espnW

Smith: BAWSI gets young girls interested in sports

BAWSI has helped countless Bay Area girls learn to love sports and physical education. The organization's success has it primed to be a national model.

Jan 17 3:40 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: 49ers' Jennings stays balanced with yoga

During the offseason, 49ers long-snapper Brian Jennings moves from the football field to the yoga mat, which he credits for his long, healthy career.

Dec 26 9:20 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Utah ready to make statement in Pac-12

With a lot of injuries behind them, the Utah Utes are out to prove they're more than middle of the pack in the Pac-12.

Dec 6 4:58 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Gonzaga has new look

Gonzaga isn't the high-scoring team of recent seasons, but the young Bulldogs are talented, athletic and playing their best defense in years. Coach Kelly Graves hopes the new look translates to the same success.

Nov 27 4:40 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

JMU's Hislop named espnW player of the week

After scoring at least 30 points twice in three games, James Madison's Tarik Hislop is the espnW player of the week.

Nov 26 1:17 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Bone, Aggies look to rebound from 0-3 start

Two seasons removed from an NCAA title, Texas A&M is in an 0-3 hole after opening against a trio of top-10 teams. Digging out, especially with the Aggies' first SEC season quickly approaching, might rest on Kelsey Bone's shoulders.

Nov 20 11:32 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

American women's basketball players caught in Israeli conflict

Alexis Gray-Lawson and several American women's basketball players spending the WNBA offseason playing in Israel are caught in the middle of an international conflict.

Nov 18 1:11 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Baylor Lady Bears, Stanford Cardinal to clash in Hawaii

It's one of the best nonconference games of the season, but the Final Four rematch between Baylor and Stanford -- in Hawaii on Friday -- won't be televised nationally.

Nov 16 6:41 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Finally healthy, Louisville full of potential

Finally healthy again after injuries sidelined two stars last year, coach Jeff Walz knows the Cardinals are capable of big things this season.

Nov 14 1:42 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Kentucky ready to take program to next level

Reaching the Elite Eight in two of the past three seasons, Kentucky has established itself among the other echelon of women's basketball. This season, the Wildcats aim to go even further.

Nov 13 3:01 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Pac-12 preview

Stanford has reigned in the Pac-12 for a dozen years. Will this be the season it is knocked from the throne? Read on for our predictions for the league.

Nov 9 | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Season of big change for Stanford

Seeking a sixth straight Final Four, Stanford will adopt an up-tempo attack led by Chiney Ogwumike and wait to see who else emerges.

Nov 9 3:28 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: A-to-Z rundown of what to expect in 2012-13

The 2012-13 season will end in New Orleans. We start off with an A through Z look at what to expect along the way.

Nov 5 12:29 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Fever share championship moment

After the Fever won their first WNBA title Sunday, it seemed like universally beloved Tamika Catchings' moment. But Indiana's championship run was the result of many key moments from Catchings and all her teammates.

Oct 22 1:23 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: A new day dawns for Augustus, Lynx

After the debacle of Friday night's Game 3, the Minnesota Lynx are determined to wipe the slate clean and move forward. If they win on the Fever's home court Sunday, pivotal Game 5 would be in Minnesota.

Oct 21 8:31 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Lynx lose in unfathomable fashion

With Minnesota at one point threatening the record for fewest points scored in a WNBA Finals game, Friday's loss by the defending champs could only be described as unfathomable.

Oct 20 1:09 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

WNBA Finals coaches downplay conflict

Oct 19 5:01 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Fever make adjustments in preparation for Game 3

With an injury-depleted roster and rebounding that went missing Wednesday, Indiana now must make adjustments as it prepares to host Game 3.

Oct 19 12:50 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Total Access with the Lynx

In the bowels of the Target Center, Lynx players began arriving more than 10 hours before tipoff of Wednesday's Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. Michelle Smith has an inside look at what goes on before the game.

Oct 18 3:50 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Flag football takes hold in Anchorage

Aiming to come into compliance with Title IX, officials in Alaska were looking for a sport to fill the void. They turned to flag football and since have seen girls flock to the field.

Oct 11 3:28 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Steady leadership leads Lynx

Defending WNBA champ Minnesota has gone from the hunter to the hunted. But what hasn't changed -- a steady, talented core -- is the key to winning back-to-back WNBA titles.

Oct 11 1:47 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Adair's weight loss keeps WNBA dream alive

Jessica Adair was cut by the Phoenix Mercury because of her weight. That spurred a dramatic weight-loss journey that landed her back in the WNBA, where she's an example for others.

Oct 16 4:44 PM ET | By Michelle Smith