Virginia literally threw it away.

The madness never fails to disappoint.

Haven't followed them for the last couple of years, but Virginia's style always really had little room for error. Trying to keep the pace slow and win 64-56 most game could allow teams with nothing to lose to let fly. And not having that time to prepare defensively to those matchups. Despite winning the championship a few years back, one of the more disappointing teams in tournament history with their results.
Feel sorry for the kid that threw that last pass, will follow him for the rest of his life.

Look at those tumbleweeds, is this a basketball forum?

Florida Athletic, who were 2500-1 odds pre-season, are into the Final Four.

plenty of Aussie women in games on ESPN to follow. And no no.1 seeds left in the men. If I understand the bracket enough - in the men an outsider / long odds team will make the final - ? like Butler did a few years ago

either FAU, Creighton or San Diego State will make up one team in the final the other will be uconn, miami or texas.

Aussies left

Georgia Amoore - Virginia Tech - Starting PG
Charlise Dunn - Virginia Tech - Unused Freshman CF
Last Tear Poa - LSU - Backup PG

ELITE 8
LSU vs Miami
Virginia Tech vs Ohio State

Utah and (Rees) unlucky to be knocked out was a close finish.

You forgot Palmer, non existent in her first 2 seasons, good to see a big improvement in utah this year.

Clark and Van Lith outstanding today. Clark 58% from beyond 25 feet with her 3 pters.

Palmer was great in that final game against LSU. Rees is a bit underwhelming,

LSU through - I think Miami were 0/15 3 pts

Clark will be a superstar, great player.

Do Iowa play South Carolina in the final 4 ? (if Iowa win today and I can't see Maryland beating SC) - if so there will be an Aussie in the final as LSU will play VT on the other side of the bracket.

that's providing VT gets past Ohio State first

It'll be hard for Clark to do it all on her own vs SC.

LSU vs VT should be close
Amoore vs Morris
Kitley vs Reese

Clark 41/10/12/3

agree weedy - SC too many options - clark would have to have another game like that - SC way more physical too. having said that love clark's game those one hand passes and assists across the key is one reason why we love Giddey's game too. Clark & Curry both at the same level of game.

if Boston and Clark went in the same draft -who would be 1 ?

That's better.

if Boston and Clark went in the same draft -who would be 1 ?

if Boston and Clark went in the same draft -who would be 1 ?

Imo Boston is not that great, most of the players in the 23 draft won't have very long careers in the wnba. The shortage of true bigs in the u.s will allow Boston to stick around but very unlikely to be a lock for future USA n.t. Clark is the real deal, clear #1 in 24 and will be one of the best CGs going around in a few years.


Quite a few underrated/overated players in the 23 draft.

Underated
Swain-Aus
Soares-Brazil
Amihere-Canada
Carter
Miller

Pretty close
Boston
Cooke
Osborne
Berger
Beal
Contell-Spain
Owusu
Morris

Overated
Jones
Kitley
Horston
Jackson
Siegrist
Holmes
Sheldon
Senechal-France
Taylor
Rogers
Brown
Juhasz-Hungary
Hirsch-France

Rickea Jackson, Sheldon and Holmes aren't in the 2023 draft - they've all elected to take their fifth COVID year. Kitley, Boston and Horston might too - it's not clear yet.

2024s will face the dilemma - there are already strong rumours that Clark will stay for a 5th year at Iowa.

If you are no1 on all mock drafts, doubtful she will remain.

23
Miller would be my no1, Boston 2
Boston will be good in the 10ft space, whereas Miller likely another rynne Howard type.

what year is Van Lith ? and that French player for Notre Dame ?

Van lith is 24 draft, expected to go #5

No French player at Notre dame...
Miles the sophomore pg, 25 draft #1-#3
Citron the sophomore g/f, 25 draft #6-#12
Prosper the freshman g/f Canadian from Quebec, 26 draft, #high

Citron was the player I was thinking of - thought she was French.

if Borlase continues getting better and opts for draft - what year would that be ?

24

VT Leading at the break

GA already deals with a press about a million times better than Rocci, Heal, Madgen, etc.

Not much of a press though.

Hard to believe the same press rendered UConn helpless

Muhl and fudd are not quick.

so we are getting an Aussie in the womens final regardless !

weedy where does Siegrist sit in mock drafts

GA already deals with a press about a million times better than Rocci, Heal, Madgen, etc.

Amoore has always been a human zone buster

Siegrist #4-#12

Georgia Amoore won the Most Outstanding Player in the Seattle Regional 3. She's averaging 24 points per game over four games in the NCAA tournament so far.

On another note, Diamond Miller gave a very non-committal answer when asked about her future after Maryland's loss to South Carolina today. If she doesn't declare for the 2023 WNBA draft, that list of 2023 prospects is looking grim. You never know, Shaneice Swain could be a first round pick!

Swain has rocketed up the draft boards over the last 6 months, was in #60 range before wnbl season, got to about #35 late last year, Top #25 in Feb, now one draft has her going #15, another #18. Shelley now going late 3rd or undrafted and now 2024 draft.

