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New York Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How to watch the Golden State Valkyries in 2025: Broadcast info, streaming schedule for inaugural season
Wednesday, May 21 marked the first-ever win for the WNBA's newest team, the Golden State Valkyries. Many more dubs are to come, but that inaugural one will always hit with extra sentimentality: The nascent franchise has the resources and market hype to become a competitor in due time. Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton are locker room stabilizers, with the latter hitting several clutch 3s in the team's first win. Janelle Salaün is an intriguing rookie with long-range confidence. The arena has already set records at the gate, and the violet-black scheme is perhaps the coolest in the league. Advertisement This maiden season should be a lot of fun. Accessing all the games and keeping track of broadcast rotations can be challenging, though. The W's streaming footprint is constantly growing. Golden State is the first expansion team in this new era of the league, but it certainly won't be the last. So, here's our best effort to make sense of it all, consolidated specifically for new Valkyries fans. Make sure that you're following the team and the WNBA on The Athletic. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is a one-of-one, while Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with creativity, curiosity and unwavering dedication. Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on KPIX/KPIX+ can be streamed with Fubo, along with the national ones on ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION and NBA TV. What you need to watch these games: Fubo. The 'pro' plan is $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD. Every team has a regional sports network, or RSN, that carries local matchups. Aside from the nationally-televised action, all Golden State games will be found on local channels 5 (KPIX) or 44 (KPIX+, formerly KBCW). CBS and Paramount operate that duopoly. Channel 44 was the original home of the Golden State Warriors and Oakland Athletics. Jacob Tobey is the Valkyries' lead play-by-play voice and calls San Antonio Spurs games during the NBA season. Derek Clark, the voice of college basketball's Mountain West Conference, will hold down a few regular-season broadcasts. NorCal-based TV personality Morgan Ragan does color commentary for the Valks. Ragan was a huge fan of the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs, and her enthusiasm for the new squad is palpable thus far. What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly) KPIX+ is available on providers like Comcast, DirecTV and others. The games on KPIX (CBS channel 5) are free over the air. What you need to watch these games: a cable provider with KPIX+; KPIX is free with a broadcast antenna From instant diehards to the Valkyrie-curious, Golden State will attract many new fans this year. Of course, not all of them reside in the official Northern California megaregion. WNBA League Pass is the answer for Bay Area expats, nightly WNBA fantasy players, and everyone in between. A subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. However, blackout restrictions are in effect (frustratingly), so folks within the designated Golden State market won't be able to stream Valkyries games live on League Pass. Nationally televised games are also blacked out on the app, a consideration for fans of teams with heavy national TV schedules. What you need to watch these games: WNBA League Pass ($12.99/month or $34.99 for the 2025 season) Ryan Ruocco is the primary play-by-play anchor for ESPN's WNBA programming. His call is punchy and controlled, and his love for the game bleeds through the screen. Ruocco has sharpened his product with the MLB's New York Yankees and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and he's narrated some of the modern classics in women's March Madness. His signature refrain, 'You bet!' gets Caitlin Clark fired up. Advertisement UConn legend Rebecca Lobo does color commentary. She played center for the Huskies during their first perfect season and 1995 national title crowning. The Hall-of-Famer suited up for the inaugural New York Liberty campaign in 1997 and played for the Connecticut Sun, plus the now-defunct Houston Comets and Springfield Spirit. