^{November 10, 2025 | Edition #161}

Hey, Hoophead!

Hoping everyone had a good weekend. After all, it was a nonstop hoops marathon! But now that (over) a week of college hoops is behind us, we think we can all agree on three takeaways: freshmen know how to ball, UConn will be just fine without Bueckers, and nobody should be underestimated. Sunday was basically a perfect showcase of all of that in action. So, let’s get started!

Banner Days Are Back in Storrs

When you walk into Gampel Pavilion and look up, it’s hard not to feel the history staring right back at you. Eleven banners hang proudly from the rafters. For nine long years, though, those rafters had been waiting. Silent. Patient. Until Sunday.

Finally, the wait was over!

The Huskies’ 2025 national championship banner found its rightful home up there, joining its old neighbors. And it couldn’t have been a more picture-perfect day with Tina Charles in the stands representing the past, the present (UConn squad) soaking in the moment, and their future, 2026 recruit Olivia Vukosa, watching it all unfold.

Even the ones who couldn’t make it were there in spirit. The super seniors sent in video messages, and let’s just say Paige Bueckers’ clip, or rather her location in the clip, had fans cracking up. Check the clip out here!

Then, it was back to business for the defending champs. And they looked every bit the part. It was their star duo back at it again. Playfully nudging and teasing each other like siblings on the bench, then turning into absolute beasts on the court.

Azzi Fudd exploded early, dropping 20 of her 23 points in the first half, while Sarah Strong added 21 as UConn cruised past Florida State, 99–67. It didn’t start that smoothly, though. The Huskies missed seven of their first nine layups and looked a little rusty out of the gate.

But by the end of the first quarter, they flipped a switch. Kayleigh Heckel, with 12 points and six steals, turned into the spark plug that got them rolling. By the final buzzer, UConn’s bench had outscored Florida State’s 37–1, a stat that pretty much said it all.

And all coach Geno Auriemma could say was, “That’s kind of the way I want it to go the rest of the season!”

Score the Best Hoka Shoe Deals This Fall

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Freshman Magic Seals the Win

Say it with us… WE. MIGHT. HAVE. BEEN. WRONG!

Because if you caught any of those updated Top 10 rankings after Week 1, you probably did a double-take seeing USC sitting pretty up there. And well, they earned it. Their first big test was a gutsy, 69–68 win over No. 9 NC State on Sunday.

Jazzy Davidson officially introduced herself to college basketball. She went off for a team-high 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and five blocks. But it has to be the fact that she WON it for the Trojans when her team was down one with 10 seconds to go. Watch the smooth game-winner by the freshman!

Let’s not forget, though. It was Londynn Jones, who kept USC alive in the first half, when hardly anyone else could buy a bucket. As for NC State, Zoe Brooks did her thing with 24 points, and Khamil Pierre added a double-double. The Wolfpack even led by as many as 11 early in the fourth quarter before it all unraveled in a blink.

Meanwhile, the other big story of the day came from the road, where Kim Mulkey’s Tigers made sure Flau’jae Johnson’s homecoming in Georgia was one to remember. The Tigers rolled past Georgia Southern, 118–70. And Big 4 herself made sure to put on a show, leading LSU with 19 points.

But it wasn’t just the numbers, of course. She had to flex her moves! In just the second quarter, she sent her defender to the floor with a bump and followed it up with this slick behind-the-back dime that led to a three.

Right behind her, MiLaysia Fulwiley matched her with 19 points of her own, while Kate Koval had her best outing yet in purple and gold. Six Tigers scored in double figures as LSU used a pair of second-quarter spurts to take full control.

Still, credit to the Eagles, four of them hit double digits too, putting up, as Mulkey said, “as hard as they probably are capable.”

Bench Mob: College Edition! Watch JuJu Hilariously Going Off on the Bench

Your Fav Duo, Just on Different Sides

Ranked teams winning early in the season isn’t exactly headline-shocking. We kinda know how it’s gonna go. But we plead guilty to still tuning in for the thrill of it.

And this weekend, the friends-turned-"unfriends" brought pure hoops poetry.

Miles toying with magic. Olivia Miles is a true point guard; we all know that. But will she remind us again and again (and again) this season? Absolutely. Playing Sam Houston, TCU was already leading when Miles decided to have a little fun as the commentators said she was “toying” with the ball.

And just when it landed in her hands near the rim, she dished out a perfect one-handed pass to Donovyn Hunter. Effortless. Precise. Like she was just toying with defenders all over again. How did she make this look so effortless?

Miles wrapped up her night with 22 points and nine assists as the Horned Frogs rolled 88–46.

Welcome to hoops, by Hannah! How can we mention Miles and not talk about Hannah Hidalgo? Last season, she was catching those slick Miles passes, and now -Liv or no Liv - she’s still making highlight reels of her own. Facing Chicago State, Hannah went full acrobat mode.

She caught a pass, kept her head down dribbling, shouldered her defender under the rim, and somehow (we’re still trying to figure out how) flipped the ball into the basket before falling on the floor. Check it out and tell us if it doesn’t make you go, “HOW?!”

Oh, and by the way, she also dropped 32 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as the Fighting Irish won 116-58!

“CC Not the Only One!” Paige Bueckers’ Teammate Fiercely Defends Her Against Clark

Clark’s Next Swoosh Move

Caitlin Clark has unofficially become the torchbearer of Kobe Bryant’s iconic Nike sneaker legacy. After rocking multiple player-exclusive colorways - including her viral Nike Kobe 5 “Fever” edition - she’s now back with another drop. The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Caitlin Clark” colorway finally has an official release date!

So if you don’t want to miss out (or need a little refresher on how clean these look on court), we’ve got all the details right here.

Meanwhile, Clark’s been keeping herself busy, and this time, she’s lending her basketball mind (or her stardom) to her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery. We’ve seen her courtside plenty, cheering on the Bulldogs since Connor landed his assistant coaching gig, but it looks like she’s now taking things up a notch. Scouting help, maybe?

From the looks of it… Yes, you might want to see this for yourself!

1. Sophie Cunningham Calls Out Tom Brady’s ‘Weird’ Choice - Full Story

2. Angel Reese’s Post Confirms She’s Officially Taken - Full Story 

3. Without JuJu, USC HC Sees Opportunity in Adversity - Full Story

4. Geno Auriemma Issues Statement on Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong - 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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