Final Four Preview Numero Uno: Louisville vs. Oklahoma

Ahh yes, the first of our two Final Four previews. It's the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma Sooners taking on No. 3 seeded Louisville Cardinals.

After finishing second in the regular season in the Big East, the Cardinals found themselves in the Raleigh region, with a first round match up against Liberty University. The Cardinals made quick work of the Lady Flames, winning 62-42.

In the second round, they faced the LSU Tigers. All-American Angel McCoughtry's 28 points, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line, helped guide the Cardinals into the Sweet 16, as they defeated the Tigers 62-52.

The Cardinals faced Baylor in the regional semifinals, where once again McCoughtry would shine for Louisville. Her 22 points helped guide the Cardinals to a 56-39 and a showdown with Maryland.

The Cardinals would reach their first Final Four after defeating the Lady Terrapins 77-60. McCoughtry once more would come up big for the Cardinals as she scored 21 points with 13 rebounds.

The Sooners found themselves playing close to home after picking up the top seed in the Oklahoma City region. They made quick work of Prarie View A&M, winning the game 76-47.

In round two, the Sooners defeated Georgia Tech 69-50. The Sooners outscored the Yellow Jackets 40-21 in the second half. Danielle Robinson's 15 points helped get the Sooners into the Sweet 16.

Whitney Hand's 22 points helped put the Sooners into the Elite Eight, defeating Pittsburgh 70-59. They would go on to defeat Purdue 74-68 to get the Sooners into the Final Four.

Key players:

The key player for Louisville is of course McCoughtry. The senior is averaging 23 points and 9 rebounds per game.

For Oklahoma, it comes down to Courtney and Ashley Paris. The duo have combined to score more than 28 points per game. With the motivation of her scholarship wager, Courtney Paris certainly will look to shut down the Cardinals.


Prediction

Oklahoma 61 - Louisville 54

WNBA Recap: Phoenix defeats Minnesota

Phoenix Mercury 103 - Minnesota Lynx 96- The Mercury snapped a two-game losing streak. Diana Taurasi scored 32 points for the Mercury in their victory. Time is running out for the Mercury.

They have five games left in the season and if they want to get into the playoffs, the Mercury will have to win out. The Lynx meanwhile fall to 2.5 games out of the fourth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

It won't get easier for the Lynx as their next two games are against Seattle and Sacramento. We'll have a look at the playoff scenarios soon enough. Stay tuned!

WNBA Recap: Shock lose close one to Sky

The Olympics are over and done with and the stars of the WNBA are back in action. We're now heading towards the homestretch in the playoff run.

Chicago Sky 82 - Detroit Shock 81- A couple of Candice Dupree free throws late made the difference for the Sky. Dupree led the way for the Sky with 24 points. Jia Perkins added 15 points for the Sky. Katie Smith led Detroit with 23 points.

Connecticut Sun 80 - Seattle Storm 76- The Sun have now won six straight games and now hold a two game lead over Detroit. Asjha Jones led the way for the Sun with 20 points. Sue Bird of the Storm led all scorers with 24 points.

WNBA Recap: Detroit loses fourth straight entering Olympic break

San Antonio Silver Stars 76 - Detroit Shock 64- The Shock have now lost four straight games and have finished the month of July 4-6. The Shock are now in second place in the Eastern Conference. They're hurting and they don't have an answer to this problem. This break could not have come at a better time for the Shock. Meanwhile, the Silver Stars maintain their lead in the Western Conference.

Connecticut Sun 82 - Washington Mystics 60- The Sun now own full possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. Asjha Jones' 27 points helped give the Sun their third straight win. The Sun now go into this Olympic break with the lead over the Shock.

Seattle Storm 77 - Sacramento Monarchs 71- The Storm remain a half game back in the West with their win last night. Sue Bird's 24 points made the difference for the Storm in the game.

Los Angeles Sparks 92 - Minnesota Lynx 84- The game went to overtime, but it was the Sparks who came out in the end. The Sparks outscored the Lynx 8-0 in OT. Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie combined for 46 points and 22 rebounds in the Sparks' win. Seimone Augustus scored 29 points for the Lynx. Charde Houston added 15 points for the Lynx. The Sparks needed that win and are back in fourth place in the West.

There are no games again until next month. I hope to have a US Basketball preview either this week or next week.

