Episodes
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The upstart 3x3 winter basketball league will begin play this January. Recently-hired general manager and EVP Clare Duwelius joins Zena and Ben to discuss why she left the Minnesota Lynx for the new venture, explain more about Unrivaled’s place in the women’s basketball landscape, and talk about how players are at the center of the new league in more ways than one. Then, Zena and Ben debrief their conversation, analyze the league’s six rosters and provide an update about Caitlin Clark’s involvement.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
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Zena, Sabreena and Chantel discuss five of the biggest surprises they've had through the first two weeks of the season. They discuss TCU's big win over NC State with a veteran core, two Big Ten teams that have surpassed expectations, South Carolina's slow starts, two transfers that didn't get enough attention ahead of the season and how surprising (or not surprising?) it is that Kentucky looks like ... Virginia Tech?
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Missing episodes?
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Ben and Sabreena chat with new Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh about making the jump to head coach and what to expect from Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in 2025. Then, Zena joins to break down the interview and set the stage for the Sky, as well as the Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings, and Washington Mystics in Sunday's WNBA Draft lottery.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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With four recent Final Four teams on the floor in Charlotte this past weekend, Ben, Zena and Chantel look at what it takes to build a dynasty in women's college basketball right now. They discuss how NIL, the transfer portal and history play into dynasty building and wonder which schools will next take the mantle.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
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Zena, Ben, and Sabreena’s discuss The Athletic’s recent series of stories on the wave of WNBA coaching firings. They discuss why so many WNBA teams made changes, where teams might be looking for replacements, and how and why the ecosystem of possible candidates is more limited than many people realize.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Zena and Chantel break down the opening games of NCAA season, focusing on the close contests in Vegas and Paris. They discuss the bright performances of key returners like Juju Watkins, Chloe Kitts, and Lauren Betts, as well as those of freshmen Syla Swords and Taj Roberts. They wrap up discussing the rout of Notre Dame over Mercyhurst and the impact of Olivia Miles' return to the floor.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
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In a bonus podcast episode, Sabreena and Ben are joined by new Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf. Part 1 of the episode is a conversation with Stephanie and Kelly discussing the hiring process, the next steps in Caitlin Clark's development and the new era of the Fever. The second part is a debrief between The Athletic's writers breaking down their takeaways from a busy Fever offseason and their reactions to where the franchise is heading.
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Zena and Chantel turn the page from the WNBA to the NCAA and walk through a refresher of the emerging talent in the NCAA. While Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins rightfully demand attention, they also discuss new players in new systems, the country's sophomore takeover, and new freshmen to look out for.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
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Before turning to the women’s college basketball season, Zena, Sabreena and Ben wrap up the 2024 WNBA campaign and begin looking forward to next year. They ask, and answer, 12 burning questions — one for each team — to preview what they expect to happen this offseason.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Zena, Ben, Sabreena start the show with some sights and sounds from the New York Liberty's championship parade before breaking down the latest in the WNBA front-office shakeups, which have now made their way to Dallas and Washington. They close with a conversation on the union opting out of the current CBA and what the negotiations for next deal could look like.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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The Liberty outlasted the Lynx in Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Zena, Sabreena and Ben break down the thrilling conclusion to the series, discussing how New York overcome a poor offensive showing, the late-game officiating controversy, and if Minnesota will be back in this spot next year. Ben also shares exclusive reporting about a meeting that changed the course of New York's season, and the trio reflects on their favorite moments of the finals.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Sabrina Ionescu’s game-winning 3-pointer with a second remaining moved the New York Liberty 40 minutes from their first WNBA title. Zena, Sabreena and Ben breakdown everything they heard and saw from inside Target Center during Game 3 and make predictions about what they expect to happen in Friday’s Game 4.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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The first two games of the WNBA Finals have passed and the series is tied 1-1. Zena, Sabreena and Ben recap the first two games of the series from Brooklyn. They discuss their takeaways from New York leveling the series, Minnesota's historic Game 1 comeback and what they expect to happen as the finals hit the road for Minneapolis. They also give quick takes on the experience in Barclays Center and make predictions for Game 3.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Ben and Sabreena are both in Brooklyn for the start of the WNBA Finals, and in a rare joint pod appearance, they run through a top five list of what they are looking for in the matchup between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota. Stay through the end for predictions for the winner and Finals MVP!
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenaj
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Zena, Ben, and Sabreena recap what has been an impossibly close series between Connecticut and Minnesota and make predictions for Game 5. They also reflect on this era of the Las Vegas Aces before previewing how New York will match up with either potential finals opponent.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Zena, Ben, and Sabreena take stock of the WNBA semifinals after two games. They discuss Sabrina Ionescu’s knack for the big moment, if the Aces can make a historic comeback, Connecticut’s small lineups, and Minnesota bouncing back.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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The WNBA coaching carousel is spinning as the Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky have made changes. Zena is joined by Chantel, Sabreena and Ben to discuss why Curt Miller and Teresa Weatherspoon were let go, what each move says about their past organizations and which job is most appealing. Then, they break down each of the semifinal Game 1s, with reporting from both arenas on what happened and what adjustments are likely to be made ahead of Tuesday's Game 2s.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Zena, Ben and Chantel sit down to briefly reflect on the first round, discuss the league's response to ongoing hate speech and internet harassment, and finally, they break down the key matchups and X-factors in Minnesota-Connecticut and Las Vegas-New York.
-Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
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Ben, Sabreena and Chantel — who were in New York, Connecticut and Minnesota for the first day of the WNBA playoffs — recount their own experiences from Sunday's slate of games, and then look ahead to the biggest storylines and game changers for game 2.
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Chantel on X: @chanteljennings
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant break down every upcoming WNBA playoff series and make their title picks. Can any underdogs make it to the second round? Are the Liberty and Lynx destined for a championship series? Can the Aces three-peat?
Hosts: Ben Pickman
With: Sabreena Merchant
Executive Producer: Taneka Burrell
Producer: Dave DuFour
-Follow Ben on X: @benpickman
-Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm
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