Take a behind-the-scenes look at Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins on draft day.
Apr 19 2013 12:19AM
The Silver Stars selected Syracuse's Kayla Alexander with the No. 8 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm.
Apr 19 2013 11:34AM
Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins went to the Knicks game on Wednesday night.
ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT
Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 18 2013 10:47AM
This week has included many celebrity sightings for Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins, and on Wednesday night, when the duo went to Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks take on the Hawks, they were spotted with "The Human Highlight Film" himself, Dominique Wilkins. Maybe Wilkins gave Griner some tips on dunking. Or maybe it was the other way around...

Also, earlier in the day, Griner, Diggins and Elena Delle Donne talked to Sports Illustrated's Maggie Gray.
Watch all the excitement that was the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
NBA Photos
Apr 17 2013 4:59PM
Monday's WNBA Draft presented by State Farm was a monumental moment for the league. Check out all the videos that covered all the excitement.

Buzz Continues about Griner's Selection
Apr 15 2013 10:15PM

The sports world continues to buzz about Brittney Griner's entrance into the WNBA, including reigning NBA MVP LeBron James sharing his thoughts about Griner's gameplay.

Also weighing in were several NBA legends, including Dr. J himself, Julius Erving.

GET TO KNOW TAYLER HILL
NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 9:59PM

BRISTOL, Conn. - Ohio State didn't make the women's NCAA tournament this season, so many people may not know who is Tayler Hill, the No. 4 pick of the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.

But not making the tournament this season only fuels her fire, she said.

"It builds character as an individual," she said. "But I'm really excited to get to the next level."

The Washington Mystics has struggled for several seasons and this year hired Mike Thibault, who led Connecticut Sun as a regular playoffs contender. Hill said her style of physical gameplay will fit Thibault's coaching style well.

"I'm definitely passionate," Hill said. "I attack the bucket and I'm very fearless. I'll attack the bucket and it doesn't matter who's in there - I'm going in chest first."

The No. 3 pick knows a thing or two about turning teams around.
DIGGINS SAID DON'T COUNT OUT THE SHOCK
NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 9:28PM

BRISTOL, Conn. - The Tulsa Shock selected Skylar Diggins as the No. 3 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. At 9-25 last season, the Tulsa Shock needs a lot of turnaround this season in order to play competitively against the league's elite this season.

But Diggins said that's not a scenario she's a stranger to, having led Notre Dame to three NCAA Final Four appearances in college.

"When I entered Notre Dame, we lost in the first round of the tournament the year before," she said. "It's a similar situation coming in where we haven't found our niche yet."

She added she expects to do the same thing for Tulsa this season.

"I look forward for the opportunity to get to Tulsa, try my best to show my leadership skills and the skills made me so successful and made my team so successful in college and I hope it translates," she said.

DELLE DONNE FOLLOWING KOBE BRYANT WORKOUT PLAN
NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 9:07PM

BRISTOL, Conn. - The Chicago Sky selected Elena Delle Donne as the No. 2 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. With Epiphany Prince running point and Sylvia Fowles in the post, having Delle Donne at the wing makes the Sky a triple-threat force that's tough to stop.

To gear up for WNBA action, Delle Donne told ESPN following her selection that she was undergoing the "Kobe Workouts." I asked her afterwards what that entailed.

"The credit goes to my brother on that one," she said. "He had heard Kobe plays full-court one-on-one. We were doing 6 am workouts, full-court one-on-one. He's hitting me, punching me, fouls don't matter. Even blood doesn't matter at that point."

Griner promises fans she'll try to raise the bar of WNBA action.
GRINER TELLS FANS TO EXPECT ALLEY-OOP DUNKS THIS SEASON
NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 8:47PM

BRISTOL, Conn. - As expected, the Phoenix Mercury selected Brittney Griner as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. With Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor healthy this season, Griner joining the team restores the franchise into a championship contender.

After being selected, reporters asked Griners what fans can expect her to bring to the table this season.

