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Good morning! ☕️
A big moment is coming for Sue Bird. UConn will retire her jersey on Sunday at Gampel Pavilion 30 minutes before the Huskies face DePaul. The ceremony will stream live for anyone who wants to be part of it.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. SEC Rolls Through the ACC/SEC Challenge 💪
SEC teams delivered a statement this week, winning 13 of the 16 games in the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. The two-day events pairs two of the nation’s top conferences head-to-head. After taking 10 of 16 matchups last year, the SEC was even more dominant this time around. (ESPN PR)
WHY IT MATTERS: The ACC is off to a surprisingly rough start in 2025–26, especially for a conference that’s traditionally among the nation’s best. No ACC team remains unbeaten, while the SEC boasts six undefeated programs — Texas, Georgia, LSU, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Ole Miss. It’s still early, but this challenge suggests the SEC is the strongest league in the country right now.
2. JuJu Watkins Opens Up About ACL Recovery 💬
SELF magazine published a thoughtful interview with JuJu Watkins, who shared how she processed her ACL tear during USC’s NCAA Tournament run and how she’s approaching rehab.
WHY IT MATTERS: Few college players have ever carried as much visibility as JuJu, from sold‑out crowds to major NIL deals, a Super Bowl commercial, and an enormous mural in downtown LA. An injury like hers could have been crushing. Instead, she describes a mindset shift that arrived quickly: acceptance and the excitement of learning something new during recovery.
3. Audi Crooks Is on an Incredible Tear 🎯
Iowa State center Audi Crooks is leading Division I in both scoring (27.3 PPG) and field‑goal percentage (73.8%). She’s scored in double figures in 76 straight games and just broke her own school record with a 47‑point performance against Indiana. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Plenty of players can score. What makes Crooks special is the blend of volume and efficiency she brings night after night. She’s the engine behind a 9–0 Cyclones start and is putting up numbers that raise real questions about whether she’s playing her way into becoming a top WNBA Draft prospect.
🤝 From Our Partners: We occasionally share sponsored resources our readers might enjoy:
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Honored at Home: Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker had her No. 10 jersey retired at Spain Park High School.
Partnering in Miami: Unrivaled’s headquarters will now be called Sephora Arena, thanks to an expanded multi‑year partnership.
Signed On: Valkyries top draft pick Juste Jocyte will play in the new international league Project B.
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