YEAR 2 ENDS WITH A CLASSIC

Congratulations, Mist BC!

As Unrivaled closed out its second season, the championship game was a great representation of the league and what they provide.

The Mist and Phantom were the top two teams in the regular season. The Phantom had the best record at 11-3 while the Mist had the best point differential at +114. The two clubs balled out at Barclays Center on Monday night’s semifinals to punch their ticket to the championship game.

The Mist were in control for much of the game and built a lead as large as 12 points in the fourth quarter. However, one of the league’s best players stepped up and almost pulled off the impossible.

Kelsey Plum has a lightning quick first step and has been a great finisher at the rim throughout her career. In the Final, she scored a season high 40 points and helped the Phantom make it a four point game late.

In her debut season at Unrivaled, Plum finished third in scoring and was named to the Unrivaled 1st team. Throughout this season, we’ve gotten to see her scoring prowess on full display.

But the comeback fell just a bit short as Breanna Stewart was fouled on a drive and sealed the championship with a free throw. Stewart’s all around excellence was on display as she scored a season high 32 points and tied a season high with three three-pointers.

Stewart’s three point shooting has been a point of concern for many years, but she made them when they count. And when you do that, you rightfully earn the MVP.

To the victor goes the spoils and a chance to learn about an Australian tradition!

Looks like fun!

Unrivaled’s second season had some struggles, but ended on a high note. They went to new cities and gave fans great basketball. If you present a great product, the fans will come.

As they prepare for next year, the lessons learned in 2026 can help them build a brighter future.

DAMAGE CONTROL

Perception goes a long way. If you look like you know what you’re doing, your life is a little bit easier. It gives everyone around you a sense of comfort and reduces any anxiety people may have. If you don’t look like you know what you’re doing, that’s where the problems begin.

Everyone gets nervous, no one is organized, and the pressure increases by the minute. It’s not a good place to be, and when you’re in a high-stakes environment, that pressure multiplies rapidly. For the WNBPA, they’ve been feeling the heat all week.

In the 100th edition of the WBB Roundup, we discussed the circumstances the WNBPA currently find themselves in. A letter written by Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum that was addressed to WNBPA Executive Director Teri Jackson and sent internally wound up in the hands of ESPN. After ESPN reported on the letter and its contents, the PA went into a meeting where they hoped

"Sometimes hard conversations need to be had," Stewart told the Associated Press. "I felt better after it and know that we finished that call understanding that we're representing the larger body [of players] and we have work to be done, and we're going to do that work."

That work included putting out a statement of unity that sought to dispel any notions that the union is splintering. They acknowledged that there have been “tough moments,” but they’re resolute and together in their goal of getting a good contract and a 2026 WNBA season.

“Nobody wants a strike,” WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson told Annie Costiable of Front Office Sports. “I think that is absolutely what you’re hearing. Do I hear division in that? I don’t. I hear players saying they are frustrated. They are disappointed that a negotiation that started early with the intention of having significant progress at All-Star, with the intention of wrapping up in October,” she added.

Jackson pinned the delays in getting a CBA done on the league, and as we’ve discussed here at the WBB Roundup, management always has the upper hand in part because they can simply run out the clock.

With all that in mind, we got a chance to talk all things WNBA CBA with renowned economist, journalist, and hoops fan, Professor David Berri!

Erica and David have another interview coming soon, which we’ll post to Black Rosie Media! In the meantime, check out Berri’s book, Slaying the Trolls! Why the Trolls are Very, Very Wrong about Women and Sports, co-authored by Dr. Nefertiti Walker.

Check out this and several other BRM-approved books to add to your library!

In looking to get the best contract possible, the PA polled its members and revealed that 84 percent would not accept the league’s proposal of “50 percent of net revenue.”

Reporters got their hands on the survey members received and went over them on YouTube on March 5. Interesting scene there.

We’re closer to the WNBA deadline, and things are out of sorts. The WNBPA have taken major hits this week and have a lot to figure out.

As we get closer to the season, they have to figure out what’s the best path forward to get a CBA that members will approve.

Time is almost up.

WHO’S THE BEST IN THE CONFERENCE?

We are one week away from the beginning of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Before we get there, we’ve got conference tournaments to get through!

In Indianapolis, the Big Ten tournament is in full swing. USC’s Jazzy Davidson suffered an arm injury and revealed to the media that she couldn’t lift one of her arms. USC’s NCAA Tournament status is at risk following their fourth straight loss.

A team that’s trending in the other direction is Oregon. The Ducks pulled off the upset in the last game on the docket against No. 14 Maryland, 73-68. Oregon looks to pull off another upset when they take on No. 8 Michigan in primetime on March 6.

Over in Duluth, GA, superstar guard Hannah Hidalgo made some more history. Hidalgo won ACC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and in Notre Dame’s win against Miami, Hidalgo set the ACC single season steals record. The Fighting Irish are looking to fortify their tournament position and can help their cause with a win against NC State on March 6.

Down in Greenville, SC, the SEC Rumble has begun. Unfortunately for Tennessee, they got thrown over the top rope immediately. The Vols have now lost seven games in a row after losing to Alabama, 76-64. They’re still expected to make the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not looking good right now in Knoxville.

On a positive note, No. 17 Kentucky is off to a great start. They improved their SEC Tournament record to 2-0 after a 76-61 win over No. 22 Georgia. Clara Strack tied her career high with 33 points and set a new career high with five three-pointers. Kenny Brooks and the Wildcats are going to need something similar from Strack as they try to upset South Carolina in South Carolina.

The Wildcats almost pulled off the upset against the Gamecocks on March 1, and they hope their superstar can put forth another huge performance. Strack’s performance is key to Kentucky’s chances, and a recent conversation with head coach Kenny Brooks seems to have unlocked something in the junior center:

“She came out on Sunday, and she was unbelievable, and she has had that same look because she understands her importance, her value to us. But more importantly, in mine and her relationship, I can say that to her. I can’t say it to anyone else, but I can say it to her, and she knows where it’s coming from,” Brooks added.

It takes superstar level performances to dethrone a Final Four contender, and Kentucky hopes Strack can dial it up one more time.

Conference tournaments are a great proving ground. It tests all the progress you've made throughout the year and helps you maintain good habits.

As we draw closer to the Tournament, teams hope all of their work in the regular season carries them on a magical run.

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