On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun

On Monday, I attended a Connecticut Sun Zoom press session. Coach Curt Miller and players Natisha Hiedeman, Jordan Lewis and Nia Clouden answered questions on a variety of topics, including the offseason, the draft, expectations for the upcoming season and much more. The press session is at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun - 04/18/2022.

Last season, the Sun finished 26-6, for the best record in the WNBA. They won the Eastern Conference by a whooping 10 games. Unfortunately, they were ousted from the playoffs by the second place Chicago Sky 2-1 in the SemiFinals. The Sky (12-12 in the regular season) went on to win the WNBA title.

Coach Miller is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Sun. He's only had two losing seasons, his first and the ill-fated, short 2020 season. He has an overall record of 111-76 (.597), but has never guided the Sun to the title. In its 23 years, the Sun have never won the WNBA championship.

With the changing of the guard seen elsewhere in the league (Seattle and Las Vegas as examples), can Miller be on the hot seat? Clearly he is a successful coach, but when a team doesn't win the title, sometimes that isn't good enough. I don't know if another season with no title will mean a coaching change, but there will definitely be conversations about that.

Hiedeman is entering her fourth season. After a bit of a rough start to her career, Hiedeman found a spot wit the Sun midway through her first season. Last season, she set or tied career highs in most categories. Perhaps equally as important was the energy she provided both in game and on the bench. She was also one of the looser, fun players in media sessions. As Hiedeman developed her game, she also seemed much more comfortable and confident. After starting five games last season, I don't expect her to start many more, but I see her minutes increasing a bit.

Rookies Nia Clouden (Michigan State) and Jordan Lewis (Baylor) will compete for time at the guard position with team veterans. The two rookies are joined by nine other rookies.

Right now, the Sun have 11 players listed at the guard position, although a few are guard-forwards. The multi-positional players give Coach Miller flexibility in determining his final roster, but about half of those players will not be on the opening day roster.

With established stars DiJonai Carrington, DeWanna Bonner, Jonquel Jones, Brionna Jones, Beatrice Mompremier, Kaila Charles, Jasmine Thomas and Alyssa Thomas pretty much locks for the team, that leaves only four roster spots. The rookies and a few other veterans will fight for those spots. Of course, injuries and other unforeseen circumstances could change that picture, too.

The Sun start the season in New York to face the Liberty. I am confident the Sun will have another successful season, but will it end with a title? 

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Coach Curt Miller and the WNBA

The Connecticut Sun are the first WNBA team other than the Chicago Sky that I covered. Coach Curt Miller was the first WNBA coach other than the Sky coaches. 

Coach Miller started his coaching career as an assistant with Cleveland State University in 1991. After a couple other assistant tints, he became a head coach at Bowling Green in 2001. In 2015, he joined the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant. He has been Head Coach of the Sun since 2016.

With the Sun, he was named the WNBA Coach of the Year in 2017. In his five seasons, he has a record of 89-69. This seas

Coach Miller gives great answers in media sessions. I always enjoy listening to his answers. I probably have talked to Coach Miller more than any other WNBA coach.

A lot was lost to the pandemic, but one benefit I had was being able to join media Zoom sessions for all of the teams. I never would have had that chance in regular times.

The Sun had an interesting 2021 season. They had the league's best record at 26-6, but they were upset in the Semi-Finals by eventual champ Chicago Sky. It was a tough series for me, because I obviously cheered for my Sky, but I hated to see the Sun lose.

Check back and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com here for my recurring coverage. Also, check WNBA.com for all the info and news on the league.

Curt Miller and me in FL & IL-Summer 2020.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 07/08/2021

The Connecticut Sun held an off day media session featuring Head Coach Curt Miller and players Brionna Jones and Natisha Hiedeman. It was an interesting session as topics were mostly more casual than usual, but also because Hiedeman took over as coordinator for her segment.

Coach Miller opened the session discussing the stretch of games before the break and then the break itself. The discussion turned to first-time All-Star Brionna Jones. Coach Miller gave his assessment of her improvement, including the impact her nutrition has. That led the conversation to the overall nutrition of the team.

Jones followed Coach Miller by talking about how she feels now with her play progressing to a higher level. Part of that success is from being in the best shape of her life. Jones discussed that and gave a glimpse into her nutritional and cooking habits.

Hiedeman finished the session by taking over for Media Coordinator Annette Hogan, who turned over the reigns. Hiedeman called on the reports, instead of Hogan, something I had not seen before, but all had fun with it.

A native of Wisconsin and a former player at Marquette in Milwaukee, Hiedeman talked about cheering for the Milwaukee Bucks and rooting for them to win the NBA championship.

