Husky Talk- Conversations With Cully And Conlon

WNBA Week 1

UConn Women's Basketball Legend, Western Connecticut State University Head Coach, part time model, full time mom, Maria Conlon returns with her bestie, Cully. We take a look at the start of the WNBA season. Her thoughts on debates about Paige and Caitlin, who is more valuable overall. Plus, why Azzi was not on the court versus Indiana. Maria thoroughly enjoyed the first weekend of the WNBA season. Players fought for a new CBA agreement and proved their worth immediately. We witnessed sold out arenas, loyal fans, and still with a family friendly crowd. Starting buzz was the game between Indiana Fever vs Dallas Wings, everyone was excited to watch Paige and Caitlin duel it out. Indiana was won, Dallas has talent, Maria thinks they need to put together a different lineup or rotation. Many people have been confused or not happy with how the Wings are using 1st overall draft pick, Azzi Fudd. Maria talked about Dallas' starters, and with too many shooters, Paige isn't getting enough looks, Azzi definitely won't see enough shot attempts, which has to be fixed. Maria liked moves Dallas made in the offseason, talent is on the team, she thinks it is not being maximized. We talked about Maria's other takes on week 1, and she was most surprised how Chicago has played. After losing Angel Reese and others, they are playing well. Maria talked about Golden State, she prefaced that its still very early, but to see last year's expansion team go 2-0 was nice and they look solid. Maria mentioned it's not a star player standing out, as a unit, they have chemistry together. Seattle was another team she saw get better from being smart with their draft selections. Maria feels Lauren Betts is also separating herself from the rest of the rookies, effective all around the court. We are happy to see the Women fight in CBA negotiations and show they earn their keep. Ratings were high all weekend, especially for Dallas vs Indiana. We talked NIL and rev share, Maria said how much they fundraise for West Conn, her players pay tuition and for their own gear. $1000 doesn't mean much to big programs, but to D3 schools, it goes a long way.

UConn Players In WNBA/Power Rankings

UConn Women’s Basketball Legend, Western Connecticut State University Head Coach, part time model, part time carpenter, full time mother, Maria Conlon is ready to have another conversation with her best friend Cully. Her thoughts on Paige and Azzi getting press. WNBA season starting, excitement begins!We start with the question that has been asked by many reporters recently, how is the relationship between Paige Buckers and Azzi Fudd now that they are also teammates in Dallas? Maria believes it's a fair question from reporters who have a job to do. She thought Paige did a well when answering about it yesterday. Maria agrees the WNBA players got most of what they wanted in this new CBA, with more money, exposure, tough questions will be asked. It happens in every professional sports league; WNBA women have to get used to it. Maria thought when Azzi dodged the question and a Dallas staffer answered for her, it was not a good look. Of course, their relationship is nobody's business, but the couple came out publicly, Maria does not see the media ignoring how the dynamic fits in the locker room. Maria was happy to see former UConn player Caroline Ducharme signed as a free agent with Golden State. Caroline was a triple threat scorer her first two seasons as a husky. Unfortunately, concussion issues changed her career. At full strength without symptoms, Caroline has a chance. Serah Williams was also drafted, which Maria was mildly surprised at. She was the Big 10 player of the year in 2025 but was a disappointment at UConn. Maria said UConn is not a place most kids can transfer to for one season and succeed, it takes time to develop in Geno's system.We break down WNBA power rankings for the top 5 teams. Las Vegas was number 1, with Aja Wilson, winning 3 out of the last 4 championships, Maria feels they are the team to beat.New York at number 2 she also agreed with and thinks they will be tough in the East. Atlanta at 3 Maria did not agree and we discuss why. Also, Indiana and Phoenix round out the top 5. Maria offers expert insight, analysis breaking them down.

WNBA Draft Analysis/Season Predictions

University of Connecticut [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#] Women's Basketball Legend, Western Connecticut State University [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#] Head Coach Maria Conlon, CLF® [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#] is having a nice chat with her best friend Cully. We go over the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#] draft and a few surprises. Trades, Free Agency, rosters are more clearer, Maria talks about what teams look to be the best and others that can be most improved. Also transfer portal madness and an article came out saying the cost of putting together top college rosters, along with no regulation. Maria was initially surprised Azzi went as the first pick in the WNBA draft. She had Olivia Miles pegged but Dallas Wings [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#] made a few trades and the move made sense. She thinks they have good young players, with Azzi and Paige reunited, Dallas can do some damage. Maria also thinks Olivia Miles can make an impact with the Minnesota Lynx [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#]. They had one of the top teams last season, Miles brings a lot to the table being a scoring point guard who can also facilitate, getting others involved. Lauren Betts was a tremendous steal for the Washington Mystics [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-cully-ny/#]. Maria has liked how they have drafted in the last two years and knows Betts is a difference maker across the board. Her physicality, defensive ability, along with being able to score on offense will be huge for Washington and improve their team significantly. Kiki Rice and Cotie McMahon are also first rounders who Maria sees potential starters. We talked about Commissioner Cathy Engelberts comments when asked about how long she wanted to be commissioner of the league. Her response was if she were a male, nobody would be asking that question. Maria thought she was half correct in that it most likely would not question a male commissioner. However, Cathy having tumultuous relationships with players in the league, along with long drawn out fighting over the CBA made it warranted. We discuss the transfer portal, rev share agreements and NIL. The NCAA shortening both portals for football and basketball have been negative for everyone involved. Lasting only 15 days, tampering has increased since schools want to know what they are getting, 2 weeks isn't long enough to do it. Universities are known to overpromise and underdeliver, offering deals to kids when the money isn't there. Maria talks about the situation becoming worse before we see improvements.

Final 4

UConn Women's Legend, Western Connecticut State University Head Coach Maria Conlon is back for a new episode. We go over UConn Women's Basketball and their dominating performance throughout the NCAA tournament.

Taking a loss

UConn Women's Basketball Legend, Western Connecticut State University Head Coach, part time movie star, part time carpenter, part time actress, wealth management specialist, a great cook and even better mom, Maria Conlon is back for a conversation with her best friend Cully. We breakdown UConn losing to South Carolina in the Final 4. Maria said they were the most challenging match-up for our Huskies, she was right.