"Just bringing the dunking element of my game to phoenix," Griner said. "Just that excitement. I feel like everybody would love to see D (Diana Taurasi) throw up that alley-oop and I just catch it and slam it."

WNBA PRESIDENT SAYS DRAFT IS A GAME CHANGER
NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 7:16PM

BRISTOL, Conn. - WNBA President Laurel Richie said the buzz around this year's Draft class showcases the growth of the WNBA as it enters its 17th season.

"It is reflection of how far the game has come," Richie said to reporters before the draft.

She classified this year's season as a game-changer and a moment that will be talked about for years to come.

"We are going to look back at 2013 and realize it was a year that really changed the landscape for the WNBA. I'm very, very excited about the level of play and I'm excited about the players coming into the league."

Tune in to ESPN2 at 8 pm ET for tonight's draft and hear from the top picks here live on WNBA.com!

Apr 15 2013 5:43PM
BRISTOL, Conn. - A growing list of celebrities are giddy about tonight's draft, including skateboard legend Tony Hawk, who ran into Brittney Griner at the ESPN headquarters earlier today:





Here are other celebs weighing in on the prospects:

Common, rapper/actor





Holly Robinson Peete, actress/activist (am I the only one who remembers her from the show "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" ???")

Stay tuned throughout the night for more celeb tweets!
Skylar Diggins, Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner gear up backstage for the 2013 WNBA Draft, tonight at 8 pm on ESPN2.
THREE TO
Tim Camuso/NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 5:21PM
BRISTOL, CONN. - We're just hours away from the most highly anticipated draft class entering the WNBA as the "3 to See" gear up backstage at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn. All three are looking sharp for tonight's broadcast, but Griner deserves extra style points for the watch she's sporting. The subtle touch screams baller status.
Could the 12 draft invitees form a successful WNBA team themselves?
AN ALL ROOKIE TEAM?
Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 11:27AM
Brittney Griner thinks highly of her draft class. Without hesitation, she can tell you what each draft invitee does well and how they can contribute to a team. In fact, it was that thought that got a playful Griner to thinking.

"We all bring a little bit something different. I feel like we could probably start a team if we wanted to together. Just put us all in a city and just put all of us on a team and it might be a little unfair, but hey, we�re all that talented."

Unfair for who?
WNBA veteran has praise for this year's draft class.
RILEY ON THE
Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images
Apr 15 2013 10:04AM
Consider 12-year WNBA veteran and current Chicago Sky forward Ruth Riley and fan of Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins. She had this to say about the "3 to See" during the WNBA Fit Clinic on Sunday.

"I think it�s a unique class, and partly because of the era that we�re in. It�s a crossroads of unbelievable talent, passion and energy, but also the opportunity that media is bringing and I think this class embraces that and can back it up. So it�s exciting."
Learn more about the heralded 2013 WNBA Draft Class in these exclusive Q&As.
MEET THE PROSPECTS
Courtesy of Delaware Athletics
Apr 12 2013 4:19PM
Want to know what this year's heralded draft class is like off the court? How about what they expect out of their rookie year? Check out these exclusive Q&As with several of this year's top prospects.

Delle Donne, Diggins and Griner highlight the exciting talents entering the WNBA in 2013.
LOOK FOR THESE 3 IN 2013
Apr 11 2013 2:30PM
The �3 to See� � Elena Delle Donne of Delaware, Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame, and Baylor�s Brittney Griner � headline a list of 12 prospects invited to attend the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, which will be held on Monday, April 15 at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn.

The day after the WNBA Draft you will have to ask Skylar Diggins anything you want.
DISH WITH DIGGINS
Apr 11 2013 9:34AM
Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins will participate in reddit�s �Ask Me Anything� (AMA) when she hosts an online Q&A on Tuesday, April 16, at 2:15 p.m. ET. Home to more than 50 million unique visitors a month, reddit users create, discuss, and discover great content and information online.