She also talked about the recent practices and preparing for Atlanta. She's excited about playing Atlanta and Courtney Williams.

The talk moved to her mindset off the bench. Splitting time as a starter and a bench player, Hiedeman talked about bringing the same level of enthusiasm and energy whenever she plays. She ended that bit with a poignant bit of advice to enjoy every minute.

I found that last statement especially interesting. I always like to know if the players are able to soak in the reality of what they are doing. Are they able to enjoy the moment or are they too focused on the game? Obviously, Hiedeman does both.

The session finished with Hiedeman and Hogan joking about the roles in media sessions. Applause to both for making the Sun sessions some of the most fun, while still being informative.

The Sun host Atlanta Friday and travel to New York for a Sunday game against the Liberty. Then they go on break for the Olympics. They stand at 12-6 in first place in the Eastern Conference and third overall (significant, since the WNBA reseeds without conference designation for the playoffs).

The media session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 07/08/2021. Check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/11/2021

The Connecticut Sun are 8-2 in first place in the WNBA Eastern Conference. They are tied with Seattle for the best overall record in the league. That will change on Sunday, when the two teams meet in Connecticut.

On Friday, the Sun held an offday media session featuring Coach Curt Miller an players Natisha Hiedeman and Stephanie Jones. Actually, this is an offweek for the Sun, due to a quick in the schedule which saw them last play on Saturday, meaning the Sun are in the middle of one full week of no games.

The off week was one of the main topics of discussion during the media session. Coach Miller described it as good and bad. For the Sun and Miller, it is at least a timely break, as Jonquel Jones has departed the team to compete for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the FIBA European women's basketball championship.

One of the top candidates for league MVP, Jones is averaging 21.6 points10.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. JJ will miss most of June, which amounts to at least four games and possibly six. The Sun are deep, but replacing a player like JJ won't be easy.

Coach Miller talked about using the extra long layoff to work on things without JJ. It is going to take several players stepping up to fill the void.

Of course the team still practiced and worked out during the “off” week, but the players did have a little extra time to do things outside of basketball. Hiedeman talked about going to the beach and getting a little tan. She also talked more seriously about using the off time to work on her game and work with the team on plays without JJ.

A star player at Marquette in Milwaukee, Hiedeman talked about her family crossing the Illinois border to see her play in the upcoming two game mini-series against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. I expect there to be a big Hiedeman fan group in Chicago. I also look forward to seeing Hiedeman play in person for the first time in a couple years.

Last up was Stephanie Jones, sister of the departed Jonquel. After a successful career at Maryland, Stephanie went undrafted and played in Poland for a season. She signed a training camp contract with the Sun and made her debut on May 14. Stephanie has played five games, averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in those games. Stephanie is one of the players Coach Miller will need to help while her sister is away. Stephanie knows Coach Miller will look to her and she is excited about the opportunity.

While Sunday's game against the Storm will be a big test, the next five games for the Sun (possibly all without JJ) aren't quite as challenging. They have three games against Chicago and one game against Washington and Dallas. Once again, timing might be on the side of the Sun. First up though is Seattle and for now, that is where the focus is for the Sun.

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/11/2021. Check WNBA.com for more news on the league. Also, check here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/04/2021

The Connecticut Sun held a press session on a practice day. Head Coach Curt Miller and players Jasmine Thomas and Natisha Hiedeman took turns talking to the press.

Coach Miller started the press session and I got it off to a bit of a rocky start. In a couple weeks, the Sun will face the Chicago Sky three times in eleven days. I asked Coach Miller about playing a team that many times in a short span. I wan't necessarily talking about the Sky, but any team in general.

Coach Miller bristled a bit, stating he wasn't looking that far ahead. He was only focused on the upcoming game with the New York Liberty. He then did answer the question, giving real insight, exactly what I wanted.

Usually on sessions not on game days, the questions are a bit looser and more general. Some reporters even go for silly or humorous. I was genuinely curious about laying a team that much in a compact time period. In all fairness, Coach Miller did ultimately give an excellent answer, one I wasn't even considering. 

For the rest of Coach Miller's session, he gave a scouting report on the Liberty. After Coach Miller, Thomas and Hiedeman also gave their thoughts on the Liberty. The trio gave interesting takes on the Liberty and the league in general.

I asked Thomas about the Sun being ranked second in some power rankings. I wanted ti know if that stuff means anything to players. Do they care at all abou those rankings? Thomas gave a classic answer.

Lastly, I asked Hiedeman about her time as the tam veteran early in the preseason. Hiedeman talked about how that experience helped her development. I'm sure it isn't the sole factor, but Hiedeman is having her best season.

