Friday’s Free Throws (Number 13): the week’s news on Big 12 women’s athletics

If any readers find other interesting stories, please comment and let me know.

  • With the women’s basketball season winding down, movement starts to happen on coaching staffs across the country. The Kansas Jayhawks are no exception as Aqua Franklin and Tory Verdi both have taken new jobs. Franklin accepted a job at Texas A&M, while Verdi took the head coaching position at Eastern Michigan. Here’s WIBIW’s story on Verdi’s departure.
  • In other Kansas news, senior Aishah Sutherland will have a chance at making a WNBA squad. Here’s the University Daily Kansan’s Kathleen Gier’s story on when the Perris, Calf. native will try out with the Atlanta Dream this weekend.
  • Not only are coaches on the move, but so are players. Jason Kersey of the Oklahoman talks about three players transferring from Oklahoma State, including Jenni Bryan to another in-state school, Oral Roberts.
  • The women’s national team took a big hit when Baylor’s junior post Brittney Griner decided not to play for the U.S women’s team in London this summer. Here’s a link to the Associated Press article.

And One…

NOTE: This story will always be from outside the Big 12 women’s athletics.

  • The Kangaroos of University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) found a new coach for their women’s basketball program this week. Umkckangaroos.com introduces Marsha Frese.
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Friday’s Free Throws (Number 11): the week’s news on Big 12 women’s athletics

If any readers find other interesting stories, please comment and let me know.

  • It appeared that the women’s basketball season was going to calm down with softball and track and field fit to take over the headlines. But instead sanctions were slapped on the Baylor Lady Bears this week after ESPN.com’s Jason King reported coach Kim Mulkey had improper contact with Brittney Griner and her father during recruiting. ESPN.com’s Mechelle Voepel’s explains why Baylor needed to be more careful while recruiting the most imposing player of the women’s college basketball season.
  • A week after hiring Karen Aston as it’s new head coach, the Texas Longhorns look to be on the right path to contending for the Big 12 again. Here’s the Austin American-Stateman’s Kirk Bohls take on how this hire might not only effect Aston’s future as a coach.
  • After an up-and-down season filled with all kinds of emotion, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls got some much deserved recognition last week when it visited the State Capitol. Okstate.com filed this report.
  • In softball news, Oklahoma creamed Oklahoma State last night by the score of 11-1. Here the oudaily.com’s Tobi Nedy’s full story.
  • Kansas’ softball team also had some success this week. The Jayhawks swept the Wichita State Shockers when they came to town on Wednesday. Here’s the University Daily Kansan’s Alec Tilson report on the two-game sweep.

And One…

NOTE: This story will always be from outside the Big 12 women’s athletics.

  • Some positive news coming out of the NCAA Title game. There was a 13 percent rating bump for viewership compared to last year’s game. The USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has all the details.