Photo Courtesy: NBA Entertainment/Getty Images

WNBA Recap: Lieberman returns to game, Shock still lose

Houston Comets 79 - Detroit Shock 61- How many 50-year-olds do you know that play pro basketball? You can count one if you know Nancy Lieberman. The basketball hall of famer signed a week long contract to fill the void for the Shock as they head into the Olympic break. In nine minutes of action, Lieberman scored zero points, but had two assists. Deanna Nolan scored 23 points for the Shock in the loss.

In other news, the WNBA handed down suspensions for the scuffle in Detroit the other night. Plenette Pierson received the stiffest punishment when she was suspended for four games. Assistant coach Rich Mahorn was suspended two games, as was Shannon Bobbitt and Murriel Page from the Sparks. Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker each received one game.

Connecticut Sun 87 - Los Angeles Sparks 61- Without Candace Parker, Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton Jones, the Sparks weren't able to score against the Sun. Lindsay Whalen of the Sun led all scorers with 22 points. With the Shock's loss and the Sun's win, the Shock's lead in the East is now down to a half game. A win in D.C. could give the Sun the lead in the Eastern Conference, if the Shock lose to San Antonio. Add in a win against Indiana and the Sun will be in good shape going into the Olympic break.

San Antonio Silver Stars 78 - Chicago Sky 67- Sophia Young's 19 points were enough to give the Silver Stars their 17th win of the season. Candice Dupree of the Sky scored 20 points.

Minnesota Lynx 84 - Indiana Fever 80- Seimone Augustus' 25 points were enough to give the Lynx the victory. Ebony Hoffman and Tamika Catchings each scored 17 points for the Fever.

WNBA Recap: Ford done for the season

One night after the chaos at the Palace of Auburn Hills, it was announced on Wednesday that Shock star Cheryl Ford was done for the season after tearing her ACL in the game against the Sparks on Tuesday night.

This couldn't have come at a worse time for the Shock as they've lost two straight games and their lead in the Eastern Conference is down to 1.5 games. They have two games left and could potentially lose their lead in the East, if they lose both games. WNBA officials are looking over the tape to determine what happened. Rest assure, suspensions will be handed down.

New York Liberty 80 - Washington Mystics 74- Tiffany Jackson scored 14 points off the bench to lead the Liberty to just their fifth win on the road. The Liberty are now just a half game behind the Sun for second place in the East. Taj McWilliams-Franklin of the Mystics led all scorers with 19 points.

WNBA Recap: Scuffle ends night for Sparks, Shock coach

Los Angeles Sparks 84 - Detroit Shock 81- The Sparks stopped the Shock from coming back to win. However, the big story happened in the final seconds of the game. After Shock star Cheryl Ford fouled Sparks star Candace Parker, Parker got tangled with Shock forward Plenette Pierson, which started a scuffle for both sides. In the scuffle, Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn reportedly knocked down Sparks center Lisa Leslie.

Mahorn left the bench to play peacemaker and the contact with Leslie appeared to be accidental, I can't say with certainty. Mahorn, Parker, Pierson and Delisha Milton-Jones were all ejected from the game. This is without a doubt a serious matter that will be dealt with. Suspensions will be handed down and from the sounds of it, a few of the players in last nights game will most likely be done until after the Olympics.

Here's the video for you to judge for yourself.



Houston Comets 94 - Phoenix Mercury 92- Believe it or not, there were other games going on last night. Diana Taurasi's 31 points weren't enough for the Mercury to get past the Comets. Tina Thompson led the Comets with 19 points.

Seattle Storm 76 - Minnesota Lynx 73- Sue Bird scored 22 points for the Storm, who have won their fourth game on the road this season. Charde Houston scored 16 points off the bench for the Lynx. The Storm are now tied with the San Antonio Silver Stars for first place in the Western Conference.

WNBA Recap: Mystics blow away Storm in first game without Rollins

Washington Mystics 89 - Seattle Storm 57- One day after the Mystics fired head coach Tree Rollins, interim coach Jessie Kenlaw led the team to a blowout victory over the Storm. Taj McWilliams-Franklin of the Mystics led all scorers with 22 points. Katie Gearlds led the Storm with 13 points off the bench. One notable player not at the game was Lauren Jackson, who is currently in Australia preparing for the Olympics in Beijing.

Connecticut Sun 74 - Chicago Sky 67- Asjha Jones' 23 points were more than enough for the Sun to defeat the Sky. Lindsay Whalen added 20 points of her own for the Sun. The Sun snapped a five game losing streak

Sacramento Monarchs 88 - Detroit Shock 85- Rebekkah Brunson scored 18 points for the Monarchs as they knocked off the Shock. Deanna Nolan's 27 points weren't enough for the Shock.

