might have a breakout conference season down the line. “There are several freshmen that are outperforming expectations,” Baker says. “One … is Jasmine Bascoe from Villanova. … She’s averaging 15.3 points per game. … And she’s only a freshman. So the future is bright for her at Villanova.”
Make sure to subscribe to the Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast to keep learning about the WNBA, women’s college basketball, basketball history and much more!