Lang: "Psst, Laura, I'm sorry you're gonna lose tonight."

Harp: "Pffft, bring it on."

This evening, the WNBA pre-season gets underway for the Mystics, as Washington takes on the Sacramento Monarchs at 7PM -- in Tampa. The BasketCases are not aware of any radio coverage of this game, but we're hoping to follow the "play by play" on WNBA.com. Apparently, the Monarchs will be broadcasting this game. You can hear the broadcast via WNBA.com; follow the "listen live" link located in the Ticket Center & Calendar section of Sacramento's home page.

The game's Florida venue also means that most Mystics fans (and most Maryland fans) won't be able to see Lang and Harp in the very first game where they are opponents, not teammates. Greg Auman of the St. Petersburg Times has a feature on these two friends, now foes.

"It'll be very different to play against her," said Langhorne, a 6-foot-2 forward who was taken with the No. 6 pick. "But ever since we've been with our WNBA teams, we've talked every day."

Meanwhile, today's Tampa Tribune has a profile of Bay area native and 2007 Mystics 1st round draftee, Bernice Mosby, who is still recovering from off-season knee surgery but is expecting to play in the Mystics' regular season opener on May 17. The BasketCases look forward to seeing B-Mo back in the line-up!

Speaking of the regular season, WNBA.com previews the Mystics and concludes that with the additional leadership provided by newly-acquired Taj McWilliam-Franklin, plus some talented young new players on the roster, and especially Alana Beard's recovery from shoulder surgery, things are definitely looking up for the Mystics!

Photo Credit: DC BasketCases