Tonight, we got our first close-up look at the new, young 2009-10 Terps in a game situation -- an exhibition against Bowie State -- and the BasketCases came away with one overriding question . . . Could the names on the players' uniforms have been any smaller?

Everybody knows that the State of Maryland is in the midst of a huge financial crisis . . . but really! How much would a little more red thread have cost? We bet, if asked, the Rebounders would've passed the hat and contributed enough loose change to pay for a few more spools! The BCs would've been willing to help. Take it from us, all those new faces, no roster sheets and microscopic fonts Do Not Mix!

Of course, one of our section-mates suggested the problem was that the team had to select a font small enough for all 12 letters of Diandra's last name to fit on her jersey. But here's the BC's solution . . . she's from France, right? She's new to the USA, right? She knows the NCAA has all sorts of rules, right? So just tell Diandra that under NCAA regulations, uniform names can't exceed 8 letters! T-c-h-a-t-c-h-o-u-a-n-g. Let her pick her favorite 8 letters and those will be the ones stitched on her uniform. Problem solved! Name shortening . . . hey, it's the American way! If it was good enough for the BC's ancestors arriving at Ellis Island, it's good enough for the Terps, right? Just a thought. But we digress.

Returning to the game . . . we have to confess that when the new Terps ran out to warm up, it seemed a little strange. We were looking at a team (and a program) undergoing its first major overhaul in quite a few years. It just felt odd. But not odd bad; more like odd interesting, exciting and fun.

Exciting to see Lori Bjork and Jackie Nared finally out there on the court, after a year on the sidelines. Exciting to see the returning veterans like Lynetta, Kim, Anjale and Yemi. Interesting to see all the newbies like Dara Taylor, Tianna Hawkins, Diandra T(+7) and Essence Townsend. Fun to see Kim nailing three-pointers like she did last March in Greensboro . . . especially that one off the glass (the BCs think she deserves to be credited with an assist and the score on that one!). Interesting and exciting to wonder what all these new players and this new season will bring.

Tonight's game was fun to watch in that not particularly competitive exhibition game sorta way. The Terps easily defeated neighboring Bowie State, 90-48. Every player on the Terps roster saw plenty of playing time and everyone scored. Freshman Tianna Hawkins led all scorers with 20 points and notched her first collegiate double-double by adding 10 boards. Pretty good debut!

It was an exhibition game against a D-II school, so it's a little early to take too much away from tonight's result. But for such a new -- and young-- team, it was a chance for the players to get their feet wet against a real opponent, with real refs, with real fans in the stands, and with real score being kept. A successful outing, no doubt, from that standpoint. Exhibition or not, congratulations to the Terps on their first "W" of the season!

"What the heck happened to the BasketCases?"

If that's what you, our loyal readers, have been thinking, well, we're not surprised. It's been over two weeks since our last post . . . a record!

And while we're not really supposed to tell you where we've been during that time, here's a little hint: Let's just say that during most of the last two weeks we've been "Racing" all over the place and it's been simply "Amazing!"

Anyway, in case you're interested, here's a recap of some of the places we've been and the people we've seen since we last checked in with you:

The picture on the left probably looks familiar. Yes, that's BWI Airport, the starting point for the first leg of the BCs' Amazing adventure.

Once we assembled with rest of the "tourists" at BWI, our "tour organizer" told us to travel by plane to Tel Aviv where we were instructed (again by our "tour organizer") to find a group of young female army recruits (easy enough to spot) and then provide their platoon leader the answer to the following question: "Name a famous basketball player from Ramat HaSharon who won an American National championship." While other teams, we mean tourists, ran off to find a computer to research this, we said, "Shay Doron, of course!" and the platoon leader handed us our next clue, we mean itinerary.

The instructions told us to travel by bus to Hertzeliya and find the gymnasium where the Raanana Hertzeliya team plays. Then we were to look for a young woman named Kristi sitting on the team bench. We were instructed to say to her, "Toliber, Holy Cow!" and she would hand us our next clue. Frankly, we almost didn't need a clue (except for the "Toliber" part) on this one. As soon as we walked into the gym, we turned to each other and said, "That's Kristi Toliver over there . . . Holy Cow!" But we did as instructed (giving Kristi a big "Hi" and a hug) and received our clue/instruction which turned out to be a Roadblock. (A Roadblock is a task that only one member of a team may perform.) In this Roadblock, one of us had to beat Kristi in a game of H-O-R-S-E. Oh, like that's gonna happen! Ha! Luckily the instructions also said that once you lose 5 consecutive games, Kristi will give you the next clue anyway. And even more lucky for the BCs, Kristi (recognizing the BCs from all those Rebounder socials and knowing we are Terps fans), took pity on us and took all her shots against BC Eileen backwards! Well, that shortened the game considerably (though she still made several shots!). After that, the clue she handed over sent us to the only high-rise hotel in Hertzeliya which was the pit-stop for the first leg of the race, we mean tour.

