No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

No Offseason is The Athletic’s show for all things women’s basketball. Hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Layshia Clarendon bring you the stories that matter the most and the insider info you need from the sport that never stops – served up alongside exclusive interviews with the biggest names in women’s hoops, from the NCAA to the WNBA and all points in between. New episodes drop Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why this Repeat of the Final Four Will Be Different

    Zena and Chantel break down the Elite Eight games of the NCAA women’s tournament, taking a look at key moments and the players that made all the difference – from Blanca Quiñonez to Lauren Betts, and from Madison Booker to Madina Okot. Then, they turn their attention to the games of the Final Four, previewing what could happen on Friday in Phoenix.  REFERENCES:  UConn advances to 25th Final Four with win over Notre Dame  by Cameron Teague Robinson Leave the nets … for now. UConn, as always, plans for bigger Final Four celebrations by Chantel Jennings  How Angela Dugalić set the tone for UCLA’s Final Four run by Sabreena Merchant  UCLA headed back to Final Four after comeback against Duke by Grace Rayoner Lauren Betts and UCLA return to Final Four with unfinished business by Jerry Brewer Texas decimates Michigan for return trip to Final Four  by Cameron Teague Robinson Texas is 2 wins from Vic Schaefer’s first title and him saying it’s his best team by Chantel Jennings  Final Four field is set: South Carolina joins fellow No. 1 seeds UConn, UCLA and Texas  by Grace Rayoner First look at the Final Four: Who has the edge? South Carolina or UConn? Texas or UCLA?  by Sabreena Merchant  __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube:  @No-Offseason  -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  2. 3D AGO

    LIVE: Sweet 16 reactions & Elite 8 preview

    Zena and Sabreena react LIVE to the Sweet 16’s biggest moments, then break down the key matchups and players to watch heading into the Elite 8. REFERENCES: Women’s Sweet 16 takeaways: Duke’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer stuns LSU in epic finish by Cameron Teague Robinson, Chantel Jennings, Grace Raynor and Sabreena Merchant Notre Dame’s unlikely run to the Elite Eight started with offseason dedication to Niele Ivey by Cameron Teague Robinson Duke’s NCAA Tournament revenge tour continues. Up next: UCLA in the Elite Eight by Sabreena Merchant A shot, a season, a stand: Duke and Ashlon Jackson refuse to fall against LSU by Jerry Brewer Flau’jae Johnson’s final moment at LSU doesn’t define her storied career by: Devon Henderson Kim Mulkey denies rumors she’s retiring after LSU’s Sweet 16 loss: ‘It’s just a lie’ by Grace Raynor Women’s Sweet 16 takeaways: Michigan beats Louisville; TCU ends Virginia’s Cinderella bid by The Athletic College Basketball Staff Geno Auriemma airs frustration with NCAA Tournament’s two-site regional format by Devon Henderson __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube:  @No-Offseason  -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  3. 5D AGO

    Why Player-Coach Connections Fuel March Madness Success + Expansion Draft 101

    Zena and Layshia begin by discussing the uncertain future of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert before turning to the upcoming expansion draft, where they analyze potential player selections and the strategic decisions facing new teams.  They then explore the vital role of coaching, particularly under high-pressure circumstances, emphasizing the importance of trust and communication between coaches and players. Drawing on memorable game moments, they highlight the impact of player-coach interactions and the balance between intensity and care, showing how trust is crucial in challenging situations. We close things out with Layshia’s Lens, featuring a buzzer-beater moment. REFERENCES:  Adam Silver praises Cathy Engelbert, but hasn’t discussed her future with WNBA board by Mike Vorkunov WNBA sets expansion draft for April 3 as Toronto and Portland begin to build rosters by Curt Anderson WNBA expansion draft big board: Who will Toronto and Portland select? by Sabreena Merchant Maryland coach Brenda Frese went viral for yelling at Oluchi Okananwa. There’s more to the story  by Elise Devlin __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube:  @No-Offseason  -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  4. 6D AGO

    Who Will Survive the Sweet 16?

    Chantel and Sabreena dive into the implications of the newly ratified WNBA CBA, exploring its impact on player contracts and how teams may approach free agency moving forward. Then the duo take an in-depth look at the Sweet 16, analyzing the matchups and standout player performances while examining how crowd dynamics influence outcomes. They also explore the representation of different conferences in the tournament, highlighting trends, surprises, and potential upsets, giving fans a comprehensive view of what makes this stage of March Madness so exciting. Lastly, they wrap things up with “And One More Thing,” discussing the hiring of Tammi Reiss at Florida and how she might go about restoring the program. REFERENCES:  What will Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and more WNBA stars on rookie contracts now make? by Sabreena Merchant WNBA’s Board of Governors joins players in unanimously ratifying new CBA by Sabreena Merchant  WNBA term sheet reveals CBA details on schedule, facilities standards, more by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings  First look at women’s Sweet 16: Predictions and breakdowns for each matchup by Sabreena Merchant, Chantel Jennings, Grace Raynor, and Cameron Teague Robinson How much to become Cinderella? Virginia's March Madness run fueled in part by Reddit co-founder gift by Chantel Jennings __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube:  @No-Offseason  -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  5. MAR 24

    Who Will be the Breakout Star of March Madness?

    The WNBA players have unanimously approved the 2026 CBA agreement, and Zena, Chantel, and Sabreena kick off the episode by walking through the first steps of the CBA becoming official—and what happens next. They then break down the defining moments from the weekend in the women’s tournament. Next, they dive into who could emerge as the next star of March Madness, exploring how personality, leadership, and team success shape the tournament’s rising faces. They highlight the legacy of established players like Flau'jae Johnson, the rise of stars such as Madison Booker, and the importance of clutch performances. Finally, the crew dips into the mailbag to discuss the surprising lack of upsets in the women’s tournament. REFERENCES:  WNBA players approve new CBA in unanimous vote by Sabreena Merchant Iowa avoids meltdown in stifling Carver-Hawkeye Arena for NCAA Tournament first-round win by Scott Dochternan Fairleigh Dickinson coach calls for neutral NCAA sites following close call at Iowa by Scott Dochternan Tennessee’s lost its edge. Can the Lady Vols get it back? by Chantel Jennings Women’s NCAA Tournament first round takeaways: Clemson falls in OT after controversial call by Chantel Jennings, Grace Raynor, Cameron Teague Robinson, Sabreena Merchant and Scott Dochterman Amaya Battle sends Minnesota to Sweet 16 with last-second jumper vs. Ole Miss by Chantel Jennings Maryland coach Brenda Frese gives intense coaching moment to Oluchi Okananwa by Devon Henderson Women’s March Madness second-round takeaways: Can Minnesota keep its March magic going? by Sabreena Merchant Who will become women’s March Madness stars? Watch these standouts become famous by Eden Laase __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube:  @No-Offseason  -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on Instagram: @layshiac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 1m
4.7
out of 5
256 Ratings

About

No Offseason is The Athletic’s show for all things women’s basketball. Hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Layshia Clarendon bring you the stories that matter the most and the insider info you need from the sport that never stops – served up alongside exclusive interviews with the biggest names in women’s hoops, from the NCAA to the WNBA and all points in between. New episodes drop Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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