Those wanting to participate in the AMA session simply need to create a reddit account; AMA�s are free flowing, fans can ask follow-up questions and submit questions during the AMA. Fans can go to reddit.com/r/iama, reddit�s AMA page, to see the AMA and create an account to participate.
The senior ends her storied career on a high note.
FARIS, UCONN WIN TITLE
Courtesy of Connecticut Athletics
Apr 10 2013 10:23AM
In her four years at UConn, Kelly Faris has been a rock. A versatile guard, a relentless worker and, according to anyone willing to speak about her, a consummate teammate, Faris is considered by many to be the model women's college basketball player. Last night, in her last collegiate game, Faris helped lead UConn to its eighth national title and the second championship during her four years in Storrs as UConn dominated Louisville, 93-60. A potential first-round pick in the WNBA Draft presented by State farm on April 15, Faris scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the finale.

After the game, Faris was quick to find former Connecticut teammate and current Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore. The relationship between the two was outlined by espnW's Kate Fagan and you can read the article here.
Skylar Diggins graduates as one of the most decorated athletes in Notre Dame history.
DIGGINS DENIED, BUT NOT DEFINED BY LOSS
Getty Images
Apr 8 2013 10:39AM
With a loss to Connecticut on Sunday night, Notre Dame was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, two wins shy of winning it all. In her career, Skylar Diggins made it to three Final Fours, including two National Championship Games, but she did not win a title. But, as espnW's Mechelle Voepel writes, she is still a winner.

University of Connecticut grad Tiffany Hayes discusses tonight's National Championship game where her Huskies take on a Louisville squad looking to make it a men's and women's sweep of collegiate hoops supremacy.
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 9 2013 10:25AM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Tiffany Hayes was a member of two consecutive National Championship UConn teams (2009, 2010). She was the No. 14 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.

By: Tiffany Hayes

Well, it all comes down to tonight and I couldn't be prouder of the UConn Huskies as they fought their way all the way to the National Championship Game tonight against Louisville. Of course, you know who I'm pulling for, but I think tonight will go well for UConn. If you watched the Notre Dame game you saw how confident the Huskies were and that confidence should really help them tonight.

The freshman, Breanna Stewart, was AMAZING and when a young player like that gets on a roll and feels that the shots will fall, it's tough to stop it. Even though you hear players say that they are going into National Championship Game like it's any other game, and that they aren't nervous, in truth, it's only natural to have some nerves heading into the game. But at UConn we always feel more excited than nervous, and you just want to get out on the court and get the game started.

I'm very familiar with Louisville as we played them a lot when I was at UConn and I can tell you that they are always a very tough, never-say-die team. They never give up. Never. Plus, right now, Louisville has had a crazy shooting percentage heading into the game. So this will be a competitive, tough game for sure.

For the UConn players, I would say they should just leave it all on the court. You always do your best in every game, that's the mentality at UConn, but tonight, push it even further. This is what it's all about and you will never forget tonight, so put every single drop of your energy into winning this title.

And for all the Huskies fans out there, whether you are at the game or in front out of TV somewhere watching the game, let's support these girls with positive energy and good thoughts and help them bring another championship for UConn.

Go Huskies!
With Stanford eliminated, Nneka turns her focus to the remaining teams.
NNEKA IS CALIFORNIA DREAMING
NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 5 2013 2:46PM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Nneka Ogwumike was a member of last year's Stanford Cardinal Final Four squad. She was the No. 1 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

By: Nneka Ogwumike

Obviously Stanford was eliminated earlier than I would have hoped, but the first thing I told my sister, who plays on the team, was that there is nothing to be disappointed about. You just have to accept the things that happen and move on from there. I am so proud of my sister and I know that with one year left she is going to be a big part of Stanford being a really good team next year. They return almost everyone so I'm really looking forward to seeing the things they can accomplish. You heard it here first: watch out for Stanford's women's hoops next year!

