^{November 03, 2025 | Edition #159}

Hey, Hoophead!

Let’s officially welcome back college hoops!

It has been a long, hot summer of waiting. As the weather gets cooler, the season will get hotter. The first day itself looks quite interesting. But now that we’re here, you’ve probably noticed how much college basketball has changed. And we get it, it’s tough to keep track. So, let us help you catch you up real quick on the changes and what to watch this season.

Blue Devils and Tar Heels Get the Ball Rolling

It’s good news that the world’s finally catching up to women’s hoops. Even better that ESPN is all in this season, airing over 240 games on its main networks and more than 3,000 on ESPN+. But the best part has to be that the schedule makers clearly understood the assignment.

Leading the national spotlight are Duke and UConn, both set for 24 nationally televised games. South Carolina’s close behind with 23, and North Carolina isn’t far off with 22. And it’s only fitting that the season tips off with two fan favorites right out of the gate: UNC and Duke!

And maybe more than the fans, the opener has the Blue Devils themselves grinning. After all, it’s more than just hoops.

Wait till you see what (or rather, where) they’re up to!

But back to business, we’re talking about the first matchup between two ranked teams. No. 7 Duke vs. No. 16 Baylor. It’ll be balanced but intense. Duke brings its top-tier defense, while Baylor’s all about that shooting firepower.

The last time these two faced off was way back in 2010 (Baylor took that one). But under Kara Lawson, the Sisterhood is 5–0 in season openers, so it’s safe to say they’ll be looking to keep that streak alive. Tip-off’s at noon ET.

Before that, though, the day actually starts in Chapel Hill. UNC will open the season with a non-conference matchup against NC Central. And we know what you’re all thinking. Even our minds went straight to that 119–43 blowout too, when the Tar Heels absolutely torched the Eagles.

But it’s a new season, and both squads have fresh faces. NCCU alone added eight newcomers. Tar Heels are still heavy favorites to grab a home win with Reniya Kelly (if she plays) expected to lead the charge. The season begins at 11 a.m. You already know what to do!

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Top Dawgs Set Out on the Road to March

A few top squads also begin their four-month journey to Selection Sunday today.

The No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks tip things off tonight at 7 p.m. ET against Grand Canyon, a team fresh off its best-ever 32–3 season. But if we have to be honest, Dawn Staley’s crew should still prove a little too much for them to handle. And with Joyce Edwards already dropping 40 in the preseason, now we’re keeping an eye on Ta’Niya Latson. Hope she shows us something special.

And speaking of special, Staley might be feeling a bit nostalgic tonight. A very familiar face will be back in Columbia. One who helped the Gamecocks win it all. Only this time they’ll be on the other side of the floor.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, No. 3 UCLA is ready to roll in Anaheim against San Diego State. It was supposed to be the big debut for freshman phenom Sienna Betts, but she’s sidelined for now. Still, the Bruins, coming off a 34–3 season, are expected to pick up right where they left off. Especially Lauren Betts, making her Player of the Year case.

While the Bruins have some bad news, the LA team has already created program history before even stepping on the court.

And don’t go anywhere, because once that wraps, No. 4 Texas hosts Incarnate Word at 8 p.m. The Longhorns were 17–0 at home last season, while Incarnate Word went 6–8 on the road… You can probably guess how that’ll go.

Oh, and before it skips your mind, don’t forget to keep an eye on the rookies. Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez and Iowa’s Addie Deal are both set for their college debuts tonight.

Tough Call! Kim Caldwell Delivers a Heartbreaking Verdict on Her Key Player

NCAA’s Rulebook Glow-Up

It hasn’t hit yet, right?!

We’re officially diving into a season that might be the last of its kind. Yes, the NCAA tournament could look a whole lot different soon, with expansion talks picking up steam. But until then, this year’s rolling with its own fair share of fresh changes.

Let’s start with the big one: Coaches’ Appeals!

Yes, coaches can now challenge:

• Out-of-bounds calls.

• Backcourt violations.

• Whether the right player was called for a foul.

• If possession changed before a foul that led to free throws.

Sounds simple, but trust us, this is huge and was much needed. One of the big reasons might just be this game back in 2023. Indeed, the rule changes arrived a little too late for Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes. But, progress is progress.

Now, there are a few more tweaks too. If a team calls excessive timeouts or accidentally has six players on the floor when the ball’s live, that’s now a team technical foul. It’ll count toward team fouls. So, no more sneaky subs or time-stretching antics!

Another notable one is the jump stop rule. Players can now complete a jump stop if both feet land roughly at the same time. It’s officially not a travel anymore. Oh, and the one uniform rule players have been side-eyeing for ages? It’s finally gone. You can check out exactly what changed here!

All in all, the NCAA clearly had a vision: better flow, fewer stoppages, and a modern game. If this is the “last dance” for the current format, it’s at least dancing to a better rhythm.

Clark on Off-Court Duty! Caitlin’s Bridesmaid Look Has Fans Swooning

Sophie Cunningham’s Hollywood Crossover

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship ended with a twist: Kyle Larson took home the title! But that wasn’t the only “unexpected” in Phoenix. Fans got treated to a wild crossover when Sophie Cunningham met global superstar Sydney Sweeney. Naturally, the photos went viral within minutes. Because, well, have you seen how gorgeous both of them are?

But that’s not all Sophie’s been up to lately. She recently starred in an ad for Damian Lillard’s new Adidas shoe line, sharing some stunning shots from the campaign. And just a few days ago, she popped up on “Good Morning America.” Not just as a casual guest, but clearly on business. Watch the segment here!

1. Caitlin Clark Breaks the Internet (Again) With Bold New Nike Drop - Full Story

2. Geno Auriemma Pokes Fun at Paige Bueckers Over NCAA Title Celebration - Full Story

3. Sandy Brondello Gets Candid on the Two Players Who Haunted Her: Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson - Full Story

4. Sophie Cunningham’s Offseason Decision Casts Doubts on Fever Return - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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