With the Shock's loss and the Sun's win, the now Shock hold a two game lead over the Sun in the Eastern Conference. Each team has three games left before the Olympic break.

The Shock play LA at home on Tuesday, Houston on the road on Thursday and San Antonio at home on Sunday.

The Sun will play LA at home on Thursday, Washington on the road on Sunday and Indiana on the road on Monday.

Anything can happen, especially in the Eastern Conference.

NOTE: Pic not from actual game

WNBA Recap: Phoenix knocks of LA

Phoenix Mercury 99 - Los Angeles Sparks 92- DeLisha Milton's 38 points for the Sparks was not enough to overcome the Mercury. Cappie Pondexter scored 27 points for the Mercury, with Diana Taurasi adding 23 of her own. Candace Parker scored 23 points and added 13 rebounds for the Sparks. The Mercury snapped a 3-game losing streak.

Houston Comets 96 - Minnesota Lynx 88- The bench players for both teams came up big on the night. Tina Thompson scored 25 points off the bench for the Comets, while Candice Wiggins scored 27 for the Lynx. Tamecka Dixon added 22 for the Comets. The Comets ended a 3-game losing streak.

New York Liberty 77 - Washington Mystics 56- Ashley Battle scored 15 points off the bench for the Liberty as they won their third straight game going into the outdoor game on Saturday night. The Liberty will play the first ever outdoor game in WNBA history when they face the Indiana Fever at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It should be an exciting time! If you live in the New York area, definitely check it out.

WNBA Recap: Silver Stars win

San Antonio Silver Stars 97 - Phoenix Mercury 87- All five starters for the Silver Stars scored at least 10 points in the game. However, it was Sophia Young who came up big for the Silver Stars, scoring 26 points. Becky Hammon scored 19 points for the Silver Stars. For the Mercury, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter each scored 23 points. The Mercury have now lost three straight games.

New York Liberty 77 - Connecticut Sun 71- The Sun have now lost four straight games and are fading far behind the Detroit Shock for first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Lisa Willis scored 18 points off the bench for the Liberty, while Shameka Christon added 16 points of her own. Lindsay Whalen scored 19 points for the Sun. Jamie Carey scored 18 points off the bench for the Sun. The third year guard out of Texas made six, three-pointers in the game.

WNBA Recap: Sun lose third straight

Washington Mystics 69 - Connecticut Sun 64- The Sun are now on a three game losing streak and drop a game and a half behind the Eastern Conference leaders, the Detroit Shock. Lindsay Whalen's 33 points and eight rebounds were not enough to move the Sun into a first place tie. Nikki Blue put up 13 points for the Mystics.

Chicago Sky 79 - Atlanta Dream 66- Jia Perkins and Candace Dupree combined for 36 points to snap the Sky's four game losing streak. Katie Feenstra scored 21 points for the Dream. The Dream have now lost two straight after winning two straight games.

WNBA Recap: Storm blow out Sparks

Gee, I wonder how many times newspaper editors have put in a headline like that, eh!

Seattle Storm 70 - Los Angeles Sparks 52- The Storm now have six straight victories and remain in second place in the Western Conference. Sue Bird scored 18 points in the Storm's victory over the Sparks. Four of the five starters on the Storm had at least 10 points. Yolanda Griffith fell short of reaching 10 points. Candace Parker led the Sparks with 14 points.

Sacramento Monarchs 105 - Phoenix Mercury 97- First the Monarchs defeat the Sparks and now they knock off the Mercury. Kara Lawson and Nicole Powell each put up 15 points for the Monarchs. Rebekkah Brunson scored 13 points and added 11 rebounds. Cara Pondexter led the Mercury with 33 points. Diana Taurasi added 20 points for the Mercury.

New York Liberty 74 - Detroit Shock 64- A 23-7 fourth quarter made the difference in the game. Shameka Christon scored 19 points for the Liberty in the win. Katie Smith scored 13 for the Shock. The Liberty remain in good shape as the season continues on. They remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana Fever 66 - Chicago Sky 57- The Fever's Katie Douglas scored 25 points in a game that featured sloppy offenses. Both teams shit under 39% for the game. Candace Dupree of the Sky scored 19 points.

WNBA Recap: Monarchs stop Sparks to end losing streak

Sacramento Monarchs 87 - Los Angeles Sparks 69- The Monarchs snapped a three game losing streak last night. Nicole Powell stepped it up big for the Monarchs, scoring 24 points. One night after scoring her career high in points, Candace Parker had a quiet night for the Sparks. Parker only scored 14 points. Sidney Spencer added 14 points off the bench. The Sparks are now 1 1/2 games behind the San Antonio Silver Stars.

