Higher Post: Shut Up and Drivel
...but enjoy Rivalry Week when you need a release.
Congregation, please stand up….
…and take a moment before the ultra sports weekend begins!
I want to take a moment to start off with something more serious.
There is something I struggle with as a content creator: when to speak out on issues, and when not to.
On one hand, I have a platform I use for a specific purpose—to celebrate the fandom of college basketball and everything that brings us joy in the world of hoops. I work to keep things positive because so much of the sports content space is negative or toxic.
On the other hand, when you have a platform, there’s a strong argument to use it when you need to speak out on issues.
Anyone who knows me personally knows I have a strong political and social conscience, and the current state of affairs in our country is hard to watch. In fact, it makes me angry on a regular basis. The amount of racism, sexism, homophobia etc. we have allowed to become commonplace is absolutely appalling.
And there lies the conundrum—I aim for this platform to be an escape from all the darkness by promoting the fun of this game that so many of us love. And, if you are not a fan yet, I hope to make you one. If I can provide relief from the darkness by offering something of positive value, I feel I have hit one before the buzzer.
But we are in a weird time. Sometimes writing about basketball while so many people are being downright mistreated by an administration that only cares about power—an administration acting with pure racist, sexist, and homophobic intent—makes what I do feel superficial. I have to remind myself why I do it.
Athletes and entertainers are criticized for either speaking up or not speaking up, depending entirely on which side of the issue you’re on. From the right, athletes like LeBron James are told to “shut up and dribble” by conservative pundits like Laura Ingraham when speaking out against actions from this administration. From the left, LeBron also gets criticized for not using his platform enough.
I want to make two points on this.
First, regarding not using your platform: that is a right, and I will defend it. Do I like to see platforms used effectively? Yes. But it’s a choice, and I respect that. As I said, that’s my conundrum—I have a lot to say, but I try to keep this a bright space in the darkness. My decision is not out of fear, but a choice to offer a time out.
Second, and in contrast: American athletes, entertainers, and celebrities are Americans—full stop. Being an athlete, entertainer, or celebrity does not diminish anyone’s right to speak as a citizen. As citizens, we should all be invested in our communities and speak up when we see something wrong. Don’t discredit someone for being ‘just an athlete.’
But let’s be honest: this isn’t really about credentials or expertise. It’s racism and sexism disguised as political commentary. Ingraham said it herself:
‘If pro athletes and entertainers want to freelance as political pundits, then they should not be surprised when they’re called out for insulting politicians.’
But that’s just it. They’re not trying to be ‘political pundits’—they’re acting as concerned citizens. And bravo to that. It is you, Laura, that keeps it superficial by not addressing what it really is. Then again, you need this in order to convert their vocal outrage into nightly fodder content to fill your hour of air.
Paige Bueckers, from Minnesota, is using her platform to speak out against ICE raids tearing families apart in her home state. She is not speaking as a basketball player, but as a concerned citizen for her community—while recognizing that her fame gives her the platform to do so. Of course, she’s taking the venom of internet trolls as expected (who I won’t give attention to here). She showed support for her community when they needed her. She showed that they are not alone. For that, I applaud her. I thank her. I will promote her message because I agree with her. My platform is a mere electron in comparison to her galaxy, but if there’s a way to push the message while also keeping the positivity of my central content mission, I will find a way to do so.
Sometimes keeping this a positive space means calling out the darkness trying to dim the lights.
#GoMinnesota. #ICEOUT #GoDefense.
I always mean what I say, but I don't always say what I'm thinking.
- UNC Hall of Fame Coach Dean Smith
The Infoulable!
Tracking the remaining teams who have yet to commit the ultimate sin...of losing.
MBB: And then there were two.
#1 Arizona Wildcats (22-0 overall, 9-0 Big XII): Bye week
Next: Saturday 2/7 vs. Oklahoma State (4p, ESPN2)
#23 Miami of Ohio! (23-0 overall, 11-0 MAC!):
✅ Tuesday: Miami 73 - Buffalo 71
Next: Saturday 2/7 at Marshall (4p, ESPN+)
WBB: UConn is The Highlander!
#1 UConn Huskies (24-0 overall, 13-0 Big East):
✅ Wednesday: UConn 86 - DePaul 40
Next: Saturday 2/7 at Butler (Noon, FS1)
NYU Women’s Undefeated Streak: 81!
The Violets have tied the record! This Sunday they have the chance to break it!
#1 New York University Violets (18-0 overall, 7-0 UAA):
✅ Friday: NYU 73 - Case Western Reserve University 65
Next: Sunday 2/8 at Carnegie Mellon (Noon, FloSport Streaming)
NYU’s Path To Infoulability: Lets follow The Violet’s Stairway to the Rafters
[Tied!] Women’s D3 Record: 81 - WashU (St. Louis) (Feb 20, 1998 - Jan 12, 2001)
Men’s Record (all division): 88 - UCLA (Jan 30, 1971 - Jan 17, 1974)
Overall Record: 111 games - UConn WBB (Nov 23, 2014 - March 31, 2017)
Rivalry Week!!
Ok, on with the fun stuff. We are currently in the middle of Rivalry Week! Rivalry Week was always a special week on the calendar because it was when…well, all the good rivalries happen. It’s taken a different look these past few years due to conference realignment moving teams around. However, the most sacred of all rivalries is still intact: Duke/UNC!
Yes, this Saturday is the 154th installment of Duke/North Carolina. In the Pantheon of Sports Rivalries, there are only a few that matter as much as this one: Red Sox/Yankees, Auburn/Alabama, Michigan/THEE Ohio State, etc. This game is always Must See BB. North Carolina leads the series 85-69, but Duke is currently on a 3 game winning streak. It will be a battle of alum coaches, neither of which a loss is acceptable. However, someone will have a bad press conference.
