Hoops 360 hosts Caroline Fenton and Cassandra Negley take a look at the 2026 playoff field as the regular season winds down, going team by team to identify each contender’s biggest “championship trait.” Could the Indiana Fever’s “Big Three” lead them to a title? Will the Atlanta Dream’s defense prove that defense really does win championships?

Plus, it’s awards season! Caroline and Cass make their picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player and Sixth Woman of the Year. Who poses the biggest threat to A’ja Wilson’s MVP bid? And why is Olivia Miles the clear choice for Rookie of the Year?

Also, stay tuned for some news and notes surrounding the WNBA this past week!

01:53 - Breaking down the 8 playoff teams: MN, GS, LV, ATL, IND, WASH, DAL, NY

02:15 - Minnesota Lynx

07:14 - Golden State Valkyries

11:07 - Las Vegas Aces

14:12 - Atlanta Dream

17:25 - Indiana Fever

19:50 - New York Liberty

23:09 - Washington Mystics

25:38 - Dallas Wings

28:05 - 2026 WNBA Awards selections: MVP, ROY, COY, DPOY, MIP, 6th Woman

01:00:32 - News & Notes around the league

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Hoops 360 hosts Caroline Fenton and Cassandra Negley break down the biggest takeaways from the 2026 FIBA World Cup, where Team USA captured its fifth consecutive gold medal. They spotlight veteran star and tournament MVP Breanna Stewart, while also diving into the dynamic duo of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and what their continued rise means for the future of women’s basketball.

Caroline and Cass also discuss the WNBA’s high-stakes playoff race: Who will secure the No. 1 seed? Which teams will secure home-court advantage? And how will teams look as players and coaches transition back from World Cup competition?

Plus, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced her retirement. What opportunities does the league have to continue growing its business, and what qualities will be most important in the WNBA’s next commissioner as the league enters its next era?

01:08 - FIBA World Cup takeaways: Breanna Stewart, Caitlin Clark + Angel Reese duo

12:23 - Highlighting Team USA's next generation

19:08 - Storylines to keep an eye as the WNBA returns & playoffs inch closer

24:19 - A'ja Wilson & the Las Vegas Aces

30:37 - What does the WNBA need in a new commissioner?

42:43 - How does adding road trips help grow Unrivaled?

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Hoops 360 hosts Caroline Fenton and Cassandra Negley break down the latest news heading into the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, including the news that A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the tournament. With two of Team USA’s biggest stars and most experienced players unavailable, can they keep their World Cup hopes alive? How will such a young roster fare on such a big stage?

Also, women’s basketball analyst and Her Hoops Stats writer Richard Cohen joins the show to take a closer look at the talent across the World Cup field. Richard breaks down the contenders, the players to watch and the teams that could give Team USA the biggest challenge. Who poses the biggest threat to the Americans? And does France have what it takes to win it all?

*Disclaimer: Some World Cup rosters were not fully finalized during the time of recording.

01:28 - How detrimental is the loss of A'ja Wilson to Team USA?

06:13 - What will Sonia Citron & Kiki Iriafen bring to Team USA?

10:33 - How does the FIBA World Cup work?

15:53 - Is the FIBA World Cup break good or bad for WNBA teams?

20:35 - Richard Cohen joins Hoops 360: Women's basketball analyst & 'Her Hoops s=Stats' writer

01:00:50 - Upcoming World Cup games to watch

Subscribe to Hoops 360 on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the entire Yahoo Sports podcast network