Fever host Connecticut seeking 7th straight win in afternoon dual

As I’ve been saying, the Indiana Fever are rolling. They are fun to watch, they work their butts off, and the results are apparent.

Wednesday the Fever host their top east rival, Connecticut, since Detroit moved to Tulsa. Winners of their last six games, the Fever are also playing in their third game without starting point guard Briann January, who is out for the season with a torn ACL in her right knee. Losing January is huge, but not quite as bad as many thought. Indiana’s longest winning streak in franchise history is 11, done back in July 2009.

Australian Erin Phillips has taken over that role and been fantastic. Last game the team turned it over a season-low 10 times Saturday against Washington. Here defense has been most impressive, hounding the ball handler and using her body to not allow easy offense for the opposition. Thus far, her offense is underrated as well. Phillips has been able to knock down the open three with ease and she’s best off a screen when dribbling to the hoop.

Tangela Smith bumped knees with a practice player last Friday and her right knee swelled up so bad she missed her first game in a couple seasons. She practice Tuesday, hopefully she will return to the starting lineup.

Tamika Catchings remains the leader of this ball club, in her 10th year now. Although her offensive production has gone down, she remains the WNBA’s best defender. Sitting in front of the visitor’s bench, the opposing team always speaks very complimentary of Catch. Most of the time the coach is saying, “you can’t guard Tamika that way. I don’t care if you get the rebound, but sure as heck make sure she doesn’t.” What a compliment.

I think her chances at league MVP have run out because she isn’t amongst the top in the league in scoring–we all know that’s part of the criteria. But much like Peyton Manning of the Colts, find me a player more important to her team than Catchings. Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, Candace Parker. Nope. And there’s no better role model in the league.

This annual, one a year afternoon game is always fun, especially for the kids. Thousands of children from local camps like the YMCA come down to Conseco Fieldhouse for the day game. They are all given thunder sticks to band around for no reason what so ever. And the music is focused on the campers, with the likes of SpongeBob Squarepants.I especially like this because this may be the only time a kid is able to make it to any event downtown. What a treat.

Also, all kids get in for just $1 when accompanied by an adult. (First-year WNBA President Laurel J. Richie will be in attendance.)

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