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.

Friday’s Free Throws (Number 9): the week’s news on Big 12 women’s athletics

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.