Podcast: Providence Journal women's college basketball preview

Pick and Pop College Hoops Podcast

Welcome back, folks. It's time for college basketball.

This is Bill Koch, sports writer with the Providence Journal. I'm joined by Nick Coit, the sports director at ABC6 and a weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit on WEEI-Providence. It's great to be back with you after a long summer away.

This is the second of three parts -- our women's preview in Rhode Island. We hit the four Division I teams here and follow with one more podcast this week -- our bold (or not so bold) predictions. Our men's preview went online Wednesday afternoon.

The University of Rhode Island women (1:20) are favorites to repeat as Atlantic 10 champions and reach the NCAA Tournament. Brown (14:40) looks to continue its climb in the Ivy League after making progress in 2022-23. Providence (22:25) has a new coach in Erin Batth and looks to surprise in a tough Big East. Bryant (32:25) brings back an alum on the sidelines in Lynne-Ann Kokoski, who replaces retired Hall of Famer Mary Burke.

And a bonus, thanks to Coit -- a nod to Rhode Island College (42:30) and hopes they can capture the same magic that led to a Division III Final Four run last season.

We'll be in this space at least once a week until the nets are cut down in early April. Looking forward to the journey with all of you.