Saturday 2/7 - 6:30p: #4 Duke at #14 North Carolina (ESPN)
Other Highlights for Rivalry Week:
MBB: Saturday - 4p: Alabama / Auburn (ESPN2) The Tigers were on a 4-game win streak before running in a Tennessee Volunteer team, who don’t actually do it for free. They would love to take out their revenge on their in-state rival from Tuscaloosa.
MBB: Sunday - 1p: #2 Michigan / Ohio State (CBS) Sure, the Wolverines are one of the first teams in and THEE Buckeyes are projected as the last team in. THEE Ohio State would love a nice signature win to mount on the wall in Columbus.
WBB: Sunday - 3p: #19 Tennessee / #3 South Carolina (ABC) Two titans enter, only one exits. The Lady Vols have had quite a week with a brutal game against UConn last Sunday as the lead up to this matchup against Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks. Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell will have them ready, but is there enough?
We Got Next: Games to watch this weekend! (all times EST)
The Weekend Litany for the devoted Bracketologist
Games of Gospel:
WBB: #1 NYU at Carnegie Mellon - Sunday 12p (FloSport Streaming) You might have heard, there is a BIG GAME is this Sunday! You know what I’m talking about! Of course, I mean, the NYU Violets team who will be going for the D3 win record of 82 games! (Did you think I was talking about the Super Bowl?? Are ya new around here?) The record they just tied was previously held exclusively by Washington University in St. Louis, which is considered NYU’s top rival. Like watching UNC beat Duke in the 2022 Final Four to end Coach K’s career, it always feels good to take on from a rival.
MBB: #4 Duke at #14 North Carolina - Saturday 6:30p. (ESPN) This goes without saying. This game is amazing even when one team is down. But this year, its power freshmen Cameron Boozer vs. Caleb Wilson. Both players lead their teams in almost all major categories. And let’s face it, no one wants to be remembered to be on the losing end of this game.
WBB: #2 UCLA at #8 Michigan - Sunday 3p. (FOX) UCLA is a force. Good guard play. Power forwards that cut in. And let’s not forget the Sherman Williams down low running the paint in Lauren Betts. However, this Michigan team is the only team to take UConn to the buzzer. They were 2 points away from giving Vanderbilt their first loss. They ran over Michigan State just last week. Iowa was not able to take down the Bruins, but the Wolverines might have the blades to slice through them.
Other Bracketology Offerings:
MBB:
Saturday - 8:30p: #17 Florida / Texas A&M (SECN)
Saturday - 8:30p: #25 Tennessee / Kentucky (ESPN)
Saturday - 8p: #5 Illinois / #10 Michigan State (Fox)
Saturday - 10:30p: #8 Houston / #16 BYU (ESPN)
WBB:
Sunday - 12p: #6 Louisville / Syracuse (CW)
Sunday - 12p: USC / Illinois (B1G+)
Sunday - 3p: #19 Tennessee / #3 South Carolina (ABC)
The Magnolia Bakery Invitational: We all love our deserts.
WBB: Butler at #1 UConn - Sunday Noon (FS1) In their last meeting at the start off Big East play, the visiting Huskies beat the 7-7 Bulldogs by 47. Butler has played 9 games since then and lost 7 of them. Now the dogfight moves to frozen tundra of Storrs, CT. and remember, Huskies love the cold.
Battle of Who Could Care Less: This one may require some No Doz.
MBB: Florida State at Notre Dame - Saturday 4p (CW): Poor CW. They were not Charmed when they got this on their schedule. The lil’ network was in 7th Heaven to add ACC games to their docket, but this Smallville matchup on week where Duke/UNC is playing is not one that Carrie will write about in her diary.
The Indeed.com Classic: Lose this one and you might need to revise your resume.
MBB: Georgia at LSU - Saturday 6p (SECN) Things are not looking good for LSU coach Matt McMahon since coming to Baton Rouge. It’s hard to follow the successes of Will Wade, a coach who won through the use of ‘under the court’ money, when now all of these tactics are legal. Sure, this is the first season he has a winning record, but still cannot make it in conference (2-7). If they give one to the 4-5 Georgia Bulldogs at home, this might be one that makes him geaux packing.
The Confessional: I confess. I can’t wait for this one.
WBB: James Madison vs. Massachusetts - Sunday Noon (CBSSN) Yes, I’m biased because UMass is my team. But, I don’t plug for plug sake. Plus, this one is going to be fun. This is a non-con matchup and part of the MAC/Sun Belt challenge. Both teams are fun, fast, and feisty, and they both beat Boston College…well, who hasn’t right? CBS knows this will be game and scheduled it as their national game. It will be worth your watch.
Final Seconds!
There is a lot happening right now outside the sports world. It sometimes feels like the games don’t matter, but they can bring us together. They connect us. This is a HUGE sports weekend with the Super Bowl, The Olympics, and all the hoops happening at once. Get some game time in. Make it social. Make friends. And keep it hoopsy!
36 days until Selection Sunday (March 15)
40 days until First Round (March 19-20)
56 days until Final Four (April 4)
Coming soon to Church of Bracketology:
Deep looks at the new ‘Redickous’ eligibility changes
Travelogue of “CoB Pilgrimage 2026”
New online CoB Swag Store - powered by RAYGUN - with NIL shirts and fun to support this publication and some of the players we love.
Until then, stay safe, play hard, go defense!
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Always live One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.