1 mock draft has Amoore at #12 in 2024, Borlase and Puoch #24-#36

Amoore and Shelley are an interesting comparison. They both have similar shooting splits but using the eye test, Amoore has a better jumpshot. Shelley can't shoot off the dribble like Amoore can. Amoore is three inches shorter, but is more athletic and quicker than Shelley. I think Shelley is probably the better passer, though I don't think Virginia Tech's offence highlights Amoore's playmaking ability that well. I think they're both defensively solid. They'll both compete for Opals selection, though I'd give Amoore the edge atm. It's good to have options at guard!

Likely Amoore becomes one of those third pg options post 2026 with the phasing out of Whitcomb. Shelley imo is more sg/cg than primary pg and less likely to make big tournaments.

85 Mitchell - was used for far too long, back in the wnbl.
88 Whitcomb - 35y.o, 36 in Paris, 38 at the following WC...
89 Mansfield - injury issues, in and out of tournaments.
90 Ebzery - was solid, converted from sg to pg late in caree, now retired.
90 Madgen - oddly converted sg to pg, looks to be falling down the pecking order.
93 Lavey - recently said she will not be an opal anymore, her focus is elsewhere.
95 Mangakahia - stud in college, got cancer, improving-especially late 23.
96 Reid - underrated from college, went unused wnbl to one of the best going around.
98 Rocci - determined, improving both ends, still highly turnover prone and emotional.

Next crop coming through…
00 Shelley
01 Heal
01 Amoore
01 Scanlon
01 Ellis
02 Melbourne
02 Henderson
03 Deeble
04 Loughridge
06 Deas
07 Hall

Forgot 96 Wallace, clearly one of the current pg or sg options.

Mansfield or Magden might play Asia cup depending on injury status but you'd think with so many guard options they wont be needed. I'd like to see Mangakahia and Reid get a go ahead of S.Heal or Rocci.

Tess Heal is an '04, likely a CG in future.

Mansfield isn't on the Opals extended squad so won't be playing Asia Cup.

Agree that Tess Heal is somebody to look out for. Lots of guard options coming through.

Asia cup...
Madgen probably gets a free ride, she was the WC captain
If Chambers is interim hc, you can guarantee Rocci
If Seebohm is interim hc, you can guarantee Reid

Those left out are likely Mangakahia and/or Heal unless Madgen plays sg and you take 1 of.
If Amoore or Shelley choose to end college early, the chances of them making this years team are still slim. You'd think they would take atleast 1 of Swain or Borlase.

Aussies duelling treys, not bad:

0:24 Columbia 3PTR10 Kitty Henderson 3PTR GOOD (5 Pt); 4 Kaitlyn Davis Assist (4 Asst)
CU 43 BGSU 33

0:04 Bowling Green
3PTR5 Elissa Brett 3PTR GOOD (8 Pt); 11 Jocelyn Tate Assist (1 Asst)
CU 43 BGSU 36

https://bgsufalcons.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

You would think that British basketball would go after the Henderson sisters pretty heavily being born in the u.k once they finish college. Guard depth not great in the n.t

Good game, plenty of niggle and shithousery you'd expect from a college tourney game. Columbia had an absurd amount of turnovers but never lost the lead because BG on their home court couldn't hit a shot.

Henderson (CL) 11-7-6 (2-3 3P, 7TO)
Brett (BG) 8-4-0 (3-21! FG)

Amoore is amazing. Record 3's made in tourney history

VT coughing this up, wow

Yeah, they looked out of synch right from the start, but some good individual work kept them in it.
But the 4th quarter was a complete disaster at both ends.

Virginia Tech's offence doesn't do Amoore any favours IMO. The amount of difficult threes she takes is ridiculous. Her shot selection could be better but also, the offence doesn't try very hard to get her better looks. It's either post up Kitley or chuck it around the perimeter till they shoot a contested jumpshot.

LSU played great at both ends of the court in the 4th quarter and just overpowered Virginia Tech.

Yeah, well done LSU out-played them. Will be going for the winner of the next match though. What a blockbuster: 2023 #1 pick vs 2024/25 #1 pick

Amoore had a poor game, but yeah I don't think it reflects too badly on her personally. Her shot selection is very reflective of how effective the rest of the offence is, and today it was beyond a struggle. Very reminiscent of the worst or the Perth Wildcats where nothing of substance happens for most of the shot clock and then hand it back to Cotton for the low-percentage bailout attempt.
Much of Kitley's good work comes from team synergy as well, so her poor game is also understandable.

Coach has to take plenty of the blame for that one. But really it just came down to personnel. VT aren't stacked with talent or athleticism. They already overachieved a lot just to have been there today. That shouldn't be forgotton in the disappointment of that loss.

Oh she'd be amazing in a backcourt with Sami. Reid too, and curious how would fit with Melbourne if we're speculating.

Hot start from Iowa which is good for this game.

Wow. I didn't see that one coming.
Iowa play giant killers and advance to the championship game, with a great chance to win it.