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer. The network's second team features Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson and Angel Gray. Some games will be broadcast on ESPN3, a live streaming platform within ESPN's digital products (the app, the website, etc.). What you need to watch these games: a TV plan with ESPN or an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually) Valkyries games on ESPN (and ESPN+): None, but let's see if this changes next season. There will be a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership (Disney). The aforementioned ESPN talents are on the mic here, too. The ABC/ESPN pregame programming is called 'WNBA Countdown,' and it's a thoroughly radiant affair. Women's hoops expert Elle Duncan is the host. Alongside her is Chiney Ogwumike, the two-time WNBA All-Star who played for Connecticut and Los Angeles. It'll be especially fun when ABC or ESPN gets a Seattle game this summer — Chiney's sister, Nneka, now plays for the Storm after a decorated career with the Sparks. Rounding out the 'big three' is Andraya Carter. She shone during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast and was among the last players to sign with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Other recurring personalities are Malika Andrews (host of 'NBA Today'), Monica McNutt (studio for the NBA's New York Knicks) and Carolyn Peck (Hall-of-Fame coach with a national title at Purdue). Advertisement What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna, a TV or streaming plan (like Fubo) that includes ABC Valkyries games on ABC (and ESPN+): For the second straight year, CBS will show eight regular-season WNBA matchups. This channel's 2024 rookie duel between Caitlin Clark's Fever and Angel Reese's Sky was the league's most-watched game in 23 years. CBS Sports will have an additional dozen broadcasts. Commentators include Lisa Byington (voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and used to do play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers). What you need to watch these games: a TV or streaming plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month) Valkyries games on CBS Sports Network: The Scripps network will have Friday night doubleheaders to jump-start each summer weekend. This is where the first-ever Valkyries game was broadcast. ION also has a WNBA studio show set in Atlanta. Cable vet Larry Smith is the host, and college basketball insiders Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown are in tow for breakdowns. What you need to watch these games: a broadcast antenna, a TV or streaming plan that includes ABC Valkyries games on ION: Amazon's streaming service will host several WNBA broadcasts this year as it expands into the sports multiverse. Prime Video will also have the final game of the Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament that runs throughout the first half of the regular season. What you need to watch these games: an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually) Valkyries games on Prime Video: In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025. What you need to watch these games: a TV or streaming plan (like Fubo) with NBA TV or WNBA League Pass Valkyries games on NBA TV: Streaming and betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo by Noah Graham / NBAE via Getty Images)
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to watch the 2025 New York Liberty season: Broadcast info and streaming schedule
The turning of the calendar muddles the memory, especially at the rate life blurs by these days. Maybe you hadn't thought about this transcendent occurrence in a while, and that's alright. But go ahead — today, right now, this very moment, is a great time to rewatch Sabrina Ionescu hitting one of the coldest game-winning shots in the history of organized basketball: Advertisement The New York Liberty are defending WNBA champions, the envy of the league for their stacked roster and mascot-turned-demigod. This season should be thoroughly fun, with Ionescu in tow alongside all-world center Breanna Stewart and Finals MVP Jonquel Jones. But finding and accessing Liberty games gets a bit trickier. The broadcast rotation can be confusing, especially as the league expands its streaming presence. So here's our best effort to make sense of it all. Ensure you're following the Liberty and the WNBA. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is a one-of-one, while Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with creativity, curiosity and unwavering dedication. How to stream New York Liberty broadcasts in-market Fubo (try for free) Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on WNYW or WWOR can be streamed with Fubo, along with the national ones on ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION and NBA TV. Advertisement What you need to watch these games: The 'pro' plan starts at $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD. WNYW/ WWOR Every team has a regional sports network, or RSN, that carries local matchups. WNYW and its sister station, WWOR, are the tri-state affiliates that host all non-national Liberty action. Fitting for the biggest market in the country, New York's regional sportscast is loaded with talent. Michael Grady did play-by-play here last season; he's now reportedly tapped in as