00:00I ran into a dad of a Notre Dame student today in the elevator told me to tell Becky hello because they live near Colorado State and he's a big fan. I will let her know. They're everywhere these fans. We were talking during the break. Dallas with this quick lineup. They look like a different team. This smaller lineup. They might have some headaches with it at times but for the most part it's quicker and it's been a much better mix against this Aces team.
00:30Again the ball movement. It's been much better as well. Tie up on the interior. Jump ball. Melissa Smith down there. There is Becky Hammond. Fourth season as the head coach here. Eight seasons. She was an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs. And what a career she has had as a coach. Former player obviously. She's a Naismith and Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and played for the San Antonio Stars from 2007.
01:002014 has that jersey in Mandalay Bay. Her time in San Antonio with Greg Popper that you just announced today that he's stepping down. Yep. Tough to see but he's such a mentor for her. Yeah we were at dinner yesterday and wondered how long because she talked about what a work ethic he had.
01:30On the interior Smith got a piece of that. It'll stay with the Aces. Seven points for Becker's. Page is getting comfortable and she is finding her opportunities. No hesitation. I love it from the rookie.
01:50A couple of three. Couple of threes in this one. Four rebounds.
01:57Nye back on for the Aces. Three and a half left. Third quarter.
02:01Nobody up on Aja Wilson. High to low.
02:09Look a two-man game with those two are going to be interesting.
02:13You and I on this year.
02:15You were just talking about the running game for Dallas and they make it work there as Smith got ahead of everybody.
02:21And the layup good. Becky Hammond wants the timeout.
02:243.13 left in the third.
02:26Becky Hammond's coach in this game. Not like it's May 2nd but like it's mid-July.
02:33Well coaches got to shake the rust off too I'm sure right. Get yourself ready. One more preseason game and then wow you are on and off the road about every other day. This year's this schedule is tough.
02:45It is and the competition is tough. You know I'm looking to see. We've seen Aja Wilson. Looks like she is in MVP form.
02:54You got Nafisa Collier. The season that she had last year in Minnesota. Brianna Stewart's going to be interesting. What would Alyssa Thomas look like in her new role. New uniform. New gigs.
03:06It's going to be fun to see that. It's been a fun time. These fans have really gotten into it here in South Bend. They have come out to Purcell Pavilion. They're having a fun time. Again so many champions. So many incredible players from here.
03:21We talked about the 2018 championship where teammates Arike Agumboale with Jackie Young together. What a spectacular run that was for them.
03:31Well Neal Ivey was at dinner with us last night. She talked about the buzz that is here in South Bend. She already created a paring over for Muppet McGraw and their success. And the buzz of women's basketball is alive and kicking here in South Bend. You see this turnout today?
03:51Yeah. Okay. Can I? When we drop back to the hotel tonight. Can we just do it for silence? Oh yes. Please.
03:58There's Muppet and her husband. There she is. Mapp. Hanging out. She's working more now I think than she was when she was coaching. I'm not sure.
04:06And you know what we got? We got an invitation to a Notre Dame football game. My husband is a huge Notre Dame fan. He came to the game today. He's dressed in Notre Dame from head to top.
04:16He bought out the bookstore I think. He did. You're going to have to keep working. Hey let's bring Kylan back in. She has more on this. Kylan?
04:23First of all can I come with to the Notre Dame football game? Can I steal some tickets ladies?
04:28Yeah. Come on.
04:29But since we're on the topic of the Fighting Irish, Garderica Ngunbowale said that some memories do come flooding back when she steps back into this gym of her 2018 National Championship game.
04:38Game winner. But let's not forget that also on her team is another player who is a part of that game. Unfortunately on the losing end.
04:44And Tierra McCowan who played for Mississippi State. Ngunbowale says that her teammate might be a little bit salty. She said that McCowan still insists that she stepped out of bounds on that National Championship game winning shot. I don't know about that ladies. Yeah. I don't know if her heel came down on the line. They did a few reviews on that one and a tough one for McCowan and Mississippi State no doubt. But what a way to win it for Notre Dame.
05:11There's some hustle batted around and Mitchell comes up with it.
05:17How fun is this season going to be watching all this talent? Look how scrappy these players are. And this is an exhibition game. A preseason game.
05:27There are going to be games where you maybe did everything the way you were supposed to do it but the talent level is so good there's a chance you may not win those games.
05:36Like every possession matters. Yep. Going after it. Melissa Smith doing all she can.
05:44Mitchell with the screen for Wilson. Contact in the block is coming over. That was Isaiah James trying to draw the charge.