The next day we received instructions to return to Tel Aviv and fly by plane (no balloon girls are we!) to Bucharest, Romania. So we caught a flight on Czech Airlines, connecting through Prague, and arrived about 10 hours later. We found the clue box at the gate. The clue said to travel by bus to Targoviste and find the gymnasium for the city's women's professional basketball team.

Once there, the instructions said we were to find the 2005 Basketball MVP of the Maccabi Games, and she would give us the next clue. Now that might require a little homework for some teams, we mean tourists. But the BCs knew exactly who we'd be seeing and we couldn't be more excited! The bus trip from Bucharest to Targoviste took about an hour, but once there, thanks to directions from one of our fellow passengers, we found the gym very easily. As for finding the player . . . that took maybe 3 seconds! We immediately spotted Shay practicing at the free throw line, gave her a big hug, and she handed us the next clue. The clue said we were to travel by donkey (waiting for us outside the gym) to Chindra Tower, a famous structure built by Count Dracula. When we arrived we had to don black capes and fake fangs, then we had to climb the dark narrow winding staircase with only a single candle between us to light our way. When we reached the top and exited onto the roof, we then had to rappell down the side of the tower, donkey back to town, and find the hotel that served as the next pit stop. Simple!

The next morning, we repeated the bus trip back to Bucharest, and from there we flew on Alitalia to Venice, Italy. What a beautiful city! Unfortunately, we had little time for sightseeing. We immediately had to travel by water taxi to the canal landing closest to the Rialto Bridge. There, in an open air cafe, we were to find one of the 3 young ladies (among about 2 dozen patrons) who were members of Umana Reya Venezia, a professional women's basketball team in the city. Well, that was easy! They may have outfitted her with dark glasses and a floppy hat, but that didn't fool the BCs! There in the back supposedly incognito (Ha!) was Harp! After a shriek, a hug and a clue from Laura, the BCs (following instructions) dove off the landing, swam across the canal and proceeded on foot (and wet!) to the bus station where we caught the first bus to the small city of Schio, about 100 kilometers north-west of Venice.

Once in Schio, we had to find our way on foot to the gymnasium that serves as the home court of Familia Wuber Schio, a professional women's basketball team. There we were to find the player named Marissa icing her ankle on the bench while reading a copy of the Terrapin Times (international edition). Each team had to correctly answer a trivia question in order for her to give us the next clue. The question was "How many members of the starting line-up of the 2006 NCAA Women's D-I Basketball Champions had their numbers honored and have banners hanging in their University arena?" The clue said that if you gave an incorrect answer, your penalty was that you had to make 3 consecutive free throws before you could try again. Talk about E-Z! The BCs didn't have to attempt a single free throw. We simply opened one hand, flashing Riss 5 fingers. We got a big smile, a hug and our next clue. While other teams were busy at the charity stripe, the BCs were busy traveling by taxi to the famous (at least in Schio) Little Church of St. Mary, which was the pit stop for this leg of the race, uhh, tour.

The following morning we chose one of the Fiats provided by the tour organizer who instructed us to drive ourselves to Milan,about 170km away. Fortunately BC Eileen can drive a stick shift. Unfortunately, Italy is full of crazy drivers! What an adventure that turned out to be. But as adventures go, it was nothing compared to the culinary adventure that we found in the next clue upon our arrival in Milan. It was another Roadblock. This one required one of us (BC Judith) to consume a full plate of a classic Italian holiday dish, Zampone. It's a very "tasty" recipe that features lentils topped by a large pig's foot and is stuffed with ground pig snout and other delicacies thrown in for added flavor. Yummy!

After "lunch,"we were again headed to the airport, this time, to catch a flight to Madrid. Once there, we had to travel by taxi to the Metropolis Building where we'd find our next clue. From there, we were instructed to find the basketball court used by Rivas Ecopolis, a professional women's team in the city. The clue was very specific: we needed to be in the stands when the game tipped off at 8:00 that evening. It said that during the game we had to keep track of the points and rebounds of one Rivas Ecopolis player, Crystal Langhorne. Then, at the conclusion of the game, we were to give our total to the official scorekeeper. If correct, we received our next clue. This task wasn't easy. It was hard for the BCs to avoid getting caught up in the excitement of the game and just keep track of Lang's numbers! But we did it and got the clue, took a moment to say hello to Crystal, and then headed off in search of our tour's final pit stop elsewhere in Madrid.

