The Daily Swish: Phoenix Mercury a game away from WNBA title, NCAA season approaching

Well, there just isn't a whole lot to say about the 2014 WNBA Finals right now: the only real question is whether the Chicago Sky will play any better in Game 3 and even an optimistic answer might not preclude the possibility of a sweep.

So we'll quickly run down what happened in Game 2 of the Finals then move on to other news around the women's basketball world.

WNBA

• Phillip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune makes a pretty good case that the Phoenix Mercury's 97-68 blowout of the Sky in Game 2 could be summed up in the first three minutes and final 46 seconds of the first half. He added this quote from Sky star Epiphanny Prince: "We need to play like we belong, not like our being here is a big mistake." Read more >>>

• Tyler Killian of AZ Central recapped Game 2, including this quote from Diana Taurasi: "When you play a really good team, if you take your eye off the ball a 30-point lead becomes 21 in 45 seconds," Taurasi said. "This team is known to come back from large deficits to win games, and at this point we can't afford to take a minute off or a possession off." It's almost as if the Sky's ability to keep coming back to make it this far has come back to bite them in the form of motivation for the Mercury. Read more >>>

• I just thought this closing line from Sheri on Sports was funny: "Y'all COMEBACK NOW, HEAR?" GO SKY!!!" Read more >>>

FIBA

• Boti Nagy of The Advertiser wrote an extended piece about Australia announcing the members of their national team, which includes Mercury players Erin Phillips and Penny Taylor. Nagy reports that if the Mercury finish up the Finals this week, they can join the Opals in ample time to prepare for their friendly against the U.S. on September 20. You can find a nicely formatted full roster from Janis Kacens of LoveWomensBasketball. Read more >>>

Sometimes you’ve got to try, fail, then try some more, but NEVER give up!! Honored to wear the green and gold once again!! @BasketballAus

— Erin Phillips (@erinphillips13) September 10, 2014

• Roger Vaughan of Wide World of Sports wrote up an extended feature on former WNBA player Leilani Mitchell, who is representing Australia in the World Championships in memory of her late mother. Mitchell, whose mother passed away five years ago, says she'll have "mixed emotions" about facing the U.S. but appreciates the opportunity to represent Australia. She made a nice shout out to injured NBA star Patty Mills as well. Read more >>>

• Bill Wagner of the Capital Gazette wrote a nice story about Team USA practice at the U.S. Naval Academy, focusing on how the football coach, men's basketball coach and women's basketball coaching staff alike are watching how Geno Auriemma practices and taking notes. Read more >>>

• Brian Swane of the Edmonton Sun reports that San Antonio Stars center Kayla Alexander has reported to Canada's training camp for the World Championships and is trying to make up for lost time as the rest of the team has been practicing for two months. But that they're considering her for a spot despite her absence speaks volumes about her role in the program. Read more >>>

NCAA

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  M Robinson

  St. Pius X coach Kyle Snipes tells Swish Appeal that, "Louisville is getting a tireless worker both on the court and in the classroom."

  Must Reads

  Durr is the total package
  Jeff Greer and Steve Jones of the Courier-Journal reported on Lousiville's signing of top 2015 recruit Asia Durr, noting that, "Only Connecticut, which has won eight of the past 14 women's hoops national championships, has a higher-rated recruiting haul." Read more >>>

• The ACC released its league schedule for the 2014-15 women’s basketball season along with some facts about the conference and a neat promo video featuring some of the top stars. Read more >>>

• Western Michigan women's basketball announced the hiring of former Mercury player and two-time WNBA champion Tangela Smith yesterday. Smith will be responsible for, "...recruiting, game planning, post player development and team travel." Read more >>>

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