With ESPN’s 2012 Championship Week Presented by DICK’S Sports Goods coverage on the horizon –the network’s top women’s basketball voices analysts Debbie Antonelli, Kara Lawson, Rebecca Lobo and Stephanie White, along with play-by-play veterans Beth Mowins and Brenda VanLengen share their thoughts on this season that featured non-traditional teams and players emerging, new teams jumping into the top 25 and exciting games being played across the board.
Best/most exciting game this season and why?
ANTONELLI: Maryland at Duke was full of scoring and play-making ability by two of the best teams in the nation. I had an NBA rep tell me he saw more playmaking in that game than the Charlotte Bobcats.
LAWSON: There were so many games to choose from this season – tops on my list are Duke at Maryland; Cal at Stanford and UConn at Notre Dame.
LOBO: UConn at Baylor was the most exciting game. The crowd was phenomenal, the game was back-and-forth and most assumed it was a Final Four preview even as it was happening.
MOWINS: The UConn at Notre Dame had star power, hall of fame coaches, drama and a wonderful environment. All the things we like to see showcased during a women’s game.
PECK: The Duke vs. Maryland game stands out as two of the country’s most exciting players put on a show in Alyssa Thomas and Chelsea Gray. It was a back-and-forth game and great plays were made down the stretch.
VAN LENGEN: UConn at Baylor tops my list. The game featured marquee names on the sidelines and on the court, and for two teams that play tremendous defense, both found ways to score.
WHITE: The most exciting game was St. John’s upset of then-second ranked UConn because of how it was won. St. John’s hit the big shot at the end and snapped a winning streak that seemed unbreakable.
Top break-out player in the nation and why?
ANTONELLI: Maryland’s Alyssa Thomas was not on my top 10 list to start the season, but she is now a contender for every national player of the year award. She is big, strong, versatile, can finish a play and finish a game.
LAWSON: Chelsea Gray of Duke, just a sophomore, didn’t start at the point guard position a year ago. She has been entrusted with leading a young team and she has the ability to impact the game in every column, anticipates as well as any guard in the country and has high-level passing skills.
LOBO: Delaware’s Elena Della-Donne has put her team into the top 25, so everyone is finally taking notice of this phenomenal talent at Delaware.
MOWINS: Elizabeth Williams of Duke has tremendous athleticism, skill and quickness for just a freshman. She is disruptive on the defensive end and dynamic offensively.
PECK: Chelsea Gray from Duke – who would have thought she would have point guard abilities. She played behind Jasmine Thomas last season and has become one of the toughest players of the game.
VAN LENGEN: Elena Della-Donne is not only one of the most skilled and talented players in the nation this season, but she has elevated her team to an unprecedented level.
WHITE: Elena Della-Donne has not only put up big numbers, but carried her team to another level.
Top break-out team in the nation and why?
ANTONELLI: Battling back from the [Da’Shena] Stevens injury, where they started the season at 5-5, St. John’s is the No. 2 seed in the BIG EAST Championship and have Sweet 16 and Elite Eight potential.
LAWSON: Delaware is an atypical mid-major. They have star power on the roster and played a challenging non-conference schedule that included wining at Big Ten champion Penn State. The team has a solid chance to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Championship.
LOBO: Who is this team in the top 10 and how do you pronounce their best player’s name? This year fans have been forced to take note of Green Bay and Julie Wojta.
MOWINS: St. Bonaventure is virtually coming out of nowhere to join the top 25 this season for the first time in program history. They are strong on the defensive end and display terrific chemistry in winning the Atlantic 10.
PECK: Because of transfers and injuries, who would have thought Maryland to be one of the top 10 teams in the country? They are relentless with Tianna Hawkins and Lynetta Kizner on the glass and have one of the best closers in Alyssa Thomas.
VAN LENGEN: I wouldn’t call Baylor a break-out team, but the way they have not only lived up to expectations, but exceeded them has been amazing.
WHITE: With [Elena] Della-Donne’s help, Delaware has a great RPI and has played well all season long.
