Wirth, Fever make WNBA Finals

by Barca Blog - Congratulations to Christina Wirth and the Indiana Fever for advancing to the WNBA Finals after defeating defending champion Detroit 72-67 on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

As a rookie, Wirth has seen an increase in playing time during the postseason. She's appeared in three of the Fever's five playoff games, averaging 6.3 minutes per game and 1.3 points per game.

Indiana will face Phoenix in the best-of-five WNBA Finals starting on Tuesday, September 29.

Photo courtesy of WNBA.com/fever

WNBA Tuesday Programming Note

By Weinman - ESPN2's first WNBA broadcast of the 2009 season will be tomorrow night's Seattle-Indiana game at Conseco Fieldhouse. The game tips at 6 p.m. CT and will be shown in hi-definition.

The Fever will be looking to rebound from with back-to-back season-opening losses at Atlanta and against Minnesota. According to the schedule on wnba.com, this will be the only ESPN2 game for the Fever and 2009 VU grad Christina Wirth (the team is scheduled to make five appearances on NBA TV this year).

Wirth makes Fever's 2009 roster

By Weinman - Congratulations to Christina Wirth! The Indiana Fever have set their roster for the 2009 season, and the recent Vanderbilt grad was one of two rookies to make the team.

The Fever's 11-woman roster features a contrast of experience and youth, with six players boasting eight-or-more years of WNBA experience and four players in their first or second season. The exception is Ebony Hoffman, who has played five years in the league.

Head Coach Lin Dunn's squad opens the 2009 regular season on Saturday, June 6, in Atlanta against the Dream. The Fever return to Indianapolis the following night for their home opener against Minnesota. Their 34-game schedule runs through Sept. 13.

PR director Kevin Messenger will host a live chat prior to tomorrow night's game at Atlanta on the Indiana Fever web site.

WBB Staff Catches Fan Fever

By Weinman - Last night the Indiana Fever topped the Chicago Sky, 74-67, in an exhibition contest in Indianapolis. In attendance for the game, which pitted former Commodore teammates Christina Wirth (above) and Jennifer Risper against each other, were members of the Vanderbilt coaching staff. Click the picture above for a larger version, and notice who is sitting just to the right of the basketball....

Another big "Thank You!" to the Fever photographer Frank McGrath and P.R. director Kevin Messenger, who have been extremely helpful in sending pictures and information back to Nashville. McGrath also included a shot of Wirth and Fever teammate Katie Douglas playing a little defense in the Fever's photo gallery.

Dore vs. Dore: Fever host Sky Thursday

By Weinman - Former Commodore teammates Jennifer Risper and Christina Wirth will don opposing jerseys this evening as Wirth's Indiana Fever play host to Risper's Chicago Sky tonight in a WNBA preseason contest.

As co-captains for the 2008-09 Vanderbilt women's basketball team, Wirth and Risper led the Commodores to their sixth Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship and the school's 14th appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16.

Thursday night will give both WNBA rookies another opportunity to stand out as coaches prepare their rosters for the upcoming 2009 season. For information on tonight's game, check out the Fever's web site.

For the Sky, she's not a reach

By Weinman - Even though training camps started just this week, WNBA preseason games will begin tomorrow. Thanks to P.R. Manager Ronnie Ramirez in Chicago for passing along the first images of 2009 WBCA Defensive Player of the Year Jennifer Risper in her new Sky uniform. Like former teammate Christina Wirth, Risper will stick with her collegiate number in the pros. Chicago and Indiana are scheduled to square off in a preseason matchup next Thursday, April 28, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Click on the pics above to see larger images....

And here's another YouTube clip that is vaguely related to a WNBA nickname (this one has a Nashville connection, as well).

You give me fever

By Weinman - WNBA training camps started yesterday, with many teams hosting their "Media Days" this morning. Thanks to P.R. Director Kevin Messenger and photographer Frank McGrath for sending along these first images of Vanderbilt grad and Indiana Fever second-round draft pick Christina Wirth. While meeting with the media, Fever players and staff posed for pictures and signed a set of basketballs (Wirth is pictured with Tamika Catchings in the first image). Click on the pics above to see larger images....

And in honor of Barca, how 'bout a YouTube video of Fever?

2009 WNBA Draft today

by Barca Blog -Vanderbilt fans can track the 2009 WNBA Draft this afternoon to see if seniors Jennifer Risper and Christina Wirth get selected by one of the league's 13 franchises.

ESPN2 will broadcast the first round at 2 p.m. CT, while ESPNU and NBA-TV will carry the second and third rounds.

Click here for official draft coverage and check out David Boclair's feature on the Commodore duo in today's edition of The City Paper.