End Of A League – End Of A Relationship?

By On 2013/03/12 · 4 Comments

Tuesday’s title game ends the contiguous 10-year relationship between the Big East tournament and the XL Center. Even if the league remained intact, its contract to play the postseason tournament in Hartford is over.

The XL Center and UConn administration have expressed interest in bringing the new and still nameless league’s first tournament back to Hartford.

But there is growing sentiment that Mohegan Sun Arena will have enough support within the new league to host the tournament in 2014, at the very least.

Danielle Donehew, the associate commissioner of the Big East for women’s basketball, said no discussion about a future site will take place until at least May, when the new league’s first spring meeting is scheduled to take place in Florida.

Hot Shot Kaleena

Kaleena  Mosqueda-Lewis comes into the game three three-pointers shy of the UConn single-season program record (107) set by Wendy Davis in 1991-92.

Scouting combine

A number of WNBA coaches and executives have attended the tournament over the last two days. Diggins, UConn’s Kelly Faris, Georgetown’s Sugar Rodgers and Syracuse center Kayla Alexander will be among the top players taken in the April draft.

But actually making one of the 11-man rosters (there are 12 teams in the league) has become a harrowing task for those not taken in the first round. Some draft picks won’t even be invited to training camp.

“It’s a crime,” said Anne Donovan, the coach of the Connecticut Sun. “You can only have 15 players in training camp and we’ve already signed four free agents. Do the math. It’s such a disservice to these kids. It’s such a long shot to crack 11 roster spots. It’s a small window [for success] and it breaks my heart to know it.”

Donovan, who coached Seattle to the 2004 WNBA title, knows the business has changed because of economic concerns.

“It’s the nature of the business in order to survive,” Donovan said. “I’m sure that’s why we are where we are. There isn’t anyone who wouldn’t want to see it changed. … It’s an issue; I understand [the WNBA] is a growing business. But it is unfortunate for those players looking to break in.”

 

 
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4 Responses to End Of A League – End Of A Relationship?

  1. Here We Go Again says:
    2013/03/12 at 5:24 pm

    Stop complaining about 11 player rosters. Coaches like Brian Agler are like Aureema and only play 6 in close games and playoffs. Quit acting like the 12th player would actually get to play.

    • dakotaboy33 says:
      2013/03/13 at 10:26 am

      They might not get a ton of playing time, but they would have the opportunity to practice, learn and grow with the team. It would allow them time to get acclimated to the pace and play of the WNBA.

      So YOU stop complaining about others complaining. And learn how to spell.

  2. Village Idiot says:
    2013/03/12 at 5:48 pm

    As the Grim Reaper has said so many times in the past;
    Life Goes ON~~~.
    Most old guys find change hard to take, life is easier if predictible!!
    Yet the Big East becomes the Popes Own League and the remaining teams become something different.
    What ever that leagues name, they shall play Men and Women’s basketball and a bunch of title 9 sports–and a tiny bit of football. Fans will cheer, pundits will complain about the 30 point win and more about the loses. Fan’s will cheer Geno and Un-fans will denegrate Geno and some of his players by name. Life goes on!!!

  3. Sher Flagler says:
    2013/03/14 at 2:24 am

    One thing that is contant is change. Pretty sure they will get to learn and move on. The relationships they had will somehow stay with them.