Friday’s Free Throws (Number 10): the week’s news on Big 12 women’s athletics

By Ryan McCarthy

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

  • Women’s basketball history was made on Tuesday when the Baylor polished off the first 40-win season ever. Here’s ESPN.com’s Mechelle Voepel’s take on the finish to a great season for the Lady Bears.
  • The excellent news did not end for Baylor. Here’s a readout of President Obama’s call with Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey by hoopfeed.com.
  • Other big news for the week consisted of the Texas finding a replacement for Gail Goestenkors. The Longhorns dubbed Karen Aston from North Texas as the new leader of the women’s program. The Austin American-Statesman’s Suzanne Halliburton breaks down Aston’s new contract.
  • Gofrogs.com announced on Wednesday that Tony Haut will be leaving TCU to join her husband in Ohio, who is currently an assistant coach at Kent State.

And One…

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

  • I’m giving out a little dab to some Kansas professors who put together a great piece for the New York TImes. Here’s James K. Gentry and Raquel Meyer Alexander’s analysis on the pay discrepancy between women’s and men’s basketball coaches.
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Friday’s Free Throws (Number 9): the week’s news on Big 12 women’s athletics

By Ryan McCarthy

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

  • The Kansas Jayhawks Cinderella run in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament ended on Saturday with a loss to Tennessee by the score of 84-73. Here’s links to the University Daily Kansan’s coverage by Kathleen Gier and myself.
  • On Monday, the Volunteers faced off against Brittney Griner and the undefeated Baylor Bears for the first spot at the women’s Final Four in Denver. Although Baylor won comfortably, there was a little scuffle at the end of the game. Here’s Andrew Logue of the Des Moines Register’s take on the contest.
  • Despite the Lady Bears continued march toward their first championship since 2005, the program was struck with some sad news on Thursday. Coach Kim Mulkey was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis caused by dysfunction of the facial nerve. Here’s ESPN.com’s Mechelle Voepel thoughts on the developments.
  • For one half it looked like the Texas A&M were en route to be one game away from its second straight Final Four. But the Aggies they gave up a 19 point lead and dropped their game to Maryland. Here’s Robert Cessna of aggiesports.com with the details.
  • With most of the attention put on the NCAA Tournament, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls have mustered a nice little run to the WNIT Final. Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press captures the season struggles and triumphs.

And One…

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

  • There’s a lot being written about Tennessee coach Pat Summit and whether this is her last year at the helm for the Tennessee Volunteers. During the tournament Summit was all business. The New York Times Jere Longman discusses in his article.