the voice of the WNBA for Amazon Prime's new media deal. Chris Shearn (MLB's New York Yankees), John Fanta (NCAA's Seton Hall) and Zora Stephenson (a rising star on the mic and a former college hooper at Elon) are also in the play-by-play rotation. The recent preseason matchups were handled by Jonathan Edmond and Dominiqué Patrick (G League's Long Island Nets). It's a young group, with a welcome mix of cool and earnestness for the expanding audience. Advertisement From Marv Albert and Mike Breen to Doris Burke and Ryan Ruocco, this market sends stars out into the national basketball landscape. Bank on seeing at least one of these folks in future primetime. Liberty Live The team also has an in-market on-demand app called Liberty Live. This is a solution for fans that live in the area and don't have a cable package (or if your specific carrier doesn't have WNYW/WWOR). What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly), Liberty Live app ($4.99/month or $14.99 for the season). How to watch the regional broadcasts on cable or satellite What you need to watch these games: A cable or satellite package that includes WNYW (Fox, channel 5) or WWOR (MyNetworkTV, channel 9). How to stream out-of-market Are you a Breanna Stewart loyalist who bridged over from Seattle Storm-dom? Do you simply need more Ellie the Elephant step routines in your life? WNBA League Pass is the answer here. The subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. Blackout restrictions are in effect (frustratingly), so folks within the Liberty's designated market won't be able to stream Liberty games live on League Pass. Nationally-televised games are also blacked out on the app, a consideration specifically for fans of teams with heavy national TV schedules. Advertisement What you need to watch these games: WNBA League Pass ($12.99/month or $34.99 for the 2025 season). How to watch the national TV games ESPN Ryan Ruocco is the primary play-by-play anchor for 'WNBA on ESPN' programming. His call is punchy and controlled, and his love for the game bleeds through the screen. Ruocco has sharpened his product with the MLB's New York Yankees and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and he's narrated some of the modern classics in women's March Madness. His signature refrain, 'You bet!' gets Caitlin Clark fired up. UConn legend and Hartford hero Rebecca Lobo does color commentary. She played center for the Huskies during their first perfect season and 1995 national title crowning. The Hall-of-Famer suited up for the inaugural New York Liberty campaign in 1997. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer. Advertisement The network's second team features Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson and Angel Gray. Some games will be broadcast on ESPN3, a live streaming platform within ESPN's digital products (the app, the website, etc.). What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with ESPN or an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually). Liberty games on ESPN: June 10 vs. Chicago Sky June 29 at Atlanta Dream (ESPN3 online) July 8 vs. Las Vegas Aces July 22 vs. Indiana Fever July 28 at Dallas Wings July 30 at Minnesota Lynx August 13 at Las Vegas Aces September 9 vs. Washington Mystics (ESPN3 online) ABC There will be a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference Finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership (Disney). The aforementioned ESPN talents are on the mic here, too. Advertisement The ABC/ESPN pregame programming is called 'WNBA Countdown,' and it's a thoroughly radiant affair. Women's hoops expert Elle Duncan is the host. Alongside her is Chiney Ogwumike, the two-time WNBA All-Star who balled for Connecticut and Los Angeles. It'll be especially fun when ABC or ESPN gets a Seattle game this summer — Chiney's sister, Nneka, now plays for the Storm after a decorated career with the Sparks. Rounding out the 'big three' is Andraya Carter. She shined during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast (which drew more viewers than the men's game), and she was one of the last players to sign with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Other recurring personalities are Malika Andrews (host of 'NBA Today'), Monica McNutt (studio for the NBA's New York Knicks) and Carolyn Peck (Hall-of-Fame coach with a national title at Purdue). What you need to watch these games: Free with a broadcast antenna. Liberty games on ABC (and ESPN+): May 17 vs. Las Vegas Aces Advertisement June 14 at Indiana Fever August 10 vs. Minnesota Lynx CBS/CBS Sports Network For the second straight year, CBS' main network will show eight regular-season WNBA matchups. This channel's 2024 rookie duel between Caitlin Clark's Fever and Angel Reese's Sky was the league's most-watched game in 23 years. CBS Sports will have an additional dozen