This amazing adventure was nearing its conclusion, but before heading back to the good old USA, we had to face one final test. First, we had to fly to Paris. (It's a dirty job but someone has to do it!) Then we had to travel by bus or train to the suburb of La Courneuve, the home of a young member of the French National Basketball team, Diandra Tchatchouang. We had to find the school she attended, locate her former coach who had to teach us to say "Fear the Turtle" in French. Now this may not seem like a difficult task unless you are aware that BC Eileen suffers from FLD (foreign language dyslexia). It's a brain disorder that renders her virtually mute in non-English speaking countries. So this task took a while. But somehow, someway she pushed through and the team finally earned a pronunciation thumbs up. And then it was back to Charles DeGaulle airport to book a flight home.

We shouldn't tell you this, but we have a really hard time keeping secrets from our loyal readers, so what the heck: By time we boarded Air France for Dulles, there were only 3 teams left "touring." One, of course, was the BCs; one was a lady named Joanne P and her husband, a professor; and the third was a pair from Tennessee, Pat S and her son, Tyler.

We're not allowed to tell you which couple arrived back first. But we guess there's no harm in sharing with you that one of the 3 teams got delayed by Homeland Security upon entering the U.S. because one member of the team had an unfortunate "airport incident" on his record and was selected for additional screening; meanwhile another of the 3 teams was delayed entering the country by the Dept of Agriculture because of a not that long ago "close encounter" with a possibly rabid raccoon. This, of course, allowed one of the 3 teams to zip through Customs and on to their final destination -- the end of an amazing race, we mean whirlwind tour -- without interference. We're sorry we can't tell you which team made it to the mat first (you'll just have to wait until the show airs) . . . but Sharma, if you're reading this, the BCs may just want to up their Rebounder membership level to MVP next season. (We've recently come into a little money.)

So, loyal readers, while we've been lax in posting, it wasn't because we were ignoring you. As you can tell from our travelogue, we were pretty darn busy. But the good news is, we're baaaack! And the even better news is: so are the Terps! Their first exhibition game is tomorrow night, Wednesday, at 7 PM at Comcast against Bowie State. See ya there!

In the Summer of 1998, the WNBA welcomed two expansion teams to its ranks, one named the Washington Mystics and the other the Detroit Shock.

Now only one remains. Early this morning, the news broke on the RebKell WNBA message board that the Shock were leaving Detroit and heading to Oklahoma. By this evening, ESPN was also reporting that a group from Tulsa had indeed bought the Detroit franchise.

While the Shock players will still have jobs -- albeit in another city -- their fans in Detroit will no longer have a team. And Coach Mahorn and his staff, well, they apparently are not part of the deal. Tulsa has already hired former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson. We also suspect that the Shock's name, so fitting for Detroit, will not fit quite as well in Tulsa.

The BasketCases find all of this very sad. We hate it when WNBA teams fail. We hate it for the sport of women's professional basketball, but we hate it most for the fans of the failed team. No doubt there are fans in the Motor City who feel as passionately about their (former) team as the BasketCases and so many others in D.C. feel about the Mystics. We know there are . . . we've met some of them. And what's particularly sad is that the Shock failed at the box office . . . certainly not on the court. They own 3 WNBA Championship trophies. In fact, they are the only team in the Eastern Conference to have won the big one, and they did it not once, not twice, but three times in their 12-year history. Pretty damn good.

But Detroit's paid attendance has struggled for years, and the economic meltdown that absolutely clobbered the city may have been the final blow. So are we shocked that the franchise was sold? No, not really. But just because many of us saw the writing on the wall doesn't mean that the reality of it really and truly sucks.

New Look, New Faces, New Terrapins!

The Terps' booster club (aka The Rebounders) got our first look at Maryland's new operating system this afternoon when we were invited to watch the team's full (intense!) 3-hour practice. Windows 7 may be replacing Vista this week, but that overhaul is nothin' compared to the challenge facing Coach B and her staff this season. Her team consists of 1 returning starter, a few sophomores who saw modest playing time, 1 senior/grad student transfer, and 4 talented -- but raw -- young freshmen. So this year's team is a totally new look with plenty of new faces. And as much as we still love those stars of yesteryears, the BasketCases have to admit that seeing all these new and young players was very exciting!

The roster wasn't the only thing that got a makeover. Rebounders were treated to a behind-the scenes tour of the newly refurbished Team Room. We definitely approve of the new lighter color scheme and new photos. Looks great!

And a new mantra above the locker room door.

The four completely new additions: (left to right) Freshmen Tianna Hawkins, Essence Townsend (who, btw, makes DeWanna Bonner look buff), Dara Taylor (lightning fast!), and the Terp who traveled the farthest (France to College Park), Diandra Tchatchouang.

New Assistant Coach Dave Adkins putting the team through defensive drills.

A little half-court work against the (also new!) Scout Team.

Coach B huddles with her team and coaches.