San Antonio Silver Stars 75 - Chicago Sky 67- It was an off night for Silver Stars player Becky Hammon, who scored only 12 points. It was up to center Ann Wauters and she stepped it up big time for the Silver Stars, scoring 23 points. Jia Perkins scored 19 for the Sky. The Silver Stars have won six straight games.

Seattle Storm 89 - Phoenix Mercury 78- The Storm have now won five straight games and have taken over second place in the Western Conference. The Storm had a terrific night from the foul line, shooting 26-of-28 from the charity stripe. Lauren Jackson led the Storm with 25 points. Cappie Pondexter of the Mercury scored 20 points.

WNBA Recap: Parker drops 40 on Comets

Los Angeles Sparks 82 - Houston Comets 74 - Candace Parker had a huge night against the Comets. The rookie from Tennessee scored a whopping 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the process. In four games this month, Parker has averaged 20+ per game. Tina Thompson of the Comets scored 21 and added seven rebounds.


Atlanta Dream 73 - Minnesota Lynx 67- It's a miracle, the Dream have won two straight games. I knew if they won things would get rolling in their favor! Betty Lennox of the Dream led all scorers with 24 points. Seimoine Augustus of the Lynx scored 17 points

WNBA Recap: Mercury score 99, Fever and Mystics combine for 98

Washington Mystics 50 - Indiana Fever 48- These two teams combined to make 41 baskets the entire night. Both teams shot under 35% for the night. Both teams also combined for 39 turnovers. At halftime, the score was 29-14, Fever's lead. Unfortunately for the Fever, they scored 19 points in the second half, while the Mystics scored 36. Mystics forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin led all scorers with 20 points. Fever forward Ebony Hoffman scored 16.

Phoenix Mercury 99 - Houston Comets 94- While the game in Washington was the lowest scoring of the night, last night's game in Phoenix was the highest scoring. Mercury star Diana Taurasi scored 30 points, including five three pointers. Cappie Pondexter also scored 22 for the Mercury. Tina Thompson led the Comets with 23 points.

Detroit Shock 88 - Connecticut Sun 82- The Shock are now in first place in the Eastern Conference. Kara Braxton came up big off the bench for the Shock, scoring 23 points. Katie Smith scored 17 points for the Shock. Asjha Jones of the Sun scored 21 points. Sun fans do not fear, the season still has a ways to go.

Seattle Storm 79 - Sacramento Monarchs 64- The Storm won a huge game on the road, their fourth straight win. Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird combined for 33 points in the Storm's win last night. The Monarchs scored only 32% from the field. Crystal Kelly led the Monarchs with 12 points.

San Antonio Silver Stars 83 - New York Liberty 79- The Silver Stars have maintained their lead in the Western Conference. Becky Hammon of the Silver Stars scored 27 points, while Sophia Young scored 23. Shameka Christon led the Liberty also scored 27 points.

WNBA Recap: Sky streak snapped

There was only one game played last night. Never worry though, there are games planned for tomorrow night.

Indiana Fever 74 - Chicago Sky 67- Both teams ended their streaks last night. The Fever's win ended a two-game losing streak and the Sky's loss ended a two-game winning streak. The Fever now move to .500 on the season and are four games back in the Eastern Conference. Tamika Catchings came off the bench for the Fever, scoring 18 points. Candice Dupree of the Sky led all scorers with 20 points.

I'll have a Wimbledon update before the end of the day.

Later

Nos

WNBA Recap: The Mercury keep rising

You're probably wondering when I'll be stopping all of these Mercury-related jokes. I don't have too many, so work with me.

Phoenix Mercury 97 - Atlanta Dream 79- I bet the Dream wished those numbers could be switched around. A 33-9 second quarter score made the ultimate difference in the game. Diana Taurasi scored 28 points for the Mercury. Taurasi had a big night from three-point-land, making 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Dream meanwhile, remain winless. They'll win! Fear not Atlanta!

Chicago Sky 73 - Minnesota Lynx 71- The Sky held off the Lynx to win their second straight game. Candice Dupree had a big night for the Sky, scoring 26 points. Candice Wiggins led the Lynx by scoring 17 points off the bench.

New York Liberty 89 - Los Angeles Sparks 78- Shameka Christon scored 28 points for the Liberty, as they moved back to .500 for the season and continue to hold down third place in the Eastern Conference. Candace Parker led the Sparks in scoring with 18 points in the loss. She also added 10 rebounds. The Sparks hold a one game lead over the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Have a great Wednesday

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