Everyone watches women’s sports
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Happy Wednesday!
And an extra happy one to the record-setting 12.3M (!!!) viewers who tuned in to watch No. 1 Iowa beat defending champs No. 3 LSU in Monday’s Elite Eight, making the epic 2023 title game rematch the most-watched college basketball game (women’s or men’s) to air on ESPN. HYFR.
- Join us in counting down the hours until Friday’s absolutely stacked Final Four as we catch up on the latest in sports.
— LSU superstar Angel Reese, reflecting on the toll of her college hoops success while the basketball world awaits her decision to either stick around for another year or declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft — a choice she must make by the end of the day. And you thought your Wednesday was stressful.
IIHF Women’s Worlds Championship
🏒 A dish best served cold
The GIST: The 23rd IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship, aka the top women’s hockey tournament, begins today in Utica, NY, with a fierce rivalry likely taking center stage.
- And with the PWHL’s record-breaking inaugural season sparking a women’s hockey revolution, the excitement surrounding the game’s best has never been higher. Skate on.
How it works: The competition features 10 teams split into Groups A and B, with the top five ranked countries in the former and the remaining five in the latter. All members of Group A, which includes world No. 1 Canada and defending champs No. 2 U.S., earn an automatic berth to the quarter-finals, where they’ll be joined by the top three group play finishers from Group B.
- Due to the skill disparity in international women’s hockey, this format ensures the best squads play competitive games the entire time, though history indicates Canada and the U.S. will almost certainly duke it out in the final.
- They’re the only two countries to ever win Worlds and the only other team to even compete for the gold medal is No. 4 Finland. And that’s on dominance.
Team USA: The Americans are contending for back-to-back trophies following last year’s title game victory over Canada. Captain and forward Hilary Knight scored a hat trick in that game and will bring a veteran presence to this young and feisty team that boasts eight players who competed in the NCAA championship just last week.
- Let’s see how the chemistry flows when they open the tourney tonight at 7 p.m. ET against No. 3 Switzerland.
Team Canada: This veteran squad with revenge on the brain is full of recognizable names, including PWHL Toronto forward and face of the league Sarah Nurse and PWHL Montréal’s Marie-Philip Poulin, who’s hungry for a fourth world title. They don’t call her Captain Clutch for nothing.
- Although this roster is familiar, there could be a shakeup between the pipes: PWHL Toronto ’tendy Kristen Campbell’s stellar season could earn her the starting spot over Ann-Renée Desbiens. The Canucks drop the puck tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET against Finland.
🔄 Virginia Tech star Georgia Amoore enters transfer portal
One week after the Hokies longtime head coach (HC) Kenny Brooks left for Kentucky, standout senior Amoore — who would’ve likely been a first-round WNBA draft pick had she declared — announced on Monday that she will be departing the school she helped transform into a national contender. Could there be a reunion in the making?
✅ No. 1 South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso declares for WNBA Draft
While the world awaits the aforementioned Reese’s decision, Gamecocks senior Cardoso announced on Monday that she will forgo her fifth year of NCAA eligibility and declare for this month’s W Draft, news that comes days before her undefeated squad tips off the Final Four.
✌️ Tennessee fires HC Kellie Harper after five seasons
The storied program that the legendary Pat Summitt built does not mess around. A three-time national champion as a player with the Vols, Harper is out in Knoxville after failing to make the Sweet 16 in her five seasons at the helm.
- How will the school return their iconic program to the (rocky) top? Very quietly, apparently. Their director of athletics said that he will not have an update until they are ready to announce a new HC, but a number of names are already being floated.
Together With LMNT
🧂 Salt Bae could never
Great news: salt is actually good for you. Yes, seriously — sodium and other electrolytes are crucial for maintaining healthy hydration, but sugary sports drinks just don’t do the trick. Enter: LMNT.
- Formulated to help elite athletes recover from the grind, LMNT’s electrolyte drink mixes are like a hydration power-up to help you beat fatigue and post-workout brain fog.
- Their handy packets also come in tons of different flavors — whether you’re feeling spicy, savory, or sweet, LMNT has the goods.
And because they’re friends of The GIST, they’ll throw in a free eight-count sample pack with any purchase. Cheers to that.
🎓🤸 NCAA women’s gymnastics: Regional Championships — Today through Sunday — ESPN+
- The nation’s top 36 squads will take their first
flipssteps toward clinching one of eight national championship spots today, with the top two teams from each of the four regional tourneys advancing. Chalk it up.
⛳ Augusta National Women’s Amateur — Today through Sunday — Golf Channel
- The fifth edition of the most prestigious women’s amateur tournament tees off from Georgia’s Champions Retreat Golf Club, featuring 2023 U.S. Girls Junior Champion Kiara Romero, making her tournament debut among 72 of the world’s best.
🏀 NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Boston Celtics — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — ESPN
- The league’s two conference leaders square up for battle in this must-see showdown, pitting OKC’s sharpshooter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against fellow MVP contender, Boston’s Jayson Tatum. It’s raining buckets.
⛳ PGA: Valero Texas Open — Tomorrow through Sunday — Golf Channel
- The final tourney before the Masters tees off tomorrow at TPC San Antonio. Some superstars are saving their swings for Augusta, but plenty will be warming up in the Lonestar State, including world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who’s winless on the tour this year.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
📺 What to watch
Zendaya as a tennis champ when the highly anticipated film Challengers drops later this month. Can't wait.
☁️ Where to shop
Chance Athletics. These mini basketball hoops are adorable and make a fun addition to your living space year-round.
📚 What to read
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey. Find love on the links with this month’s The GIST Book Club pick. Read with us on Fable today.
Question of the Day
And then there were four. Two No. 1 seeds and two No. 3 seeds make up this year’s women’s Final Four — which squad do you think will win it all?
Today’s email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Laura Pastore, Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.