Love it!!!! Pissed off that Georgia didn't make it, but SC losing really made my day!

At least the Final Four had some #1 seeds in it, unlike the men who had none of the top 3 seeds from any of the sections make the Final Four - first time that's ever happened!

It's quite refreshing in the women's college game to not have any #1 seeds in the championship game.

I'm glad Iowa's elite offence (ok, Caitlin Clark) defeated South Carolina's elite offensive rebounding. Clark was very ordinary from three point range, but South Carolina could not stop her off the dribble and they tried so many defenders on her.

I hope Iowa beats LSU. I have issues with LSU (mainly Mulkey and their scheduling approach). I think Iowa needs a bit more from their supporting cast though and they shouldn't rely on Caitlin Clark having a third consecutive 40 point game in a row to win.

Wow Iowa.

At least the Final Four had some #1 seeds in it, unlike the men who had none of the top 3 seeds from any of the sections make the Final Four - first time that's ever happened!

Shocking gameplan by VTs Kenny brooks, completely went away from the norm and backed off on defense which gave lsu about 14 easy points.

Never thought Iowa had a chance, amazing performance to beat undeafeated sc.

Odd choice by staley defending Clark. Another 40 plus point game.

NCAA related news - Jaz Shelley has announced on social media that she's returning to Nebraska for a fifth year. She'll be playing with Jessica Petrie next season.

Kitty Henderson hit a three from Caitlin Clark range just before half time but her team trails 28-31 in WNIT Champ game. They're the underdogs but geez 0 points from 9 turnovers doesn't help!

Columbia lost. Way to many errors. Kitty was quite involved. 9-10-3 off 3/5 3FG, 3 Steals 5 TO

What a buzzer beater.

FAU defended that last sequence like they were expecting the timeout. Aztecs capitalised. Amazing finish.

SDSU coach claimed he didn't have any plays left so didn't call the timeout. I guess that is a play in itself.

reminded me of the Villanova win a few years ago on the buzzer

Women Final
Iowa vs LSU

Men Final
San Diego State vs UConn

LT Poa has subbed in in the 2nd, drawn an offensive foul on Clarke & then hit a 3 down the other end, massive! Then she fouled Clarke shooting a 3, oh well. Both teams are locked in, great game so far

LT drew a 2nd offensive foul on Clarke, her 3rd so she had to sit, and LT backed that one up with another 3.

Her best game so far this tourney.

Comin back..

LT champion.

Is Poa the first Aussie to win an NCAA title ? I know Gaze at Seton Hall and I think Schensner at Georgia Tech (?) got pretty close. Has an Aussie actually won it ?

Kody Stattmann (Virginia)

Agnes at Stanford

National Champions:

Mangok Mathiang (VIC) / Louisville (2013-vacated)
Kody Stattmann (QLD) / Virginia (2019)
Agnes Emma-Nnopu (VIC) / Stanford (2021)
Last-Tear Poa (VIC) / LSU (2023)

Runner-up:

Andrew Gaze (VIC) / Seton Hall (1989)
Luke Schenscher (SA) / Georgia Tech (2004)

Enjoyed both tournaments this year. Phenomenal shooting by the bench (including Poa!) from LSU. Some ridiculous ref decisions against both sides capped off by an absurd T against Clark. Baffling. The LSU coach was on the court the whole game and the refs somehow didn't see her despite being dressed more reflective than a hi-vis roadworkers convention.

So Last-Tear is the only aussie champion on the women's side who actually played in the championship game.

Stattmann and Mathiang didn't play in the title game either, so she's the first.

Yep.

is it pronounced - Last Tear - as in crying tear or Last Tear as in ripping something up / tearing the paper up ?

Tear you cry

It would be amazing if SDSU win this, they are operating under NIL the right way.

LSU's Last-Tear Poa explains her name and says, 'We're coming out hungry.'
Link

Her given name pays homage to her great-grandmother, who predicted her child's birth. However, Poa never met her great-grandmother who died shortly before she was born, shedding one last tear from her left eye just before she died.
"And, I have a beauty mark just beneath my left eye in the same spot where my great-grandmother's tear fell," Poa said. "So I am named in her memory.

I'd love the Aztecs to win it but it looks like Huskies by 25+ - Uconn too many good players and Aztecs offence is outsized in the paint and they can't score inside. Would need to hit 6+ 3s in second half to keep up IMO.

Uconn d been good all tournament.

Now Agnes Emma-Nnopu is in the portal. She'd have had a much bigger role at Stanford next season. Something aint right there. Also HVL on the move, wowsers.

Charlise Dunn in the transfer portal too after a season of being glued to Virginia Tech's bench.

Nnopu moving is understandable, Dunn after freshman season is odd and with soule entering draft.

Swain popping up in most mocks now in the 2nd Rd. Be interesting who lands here. She'll probably be a draft and stash but by next year will be competing against a stacked draft pool (expected to be one of the best ever with a lot of players delaying and covid-years)

I'm reflecting back on the tournament now and UConn winning it goes to show, despite not being a Power 5 conference, the Big East still has got it in men's basketball.