broadcasts. Commentators include Lisa Byington (a voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and used to do play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers). What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month). Advertisement Liberty games on CBS: May 24 at Indiana Fever July 6 at Seattle Storm July 16 vs. Indiana Fever (CBSSN) August 16 at Minnesota Lynx August 23 at Atlanta Dream ION The Scripps network will have Friday night doubleheaders to jump-start each summer weekend. The first one (May 16) is an absolute banger, with Paige Bueckers' official debut followed by the inaugural Golden State Valkyries game. ION also has a WNBA studio show set in Atlanta. Cable vet Larry Smith is the host, and college basketball insiders Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown are in tow for breakdowns. What you need to watch these games: Free with a broadcast antenna. Advertisement Liberty games on ION: May 30 at Washington Mystics June 27 at Phoenix Mercury July 25 vs. Phoenix Mercury August 1 at Connecticut Sun August 8 at Dallas Wings September 5 at Seattle Storm Prime Video Amazon's streaming service will host several WNBA broadcasts this year as it expands into the sports multiverse. Prime Video will also have the final game of the Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament that runs throughout the first half of the regular season. What you need to watch these games: Free with an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually). Liberty games on Prime Video: June 5 at Washington Mystics Advertisement June 19 vs. Phoenix Mercury August 21 vs. Chicago Sky August 28 vs. Washington Mystics NBA TV In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025. Unsurprisingly, our seaform heroes are all over this schedule. What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with NBA TV or WNBA League Pass. Liberty games on NBA TV: June 22 at Seattle Storm July 26 vs. Los Angeles Sparks August 5 vs. Dallas Wings August 12 at Los Angeles Sparks August 19 vs. Minnesota Lynx August 30 at Phoenix Mercury September 11 at Chicago Sky New York Liberty odds for 2025 All-time franchise leaders Points — Tina Charles (3739) Advertisement Rebounds — Tina Charles (1723) Assists — Teresa Weatherspoon (1306) Blocks — Kiah Stokes (195) Steals — Teresa Weatherspoon (453) Streaming and betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. New York Liberty, WNBA, Sports Business, Sports Betting, Fubo Partnership 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How to watch the 2025 New York Liberty season: Broadcast info and streaming schedule
The turning of the calendar muddles the memory, especially at the rate life blurs by these days. Maybe you hadn't thought about this transcendent occurrence in a while, and that's alright. But go ahead — today, right now, this very moment, is a great time to rewatch Sabrina Ionescu hitting one of the coldest game-winning shots in the history of organized basketball: The New York Liberty are defending WNBA champions, the envy of the league for their stacked roster and mascot-turned-demigod. This season should be thoroughly fun, with Ionescu in tow alongside all-world center Breanna Stewart and Finals MVP Jonquel Jones. But finding and accessing Liberty games gets a bit trickier. The broadcast rotation can be confusing, especially as the league expands its streaming presence. So here's our best effort to make sense of it all. Ensure you're following the Liberty and the WNBA. Senior writer Chantel Jennings is a one-of-one, while Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman each cover the W with creativity, curiosity and unwavering dedication. Advertisement Fubo is a cable-cutting streaming platform that offers local and national channels, along with add-on sports packages. Any regional game on WNYW or WWOR can be streamed with Fubo, along with the national ones on ESPN, ABC, CBS, ION and NBA TV. What you need to watch these games: The 'pro' plan starts at $84.99 per month, with an additional charge for 4K Ultra HD. Every team has a regional sports network, or RSN, that carries local matchups. WNYW and its sister station, WWOR, are the tri-state affiliates that host all non-national Liberty action. Fitting for the biggest market in the country, New York's regional sportscast is loaded with talent. Michael Grady did play-by-play here last season; he's now reportedly tapped in as the voice of the WNBA for Amazon Prime's new media deal. Chris Shearn (MLB's New York Yankees), John Fanta (NCAA's Seton Hall) and Zora Stephenson (a rising star on the mic and a former college hooper at Elon) are also in the play-by-play rotation. The recent preseason matchups were handled by Jonathan Edmond and Dominiqué Patrick (G League's Long Island Nets). It's a young group, with a welcome mix of cool and earnestness for the expanding audience. From