SEC POY Mikayla Blakes on Vandy’s rise + which team needs a conferenc… — and more

Hoops 360 hosts Caroline Fenton and Cassandra Negley break down the Power Four conference tournaments with March implications on the line. Is the SEC title South Carolina’s to lose? Can Duke’s offense deliver? Is anyone built to challenge UCLA? And how will the Big 12 shake out?

Plus, Vanderbilt star and SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes joins the show to talk leadership, confidence, and how Vanderbilt surged into national title contention.

Got a question or topic you want covered? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it in a future episode.

01:38 - SEC Conference Tournament Preview: Can South Carolina win its 4th consecutive conference championship?

05:58 - Who could knock off South Carolina?

08:48 - Will Vanderbilt or Texas take the final No. 1 seed?

10:22 - Which team needs to make a run the most to bolster resume?

13:43 - SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes joins Hoops 360!

25:34 - ACC Conference Tournament Preview: What must Duke do to give you confidence in them?

28:51 - If not Duke, then who?

31:05 - Big Ten Conference Tournament Preview: Can anyone compete with UCLA?

35:47 - Big 12 Conference Tournament Preview: Who is the most in need of a resume boost?

39:05 - Additional conference tournaments to watch: Big East, Ivy League, Summit League, A10

45:03 - Which conference tournament is most intriguing?

50:11 - Upcoming games to watch

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EVERTON 2-0 BURNLEY - NATHAN SALT AT THE HILL DICKINSON STADIUM: There were moans, groans, and in the end cheers at Everton finally snapped a barren spell here at home.

Rhian Wilkinson savoured the result, if not the performance, as Wales salvaged a draw from their opening Women's World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic.

Wales looked set for costly defeat in Uherske Hradiste with the Czechs leading 2-1 in added time.

But substitute Elise Hughes' 93rd-minute header secured a draw which felt almost like a victory after a mixed Wales display.

Given that Wales and the Czech Republic are expected to battle it out for top spot, Wilkinson acknowledged that Hughes' leveller could "absolutely" prove to be key when Group B1 concludes in June.

"That is what we talked about before the game and we prepared for - if we get a tie (draw) away, are we happy with it?" the Wales head coach said.

"It's a big tie and we're pleased with that."

Both goals Wales conceded came from set-pieces, with Eva Bartonova and Jana Zufankova scoring in each half.

Hannah Cain rounded off a fine team move for the visitors' first equaliser before Hughes' fifth international goal gave Wales' women the advantage over the Czechs at this early stage in World Cup qualifying.

"I don't think it was our best performance but we did know that this was going to be a huge battle for us against a really top team at home, so we were going to have to show up and deliver," Wilkinson added.

"There were moments in that game where I didn't think we were good enough."

• Wales salvage late draw in Czech Republic

"But what I am proud of is that we stuck in it to the very end and that goal was going to be important for us to get the tie."

In Wales' first competitive since the international retirement of Jess Fishlock, Wilkinson picked a side packed with experience.

But the Canadian paid tribute to the less experienced "finishers" who played a part after coming off the bench.

"We've got to make sure we keep testing our depth and giving players opportunities to shine like Elise did today," she said.

"I thought Mared also came on and made a difference, Carrie Jones came in, so a lot of performances that were important for us tonight."

Wales, who are looking to qualify for the Women's World Cup for the first time, play their second qualifier against Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday.