This week on The IX Sports Podcast Basketball Edition, hosts Jackie Powell and Howard Megdal give their takes on the Class of 2027 inductees to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Later, they’re joined by BIG EAST reporter for The IX Sports Tee Baker, who briefs the pair on the University of Connecticut’s start to the season — which is different than the Huskies might have preferred. In the final segment, Powell breaks down the 2027 WNBA Draft Lottery.
This year’s inductees are Diana Taurasi, Sandy Brondello, Mike Thibault, Dee Kantner, Judith Holland and Molly Bolin Kazmer.
Bolin Kazmer revolutionized basketball in Iowa and was a longtime advocate for professional women’s basketball.
“Molly has never stopped being an advocate for women’s basketball in all these ways, and I will forever wonder what Molly’s career and indeed her life would have been like if she had come along later in time. But the truth is that if she didn’t come along when she did, she couldn’t have helped build the foundation for the growth in women’s basketball we’re seeing today,” Megdal said. Megdal called it “hugely significant” that Bolin Kazmer finally was given the honor of an induction this year. To learn more about Bolin Kazmer and the other inductees, be sure to tune in to this week’s episode!
Husky Huddle
Then, Baker joined the show to share their takes on UConn’s start to the season. As The IX Sports College Basketball Edition broke down earlier this week, UConn dropped a contest at the University of Michigan last week, falling 77-66 to the Wolverines.
But Baker said it isn’t curtains for the Huskies yet.
“I mean it’s interesting because I think the critique last season was that UConn didn’t have as many quality opponents in in their regular season, and then kind of cruised through and got their first wake up call in the Final Four,” they explained, adding that the loss may have lifted some of the cloud of perfection sitting atop the team.
Court Vision: Draft Lottery
To close out the episode, Powell and Megdal focused on the 2027 WNBA Draft Lottery, where the Washington Mystics — a playoff team — have the third highest lottery odds. That’s because of a trade the Chicago Sky made back in 2025, trading for Ariel Atkins (who departed the team after just one season).
To learn more about which teams have the best shot at a top pick, tune in to this week’s episode.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily, like WNBA news and PWHL expansion updates.
Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the Washington Mystics, holds a minority stake in The IX Sports. The IX Sports’ editorial operations are entirely independent of Monumental and all other business partners.