Marv Albert and Mike Breen to Doris Burke and Ryan Ruocco, this market sends stars out into the national basketball landscape. Bank on seeing at least one of these folks in future primetime. The team also has an in-market on-demand app called Liberty Live. This is a solution for fans that live in the area and don't have a cable package (or if your specific carrier doesn't have WNYW/WWOR). What you need to watch these games: Fubo, DirecTV Stream (starting $80-90 monthly), Liberty Live app ($4.99/month or $14.99 for the season). What you need to watch these games: A cable or satellite package that includes WNYW (Fox, channel 5) or WWOR (MyNetworkTV, channel 9). Are you a Breanna Stewart loyalist who bridged over from Seattle Storm-dom? Do you simply need more Ellie the Elephant step routines in your life? WNBA League Pass is the answer here. The subscription covers every out-of-market regional broadcast for the regular season. Blackout restrictions are in effect (frustratingly), so folks within the Liberty's designated market won't be able to stream Liberty games live on League Pass. Nationally-televised games are also blacked out on the app, a consideration specifically for fans of teams with heavy national TV schedules. What you need to watch these games: WNBA League Pass ($12.99/month or $34.99 for the 2025 season). Ryan Ruocco is the primary play-by-play anchor for 'WNBA on ESPN' programming. His call is punchy and controlled, and his love for the game bleeds through the screen. Ruocco has sharpened his product with the MLB's New York Yankees and the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, and he's narrated some of the modern classics in women's March Madness. His signature refrain, 'You bet!' gets Caitlin Clark fired up. Advertisement UConn legend and Hartford hero Rebecca Lobo does color commentary. She played center for the Huskies during their first perfect season and 1995 national title crowning. The Hall-of-Famer suited up for the inaugural New York Liberty campaign in 1997. Holly Rowe is the lead sideline reporter; she talks to players and coaches after the final buzzer. The network's second team features Pam Ward, LaChina Robinson and Angel Gray. Some games will be broadcast on ESPN3, a live streaming platform within ESPN's digital products (the app, the website, etc.). What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with ESPN or an ESPN+ standalone subscription, which includes ABC games (starting at $11.99 per month or $119.99 annually). Liberty games on ESPN: There will be a record 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC, plus the 2025 All-Star Game. Conference Finals and Finals play will be split between ABC and ESPN, which share the same ownership (Disney). The aforementioned ESPN talents are on the mic here, too. The ABC/ESPN pregame programming is called 'WNBA Countdown,' and it's a thoroughly radiant affair. Women's hoops expert Elle Duncan is the host. Alongside her is Chiney Ogwumike, the two-time WNBA All-Star who balled for Connecticut and Los Angeles. It'll be especially fun when ABC or ESPN gets a Seattle game this summer — Chiney's sister, Nneka, now plays for the Storm after a decorated career with the Sparks. Rounding out the 'big three' is Andraya Carter. She shined during the 2024 NCAA championship broadcast (which drew more viewers than the men's game), and she was one of the last players to sign with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt. Other recurring personalities are Malika Andrews (host of 'NBA Today'), Monica McNutt (studio for the NBA's New York Knicks) and Carolyn Peck (Hall-of-Fame coach with a national title at Purdue). Advertisement What you need to watch these games: Free with a broadcast antenna. Liberty games on ABC (and ESPN+): For the second straight year, CBS' main network will show eight regular-season WNBA matchups. This channel's 2024 rookie duel between Caitlin Clark's Fever and Angel Reese's Sky was the league's most-watched game in 23 years. CBS Sports will have an additional dozen broadcasts. Commentators include Lisa Byington (a voice of the Sky and the Milwaukee Bucks) and Jordan Kent (a three-sport collegiate athlete who played in the NFL and used to do play-by-play for the Portland Trail Blazers). What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with CBS or a Paramount+ standalone subscription (starting at $7.99/month). Liberty games on CBS: The Scripps network will have Friday night doubleheaders to jump-start each summer weekend. The first one (May 16) is an absolute banger, with Paige Bueckers' official debut followed by the inaugural Golden State Valkyries game. ION also has a WNBA studio show set in Atlanta. Cable vet Larry Smith is the host, and college basketball insiders Autumn Johnson and Meghan McKeown are in tow for breakdowns. What you need to watch these games: Free with