Memorable moment from a particular venue or fan base of a game you covered?
ANTONELLI: The Hoops for Hope at NC State on February 12 – featuring Wake Forest at the Wolfpack. The power of pink is very moving. Being involved in the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and seeing the surviors celebrate with America Idol’s Scotty McCreary was memorable. Coach Yow would be proud of all of us pulling together to make a difference.
LOBO: My moment happened after the UConn at Baylor game ended when fans were allowed to come onto the court. A bunch of elementary and middle-school-aged kids began playing basketball and the Baylor men’s team joined them for an impromptu pickup game. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it was awesome.
MOWINS: What stood out to me this season was watching St. John’s celebrate on UConn’s home court, halting a 99-game Husky home win streak.
PECK: This season I have spent more time in the studio, so I think my most memorable moment is yet to come… I think it will be in Denver!
VAN LENGEN: Duke at Maryland at a nearly sold-out Comcast Center full of screaming kids and adults that helped Maryland come back in the second half to beat their ACC rival.
WHITE: My most memorable moment was seeing Penn State head coach Coquese Washington with her son following the team’s celebration of its first shared conference title since 2004.
Little known fact about the announce team?
LAWSON: In studio, Carolyn [Peck] and I eat, yell at the televisions and argue with each other pretty much the entire time the game is on… Then at halftime we turn into civilized analysts!
LOBO: Pam [Ward] is my chauffeur. She always rents a car and I never do, so she drives me everywhere we need to go. The funny thing is, though, she won’t drop me off at the airport terminal before returning the car or drop me at the front of the hotel to check in before parking. So… she’s not just any chauffeur, she’s a bad chauffeur!
MOWINS: Each year at the BIG EAST Championship, I have the tradition of a friend bringing me a big bag of skittles that stay at the announce table and last the entire tournament. They are a great pick-me-up!
PECK: Game prep, for me is similar to game prep I did when coaching. I prepare game strategies for both teams, watch their previous games – looking for teams strengths and weaknesses. After reading newspaper articles, game notes, interviewing players and coaches – the next part becomes tricky, condensing all the information needs to be on two pages to reference during the game. Needless to say, my DVR stays full of games, and thank goodness for my Slingbox and WATCHESPN, app so I can watch games as I travel. During games, I like to snack on trail mix and peanut M & M’s.
VAN LENGEN: It is a necessity to have honey lemon cough drops during each game.
A few words to describe top six conferences style of play?
| Analyst | ACC | Big 12 | BIG EAST | Big Ten | SEC | Pac-12 |
| Antonelli | Speed, offensive, athletic &
top heavy |
Playmaking, athletic & variety of styles | Tough, physical & guard dominated | Offensive execution and off-the-pass | Athletic, improved & off-the-bounce | Stanford, Stanford, Stanford |
| Lobo | Up-tempo & offense-driven games | Physical & grind-it-out conference | Physical & defensive battles | 3-ball & guard-dominated games | defense-focused & full-court pressing teams | They play the how-do-we-beat Stanford style |
| White | Fast & athletic | Powerful & athletic | Power & depth | Physical | Strength & speed | Athletic finesse |
| VanLengen | Loaded at the top | Baylor separated & 2-10 battle to survive | Physical, diverse & exciting | Deeper & much improved | Changing of the guard | Everyone still chasing Stanford |
| Lawson | Fast-paced & competitive | Hard-hitting & defensive | Skilled & physical | Tough & even throughout | Depth & athletic | Battles in the trenches & competitive |
ESPN will present a record 88 women’s college basketball conference tournament games from Thursday, March 1 to Sunday, March 11 across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3. The networks will combine to offer game action from 21 Division I conferences championship games and action from 25 conferences overall, including the Division II CIAA Tournament and Gulf South final.
The exclusive national coverage of 28 women’s games includes action from 15 different conferences and 13 NCAA Championship berths will be secured on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. ESPN3 will show another 60 contests available in local markets via syndication.
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