Now that Cal is in the Final Four, I have to say that I am supporting my fellow Pac-12 school. I know that may sound crazy being that Stanford and Cal are such rivals on the court, but I always support my Pac-12 teams and really all schools on the West Coast. I'm happy to see how far Cal has come as a program and to be in the Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment. The Pac 12 had a good showing this year and it excites me to have a team from my neck of the woods doing well.

Cal is a very mentally tough team and they are going to be a tough out. Their strength is in their resiliency and coach Gottlieb really knows how to motivate them. It's always a tough game when you play Cal. Some people forget, Cal almost beat Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament last year, so they're that good. On the court, I really think they take care of what they need to do and don't really have any weaknesses. On the outside they have Brittany Boyd and Layshia Clarendon who are both explosive scorers. One the inside, they have Gennifer Brandon doing a lot of the dirty work. It's a scary inside/oustide combo.

As for the other side of the bracket, I have ties to those teams as well. I've known Skylar Diggins since we were 16-year-olds playing together at a development camp for USA Basketball. I fully support her all the time and I really think she is going to do well. And that whole team is good, especially Kayla McBride and Jewell Loyd, a younger player that has really stepped up for them. Plus, they have a great coach with Coach McGraw so you know they'll be well prepared.

On the other side, I know UConn very well because I feel like we played them every year, it's almost like they were a part of our conference. I've played with Kelly Faris and I know what she can do. But what UConn really has is an amazing legacy, and I think that starts with coach Geno. He makes sure the team upholds such a high standard of play year after year. In the end, it's going to be crazy with a lot of pressure on both sides. I can't believe this is the fourth time they are going to play each other. Insane.

Even though Stanford isn't in it, I'm still really excited for this Final Four. But I'm already looking forward to next year's Stanford squad!
University of Connecticut grad Tiffany Hayes discusses the tough task in front of the Huskies when they face Notre Dame in the Final Four.
UCONN WHERE THEY BELONG: THE FINAL FOUR
NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 5 2013 10:57AM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Tiffany Hayes was a member of two consecutive National Championship UConn teams (2009, 2010). She was the No. 14 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.

By: Tiffany Hayes

I can't say I'm surprised that UConn reached another Final Four, because while it's always a very, very tough thing to do, it's also something that our players set out to achieve every single year. That's just the way it is. It's the mindset of the entire program that you strive to be the very best, and that means getting to the Final Four and competing for the National Championship.

Of course it's a huge game on Sunday night, where the Huskies will face a Notre Dame team that beat them for the Big East title not too long ago. In a way, I think that might be an advantage for UConn. It's hard to beat a team several times in one season. Plus, UConn is well aware of Notre Dame's tendencies. After playing them, they know what they need to do better than the last game, what areas they need to improve on and what they did that worked that they can keep doing. It's also a good motivation for a team, being able to get another chance at a team that beat you earlier.

Another advantage that UConn may have is in their experience in these situations. The coaching staff at UConn and the seniors, the upperclassmen, they know what it takes to not only get to the Final Four, but to win it all. They have that experience and that is something they can count on down the stretch.

As far as X's and O's, I think UConn's offense will be OK against Notre Dame. They've got confidence in their shooting over the past few games, which is half the battle. Just having that confidence to knock down shots. What the Huskies really need to concentrate on against Notre Dame is to get stops. It's that simple. Get stops. They need to help each other on defense and just keep them in front of you and do the hard work needed to get stops.

Because of scheduling, I won't be going down to New Orleans for Sunday's game, but I will be getting with friends and family and we'll be cheering on UConn from the biggest big screen TV we can find.

Go Huskies!
Notre Dame has made it to the Final Four and Devereaux is going to New Orleans to support her former school.
DEV GEAUXS TO THE FINAL FOUR
NBAE via Getty Images
Apr 5 2013 9:51AM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Deveraux Peters was a member of two Notre Dame teams that went to the National Championship Game (2011, 2012). She was the No. 3 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx.

By: Devereaux Peters

Another Final Four for Notre Dame and I couldn't be happier! This makes three straight Final Fours for us and this recent run the past few years has been amazing. This program has truly reached another level...we're elite now. I remember the first year we made it, people doubted us and wondered what we were going to do the next year. Well, we answered that and got back two more times. They can say that every year if they like.

