Not so hot takes on recent events

How long have you been covering women's basketball? 

The weirdness around Azzi Fudd being drafted to the Wings and thus rejoining her girlfriend, Paige Bueckers, is perplexing. The commentators at the draft and the press room afterwards did not mention the relationship, rather they asked Fudd about being back with her teammate. 

How was this not discussed beforehand? Was Fudd prepped? It is clear Dallas was not prepped. A team rep at the press conference with Fudd, who was asked about her romantic relationship with Bueckers, shut down that questioning, leaving Fudd with an odd expression on her face. Hope folks figure this out soon--it is not as if they haven't had over a year to prepare. 

Also, we should remember that these are 20-somethings. 

The Coach of UConn

Speaking of the past year...UConn had a stellar season before losing to South Carolina in the tournament semifinals. Will the season be remembered or will it be the loss--which was marked by atrocious behavior on the part of Geno Auriemma? The UConn coach verbally accosted SC coach Dawn Staley with some nonsense about being disrespectful over a pre-game handshake that did not happen but maybe happened but maybe it was a different handshake that was supposed to happen and Staley stood Auriemma up?

The things is: IT DOES NOT MATTER. That never should have happened on the court. 

But anyone who was surprised by Auriemma's behavior has not been paying attention. I know his aggressive behavior and yelling and ranting is considered fine for a white male coach. There is little doubt that this is the first time he has crossed the line. He just did it very publicly this time. A Black woman on his staff had to help smooth things over. We all saw it.

I always wonder what the draw of Geno is to players--especially in an era where there are so many teams at the top of the game. There are choices; I would argue far better choices. (Also far more interesting places to spend four years than Storrs, Connecticut.) He also does not seem especially supportive of women's sports, ironically. 

Right before his antics in April, he said he thinks Title IX is over. He problematically equated it to NCAA rules--which are most definitely not the same. It is a narrow and selfish view. His institution is doing fine (well he thinks it is because his program is supported). He does not understand the history (probably one of the many reasons he and Pat Summitt did not get along). And he does not see how he benefitted from the law. Title IX made coaching women's sports financially feasible and he is one of many men who benefitted. 

The Trophy Girl ...in hockey?

At the gym the other day, Sports Center was on and showing NHL playoff highlights. The Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth were featured and included a hat trick. I do not know by who; I was not paying great attention (plus no sound or captions). But I did see in the background a group of women in outfits resembling dance team uniforms (tight short shorts and tops, very glittery--Google it, several have Instagram accounts). They were skating around picking up the hats thrown on the ice. The Golden Knights have Ice Girls. One, not girls. Two, what??? They come out and sweep the ice and do things like pick up hats in these outfits. I know this is Vegas, but come on. You can see this everywhere else on the strip.

Further research reveals that the NHL Ice Girl is a thing. They clean the ice and are responsible for on-ice entertainment. Do we need on ice entertainment in pro hockey? The college games I attend have pre-teens in oversized hockey sweaters cleaning the ice and pee-wee hockey teams playing during intermissions. This seems fine. So can we please retire the trophy girl in all its forms?