The next Robin Roberts may be Erin Connolly, television news anchor for station WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut (CT). The reference is to ABC’s Good Morning America anchor, Robin Roberts rather than the Hall of Fame pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1950 to 1955. Let’s digress with historical background in… Read More »The Next Robin Roberts
A convergence of experiences occurred last week for an “Aha! moment.” The Muse more recently participates in fitness classes at the local senior center by Zoom. The in-person class is full. There are 15+ online participants. The senior center fitness instructor, Linda, is terrific. She is the same age as… Read More »The Senior Center Fitness Instructor
A new rule for the 2025-26 college basketball season ends the requirement for players’ jerseys to be tucked in. Therefore, should college basketball uniforms be tucked or untucked this season? It reminds me of women’s uniforms from the 1970s and 1980s, which were untucked versions. Although, they were intentionally trimmed… Read More »College Basketball Uniforms Tucked or Untucked?
Who should be the next WNBA Commissioner? It appears that the current Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert’s relationship with the WNBA players is irreparably damaged. This likely affects a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from being reached by October 31st 2025, when the old one expires. The WNBA player’s union submitted to… Read More »The Next WNBA Commissioner
Age is just a number suggests that one’s chronological age does not limit one’s potential, experiences, or abilities. Granted, aging does occur. The phrase encourages living life to the fullest. It shuns imposing limits based on age. The Muse saw a segment on the PBS NewsHour featuring 66-year-old Kent Broussard,… Read More »Age is Just a Number
The Muse’s favorite WNBA underdogs are the Golden State (GS) Valkyries. They are a first year expansion team comprised of formerly non-protected players, journeywomen, draftees, walk-ons, and castoffs. They are absent first round lottery picks and all league selections. The Valkyries current record is a surprising 18-16, two games above… Read More »WNBA Underdogs
The original “Can You Hear Me Now?” advertisement was a Verizon Wireless campaign running from 2002 to 2011. The ad emphasized reliable calls even in challenging situations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPwPo-IAQ-E . With an explosion of artificial intelligence or AI applications, listening, comprehending, and/or an absorption of information or content now seems absent.… Read More »Can You Hear Me Now?
Are the better or best girls basketball players concentrated in certain states? If so, what are the states with girls basketball players? And, why are these girls so good? The Muse followed Division I (D1) Women’s College Basketball (WCBB) this year scanning rosters and hometowns. The trend is that many… Read More »The States with Girls Basketball Players
Dan Hurley, University of Connecticut’s (UCONN’s) Men’s Basketball coach was recently referred to as a villain. His sideline tirades, intensity, and boorish in-game behavior earned him the reference (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6101513/2025/01/31/dan-hurley-coach-villain-college-basketball/ ). Joe Rexrode’s piece in The Athletic (January 31, 2025) triggered memories of another intense and eccentric coach from the 1970s,… Read More »There was Al McGuire before Dan Hurley
On January 9, 2025 there were five or more upsets of the top 25 ranked women’s college basketball (WCBB) teams. What did they have in common? The Muse delved deeper and reviews the upsets from the top 25 teams between November 2024 through January 22, 2025. This post explores the… Read More »The Making of an Upset
Coming off the bench (OTB) means that you are not a starter to begin a game. Its a sports term describing a player watching from the sidelines. Generally, all players want to start a game rather than enter a contest OTB. Everyone wants to be a starter. However, there may… Read More »Off the Bench
Former University of Virginia (UVA) Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Tony Bennett was beaten by NIL, i.e. name, image and likeness. Three weeks ago, Tony Bennett announced his retirement. At 55-years old, Tony Bennett announced that “he is no longer the best coach to lead the program.” This was an abrupt… Read More »Beaten by NIL
Ideal Hoops and distracted by the New York Mets. This is despite the instant classic WNBA Game 1 Final, whereby the Minnesota Lynx upset the New York Liberty in Brooklyn. Game 2 is today. The New York Mets (NYM) are the Muse’s favorite sports team of all time since their… Read More »Ideal Hoops and Distracted by the New York Mets
Even with basketball, hope springs eternal. A baseball phrase, but true for this sport too. Hoopla – the first day of basketball practice is explained below. In the Northeast, outdoor temperatures drop and the winds pick up in October. Shorts to pants and sweatshirts to coats. Soon its too cool… Read More »Hoopla – The First Day of Basketball Practice
Women’s basketball is booming with popularity. The WNBA media contract gods are listening to fans. All four playoff games on Sunday (9/22) are on national TV and all are viewable on their own. No channel flipping needed. Hooray and thank you Disney-ABC-ESPN. It reminds me of the mid-1980s. Just like… Read More »How We Consume the WNBA
There is a rash of jawing at the referees in all sports at all levels. Its unbecoming behavior. Upon looking up the spelling of jawing in Webster’s Dictionary, the example provided was “jawing with the referee.” This post’s title is “at” the referee, since it seems a one way activity… Read More »Jawing at the Referees
Despite their 18-12 record, 5th place standing, and losing the last two of four games since the Olympic break, the Las Vegas (LV) Aces can still win the WNBA championship in 2024. Why? Player for player against all other WNBA teams, the defending champion Aces remain a very talented and… Read More »LV Aces Can Win the WNBA Championship in 2024
For a handful of WNBA players, WNBA heaven is a new place on earth. These players were either waived, traded, or their contracts expired landing them all in much better places, teams, and situations. Let’s explore each of them. The biggest move is the Chicago Sky trading Marina Mabrey to… Read More »WNBA Heaven is a New Place on Earth
“How Basketball Can Save the World” by David Hollander (2023) is an interesting read on life and sport especially in this 2024 Olympic year. Instead of Chapters, this book has 13 guiding Principles. In watching the Men’s and Women’s 3×3 basketball, many of the principles shine through. Especially as the… Read More »Book Review -“How Basketball Can Save the World,” by David Hollander (2023)
The WNBA is back in action on August 15th 2024 following a pause for the Olympic games and Team USA’s gold medal win against France on their home floor in front of 12,000+ fans in Paris. Ideal hoops and the most impactful players on the return to action on Thursday… Read More »WNBA is Back in Action