Most importantly, I'm real excited for the players on this Notre Dame team to be in another Final Four. Thinking back, I remember the week leading up to my two Final Fours being really fun on campus. It's a whole different thing really. Everyone is excited, everyone's coming up to you and wishing you good luck. It's also a time to take a little bit of a deep breath because you know this is what you have been working for all year.

The matchup with UConn is a great one. It's definitely become a big rivalry, especially these past few years, and I know they're not too fond us, just like we aren't too fond of them. I do have a lot of respect for their program though, and any time you play a Connecticut team you know it's going to be a tough one. I know it's going to be hard-fought game, but you really just need to approach it like any other game. We've beat them three times already this year and it's really difficult to beat a team four times in a season, especially a team like UConn, so we're going to have to come in focused. It's funny, it's kind of turned around a little because normally we're the underdogs, but now we're the favorites.

At this point, Notre Dame and UConn know each other like the back of their hands, so it's really going to come down to execution. Notre Dame is going to have to try to contain Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis. When she gets hot, they're a very hard team to stop. A big part of this game is going to be getting on her early and not letting her get into a rhythm because she can score from anywhere. The other thing Notre Dame needs to do is stop UConn in transition. When they push the ball up and get easy fast-break points, they're a tough team to beat.

If we're able to get past UConn it's not going to be an easy final either way. Both Louisville and Cal are very good teams. I remember playing Cal last year, they gave us our toughest run in the NCAA Tournament, and I remember we were all like, 'this team is going to be good next year.' I'm sure the team remembers that and will not take Cal for granted if they advance. As for Lousiville, they've really taken off in the NCAA Tournament. What they have in their favor is a lot of confidence and that's been very important for them making it this far. A team that has a lot of confidence is a dangerous team.

All in all, I'm just very excited for this team. I want them to have the National Championship so bad, especially for the seniors like Skylar Diggins and Kaila Turner. Skylar helped turn this program around and I think it'll be great for them to have it. They deserve it.

Last but certainly not least, I'll be heading down to New Orleans for the games and I'll be able to hang out and hopefully celebrate with the team. Really looking forward it!
The 6-foot-4 center could go as high as No. 4 in the draft.
TEXAS A&M'S KELSEY BONE DECLARES FOR DRAFT
Apr 4 2013 5:19PM
Graduating this May, Texas A&M center Kelsey Bone has officially entered her name in the WNBA Draft with one year of eligibility left. This past season, Bone ranked third in the SEC in scoring with 16.6 points per game, and second with 9.3 rebounds per game. With her combination of skill and size, she could go as high as No. 4 in the draft.

Skylar Diggins and Notre Dame are now only two wins from a national title.
DIGGINS TO THE FINAL FOUR
Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
Apr 3 2013 3:28PM
With an 87-76 victory over No. 2 seed Duke on Tuesday night, Notre Dame and Skylar Diggins came one step closer to a national title, seemingly the only accomplishment that has eluded Diggins during her four years in South Bend.

Scoring 24 points and handing out nine assists in 32 minutes, Diggins propelled her Irish squad to its third consecutive Final Four, where it will have a date with a familiar foe in UConn. Diggins also added five rebounds and five steals against Duke.

A trip to New Orleans, however, did not always seem like a given on Tuesday night. Diggins was whistled for two fouls in the first 4:10 of the game and was forced to the bench. She came back late in the first half and spearheaded a small rally, but Notre Dame still found itself down 37-31 after the game's first 20 minutes.

Then, powered in part by some precise outside shooting from Diggins, who went 4-for-8 from 3-point range, the Irish made a strong 15-2 run early in the second half to jump out a 50-42 lead. From there, they never looked back.

"Sky's the best point guard in the country and she changes the game in everything she does,'' Notre Dame's Natalie Achonwa was quoted after the game. "Her being off the court for 20 seconds changes the game.''