Despite an exhausting 3 hours of work, work, work . . . afterwards, the players graciously mingled with the Rebounders. The players (and a couple of the coaches) may be new, but the Terps fans aren't. There's no doubt -- judging from all the cheering coming from the stands during today's practice -- that "the team behind the team" will be there again this season, helping to encourage this young group to achieve great things. Go Terps!

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases

***Warning: Totally Off Topic Post!***

The BasketCases have attended every Gay Rights march held in our Nation's Capital since the very first one in 1979. Though one of us spent her day in the office (thank you IRS! pffft!), the other made sure that the streak remained unbroken. And so today the BasketCases were well represented at the National Equality March.

Unlike the earlier ones, this March was a mostly grassroots effort. There was definitely some pre-March concern that the turnout would be poor. To our wonderful surprise, it was not! The West Lawn of the Capitol, where the post-March rally took place, was so crowded by the 2PM start that police were already directing people away from the main viewing area toward the side lawns. The thing that struck us the most about today's event was the presence of so many young people! Young and gay, or young and gay-friendly, people who want a different world . . .AND WANT IT NOW! For us "mature" types . . . that was truly inspiring.

Our favorite sign (to quote the Energizer bunny. . . still waiting) .

One of the biggest stars at today's March . . . Lady Gaga! (The BasketCases confess . . . prior to this weekend, we had never heard of Lady Gaga. Not true for most of the folks on the West Lawn. In fact, it would be an understatement to say that the crowd went wild when Lady Gaga appeared.) We became immediate fans when when she told those assembled that this was the most important day of her career.

"Sex and the City's" Cynthia Nixon also drew loud applause for her speech insisting on equal rights for gay and lesbian families. ( . . . still younger than the BCs, but at least someone we know and like!).

The afternoon drew to a close with a rousing performance of "Let the Sunshine In" by the Broadway cast of "Hair." The many thousands of people on the Lawn swayed with the music and many sang along. Speaking of sunshine, you couldn't have asked for a sunnier or more beautiful fall day in Washington. What a great day for a March! We were happy that so many people from out-of-town came to our city today to participate in this wonderful event. And we hope that every one of them returns home energized to continue the work for full equality.

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases

Oh, This is Terrible News!

The BasketCases have received an unconfirmed (but reliable) report that the Terps' 2009-10 season has been cancelled! Why? Apparently, with the exception of Lynetta Kizer and Emery Wallace, the entire roster of the Maryland women's basketball team has decided to play Beach Volleyball!

The first-ever University of Maryland women's Beach Volleyball squad posing in the sand.

Founding Members of the Terrapins' Beach Volleyball team in action.

While many of us were already looking forward to the arrival of the Fab Five (incoming freshmen) for the 2010-11 season, nevertheless we were even more excited about the soon-to-begin 2009-10 season.

But now this! No players, no team, no season! We don't know about you, but the BasketCases -- as much as we like Beach Volleyball -- are absolutely devastated about this latest development. We are soooo depressed.

Photo Credit: David Adkins

Another Mountain Stater!

West Virginia has been very kind to the University of Maryland, giving the Terps the legendary Vicky Bullett. And now word is swirling around College Park that another future star from West Virginia, 6'2" Power Forward Whitney Bays, verbally committed to Maryland last night.

The highly-sought after Bays, ranked #13 in the Nation by HoopGurlz, was last season's West Virginia player of the year! Whitney's decision to attend Maryland is another HUGE get for Coach B and the Terps' Class of 2010.

Welcome -- and congratulations -- Whitney! We're looking forward to seeing you play at Comcast!

* * * * * * * *
More about Whitney from Matt Bracken, here.

The Future Is Now

How lucky are we?!! The USA Basketball Women's National Team convened its first training camp this week (since the last Olympics) right here in Washington, D.C., at -- appropriately enough -- American University. Today the team held an open practice, and those of us who passed up the glorious fall day outside to spend several hours indoors at Bender Arena made an excellent choice. To say that we saw a group of All Stars would be understatement. What we saw this afternoon were some of the best women's basketball players on the planet -- including representatives of the past, the present, and the future, of USA Basketball.

Absent, of course, were several key members of the team (like Beijing Gold Medalists Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings and Cappie Pondexter) who were busy playing for a WNBA Championship. And several members of the team (like Gold Medalist Kara Lawson and Mystics All Star Alana Beard) were present but sidelined from practicing due to injury. Even so, the level of talent on the court was amazing! And while it's always fun to watch the WNBA's annual All Star Game, this concentration of All Star talent -- practicing and competing for something very near and dear to the hearts of all the players present -- was far more exciting and interesting! Indeed, this was serious business, as the players are fighting first for roster spots on the USA team headed to Russia on Tuesday, as well as for spots on the World Championship team next year, and the ultimate prize, a place on the 2012 Olympic Team.