a broadcast antenna. Liberty games on ION: Amazon's streaming service will host several WNBA broadcasts this year as it expands into the sports multiverse. Prime Video will also have the final game of the Commissioner's Cup, an in-season tournament that runs throughout the first half of the regular season. What you need to watch these games: Free with an Amazon Prime subscription (which starts at $14.99 per month or $139 annually). Liberty games on Prime Video: In a fitting cross-promotion, the NBA's in-house channel will simulcast WNBA showcases throughout 2025. Unsurprisingly, our seaform heroes are all over this schedule. What you need to watch these games: A TV plan with NBA TV or WNBA League Pass. Liberty games on NBA TV: Streaming and betting/odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo by Elsa / Getty Images)
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Can't Miss' Women's 2025 March Madness games on Friday and Saturday
The women's NCAA Tournament 28-game feast across Friday and Saturday is one of the most highly anticipated TV stretches of the sports year. You should watch as many games as you can, but if you need to prioritize, here are the 'can't-miss' ones to watch, informed by predictions and projections from 's Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman and Mark Schindler. Games are listed chronologically within each section and all game times are listed in ET. Like offense? Then keep a close eye on this No. 5 versus No. 12 matchup in the Spokane 4 Region. The Wildcats score 113.4 points per 100 possessions, the sixth-best mark in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Fairfield is 10th in NET rating. The Stags are fourth nationally in 2-point field-goal percentage and shoot tons of 3-pointers. Fairfield has emerged as a power in the midmajor conferences but is hungry for its first NCAA Tournament victory in school history. Another offensive dream. Both teams rank in the top 20 nationally in offensive rating but do so in dramatically different ways. Richmond relies on layups and 3s, while Georgia Tech thrives in the midrange, and the Yellow Jackets make up for their low volume of free throws and triples by never turning over the ball. They neutralize each other's strengths. The Spiders allow a lot of 3s, but Georgia Tech doesn't take them. Richmond doesn't foul, but the Yellow Jackets don't usually get to the line anyway. It should come down to who makes more jump shots, which should be a blast. This will be a great first-round matchup if for nothing else than the contrasting styles. Does that make it the best? Not sure. But it certainly makes it interesting. The Lady Vols run a high-tempo, chaotic, heavy subbing system that thrives on its pace disrupting opponents (80 possessions per game). But USF loves to slow it down and has averaged just 66 points a game this season en route to the American Conference tournament title. This will be UT coach Kim Caldwell's second NCAA Tournament game, while USF coach Jose Fernandez will make his 13th appearance with the Bulls. Montana State isn't your typical mid-major. Only four players are listed shorter than 6 feet. Though the Bobcats' press is key, they're no slouch defending in the halfcourt either, using a lot of switching to contain the ball, which is not all that dissimilar from what you might see watching the WNBA. (This game is ranked the No. 2 most likely first-round upset by 's Bracket Breaker research analysts.) Florida Gulf Coast is a trendy upset pick every season thanks to its unique style of play, one that has been maintained even after coach Karl Smesko left for the Atlanta Dream. The Eagles take the most valuable shots and deny opponents free throws and 3s. They won their first-round games in 2022 and 2023 and lost in 2024 by three points. If a No. 14 seed was ever to win an NCAA Tournament game (with Oregon State also earning a No. 14 seed in its first season as a midmajor), this is the year. Boasting the nation's 10th-best offensive rating, per Basketball Reference, South Dakota State is lethal with a top-notch post player, Brooklyn Meyer. She excels as a scorer and facilitator on the block, and the team is creative in getting her touches. Almost every player in the rotation can shoot the ball at a high level, with three players in the top five of minutes played while shooting over 40 percent from deep during conference play. They move the ball, take care of it and don't often waste second-chance opportunities or extra possessions. Looking for a double-digit seed who could advance to the Sweet 16? The Crimson could be that team. Harvard has one of the best defenses in the country, allowing only 80.1 points per 100 possessions. They force nearly 11 steals per game and average 22.6 points off turnovers per contest, the 12th-most nationally. Add in the fact that the Crimson don't turn over the ball often and feature one of the most dynamic scorers in the country in senior guard Harmoni Turner, and Harvard looks like a potential second weekend participant. Ranked the No. 1 most likely first-round upset by 's Bracket Breaker research analysts. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Sports Business, Women's College Basketball, Women's NCAA Tournament 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
