Draft Day.

Stanford played nearly flawless basketball to advance to the National Championship game last night, and apparently saved up all the turnovers, poor shots, and big and little mistakes that plague even great teams in most games . . . for that one game. Unfortunately, that left the Cardinal vulnerable to the Lady Vols, as Tennessee took home another Natty, 64-48. It was a great run for Stanford, and the BasketCases look forward to seeing CandICE very soon in the WNBA.

We'll all learn in just a few hours exactly where CandICE, Harp, Lang and the other senior stars will be heading. As we wait, there's plenty to speculate about. It comes as no surprise to the BasketCases, for example, to read in Kathy Orton's article in today's Washington Post that Nikki Teasley's departure from the Mystics has D.C. re-thinking its draft strategy.

Previously, the Mystics were focused on getting a post player, but with the unexpected void at the point, Mystics GM Linda Hargrove has candidly acknowledged that the team is now looking more broadly. This means, of course, that Terps fans may not get to see Lang or Harp in Mystics blue this summer. However, it also means that we still may. We'll only know when Donna O steps to the podium early this afternoon. And we also think the Mystics could possibly announce a big trade that might have an impact on their draft position and/or their draft choice. Draft day is always full of surprises. We'll just have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, for those who'd like to examine some possible PG selections (in the event that's the direction the Mystics decide they need to go), Nancy Lieberman has an analysis here. And wherever Harp and Lang end up, it would indeed be shocking, as Milton Kent reports, if they were not both drafted in the first round. As Coach B says, “Both players are going to be tremendous professionals and will be able to make an immediate impact on whatever team they play for.”

Check back with us later as it all unfolds . . . Better yet, head over to the Greene Turtle at noon for the Mystics' Draft Day party!

Graphic courtesy of WNBA.com