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Defending champ Lynx enter 2014 as class of WNBA

By WTOP Staff

JON KRAWCZYNSKI
AP Basketball Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — They have two championships in the last three seasons, a talented core that has been together going on four years and a hard-driving head coach who demands precision in everything they do.

The Minnesota Lynx have become the WNBA’s gold standard, a franchise built on stability, continuity and selflessness much the way the San Antonio Spurs have done in the NBA. And just like those Spurs, there is no end in sight for the Lynx.

“It’s really a special time in our franchise’s history,” coach Cheryl Reeve said. “It’s fun to be a part of whether you’re an assistant coach, a trainer.”

The Lynx have been in the WNBA Finals each of the last three seasons, with a loss to Indiana in 2012 the only hiccup separating them from a full-fledged dynasty. Their trio of stars — Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen — are their version of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and the seamlessness of the program has laid a foundation for what they hope is a long run of success.

“They know each other like the back of their hands,” Whalen said of San Antonio’s Big 3. “I think we have a little bit of that going. I think that’s something we try to emulate and anytime you can get compared to a team like that, that’s pretty cool. I think we’ll take that and keep working on it every day.”

While other teams across the league are changing coaches, retooling rosters and welcoming rookies who will be expected to help turn franchises around, the Lynx return their entire starting five from a year ago and every key player that helped them beat the Atlanta Dream last season for the title.

“It’s such a big help to be able to have one less thing to figure out,” Moore said. “There’s always so many moving pieces in pro sports that it’s a new puzzle every year. But to have that assurance that I know I can count on this really helps. You don’t have to worry about trust or personality or style. You can just start and move forward quicker.”

Here are five things to know about the Lynx heading into the season opener on Friday against Washington:

CHASING HISTORY: If the Lynx can win a second straight title this season, they will be the first team to repeat as champions since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02. “We’re not going to worry about making history until we’re a game away from making history,” Augustus said. “We don’t take anybody lightly. Teams have gotten better.”

MEDICAL REPORT: Top reserve Monica Wright is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, starting power forward Rebekkah Brunson will miss at least two months after having surgery on her right knee this week and backup forward Deveraux Peters had left knee surgery that will keep her out at least six games.

MAYA MANIA: Moore continued her gradual takeover of the franchise, winning the 2013 finals MVP award in her third season. Augustus thinks her teammate still has room to improve. “How she was in 2012 to 2013, expect more (improvement) from 2013 to 2014,” Augustus said.

REEVE’S HONOR: The fiery Reeve was recently added to Geno Auriemma’s Team USA staff. “In the end I offered to be the one that got Maya her water and towels and they said OK, let’s do it. We need someone to do that,” Reeve deadpanned.

FUEL TO THE FIRE: “They came into training camp last year pretty disappointed and (upset) after letting an opportunity get away. So that fueled them. Maybe the difference is I have to do the fueling versus the experiential aspect that provided their internal fuel.” — Reeve.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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