21-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
‘Can't Miss' Women's 2025 March Madness games on Friday and Saturday
The women's NCAA Tournament 28-game feast across Friday and Saturday is one of the most highly anticipated TV stretches of the sports year. You should watch as many games as you can, but if you need to prioritize, here are the 'can't-miss' ones to watch, informed by predictions and projections from The Athletic's Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman and Mark Schindler. Games are listed chronologically within each section and all game times are listed in ET. Advertisement Like offense? Then keep a close eye on this No. 5 versus No. 12 matchup in the Spokane 4 Region. The Wildcats score 113.4 points per 100 possessions, the sixth-best mark in the NCAA. Meanwhile, Fairfield is 10th in NET rating. The Stags are fourth nationally in 2-point field-goal percentage and shoot tons of 3-pointers. Fairfield has emerged as a power in the midmajor conferences but is hungry for its first NCAA Tournament victory in school history. – Ben Pickman Another offensive dream. Both teams rank in the top 20 nationally in offensive rating but do so in dramatically different ways. Richmond relies on layups and 3s, while Georgia Tech thrives in the midrange, and the Yellow Jackets make up for their low volume of free throws and triples by never turning over the ball. They neutralize each other's strengths. The Spiders allow a lot of 3s, but Georgia Tech doesn't take them. Richmond doesn't foul, but the Yellow Jackets don't usually get to the line anyway. It should come down to who makes more jump shots, which should be a blast. – Sabreena Merchant This will be a great first-round matchup if for nothing else than the contrasting styles. Does that make it the best? Not sure. But it certainly makes it interesting. The Lady Vols run a high-tempo, chaotic, heavy subbing system that thrives on its pace disrupting opponents (80 possessions per game). But USF loves to slow it down and has averaged just 66 points a game this season en route to the American Conference tournament title. This will be UT coach Kim Caldwell's second NCAA Tournament game, while USF coach Jose Fernandez will make his 13th appearance with the Bulls. – Chantel Jennings Montana State isn't your typical mid-major. Only four players are listed shorter than 6 feet. Though the Bobcats' press is key, they're no slouch defending in the halfcourt either, using a lot of switching to contain the ball, which is not all that dissimilar from what you might see watching the WNBA. – Mark Schindler Advertisement (This game is ranked the No. 2 most likely first-round upset by The Athletic's Bracket Breaker research analysts.) Florida Gulf Coast is a trendy upset pick every season thanks to its unique style of play, one that has been maintained even after coach Karl Smesko left for the Atlanta Dream. The Eagles take the most valuable shots and deny opponents free throws and 3s. They won their first-round games in 2022 and 2023 and lost in 2024 by three points. If a No. 14 seed was ever to win an NCAA Tournament game (with Oregon State also earning a No. 14 seed in its first season as a midmajor), this is the year. – Sabreena Merchant Boasting the nation's 10th-best offensive rating, per Basketball Reference, South Dakota State is lethal with a top-notch post player, Brooklyn Meyer. She excels as a scorer and facilitator on the block, and the team is creative in getting her touches. Almost every player in the rotation can shoot the ball at a high level, with three players in the top five of minutes played while shooting over 40 percent from deep during conference play. They move the ball, take care of it and don't often waste second-chance opportunities or extra possessions. – Mark Schindler Looking for a double-digit seed who could advance to the Sweet 16? The Crimson could be that team. Harvard has one of the best defenses in the country, allowing only 80.1 points per 100 possessions. They force nearly 11 steals per game and average 22.6 points off turnovers per contest, the 12th-most nationally. Add in the fact that the Crimson don't turn over the ball often and feature one of the most dynamic scorers in the country in senior guard Harmoni Turner, and Harvard looks like a potential second weekend participant. – Ben Pickman Ranked the No. 1 most likely first-round upset by The Athletic's Bracket Breaker research analysts.