And in that respect, what we saw today was also a bit of a changing of the guard. Gone are Team USA veterans like Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson; but on the court this afternoon were several young players, including the oh-so-impressive Maya Moore, who is still in college, and young pros like the Mystics' Lindsey Harding and Crystal Langhorne, and WNBA rookies like Angel McCoughtry and Renee Montgomery. As we watched the young players go head-to-head against seasoned pros like Sue Bird, it was clear that the future for Team USA is very bright indeed.

Before things got going, the players warmed up and stretched . . .

. . . and did a little chatting along with the stretching . . . Seimone Augustus, Candace Parker, Crystal Langhorne, and Lindsay Whalen

The Mystics' own Lindsey Harding, waiting to take the floor.

"Whoa, Lindsay, these kids are good!"

The five injured players: Seimone Augustus, Alana Beard, Jayne Appel, Lindsay Whalen, and Kara Lawson.
Team USA's coaches were formally introduced: Head Coach Geno Auriemma and his Assistants, Jen Gillom and Doug Bruno

Geno took the team through two hours of drills as well as half-court and full-court intra-squad scrimmages.

Even when not playing, the players were still paying very close attention.

Geno was everywhere, teaching and coaching. Here, he wasn't particularly happy that Big Syl did not have a hand in Candace Parker's face, and so . . .

. . . he showed Big Syl exactly what he wanted , and Big Syl did exactly as Coach instructed!

Coach Auriemma delivers a little "hands on" instruction to Shameka Christon, as this season's WNBA Rookie of the Year Angel McCoughtry (and a likely future ROY, Maya Moore) look on.

There is so much talent on this team that the players were able to split into three teams -- red, white, and blue (what else?). Each was probably good enough to beat most WNBA teams!

The players were finally allowed to sit down about two hours in.

After practice, Lang made an unscheduled trip into the stands to say hello to the many Mystics and Terps fans she recognized in the house. Just another reason why we love this young lady!

This afternoon's official host was American University Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Corkery, who could not have been more gracious. The BasketCases were very pleased to meet him.

Coach Corkery took a moment to introduce his team, the Eagles, to the crowd. He not only invited everyone to return for a game this season, but he gave a money back guarantee -- if you don't have fun, Coach Corkery will personally refund the price of your ticket. Now, that's an offer you can't refuse!

Also in the house today was Mystics GM Angela Taylor, who eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball. Here she is getting an early start recruiting a future free agent.

When the practice was over, Geno took questions from the crowd, as the players got ready for an autograph session.

The players were split among four table for the autographs. This one had the longest line. We think it's because Alana Beard and Virginia native Kara Lawson were there.

Well . . . okay, we confess, Candace Parker was at this table too

Lindsey Harding and Tina Charles signing away.

A couple of former Huskies, Renee Montgomery and Swin Cash, strictly following the Funnel Cake diet. (We don't recommend it!)

Lang, Big Syl, Candice Wiggins, and Seimone. (In the background is Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Inquirer Sportswriter Mel Greenberg, who made the trek from Philly to take in the action.)

Next Stop Russia!! Tomorrow, USA Basketball will announce the roster for the team that will be heading over to play this week in Ekaterinburg. Good luck to all!

Photo Credits: DCBasketCases

Wrapping Up . . .

As the WNBA playoffs continue on around us -- and without us --and with a little bit of time having elapsed since the end of the Mystics’ own season, we wanted to post a few closing thoughts on this season as well as a few thoughts on what’s in store for the future.

The BasketCases have been Mystics season ticketholders since the inception of the franchise in 1998. And although the Mystics (thankfully) have never had a worse record than they did in that inaugural season (an egregious 3-27!), to us, last season (the season of 2008, not 1998) was the most dismal and most unenjoyable in franchise history. There’s no need to repeat all the reasons why; if you are reading this, you probably lived through it. While the Atlanta Dream finished the 2008 season with the worst record in the league, by the end of last season, Washington was playing the worst basketball in the WNBA.

The good news, of course, is that Sheila Johnson and Greg Bibb did exactly what was needed to begin the process of turning this franchise around. They brought in new GM Angela Taylor and she, in turn, brought in a top-notch coaching staff headed by Julie Plank.

And then the player personnel moves began. The Mystics made a hugely important trade to acquire Lindsey Harding, giving the team a much-needed All-Star-caliber point guard. The significance of adding Lindsey to the Mystics simply cannot be overstated. And while the demise of the Comets was terribly unfortunate, it did bring Matee Ajavon to D.C., another off-season plus. And, of course, the Mystics selected Marissa Coleman in the college draft. Although Marissa’s injury and the slump that followed her return to action were disappointing, Marissa showed in the early going that she has the skills to come back a much-improved player after a winter in Europe.