The Sun are 7-2, coming off a Tuesday 74-67 win over the Las Vegas Aces. Today, the Sun host the New York Liberty, who are 5-3 and a much-improved team from last season. NY's Sabrina Ionescu isn't a one-person show, but she is a difference-maker.

The Sun come into the game as 9.5 point favorites. I think it will be closer than that, but the Sun will win. I am calling for an 85-80 Sun victor

The interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 06/04/2021. Check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 04/25/2021

The Connecticut Sun opened training camp with a thin roster. Third year guard Natisha Hiedeman is the "veteran" of camp, a position she relishes and one Coach Curt Miller feels will pay dividends.

With the other team veterans playing in Europe and elsewhere, Coach Miller described the first practice as a "a bit sloppy," but he love the energy and enthusiasm. He stated the usual two hour practice actually went close to three hours because of the extra teaching necessary, but was quick to also stated that isn't a bad thing. The youngsters will get plenty of experience. They will get more time and attention than usual, which is good for the team and for them individually in the long run.

For her part, Hiedeman is embracing her role as "veteran" for now. Just as she usually  approaches veterans for advice and knowledge, she welcomes the younger players coming to her for the same reasons and she is ready to impart her insight. It's a new role for Hiedeman, which harkens back to her junior and senior seasons at Marquette.

During the last offseason, Hiedeman worked on gaining strength, realizing she needed to get stronger to compete with the WNBA veterans. This last offseason, Hiedeman continued to work on strength training, while also gaining more experience playing in Turkey.

A musician in her spare time, Hiedeman said she hasn't produced any new music since last season, but there will be more in the future. She also joked that we will be the first to know.

Lastly, Hiedeman discussed her personality. As someone who doesn't take life too seriously, she carries the same mindset into the arena, whether she is playing or on the bench. Her enthusiasm was a big boost for the Sun last year and she plans on continuing keeping her team loose, while still being a focused competitor.

Rookie DiJonai Carrington came to the Sun via the 2021 WNBA Draft. A standout at Stanford and Baylor, Carrington was the 20th overall selection in the draft. ESPN analyst and WNBA legend Rebecca Lobo felt she is the perfect fit for the Sun, because "she's a tough, physical player who can contribute right away."

With most of the team veterans away, more eyes will be on Carrington than usual, but she's fine with that. She just wants to soak up all the knowledge from the coaches and gain experience from the extra time she might get right now. Like Hiedeman, she is making the most of this time in camp.

Soon, the Sun will have their full roster. Until then, Coach Miller will focus on the youth in camp. Because they are playing elsewhere, the veterans will come into camp ready to go. Once the vets arrive, it will be business as usual.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the WNBA and the Sun. Check the interview at On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 04/25/2021.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 09/29/20

The Connecticut Sun lost 66-63 to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the WNBA Semi-Finals. Despite the loss ending the season for the Sun, it does not diminish what the team accomplished all season.

The Sun finished their season 10-12, good for 2nd place, behind the Chicago Sky (12-10) in the Eastern Conference. The Sun started 0-5, then 1-6, before winning 9 of their final 15 to clinch a 7th seed in the WNBA playoffs.

In the post-game presser, Coach Curt Miller and players Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas and DeWanna Bonner talked about the team, the season and the fans. They were obviously and understandably disappointed, but they were positive about the season and the future. They were a classy bunch all season right to the end.

In a season away from their home, secluded in Florida, filled with pandemic worries and social issues, the Sun pulled together and had an exciting season. They should be proud of their efforts and achievements.

I want to thank Coach Miler, the players, the entire organization and especially PR Manager Annette Hogan for the access all season. It was a lot of fun covering this team.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league, the teams and the players. Check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 09/16/20

I am a little behind with this Connecticut Sun media session, but it is still relevant. Prior to their victory over the Los Angeles Sparks last Thursday, Coach Curt Miller and players Natisha Hiedeman, Briann January and Jasmine Thomas took questions from the press.

The Sun finished the season 10-12 good for second place behind the Chicago Sky in the Eastern Conference and also for the 7th seed in the overall playoff seeding. Last Tuesday, the Sun beat the Sky 94-81, thanks in large part to outscoring the Sky by 16 in the third quarter. The team seems to be embracing the underdog role and having fun.

Coach Miller talked about the practices leading to the game. He joked about his role as a "passing" using his "passing skills," which was funny especially considering the three players after him are guards. I think it show that the Sun is loose and having fun.

Thomas talked about the mood of the team. She went on to say nothing has really changed in practices. The whole season was preparation for this.