The big victory came not long after Diggins was unanimously named to the Associated Press All-America team for a second straight year. Diggins will next be in action on Sunday night against Connecticut at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Big talk coming out of Texas as Cuban eyes Griner.
MAVS OWNER CUBAN TALKS GRINER
Apr 3 2013 10:35AM
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed possible interest in giving Baylor star Brittney Griner a look in the future, according to ESPN.

Cuban mentioned the Summer League and perhaps even drafting the 6-8 center if available in the second round. Griner responded via Twitter: "I would hold my own! Lets do it."
One win away from the Final Four, the biggest story left in the NCAA Tournament is Skylar Diggins' pursuit of a title.
ALL EYES ON DIGGINS
Getty Images
Apr 2 2013 1:13PM
This will come as no surprise to anyone, but Skylar Diggins is once again firmly in the spotlight.

As the only of the Big 3 left in the NCAA Tournament -- Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne were both eliminated in the Sweet 16 -- Diggins now takes center stage, a platform that has normally brought out the best in her.

It started this weekend when she was spectacular in Notre Dame's win over this year's Cinderella team, Kansas. The 5-foot-9 South Bend native dominated the matchup with Kansas senior point guard Angel Goodrich -- a prospect in this year's WNBA Draft -- and in the process became Notre Dame's all-time leading scorer, passing current Notre Dame assistant coach Beth Morgan Cunningham.

Diggins finished the Kansas game with 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting while dishing out nine assists and committing only one turnover in 30 minutes. Diggins flashed her range by shooting 4-for-6 from 3-point land, but did a lot of damage by penetrating and pulling up for mid-range jumpers, an area where she's been lethal throughout her career.

No. 1 seed Notre Dame plays No. 2 Duke tonight at 7:05PM ET with a trip to the Final Four on the line. If the Irish are able to defeat the Blue Devils, Diggins will be one step closer to the National Championship that has eluded her during her storied career. Notre Dame has lost in the last two National Championship games, one to Texas A&M (2011) and one to Baylor (2012).

Notre Dame brings a 29-game winning streak into the matchup while Duke, with 33 wins, has lost only two games all year.
It's not easy to narrow down, but here's a look at Griner's best moments during her time at Baylor.
GRINER'S TOP COLLEGE MOMENTS
Getty Images
Apr 1 2013 11:08AM
In a shocking twist, Baylor was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday by No. 5 seed Louisville, 82-81. The loss marks the end of Brittney Griner's storied college career. Graham Hays of espnW took a look at the top five collegiate moments for Griner.

After this weekend, only eight teams will be left.
WEEKEND TWO AWAITS
Mar 29 2013 3:20PM
Some of the nation's top seniors -- including the Big 3 of Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins -- will be in action this weekend. Follow their progress using NCAA.com's Interactive Bracket.

Notre Dame grad Devereaux Peters talks about what lies between the Irish and another trip to the Final Four.
DEV GIVES A SCOUTING REPORT
NBAE via Getty Images
Mar 28 2013 12:30AM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Deveraux Peters was a member of two Notre Dame teams that went to the National Championship Game (2011, 2012). She was the No. 3 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx.

By: Devereaux Peters

It was a successful few days for Notre Dame in the first two rounds. I think the team had a really good mindset, they were ready to play and they weren't thinking about the future. They looked like they were really clicking and that's something I've noticed watching this team lately.

They have Kansas next and I was able to watch some of their second round game and they are a good team. They play well together and I think it will be a good matchup. The matchup at point guard will be interesting. Kansas' point guard Angel Goodrich does a lot for the team I really think she brought her team to that upset win over South Carolina. I know Skylar will be prepared. She won't prepare any differently even though it's a marquee matchup because her mentality never really changes, regardless of who we play. I know her focus will be on winning and that's what makes her great.

