Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mitchell Northam

@northam67.bsky.social

2K followers 450 following 820 posts

covering women's college sports for SB Nation. Buy my book: https://tinyurl.com/shorehoops 🏀 The Women’s Basketball Podcast: https://linktr.ee/miaandmitch 🎙️

tinyurl.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · Mar 20

“She’s been the most important figure in my growth and maturation as a head coach."

After 12 years, Duke is back on top in the ACC. The connective throughline from the last great era of Blue Devils basketball to now is Tia Jackson.

Went long on her and Kara Lawson:
www.sbnation.com/2025/3/20/24...

The coach that helped Kara Lawson build Duke back into a contender

Tia Jackson is the through-line between the great eras of Duke women’s basketball and she’s helped mold Kara Lawson into a head coach.

www.sbnation.com

3 5

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 1d

Here’s my conversation with Clemson women’s basketball coach Shawn Poppie:

We talked transfer portal, international recruiting, building a fanbase, the ACC Tournament move to Georgia and more!

youtu.be/fwbPKG3Gga0?...

Clemson Women's Basketball Coach Shawn Poppie Live From ACC Tipoff 25

YouTube video by OVIES & GIGLIO

youtu.be

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 1d

Milan Brown scored 2,000 points in high school and had 33 Division I offers.

She's also published two books, had a 4.1 GPA and wants to be the Governor of Maryland by the time she's 40.

And she chose Wake Forest.

Meet the most interesting rookie in the ACC... 👇

www.sbnation.com/womens-sport...

Published author, future governor: Meet the ACC’s most interesting women’s basketball player

Milan Brown scored more than 2,000 points in high school and has written two books. Now, she aims to win at Wake Forest.

www.sbnation.com

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 1d

This morning in Charlotte, I caught up with Hannah Hidalgo.

I asked her about what went wrong last year, Notre Dame's rebuild, Olivia Miles, playing for Kara Lawson on Team USA, and more: 👇

Read: www.sbnation.com/womens-sport...

Watch/Listen: youtu.be/7LYoCK-jARg?...

Q&A: This women’s basketball All-American is embracing the spotlight and rebuild

Hannah Hidalgo talks about Notre Dame’s rebuild, her relationship with Olivia Miles and playing for Kara Lawson.

www.sbnation.com

2 3

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 4d

Navy throwing out of a PA bootleg on 4th-and-1 in a CIC game is not something I ever thought I would see, but hey, it worked. Mids are 5-0.

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 4d

Ok, Navy. Stop playing with your food.

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 5d

Going to see them in November play at Western Carolina!

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 6d

I’m back at SB Nation from parental leave on Monday. I’ll launch fully into preseason content for women’s college basketball then.

What teams, players, coaches and topics do y’all wanna read about? Holler in the replies.

1 4

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 6d

Big Ten WBB preseason poll:

1. UCLA
2. Maryland
3. USC
4. Michigan

Lauren Betts is the Big Ten preseason Player of the Year. Maryland gets two players on the First Team in Yarden Garzon and Kaylene Smikle, as does Michigan with Olivia Olson and Syla Swords. #ncaaW

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 8d

“You've taken your first step into a larger world.”

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 11d

The Dave Doeren tenure is about to come to an end. The question now is, does NC State pull the plug soon, or do they allow him to *retire* at the end of the season?

I still think he’s walks out of Carter-Finley for the final time with a win over Bill Belichick.

1 3

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 11d

My preseason prediction was they’d go 6-6, with Dave beating Bill to reach bowl eligibility, and then he’ll retire.

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 14d

On another note, based on the sources I heard from, expect Lindsey Harding to be a strong candidate for the Liberty. She was a finalist for the Mystics' gig last year.

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 14d

You might say, "But what about Lynne Roberts and Karl Smesko last year?"

Sure, but both were making $500-750K in college. They got raises.

To get a big-name coach (like, say for example, Niele Ivey), that check has to be much much much bigger -- at least seven figures per year.

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 14d

Based on a handful of sources I talked with today, it is much more likely that the coach openings in the WNBA are filled by W or NBA assistants rather than college head coaches.

Simply put, most WNBA owners aren't willing to pay top dollar to poach the best college coaches.

1 1 4

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 15d

“You always knew that she was going for the jugular.”

Sue Bird explained why she picked Kara Lawson to coach Team USA through the 2028 Olympics. She now follows in the footsteps of Pat Summitt and Mike Krzyzewski.

Words and photos for @sbnation.bsky.social: www.sbnation.com/womens-sport...

Why Sue Bird chose Kara Lawson to coach the U.S. national team

Kara Lawson follows in the footsteps of Pat Summitt and Mike Krzyzewski with Team USA.

www.sbnation.com

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 15d

Kara Lawson visibly emotional as she steps to the microphone, fighting back tears.

“The game’s not even started and I already need a timeout.”

She then names each of the USA coaches who preceded her. “It’s a special opportunity and I feel that deeply.”

3 14

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Kara Lawson on why her Duke players deserve credit for her Team USA gig:

"If I come to Duke and we stink, do you think I get this job? No, right? No. Like, they don't give this job to someone that coaches a team that stinks... They had to decide that we were going to be good."

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Kara Lawson on freshman Emilee Skinner, the fourth recruit in her class per ESPN:

"She's got great positional size for a guard. Very skilled and very advanced in her understanding of the game on both ends. I think she's going to be an impact player for us right away." #ncaaW

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Kara Lawson on Duke's non-conference schedule, which features 7 games away from Cameron, 4 P4 teams, 4 mid-majors that made the NCAA Tournament last year:

"It's a bear. But I need to know what I have. I can't figure out what you're made of if we're winning by 60." #ncaaW

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Kara Lawson on Oluchi Okananwa transferring to Maryland:

"I come from the pro game. I'm not one of these coaches that was in the old model for 30 years that's lamenting that it's over. In the pros, there's free agency, and players come and go... That's the era that we're in."

1 5

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Brad Stevens and Jay Bilas among those hanging out at practice for the Duke women today. Kara Lawson and Sue Bird will speak at Cameron Indoor at 1 p.m. ET. #ncaaW

1 1

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Cheryl Reeve wasn’t thrilled with my Team USA questions in May, but as it turns out, this was worth writing: t.co/Jpn8DdyibC

https://www.sbnation.com/2025/5/28/24438385/cheryl-reeve-sue-bird-usa-national-team-womens-basketball-olympics

t.co

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

Called it. x.com/primetimemit...

Mitchell Northam on X: "Almost a year ago:" / X

Almost a year ago:

x.com

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 16d

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips on Kara Lawson: “Kara’s leadership, vision, and competitive spirit have long set her apart as both a player and coach… Kara will represent USA Basketball with excellence and integrity, and we look forward to supporting her and the entire team.”

Mitchell Northam @northam67.bsky.social · 18d

good morning.

Bill Belichick is 0-1 against Scott Frost.