We did this when we went in ‘96. We actually got tickets to bigger events, but also saw handball, water polo and beach volleyball (first time in Olympics) and had a blast. Venues were smaller. We saw great performances. And it’s really the best way to approach it.

PJ Brown: Seeds planted early for UCLA's title Reflections on Final Fours

I talked to UCLA coach Cori Close last fall and she shared with me why this team was great. Turns out they had all the ingredients for this title run.

Here are my thoughts…

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PJ Brown: Observations from the Final Four Lasting impressions from Texas’ Madison Booker, Rori Harmon, Vic Schaefer and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley

Time for some observations on the Women’s Final Four!!

Read my thoughts here …

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PJ Brown: Notebook from Final Four Running it back, a different type of leadership, staying in school and having fun

Yes, it’s a two-fer Friday!! I’ve got NOTES on the Women’s Final Four.

Check them out here (Photo UCLA Athletics) …

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For UConn’s Morgan Valley, it all comes down to being present At the Final Four and at home

I talked to UConn assistant coach Morgan Valley to learn more about her season, as well as what makes this squad stand out.

Here’s the story … (Photo UConn Athletics)

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The Undercovered: Women's sports with PJ Brown | Substack The Undercovered: Women's sports with PJ Brown is a newsletter that focuses on the untold stories of women's college, pro and Olympic athletes, their coaches and those around them who make it all go. ...

Heading to Phoenix for the Women’s Final Four. I have stories lined up; will be doing notes (1 of my favorite things!), etc. Please read & subscribe so I can continue to do this work. You can find my pub here: theundercovered.substack.com

PJ Brown: Bobbi Palma, a pioneer you should know One of many who helped shape women's sports

I’ve been thinking a lot about the women who came before us in sports. Bobbi Palma is one of them.

Here are some of my thoughts and part of Bobbi’s story. (Photo Bobbi Palma)

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The secret behind Arizona softball’s Tayler Biehl's resurgence at the plate It's all about letting go of the pressure and finding the joy

We always talk about Arizona softball’s Tayler Biehl in terms of defense and now we’re talking about her hitting.

Here’s the full story of what’s behind that … (photo Arizona Athletics)

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Why Arizona Softball's Caitlin Lowe is smiling so much this season It's not the wins; it's the chemistry

At Arizona softball, I noticed that coach Caitlin Lowe is having fun and smiling a lot more.

Here’s the full story of what’s gone into that …. (Photo by Catherine Regan/Arizona Athletics)

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Unbreakable Bonds: Talie Bonds, a New Mom, Redefining Strength in Pursuit of the 2028 Olympics Bonds on journey back to top form, while living out her other dream of being a mom

These are the stories I love working on.

Talie Bonds, an elite hurdler and a new mom, started training for the 2028 Olympics four months after giving birth to her son, Jasper. Talie shared with me what it’s been like for her.

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PJ Brown: It’s time for the WNBA to pay the women Observations on the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement

Here are some of my thoughts on what’s going on with the WNBA.

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PJ Brown: Opening day at Arizona softball Observations from Hillenbrand Stadium

Here are my observations from opening day at Arizona Softball.

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Time for opening day at Arizona softball

It was a sad day for journalism and sports journalism. A great message from my friend, @howardmegdal.bsky.social today (and always). This is the time to support your favorite journalists, so we can all continue to do good, quality work.

Last week I was back reporting on basketball in person for 2 games at SMU women’s basketball.

Here are some observations on what it’s like being back after 10 months.

(photo courtesy of SMU Athletics)

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Arizona Sports & Events Alliance's Kelly Triplett made for the sprint to the Women's Final Four What goes into the last few months of preparing to host the most anticipated event of the 2025-26 season

Phoenix is hosting the 2026 Women’s Final Four. I talked to Arizona Sports & Events Alliance’s Kelly Triplett on the planning, as well as what the sprint to April 3 looks like.

Here’s the full story …

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Stanford basketball's Chloe Clardy "battle-tested" and it shows Clardy on studying, working to grow and help teammates

“She’s battle-tested. You can’t buy that; you can’t rush that. That’s true experience.” - Stanford women’s basketball coach Kate Paye on junior guard Chloe Clardy

Read the full story here …

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Great nugget from @cbrunsonaz.bsky.social on this USC-UCLA game about the shoes. USC’s JuJu Watkins designed the Nike shoes her teammates are wearing however Londynn Jones isn’t wearing them because they didn’t make them small enough. Jones wears a 7 & the shoes only go down to 7 1/2.

PJ Brown: The fight for media attention for women's sports continues UCLA coach Cori Close's message after little coverage of game between two ranked teams

The lack of media coverage for women’s basketball/sports was a big topic this week as UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close started the conversation after the Bruins game at Ohio State.

Here’s my take …

(Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics)

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Team USA women's water polo navigating new waters after loss at 2024 Olympics With parity in play, the domination may be over but Team USA still among the best

I believe stories on Olympians should be told all the time, not just the few weeks leading up to their events.

My latest is on Team USA women’s water polo team and their reset for the 2028 Olympics in L.A.

Here’s the full story…

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This is a must-listen. Not just this episode but every episode!

Louisville volleyball's Hannah Kenny takes on new role, yet thrives, impacts the program as a freshman Kenny relies on work ethic, mentality and skills

“We’d want a million Hannah Kennys on our team if we could.” - Louisville volleyball assistant CC McGraw.

Here’s the full story on Hannah Kenny.

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Illinois women’s basketball with a dominant win, 78-57, over Indiana to open Big Ten play. It was disciplined, team ball with 23 assists on 34 made FGs. The Illini forced 20 turnovers.

Illinois basketball's Destiny Jackson uses her Chicago mentality to her advantage Jackson on never being satisfied

“(It’s about) never being satisfied; always knowing that there is another step that I can reach.” - Illinois freshman guard Destiny Jackson.

Here’s the full story on this Chicagoan …

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It's a new day and a reset for SMU basketball coach Adia Barnes Barnes on starting over in Dallas and at SMU

I talked to SMU women’s basketball coach Adia Barnes recently on her new chapter.

Here’s the full story

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I had a great conversation with Arizona Triathlon’s Kelly Wetteland a few weeks back (prior to her winning the NCAA individual championship and another team title).

I hope you’ll take a look at theundercovered.substack.com/p/arizona-tr...

My biggest fan ... Honoring and celebrating Phyliss Brown

My 97 year old mom, Phyliss Brown, passed away last week. After some reflection, it’s time to celebrate her life.

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From individual and team National Champion, Arizona Triathlon’s Kelly Wetteland…

Spend a few good minutes with ... USC basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb Gottlieb on the "Real 'SC" matchup. coaches facing extra challenges and more

With all the changes in college basketball, USC basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb made a “conscious decision to double down on the things that are my core values of coaching.”

Here’s the full Q&A, including Saturday’s upcoming “The Real ‘SC” game

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Arizona Triathlon’s Kelly Wetteland’s unimaginable meteoric rise to the top of the sport A newcomer to triathlon, Wetteland’s work ethic, clear-headedness and trust in her coaches made all the difference

I wrote about Kelly Wetteland earlier in the week and today she won the National Championship as Arizona Triathlon won its’ second consecutive title.

Here’s the story …

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