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

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

  • The women’s basketball news of the week was announced on Thursday when longtime Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt decided to step down and only serve as the Lady Vols head coach emeritus. Holly Warrick, Summitt’s longtime assistant will take over the helm. Here’s the Kansas City Star’s Blair Kerkhoff on when Summitt’s peak was reached in Kansas City in 1998.
  • I’m going to double dip with Mr. Kerkhoff here as he explains the significance of Texas A&M’s Tyra White being drafted and achieving her dream of playing pro basketball.
  • Oklahoma State has teamed up with the Tulsa Shock to honor local fans and Kurt Budke. Here’s the link to the wnba.com release on the details.
  • Another nice piece from the week came from my fellow women’s basketball writer, the University Daily Kansan’s Kathleen Gier and her profile on Bonnie Henrickson’s jersey this season.

And One…

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

  • Like always I go to my go to person when it comes to big time women’s basketball issues. Here’s ESPN.com’s Mechelle Voepel take on Summitt’s legacy.
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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.