Hiedeman talked about the good vibe of the team, being happy with her productivity in her short time on the court and her music. Of course, I had to ask her about her music. While nothing new is out right now, "Rocket," her last song, was released about a month ago and is available on all platforms.

When January joined the session, I switched gars and asked about Zoom media session with reporters from all over, as opposed to the usual sessions with the local crew. I've wondered about this all season and this seemed like the perfect time to ask, considering it was a very loose session.

It's interesting that this media time was very loose. The Sun had beaten the Sky and were about to face the Sparks. The team was not showing any signs of pressure and that starts with the coach.

Fun seemed to be the theme this day, even for reporters. It wasn't recorded, but prior to the team joining the sessions, Sun Public Relations Specialist Annette Hogan joked about having the most fun media sessions and the reporters completely agreed. That was followed by one reporter playing fun music including the Sesame Street theme. It was an interesting experience, which probably doesn't translate greatly here, but it was one of those moments which will stand out. We were like old friends hanging out on a porch.

The Sun went on to beat the Sparks 73-59 to advance to the next round of the playoffs. On Sunday, The Sun beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-62 in Game One of the series.

Go to WNBA.com for more info. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun 07/27-28/2020

The Connecticut Sun lost their season opener against the Minnesota Lynx 77-69. After that game and prior to Tuesday's game against the Washington Mystics, the Sun held a couple media sessions featuring Coach Curt Miller and players Natisha Hiedeman, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Kaila Charles.
Mosqueda-Lewis opened her session by talking about her routine between games. In such a short season with quick turn-arounds between games, it's a matter of a lot of shooting and rehabbing little ailments.
Coach Miller gave insight into balancing winning games with keeping players fresh. That balance is going to be a major challenge all season.
Hiedeman said she felt good after the first game. She realizes she needs to improve things. Feeling her legs are pretty much back, she just needs to catch up on all the plays and the team personnel. I got a chuckle from her as I gave her a chance to plug her upcoming song release, which will happen on August 2 on all platforms.
Lastly, Kaila Charles discussed the biggest transition for her coming from college to the pro league. She cited the talent and physicality and made interesting points about the differences.
Unfortunately, the Sun lost to the Mystics Tuesday night 94-89. Standing at 0-2, they play again Thursday night against the Los Angeles Sparks who are 1-1.
Prior to the season opener, the Sun announced three initiatives for this season to raise funds for local non-profits, those “impacting marginalized residents, specifically women and children.” This is part of their “Change Can’t Wait” social reform platform.
Freethrows for Change is the first fundraiser. A $5 donation towards the overall effort through  the Connecticut Sun Foundation will be made for every free throw made by the Sun (during the regular season and postseason). That donation doubles to $10 in the 4th quarter.
The second program is an end of the season autographed game-worn jersey auction. Bids will be placed via the DASH app. Details, including deadlines, will be announced in the future.
Lastly, “Change Can’t Wait” t-shirts are being sold for $20, with net proceeds of $15 per shirt going to the fundraising effort. The shirts bear the Sun logo combined with the raised fist logo.
Go to ConnecticutSun.com for information on the “Change Can't Wait” platform. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Check here and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage.

On the Beat With Connecticut Sun Game 1 Post-Game

The Connecticut Sun lost their season opener to the Minnesota Lynx 77-69. The Sun led 57-50 after three quarters, but could not hold of the Lynx in the 4th quarter. After the game, Coach Curt Miller and players Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner took questions from the media.

Miller, Jones and Bonner all emphasized the positives from the game. The sun jumped out to a lead and held it through 3+ quarters. The Sun was playing short, with only 10 players, including Natisha Hiedeman who isn't yet in game shape as she recently returned from Covid-19 positive test.

The main thing I took away from the press session was Bonner's statement on Black Lives Matter. She was eloquent and to the point, speaking passionately about the roles she and the league are playing in using their platform to speak about the social justice movement.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Also check GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring WNBA coverage and other women's sports, too.

On the Beat With the Connecticut Sun

Yesterday, I featured Media Day with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury. Today, I am going across the country to the Connecticut Sun Media Day, but it actually took place at the same location in Florida, since all the teams are there. Players Jasmine Thomas, Beatrice Mompremier and Coach Curt Miller fielded questions from reporters from all over the country.

Thomas talked about playing in the new environment, saying she has previously played in similar situations. It won't be a major factor for her (or at least not one she will show). She also mentioned not missing the travel. Coach Miller talked about the potential different mental preparation.

I thank the Sun organization for the opportunity to be a part of Media Day. I thank the players and Coach Miller for their time and consideration. Check out Connecticut Sun for more info on the team and the WNBA.