And speaking of much-improved players, in addition to Lindsey’s leadership at the point, the biggest on-court contribution to the Mystics’ change of direction this season was unquestionably the “new and improved” Crystal Langhorne. Lang came back from her own first season in Europe having added new dimensions to her already solid game (including a jump shot that makes us hold our breath every time we see her take it . . . because we never saw her do that in college!). Lang was appropriately recognized for her hard work with the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

While our readers know the BasketCases were big fans of the Mystics’ new "Brain Trust" from the beginning, you also know we didn't believe a team as dreadful as the 2008 Mystics could be turned around in one off season. To be honest, we didn't think making the playoffs this summer would be very likely; the fact that the Mystics got that far is an incredible testament to just how much Angela and Julie and all the coaches -- and of course the players -- have accomplished.

But Angela and Julie would be the first to tell you (as Angela did in her blog today) that they weren't just satisfied with simply making the playoffs. They are looking to build a team that can compete successfully -- and repeatedly -- for a championship.

Of course, it's no secret to fans (and to our readers) who've watched the Mystics all season that there are still positions that need shoring up, most notably the Center. And Washington's energizer bunny, Lindsey Harding, who played more minutes than almost anyone else in the league, needs a reliable backup.

It’s not easy for a team to acquire the personnel it needs. We’ve read so many comments on message boards telling the Mystics that they need to get a good Center. As if the Mystics haven’t figured that out! The hard part is making it happen. Unfortunately, Angela can't simply head over to her favorite grocery store, Harris Teeter, and pick a great new Center off the shelf. She also can't make another team trade with her, nor unilaterally force a free agent to sign. And that goes not only for the Center position, but for any other slot the Mystics may be looking to upgrade.

There’s no question that Angela and Julie have their work cut out for them as they seek to take the Mystics to the next level. The good news is that we are convinced that they really know what they are doing, and that the franchise, finally, is headed in the right direction. So the BasketCases can relax this off-season -- turn our attention to our favorite college team, the Terps -- and let Angela and Julie do all the work. We're already looking forward to seeing what excitement the 2010 season holds for us -- and the growing legion of Mystics fans!

Have you renewed your seats for 2010 yet? We have. What are you waiting for?

* * * * * * * * *

Speaking of turning our attention to the Terps . . . More from the Baltimore Sun's Matt Bracken about Coach B's latest (and exciting!) 2010 "verbal" Alicia DeVaughn here and here.

And More "Welcome" News . . .

Tonight, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that 6'4" (athletic and versatile!) Center Alicia DeVaughn has given Coach Brenda Frese her verbal commitment to join the Maryland basketball family beginning with the 2010 academic year.

Alicia, a senior at Ely High in Broward County, is an All-State selection from Florida. She was nationally-ranked and highly sought after by many major programs. Her choice of Maryland is yet another boost to Coach B's already outstanding incoming class of 2010.

The Sentinel's Christy Cabrera Chirinos tells us that

Saturday night while on a visit to Maryland, she [Alicia] gave the Terrapins a verbal commitment."I just really loved it up there and you could see they were definitely a family," DeVaughn said. "They were more together and you could see the players really love basketball and coach [Brenda] Frese."

We're happy that Alicia has found a program that she "loves". . . and as fans, we're happy that program just happens to be Maryland!

Welcome -- and congratulations -- Alicia! We can't wait to see you suit up for the Terps next season!

Bienvenue, Diandra!

Well, the rumors must be true. Young French phenom Diandra Tchatchouang is now listed on the Terps' official 2009-10 roster.

Diandra's resume includes being MVP of the 2007 U16 European Championship, a tournament in which she helped France's U16 National Team dethrone Spain for the first time in several years. In 2008, her French team failed to repeat as champions . . . but not due to any lack of effort by Diandra! In her final game of the Championship tournament against the Czech Republic, she posted a game high 27 points (of her team's 61 total points), plus 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal.

Bringing this 6'3" wing player with such success in international play to College Park is a very big plus for Coach B and the Maryland program.

Welcome and bon chance, Diandra!

* * * * * * *

Friday AM Extra . . . Yesterday Matt Bracken's Baltimore Sun Recruiting Report gave us an up close and personal look at 2010-11 incoming shooting guard Natasha Cloud. No surprise . . . her favorite player? Kristi Toliver! Most surprising fact we learned . . . her role model? Gina Carano, an MMA fighter! We like this young lady already. You can find the link to Matt's Report here.

Welcome Additions!

USA Basketball announced today that 14 additional players have been invited to this fall's USA Women's National Team Training Camp, which will be held right here in DC at American University from September 30th to October 5th. The 14 "newcomers" will join the 8 players already selected for the 2009-12 National Team, and will be vying for roster spots on the 12-member USA National Team that will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in the Czech Republic.

It should come as no surprise that among those 14 additions is the Mystics' very own Alana Beard. AB has trained and played with the Senior National Team before, so we were certainly expecting her to be named again. Congratulations, Alana!

But the BasketCases are also pleased to report that joining Alana in the USA Training Camp will be two other Mystics: Lindsey Harding and Crystal Langhorne! Congratulations, Lindsey! Congratulations, Lang! If you've been following our blog for a while, then you know that Crystal has an unblemished record of success in age-group USA Basketball international competition. Obviously, she and Lindsey have been identified as a couple of the talented younger players with great futures ahead of them. Whether they make the final roster this year or not, it's a great honor to be invited into this select company!

And we here in DC have the good fortune of actually being able to see all these players in action (well, at least the ones who are not injured or preoccupied playing in the WNBA finals). On Sunday, October 4th, at noon at American University, the National Team will host a "Fall Showcase" that includes "team drills, an intrasquad scrimmage, a question and answer session with [Coach Geno] Auriemma and a post-practice autograph session with selected players." Tickets are only $5.00! Instructions for purchasing tickets can be found on the AU Women's Basketball web site, here. (We already have ours!)

Congratulations again to AB, Lindsey, and Lang on this well-deserved opportunity and honor!

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases

Mystics vs the Dinos

As most of our loyal readers already know, the Mystics were bounced, not only from the playoffs by consecutive losses to Indy, but -- even before that -- from their true home court by a bunch of large, small-brained, extinct creatures. The long-scheduled run of (international favorite) Walking With Dinosaurs had already grabbed all the available playoff dates at the Phone Booth for its psuedo-educational time travel extravaganza from the Triassic through the Jurassic to the Cretaceous.

So the Mystics, instead of playing their first round game at the Phone Booth, were sent to the friendly and professional-quality Comcast Center at the University of Maryland. The BasketCases love that arena, but we (like most Mystics fans) would have been happier if the first game of the playoffs had been held at Verizon Center.

The BasketCases therefore decided -- since the Dinos stole the Mystics' home court -- that it was incumbent on us (as the officially un-official Mystics bloggers) to check out -- and rate -- the competition. So we headed over to the Verizon Center this evening to take in the Dinos' final Washington performance, and here's our analysis of how the Mystics stack up against the competition . . .

Affordability. The BCs opted for center-section Club level seats for the Dinos. Cost: approximately $50 per ticket. Same seats for the Mystics: $30 (for STHs only $20!) Advantage Mystics.

Quantity of Entertainment. The Dino show consisted of a 30-minute "first half," a 25- minute intermission, and a "second half" approximately 40 minutes long. (Total: 1 hr & 35 minutes.) An average Mystics game from introductions to final buzzer is approximately 2 hrs & 15 minutes of non-stop action and excitement. Plus, single or double (who can forget that Connecticut game!) overtimes are no extra charge. Advantage Mystics.

Lighting & Special Effects. Well, we have to admit, the Dinos did a pretty good job in this category. Lots of special lighting; video effects; colorful growing foliage; smoke; and roving continents courtesy of plate tectonics.. The Mystics' video intro is cool . . . but, Advantage Dinos.

The Players. The Dinos roster featured some BIG and LOUD performers. But hey, the BasketCases are long-time Mystics fans. As for "BIG" . . . duh, remember Tree Rollins? And how 'bout Shock Coach Rick Mahorn? As for Big and Loud . . . who can forget Bill Laimbeer? Now the Dinos also had a few really quick players in their line-up, mostly Raptors. But quicker than Lindsey and Mattee? No way! So, to be fair, we'll have to call this one a tie. Advantage: Neither. (1/2 point to each team.)

Fan Participation. Except for the plethora of families with young children who (naturally) chatted excitedly and throughout the performance, the Dino crowd was pretty sedentary. Even the dramatic conclusion (when a comet wiped out the Dinosaurs and most of life on Earth) didn't elicit much in the way of fan reaction. We kept waiting for the fans to jump out of their seats, or start a wave, but alas, it never happened. At Mystics games, standing, clapping, dancing, spontaneous leaping from one's seat is de riguer. Advantage (by a mile) Mystics.

Half-time Entertainment. Dinos, none. So the Mystics win this one by default. Advantage Mystics.

Fan Give-aways. Well, the Dinos charged $20 for a program. The Mystics charge $0. Throughout their games, the Mystics provide selected fans the opportunity to win gas cards, fruit arrangements, gift-bags . . . not to mention they throw burritos into the stands. The Dinos gave away nothing. Another easy call: Advantage Mystics.

Educational Value. While the Dino show, with its own actor/paleontologist-imitator, purports to teach us about pre-historic life on Earth, the BasketCases would bet that if the attendees were quizzed after the performance, few, if any, would be able to tell you much about the Mesozoic Era. (We were all too busy waiting for the next Dino to make an appearance to pay much attention!) On the other hand, while the Mystics don't lecture or instruct, it's hard to be a fan for long -- particularly a young one -- without taking away a few life-lessons: that young women can accomplish great things; that hard work pays dividends; that even losing can make one stronger; that competition is part of being a professional . . . etc, etc, etc. Which, in truth, is more educational? No question in the BasketCases' minds: Advantage Mystics.