Duke is the No. 2 seed in our region and a potential matchup for us in the Elite Eight. They have a pretty good team. Elizabeth Williams is their best post player and she's been dominant throughout the season. She's proven herself and she will be tough to defend. They also have a point guard, Chelsea Gray, that's playing really well. I've watched a few of their games and she always seems to be making big plays. Overall it's a very stable team and if we were to play them, it would be a battle.

Now all we can do is wait until the next game. Wednesday was my last day rehabbing in South Bend. I am heading home before I head back to Minnesota. Wherever I am, I'll definitely be watching my girls and hoping for another Final Four run!
Brittney Griner has now dunked 18 times in her career.
TEXAS-SIZED DUNKFEST
Getty Images
Mar 27 2013 5:00PM
Like Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner played her last game in front of her home crowd on Tuesday as well.

And wow did she put on a show.

Griner, who scored 33 points, grabbed 22 rebounds and blocked four shots in 34 minutes, became the first woman ever to dunk three times in a game. She had one on a fast break. One from the low block. And she topped it off with a reverse slam off an offensive rebound. In the process, Baylor cruised to a 85-47 win over Florida State.

WATCH ALL OF GRINER'S DUNKS HERE

With her 33 points, Griner stayed right on pace to potentially pass Jackie Stiles' all-time scoring mark of 3,393 points. If Baylor is to make the NCAA title game, Griner will need to average 31 points a game the rest of the way to tie the record. Does anyone doubt her?

Other notable seniors in the second round:

Skylar Diggins (G, Notre Dame): Had 16 points, five assists, three rebounds, three steals in 38 minutes in Notre Dame's win versus Iowa.

Angel Goodrich (G, Kansas): Read more here

A'dia Mathies (G, Kentucky): Exploded for 34 points on 13-for-17 shooting in Kentucky's win over Dayton. Went 6-for-7 from distance and added three rebounds and three steals.

Lindsey Moore (G, Nebraska): Read more here

Joslyn Tinkle (F, Stanford): Scored 21 points and pulled down six rebounds in Stanford's win over Michigan. Went 5-for-5 from 3-point range.
Stanford grad Nneka Ogwumike talks about this current Stanford team making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
NBAE via Getty Images
Mar 27 2013 2:45PM


Throughout the NCAA Tournament, current WNBA players will be blogging on WNBA.com about their alma mater. Nneka Ogwumike was a member of last year's Stanford Cardinal Final Four squad. She was the No. 1 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

By: Nneka Ogwumike

I know we're only a few days in, but my bracket has seen some better days. While I'm strong in the Bridgeport region, some of the upsets in Norfolk region have hurt me. Not surprisingly I picked all my Pac-12 teams, aside from Colorado, which I had in the Sweet Sixteen, to reach the Elite Eight, but obviously I picked Stanford to go all the way. I have them beating Connecticut in the finals.

As always, I'll be rooting on and watching Stanford using my Slingbox while here in Poland. Poland is five hours ahead of Eastern time in the U.S., and eight hours ahead of time in California, so, at times, I go to bed at about 9 p.m. local time just to get up at around 3 a.m. to watch the games. Yes, that means I'm by myself, watching the games and screaming at the TVs. The life of a true fan!

It's nerve-wracking watching these games not having any control over the action, but I know the team knows what's on the line and that's encouraging. I remember I always played in the NCAA Tournament like it was my last game. It was comforting to know that if you weren't a senior you still had some games to go, but then you were playing hard for the seniors on your team and trying to keep them going. After all, it's the NCAA Tournament, you gotta dance when the music is on.

It's only more nerve-wracking for me because my sister, Chiney, is on the team. One thing I have to say, and I say it all the time, but I am more than proud of her. Not everyone expected such big things for this team this year, but I had no doubt she would step up. She had some shoes to fill and she responded so well. I was prepared for her to break all of those records, and I told her it's like she's making everything I did look like nothing. Ha!

It's funny, people keep asking me where I think she is going to get drafted, and I'm always like 'you mean next year?" People don't realize she's just a junior and I think that just shows how good of a player and good of a leader she's been this year.

