Unequalled 1v1 match schedule, predictions: which WNBA star will win all of it?

4 WNBA stars are on the cusp of bringing dwelling a $200,000 money prize — and being topped the winner of Unequalled’s inaugural 1v1 match.

These gamers are Azura Stevens (Rose Membership), Napheesa Collier (Lunar Owls Membership), Aaliyah Edwards (Mist Membership), and Arike Ogunbowale (Vinyl Membership).

However these 4 aren’t the one Unequalled gamers with cash on the road on Friday. Members of the Rose, Lunar Owls, Mist, and Vinyl all have a stake within the sport, even when they’re eradicated from the match or by no means participated in it within the first place. That’s as a result of they are going to be awarded $10,000, by proxy, if their teammate wins all of it.

Collier, one of many league’s co-founders, stated that a part of what lured gamers to compete within the match was the money prize.

“I feel as soon as folks noticed the prize cash, that form of abated a number of our worries,” she stated. “As a result of, for 200k — and it was extra earlier than we determined to separate it up between the teammates of the winner — I feel simply seeing that cash bought everybody chomping on the bit to go on the market.”

Semi-Finals Matchups and Predictions

The Semi-Finals start on Friday, Feb 14. on TNT. The primary sport, between Aaliyah Edwards and Arike Ogunbowale, will happen at 7:30pm ET. The second sport, between Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens, is at 7:45pm.

Then, the 2 winners will face off at 8pm in a best-of-three Finals sequence.

Aaliyah Edwards vs Arike Ogunbowale: Nobody anticipated Aaliyah Edwards to beat Breanna Stewart 12-0 within the first spherical of the match. However, it wasn’t a fluke for the Washington Mystics rookie, who subsequently had a bye within the second spherical earlier than handily beating Allisha Grey within the quarterfinals.

Ogunbowale, in the meantime, was one of many match’s No. 1 seeds, and after a first-round bye, she’s eradicated each Skylar Diggins-Smith (12-8) and Satou Sabally (12-8). She hasn’t bought fireplace but, however she’s confirmed she will be able to at any second. Nonetheless, I give the sting to Edwards, who’s merely been locked into one other gear for the reason that match started.

Prediction: Aaliyah Edwards advances

Napheesa Collier vs Azura Stevens: Napheesa Collier has been essentially the most dominant participant in Unequalled for the reason that league tipped off final month — and her dominance has continued by way of Unequalled’s 1v1 match. She eradicated former UConn teammate Katie Lue Samuelson 12-6 on day one to advance to the second spherical. Then, on the second day of motion, Collier beat Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson 12-5 and Lynx teammate Courtney Williams 12-4, utilizing her measurement and power benefit towards each opponents.

Stevens, in the meantime, had a first-round bye on account of opponent accidents however dominated on Day 2. First, she eradicated fellow post-player Shakira Austin 11-4, earlier than beating fellow Los Angeles Sparks teammate Rae Burrell. Stevens stated she’s a giant fan of the match and that she’d wish to see it happen elsewhere as nicely.

“I feel it’d be nice for them so as to add them within the W,” Stevens stated. “I feel each league ought to add it. I feel Unequalled is setting a tempo for all sports activities leagues to take discover.”

Now, Collier and Stevens — former UConn teammates — will face off with a visit to the finals on the road.

Set Quantity: X161810 TK1

At 6’6, Stevens has the scale/size edge, however the 6’1 Collier performs greater than her measurement. Each can knock down the three, so a few of it would come right down to who can discover a rhythm early on, however I give the sting to Collier, who’s merely been unstoppable on each ends to date in Unequalled.

The winners of every of these matchups will compete in a best-of-three sequence for the 1v1 title.

My present predictions? Collier and Edwards will face off in a best-of-three ultimate with Collier coming away victorious within the ultimate sport, fittingly profitable the 1v1 match of the league that she helped co-found.