The MidMajors

Tacarra Barnes & Courtney Lumpkin

The podcast for women’s hoops fans who want it all: news, laughs, and no fluff. Former D1 ballers Tacarra Barnes and Courtney Lumpkin break down everything in college basketball and the WNBA with real energy, real insight, and real love for the game

  1. MAR 19

    WNIT vs NCAA Tournament | Do Postseason Tournaments Matter? Mid-Major vs Power 5 Debate

    In this episode of The MidMajors Podcast, we break down the real value of postseason tournaments like the Women's National Invitation Tournament and the WBI/WBIT compared to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. As former Division I players, we give an unfiltered perspective on how mid-major programs and Power Five schools view postseason opportunities, and why these tournaments can mean everything—or nothing—depending on the situation. We also dive into how NIL, the transfer portal, and coaching incentives are changing how teams approach postseason play. If you’re into women’s college basketball, mid-major basketball, NCAA tournament talk, and real behind-the-scenes insights, this episode is for you. What We Discuss • WNIT, WBI, and WBIT: history and evolution • Mid-major vs Power Five perspectives on postseason tournaments • Why some teams accept or decline postseason invitations • Exposure, publicity, and recruiting benefits for programs • Coaching incentives and financial motivations • Player experiences and mindset in postseason play • NIL and transfer portal impact on postseason decisions • Using postseason games for development and evaluation • The future of postseason tournaments in women’s college basketball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min
  2. MAR 19

    Analyzing Corey Close’s Press Conference & UCLA’s Championship Mindset

    In this episode of The MidMajors Podcast, Tacarra and Courtney break down the recent press conference from Corie Close and what it reveals about the mindset and preparation of UCLA Bruins Women's Basketball heading into the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. We analyze Coach Close’s leadership style, the confidence she instills in her players, and the mental preparation strategies that make UCLA a dangerous team during March. From her emphasis on the “mind gym” and mental conditioning to the importance of senior leadership and team chemistry, this episode dives into how championship-caliber programs prepare for tournament pressure. What We Discuss • Coach Corey Close’s communication style and leadership approach • How UCLA builds confidence and resilience within the program • The role of mental conditioning and the “mind gym” philosophy • Why team chemistry and unity matter during March Madness • The importance of senior leadership during a final tournament run • How UCLA’s preparation could translate into tournament success • What we learned from the tone and messaging of the press conference Key Takeaways Coach Close emphasizes confidence, positivity, and preparation as UCLA enters tournament play. Mental training and athlete well-being are central to the program’s culture. The team’s chemistry and experience could be major factors in their postseason success. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The podcast for women’s hoops fans who want it all: news, laughs, and no fluff. Former D1 ballers Tacarra Barnes and Courtney Lumpkin break down everything in college basketball and the WNBA with real energy, real insight, and real love for the game

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