There's a few other players that I also think deserve a lot of credit. Sara James has taken full advantage of every opportunity in front of her and I am so proud to see how far she's come. Mikaela Ruef is one of the players I wish I got play with more, but she was injured, but she is another player that's stepped up. A lot of her best plays come on hustle plays. And Amber Orrange has really come into her own. She's definitely become more commanding on the court.

It's a complete team effort for Stanford and I think the Cards are going to make another Final Four run.
For the first time in program history, Delaware is headed to the Sweet Sixteen.
HOW SWEET IT IS
Courtesy of Delaware Athletics
Mar 27 2013 10:39AM
Elena Delle Donne just keeps taking the Delaware program higher and higher.

The Blue Hens, which had not even won an NCAA Tournament game before Delle Donne arrived on campus, are now headed to their first ever Sweet Sixteen after defeating the No. 3 seed UNC Tar Heels last night, 78-69. Further proof of the impact that Delle Donne has had on the Delaware program is that Delaware, which was mostly non-existent on the college basketball map just a few years ago, actually hosted games in this region and Delle Donne was able to celebrate this landmark victory in front of her home crowd, a crowd that included Vice President Joe Biden.

The 6-foot-5 Wilmington, Del. native scored 33 points -- she's now scored over 30 points in all four of her NCAA Tournament games -- and she became just the ninth player in history to score over 3,000 points. She finished Tuesday's game with 3,006 career points.

In the game itself, Delle Donne and the Blue Hens erased another first-half deficit, just like they did in the first round, as they were down eight points entering halftime. Not to mention that deficit was lessened by a buzzer-beating 3-point shot by Delle Donne that sent the teams to the locker room. In the second half, foul trouble plagued UNC and the efforts of Delle Donne and fellow senior Trumae Lucas, who had 20 points, were enough to propel Delaware to victory. The game marked the last time that Delle Donne and the rest of the Delaware seniors will play in the Bob Carpenter Center.

Up next for Delaware is second-seeded Kentucky and senior star A'dia Mathies, a player very likely to be drafted with Delle Donne in this April's WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The teams will square off Saturday as the Blue Hens will put their program-best 27 game win streak on the line.
Behind senior guard Angel Goodrich's heroics, the Kansas Jayhawks have busted brackets everywhere.
ANGEL IN THE BACKCOURT
Courtesy of Kansas Athletics
Mar 26 2013 3:07PM
Last team in the tournament? No problem.

Kansas, which essentially was the final at-large team to get a bid into the NCAA Tournament, became only the second No. 12 seed in history to advance to the third round when it upset No. 4 seed South Carolina, 75-69, on Monday. The only other No. 12 seed to make it this far was San Francisco in 1996.

A big part of Kansas' success can be attributed to its 5-foot-4 point guard, Angel Goodrich, a potential first round pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The team's floor general, Goodrich finished with 20 points, eight assists, one steal and only one turnover while playing all 40 minutes in the historic victory.

What was more important than the stats, however, was the tempo that Goodrich, Kansas' all-time leader in assists, set. South Carolina would have been very comfortable playing a slower game, but Goodrich did not let them. This benefitted fellow Kansas senior Monica Engelman, who went off for a career-high 27 points, and she credited Goodrich with how she was able to get so many good scoring opportunities.

"For me, Angel made it easy," Engelman was quoted after the game. "I mean, she's a great point guard, she can push the ball, so she makes everyone else want to sprint up the floor and get easy buckets in transition."

The win sets up an potential intriguing matchup in the backcourt with Skylar Diggins and Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 on Sunday.
Nebraska's Lindsey Moore has propelled her No. 6 Cornhuskers to the Sweet 16.
Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics
Mar 26 2013 12:40AM
After a disappointing first round exit last year, Nebraska senior guard Lindsey Moore, who some believe has the potential to be a first round draft pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, has led the Cornhuskers back to the Sweet 16 after two strong outings. As Michelle Voepel from ESPNW writes, her performance reminded some of a former great.