This reminds me of coaching girls' basketball and having tournaments starting on Saturday morning.

The Lynx (11-1) and Chicago (7-2) play at 11:30 a.m. Kinda early. But the WNBA, like other sports leagues, does what TV wants. And ESPN is televising this game and celebrating the 40th anniversary at the same time.

Lynx players were wearing warmup sweatshirts with a big red "IX" on them. Their actual game jerseys -- special blue jerseys -- have smaller "IX" 's on the front of them in white.

Sprinkled throughout the game and the broadcast will be references to Title IX and introductions of pioneers in women's sports. Kinda neat, especially with no deadline pressure because this game is so early.

So what did Title IX, passed June 23, 1972, say? "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity."

Hard to be against that.

The probable starters:

Lynx

C Taj McWilliams-Franklin (#8) ... At 41, she has to try to stop 6-6 Sylvia Fowles, a double-double machine for the Sky

F Maya Moore (#23) ... Strong all-around player

F Rebekkah Brunson (#32) ... Widely viewed as best rebounder in league although only 6-2

G Lindsay Whalen (#13) ... Had rough first quarter against NY in last game, 1x6, 3 turnovers ... will want better start

G Seimone Augustus (#33) ... Coming off best game of season. ... Had 26 points, 8 assists, 7 rebs. in rout over N.Y.

Chicago

C Sylvia Fowles (#34) ... Started season with eight double-doubles, leads league in rebounding, FG pct.

F Swin Cash (#8) ... Member of U.S. team for Olympics along with Fowles

F Ruth Riley (#00) ... Avg. 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds

G Tamera Young (#1) ... Replacing injured guard Epiphanny Prince as starter, usually listed as 6-2 forward

G Courtney Vandersloot (#22) ... Second-year point guard ave. 4.4 assists

STATS CHANGE

There will be an extra statistician at courtside to help keep track of what is going on. Why? There are no numbers -- only IX -- on the front of the jerseys that the Lynx and Sky will be wearing for this game.