It’s wild to think about, but LSU and UConn haven’t played each other in women’s college basketball for almost a decade. The last meeting was on November 20, 2016. When UConn dominated LSU 76-53, led by 28 points from future WNBA star Katie Lou Samuelson. Since then, their paths never crossed. While a Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese rivalry stole the spotlight during their college days, a Paige Bueckers vs. Angel Reese showdown never had its moment. That is, until now.
Now, that matchup is coming to life on the pro stage. But not quite how fans might’ve expected. Instead of battling for WNBA dominance, both Paige and Angel find themselves in a strange spot—at the center of two franchises fighting just to stay above water.
And that’s the twist. Both the Dallas Wings and the Chicago Sky are loaded with talent, but they’ve also become prime examples of what Rachel, the national analyst on Courtside, called “teams that could float around the playoff bubble all season.” Why? As she explains, “They also had a lot of moving parts this season.”
Those “moving parts” are more than just trade rumors or coaching switches. They represent major shake-ups—roster overhauls, star exits, new leadership, and rookies with sky-high expectations.
Let’s start with Chicago. The Sky are in rebuild mode, but not in the way that signals a total collapse. It’s more like a messy renovation. They’ve got a new head coach, returning legends, exciting rookies, and gaping holes to patch up. Courtney Vandersloot is back in the Windy City after two years in New York—a full-circle moment for a franchise icon. Drafted third overall in 2011, Vandersloot helped lead Chicago to its first WNBA title in 2021. She cemented her place in team history as one of the most consistent floor generals the league has ever seen.
But this isn’t 2021. Vandersloot is 35 now. She’s still got the vision and poise, but the team around her? It’s young. It’s unproven. And it’s still finding chemistry. Angel Reese, though? She already looks like she’s earned her spot in the starting lineup. And she’s not alone. Kamilla Cardoso, another promising rookie, has the physical tools to dominate. Hailey Van Lith brings her spark and swagger. But it’s what they lost that’s harder to replace.
Chennedy Carter was that team’s heartbeat last year. She was electric. The 2024 Guard of the Year, she dropped 17.5 points per game with flair and force, ending the season averaging 32 points per game, 3 steals, and over 31 minutes on the floor. She made Chicago dangerous. Her departure stings. As Rachel put it, “She was a pivotal piece in Chicago.” That kind of production doesn’t just get replaced with optimism. “I’m just not sure how this team is going to gel together,” Rachel added, hinting at the lingering uncertainty.
So now the burden falls on Tyler Marsh. He’s stepping into his first year as HC, but he’s no stranger to championship basketball. His past work with the Toronto Raptors and Las Vegas Aces earned him respect. But now? He’s got to build something from scratch.
And then there’s Dallas. Like Chicago, the Wings are riding on potential, but not without turbulence. “They picked up NaLyssa Smith, DiJonai Carrington,” Rachel pointed out, highlighting one of the offseason’s most intriguing roster shakeups. NaLyssa Smith, a top draft pick just a couple years ago, became the odd one out with the Indiana Fever’s new power duo of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
During her stint with the Fever, Smith showed flashes of dominance—averaging 13 points, 8 boards, and over 1 assist per game—but never quite clicked into full star mode. The trade to Dallas gives her a fresh canvas, and a chance to reunite with her girlfriend, Carrington. If Smith thrives, the Wings’ front office might just breathe a little easier after losing both Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard.
But Dallas has something else going for them—a brand-new franchise centerpiece in Paige Bueckers. “Obviously Paige Bueckers is going into the mix,” Rachel said, and she’s not wrong. Paige was a star at UConn. Her poise, scoring, and clutch play won over fans everywhere. Now, the Wings are betting big on her bringing that same magic to the WNBA.
And it might work. Especially alongside Arike Ogunbowale. Last season, defenses keyed in on Arike. Sabally’s shoulder injury limited her to just 15 games, which meant Arike often had to play superhero just to keep the team in games. But this year, Bueckers gives her a real scoring partner. “Playing alongside Arike,” as Rachel said, Bueckers brings that versatility—able to attack from deep, slice into the paint, or shake defenders off the dribble.
Still, the Wings are not just banking on talent. They’ve also changed up their leadership. Chris Koclanes is now the HC, stepping into the spotlight after years as a defensive specialist with the Sun and Sparks. He reunites with GM Mike Miller, who brings his own deep résumé as a longtime coach and executive in the league. Together, they’re trying to build something new around Bueckers.
So that’s the picture. Two teams. Two rising stars. Two question marks. But while all eyes are on Reese and Bueckers and whether their teams can figure it out in time, there’s another team looming in the shadows.
Enter: the Golden State Valkyries.
Why It Could Be a “Rocky Road” WNBA Start for the Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries have generated considerable buzz since their inception. With record-breaking ticket sales and a trio of exciting rookies—Justė Jocytė, Shyanne Sellers, and Kaitlyn Chen—the expansion squad seems poised to make an impact. However, WNBA analyst Rachel sees potential challenges ahead for the team as they work to build a competitive foundation.
Rachel believes that the Valkyries could struggle in their inaugural season, saying, “They can be a bottom, tier team.” The biggest hurdle? They’re starting from scratch. Without an established team chemistry or proven system, the Valkyries face a steep uphill battle. “What that brand of basketball is going to be, what style of play they are going to have, is yet to be seen,” Rachel explained. This uncertainty could be particularly damaging in the early stages of the season, as other teams fine-tune their rotations, while the Valkyries will still be trying to define their identity.
While Rachel acknowledged that the Valkyries “did do pretty well in the draft,” she also pointed out that success in the draft doesn’t immediately translate into victories on the court. In a league as competitive as the WNBA, rookies face a steep learning curve. As Rachel emphasized, “That success in the draft doesn’t magically erase the fact that building a competitive team takes time.”
Kate Martin and Tiffany Hayes, speaking with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe in February, noted that players have the opportunity to “set the tone right away to show what we want that to be.” However, until the Valkyries’ team identity settles in, they could struggle to compete against well-established squads with defined systems.
Another complication for the Valkyries is navigating the expansion draft. Thanks to WNBA and CBA rules, they could only select one unprotected player from each of the existing teams, and several teams had more than six protected players due to the “core” designation. This significantly limited their options and added an extra layer of difficulty to the roster-building process.
On the bright side, Rachel believes the Valkyries will develop a passionate fan base. “I do think the Golden State Valkyries are going to have a great fan base… their fans are going to be really excited to watch this team,” she said. However, in a league where experience matters and the pressure to perform mounts fast, excitement alone won’t guarantee success. For the Golden State Valkyries, the road ahead will be rocky, and their journey could start bumpy.
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