Final Score: Mystics 6-1/2, Dinos 1-1/2. In terms of entertainment bang-for-your-buck, it's hard to beat the Mystics and the WNBA. Long live the Mystics! Dinos . . . you're extinct for a reason!

Photo Credit (and dis-credit): DC BasketCases (via cell phone)

Foul Mood

The Mystics' season ended tonight in Indianapolis, as the Fever prevailed in overtime, 81-74, to sweep Washington in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

It was quite a Mystics season . . . one that gave us -- the fans -- a great deal of fun and excitement. It was one that we believe the team should be proud of. (We're proud of them!) We just wish it hadn't ended the way it did.

On Thursday, the youngest of the 8 WNBA teams in the playoffs -- the Mystics -- outplayed the #1 seed -- one of the most playoff-tested teams in the league -- for 36 minutes, but lost. Tonight, that same young team fell behind early, only to fight back and lead the Conference's top team for nearly three-quarters of the game, until Indy tied the score at the foul line with under 3 seconds left in regulation. But the Mystics still lost, this time in OT.

The worst thing about this loss -- for us -- wasn't that it ended the season or knocked the Mystics out of the playoffs. The worst thing is how we were left with the feeling that the game was handed to Indiana at the free throw line. As usual, Tamika Catchings got just about every call and, especially, just about every no call. Eleven of her game-high 24 points came from the foul line. Meanwhile, the Mystics' frontcourt players (and others) were called time and again for just about every real or perceived infraction. By the end of regulation, both Nakia and Chas had fouled out. In the overtime period, Lang and Kristen Mann were the only Mystics players left to do battle in the paint.

The Mystics scored 59 points from the field and 15 (of 20) from the line. Indiana scored 49 points from the field and 32 (of 38) from the line. Now, Washington isn't perfect; players do commit fouls. But, are the Mystics a rough, tough, physical team? (Ha! Would that they were!) We watched the game -- all of it -- on NBA TV. The aggressive, physical play looked more like it belonged to Indiana than to Washington. So we were left to wonder, how could the Fever have gotten to the free thow line nearly twice as many times as the Mystics did? We're still shaking our heads.

Crystal Langhorne finished her sophomore season with a Most Improved Player Award and another double-double (15 points & 10 boards). Alana and Lindsey each added 10. The Mystics missed some opportunties in the closing minutes of regulation to put the game away. This was a winnable game. So yes, we're disappointed. But watching the steady stream of Indiana players march to the FT line left us feeling more than disappointed in the Mystics' late-game play. We were left with the feeling that there was something really wrong about this game. So not only do we end the night -- and the season -- disappointed, but also we end it in a really foul mood.

We'll have more to say about this Mystics season (when we're in a better mood), but for now, thank you, Mystics, for an amazing season! We are proud of you, and we're looking forward to next year!

Tie or Dye Die

At the end of the day, either the Mystics will be tied with Indy in their first-round playoff series, or the Mystics' hopes for advancing will have died and Washington's 2009 season will be over.

The BasketCases have had so much fun watching the Mystics this season that it's depressing even to contemplate the fact that it could all end tonight. But with the loss to Indy on Thursday in the first game of their best-of-three playoff series, it will all end tonight, unless the Mystics win to tie the series and force the rubber match on Monday.

As they demonstrated as recently as Thursday, the Fever are a formidable team, with a nearly unstoppable one-two punch of superstars Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas and an excellent supporting cast. But they aren't unbeatable!

Other teams have found a way to do it, and the Mystics nearly did it just two days ago. If Washington can maintain their focus and intensity for the full 40 minutes, they can pull off the upset. The BasketCases still believe it's possible, and we'll be watching and cheering loudly (in our basement) for the Mystics to get the job done tonight!

[P.S. L'shana Tovah to all! Here's hoping the New Year ushers in a new -- and happy -- day for the Mystics!]

Game 2 . . . Tie or Die, Go Mystics, Beat the Fever!

* * * * * * * *

Tonight's game, being played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indy, tips off at 7 PM ET, and will be broadcast on NBA TV. If you don't have NBA TV, it might not be too late to call your cable or satellite TV provider right now and add this network to your subscription today!! Worth a try! (According to one message board poster yesterday, Comcast not only gave the poster same-day activation of NBA TV, but also a free, six-month trial of the network.) The WNBA's web site lists tonight's game on the Live Access menu, but Live Access has not always worked for everyone as promised. If you don't have NBA TV or can't get it or don't want to add it, you might want to think about rounding up some friends and trekking to a friendly sports bar for the evening.