WB2K22: College Update

Angel Reese and Ashley Owusu, leaving Maryland

After a run to the Sweet 16, Maryland loses it's two most talented scorers who have chosen to transfer. Forward Angel Reese averaged 17.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game. In the Sweet 16 she scored 25 points, with nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals in a loss to Stanford who eventually qualified for the Final Four. Guard Ashley Owusu averaged 14.3 points this season after posted a clip of 17.9 points per game during the 2020-21 season. She shot a career best 40.6 percent from three, up from 28.9 percent that she shot last season.

West Virginia loses Martinez, Deans and Niblack

Esmery Martinez, KK Deans and Kari Niblack are Mountaineers no more. Following the retirement of head coach Mike Carey, West Virginia has lost three of its five starters who have all decided to enter the transfer portal. Martinez is one of the most talented forwards in the nation. She had a decline in numbers this season as the 6-2 junior native of the Dominican Republic posted 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. In 2020-21 she averaged 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Deans, a 5-8 junior guard of Greensboro, North Carolina, was having the best individual season of her career before a season ending injury halted her season after 18 contests. She averaged 14.5 points per game which was the most of her three seasons at West Virginia.

Like Martinez, Niblack's numbers dipped as well as she averaged a career low of 7.6 points and just four rebounds. Her best individual season was during the 2019-20 season when she averaged 10.3 points and 6.9 boards per game. Niblack is a strong defender, this season she averaged 1.7 blocked shots which was her second highest behind the 2.1 rejections she averaged in 2019-20.

Oregon gets Taya Hanson from Transfer Portal

Former Arizona State guard Taya Hanson made her move to Oregon. "I am honored to join these incredible women, coaching staff and the University of Oregon," she said on an Instagram post. "Can't wait for next season. Ready to work." Hanson is a 5-10 guard who is a quality defender. Over the past two seasons she has collected 65 steals in 50 games. Her best offensive season was in 2020-21 when she averaged 12.6 points per game. This season she averaged 8.3 points.

South Carolina wins NCAA Tournament

South Carolina (35-2) won the NCAA Tournament, when it toppled UConn 64-49, April 3. Destanni Henderson scored 26 points and dished out four assists with three steals on defense for the champions. Aliyah Boston collected 11 points, 16 rebounds and two blocked shots for the winners. UConn dropped to 30-6 and struggled from the start of the contest as it trailed 22-8 after the first quarter. The Huskies had just one scorer in double-digits as Paige Bueckers scored 14 points.

South Dakota pounds Seton Hall in WNIT final

Seton Hall journeyed to South Dakota State for the Women's National Invitational Tournament Championship Game. South Dakota State put down a beating of epic proportions. The Jackrabbits won 82-50 on their home floor in the championship game improving to 29-9. Seton Hall fell to 24-13. Five South Dakota State players scored at least 10 points or more. Forward Kallie Theisen scored a team best 16 points in 17 minutes off of the bench. South Dakota forward Myah Selland had 12 points while leading the team with 11 rebounds and five assists.

Seton Hall was led by forward Sidney Cooks who posted 14 points and nine rebounds. This was South Dakota State's second WNIT championship. The Jackrabbits won in 2016 as well.