Cat Ariail received her PhD in history from the University of Miami in 2018, researching the intersection of race, gender, sexuality and nationalism in women's sports. She has contributed to Swish Appeal since 2019, and began running the site in 2023. When not digging into stories and stats from across women's basketball, she, literally, is digging in the dirt as a farm manager for a farm-to-table restaurant in northeast Georgia.
Dream tap FGCU’s Smesko as head coach
Is it going to be raining 3s in Atlanta? The Dream have hired Karl Smesko, longtime head coach at Florida Gulf Coast, as the franchise’s new head coach.
Around the NCAAW Weekly: South Carolina extends streak to 40
New season, same South Carolina? The No. 1-ranked Gamecocks went 2-0, extending their winning streak to 40 games. Here’s what else happened during the season’s first week.
Preview: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 9 NC State
The Ally Tipoff in Charlotte is serving up a Final Four rematch, with No. 1 South Carolina meeting No. 9 NC State. Then, Iowa and Virginia Tech reprise last year’s matchup, except with lots of changes.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Miller named Wings GM
More hiring news from around the WNBA, as the Dallas Wings install Curt Miller as general manager and the Las Vegas Aces add Ty Ellis to their coaching staff. USA Basketball also announces a 3x3 developmental camp.
This stream has:
2025 WNBA Draft Watch
Keep up with Swish Appeal’s Eric Nemchock’s profiles of the NCAAW stars poised for bright WNBA futures.
Preview: South Carolina vs. Michigan
The No. 1-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks begin their national title defense on Monday night under the bright lights of Las Vegas against the Michigan Wolverines.
This Week in Women’s Basketball: Unrivaled expands to 36
Ahead of its inaugural season, Unrivaled already is expanding, with the 3x3 league now including 36 players. WNBA expansion also remains a topic of conversation in this week’s news.
Sky set to hire Marsh
Reporting indicates that the Chicago Sky will name Las Vegas Aces assistant Tyler Marsh the franchise’s new head coach.
Fever make it official with White
A WNBA head coaching vacancy has been filled, as the Indiana Fever name Stephanie White the franchise’s head coach. It will be White’s second stint as head coach of the Fever.
NCAAW Season Preview: ACC
The ACC now stretches from coast to coast. But the most eyes will be on South Bend, Raleigh and Durham, where the conference’s top teams—Notre Dame, NC State and Duke—reside.