05:53I think that that goes back to that rule. Yep. They're looking at contact on the drivers. That pathway verticality. Yeah. Oh, and Asia. I mean, just her foot barely missed Saza. Oh,
06:14Asia gets the free throw to go wearing her new shoes. Going to be talking more about that in the next preseason game on Tuesday. But the Nike A1s are starting to show up all around.
06:33All around.
06:38And another whistle. This one against the A1s. They're the A1s. Sporting the pinks. They look really comfortable. Yeah, they do. Those are pretty shoes. Yep. I can't wait to see all the new sneaks coming out. Oh, my goodness. I know. She had so much involvement in the design of it and has been waiting so long. It's pretty exciting for her. Kia comes back in.
07:01Asia takes a seat. We should mention, dude, no Megan Gustafson, no Dana Evans. Megan's out with the lower leg injury. So they're hoping to get her back as soon as they can.
07:12Dana Evans out with a knee injury. Hoping to get her back as soon as they can. But a couple of other pieces that might be a piece later on for this group.
07:23Dana Evans will be valuable, especially with Kelsey Plum going to the L.A. Sparks. A scoring threat from the perimeter, but also can get to that second level and get into the paint to penetrate and then spray the ball out.
07:38Yeah, she's that player that Becky said we picked up to get another downhill player. No Cheyenne Parker-Tyus out there. She's also on maternity leave. But, boy, she's so tough and will be a big plus to help Asia on the interior.
07:53Yeah, I think that that'll help that front court rotation once they get Cheyenne.
07:58Kia Stokes to the free throw line. We saw her mom, Julie. She's made the trip in town. His first free throw off the mark.
08:05And we have Elizabeth Kipley, who is available to play. And I saw her get up off the bench and go back and ride the bike, maybe to warm up a little bit. So maybe we'll see her in the fourth quarter.
08:16Yeah. Queen Ed Bo as well.
08:23As I watch these players, Chris, I'm sitting here and thinking, OK, who is not going to make the roster?
08:29J.J. Quinterly, she's like trying to make a case for herself. But it's not players that don't deserve to be here.
08:39Yeah. You know, there's so much talent. The young talent coming in is coming in prepared to play in the WNBA.
08:46They are. So many of them just already look like pros and now trying to knock off so many other greats.
08:54And that's a good thing to see as we add teams to the league. And again, two new teams next year.
09:01Hopefully, rosters could maybe extend a bit also or have some sort of secondary ability to keep players here training and working out with organizations.
09:13Jackie moving without the ball. Kia on the right side. Banks it up. Good.
09:18Good. Whatever it takes. And she's laughing after that one.
09:22And look at the smile of Becky Hammond's face.
09:25Because she has said in these four days in training camp, she has been shooting the leather off the ball.
09:31Yep.
09:32And they want her to. It gets caught up with McCowan on that one.
09:36Was it personal?
09:38Second.
09:42Jackie Young finds no hesitation. I think that's when Kia is at her best.
09:46The team Matt Fallon, McCallan to the line.
09:53Jackie's been really active.
09:57All the guards, good rotation in the guard spots.
10:05Here's McCallan. Seventh season.
10:10Went to Dallas in 2022 with the trade.
10:16Bradford back on, taking right at her. Partially tipped.
10:21Now I'm getting back on the D. And now the push for James.
10:27And Stokes on the help D.
10:29As the reverse for Charles gets swatted.
10:33That's Zia James making that pass.
10:35We saw a lot of that from her throughout her career at NC State.
10:39And then the evolution of her game from barely playing to being a star for the Wolfpack.
10:47And Kayla Charles says, why not? I'll bank one in as well from outside.
10:51It still counts three.
10:52That's right.
10:53Under a minute left, third quarter.
10:55Yeah, the wings could not be more thrilled to have seen that Zia James was still available
11:01when the 12th pick came around.
11:07That one just flat.
11:10Young, one of the fouls, doesn't get it.
11:19Aces come up with it.
11:20Nobody back defensively in plenty of time.
11:23Jackie Young with the layup, good.
11:24Miss Q on the D for the wings.
11:27And Jackie Young takes advantage.
11:30Scoring is not a problem for the Las Vegas Aces.
11:34They led the league in scoring last year.
11:3686.4 points per game.
11:39But, Carolyn, they gave up 81 points a game.
11:41So, they need.
11:45Tiffany Mitchell at the buzzer.
11:48They'll take a look at this one.
11:49That gets the bench for the Aces up and loving it.
11:54Tiffany Mitchell, the new addition, free agent for the Aces.
11:59Lines it up, gets the three.
12:02Good.
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