Higher Post: Switching up the handles
...with guest sermons and segments for this week!
Fellow hardwood believers, let’s bow our heads and sip our preferred beverages in not-so-solemn contemplation as we approach the madness.
Or so I thought. Seems like February was tired of being the second favorite child and they said, “Hold my beer,” to give us banger after banger this week. Not to disappoint you again, February, but all you’ve done is make me look forward to March even more.
Hey, I’m Kay, currently in the pastor internship program. My boss is on workcation so I’m filling in for the week. I like Miller Lites, long walks on concrete, and all levels of women’s basketball. I was planning on talking about the absolutely fantastic freshman play we’ve seen this year before we look ahead to March, but then the SEC, ACC, and Big 10 colluded against me. Someone call Cathy Engelbert and her NYC skyline dress, basketball needs to stop playing with me.
Anyway, before we talk about the games I played channel hockey through Thursday night and Sunday afternoon, let’s take a second to appreciate the youths amongst the NCAAW ranks (in no particular order).
Sarah Strong, F, UConn (16.1 PPG, 8 REB, 3.4 AST, 58.1 FG%) - She’s made a strong (haha) impression with her ability to create offense for her team and herself and is an excellent presence in the paint. She can score, pass, and defend in smaller and larger lineups. I can’t wait to see how she develops over the next 3 years.
Mikayla Blakes, G, Vanderbilt (23.1 PPG, 3.5 REB, 3.1 AST, 45.7 FG%) - Mikayla reminds me of a different Kayla (Mcbuckets) with her ability to smoothly pull up from about anywhere on the floor. The unselfishness of McBride isn’t there yet, but it’s led to some standout performances. She set the freshman D1 scoring record twice, dropping 55 to secure an OT win against Auburn a few weeks ago.
Joyce Edwards, F, UofSCarolina (13.2 PPG, 5 REB, 1.2 AST, 56.7 FG%) - The challenge with all Staley recruits is that South Carolina is so stacked, there aren’t enough minutes to see some players shine. That hasn’t mattered as much with Edwards, who, in about 20 minutes-ish of game time, has been a menace on both sides of the floor.
Jaloni Cambridge, G, Ohio State (16.3 PPG, 4.5 REB, 4 AST, 44.9 FG%) - My favorite genre of guard: speedy and undersized. Will she have her HH-style breakout next year?
Toby Fournier, F, Duke (13.6 PPG, 5.3 REB, .3 AST, 54 FG%) - Like Strong, Fournier is listed as a forward but has primarily been used as a Center for the Blue Devils. She’s not starting, but she’s making the most of her minutes, and you can see her gravitational pull in the paint as defenses tend to collapse right on top of her. I still think we’re not quite seeing Fournier’s full potential. I hope Lawson gives Fournier more time on the floor in March, or I’ll start the #FreeFournier movement myself.
This week in heart attacks
As a neutral, this was an amazing week in basketball. For the diehards, I’m sorry. You’ll need a lot of spa time after this week. The Sunday slate saw several games come down to the last couple of possessions and a double dose of free basketball in one single game. Let’s get into it.
Notre Dame 95 — NC State 104. So much for an easy start to Sunday; I almost lost brunch privileges watching this 2OT thriller. I’ll let our head of the church give his thoughts on this one later in the newsletter.
UNC 79 — Louisville 75. Once again, I thought Louisville would pull off another magic trick. It was back and forth, but UNC hit a couple of clutch buckets down the stretch to keep this from being the second upset of the day.
UCLA 67 — Iowa 65. I was rooting for the Hannah West Coast sweep, but UCLA held off Iowa right at the end. This is another one I’ll defer to our fearless leader to discuss further.
MSU 88 — Maryland 85. I don’t usually watch men’s college games, but I happened to catch this one, and, whoa, what a game. Was it a defensive masterclass or a shooting disaster class by both teams? Who knows? And also, who cares when you see this frickin’ shot?-
I haven’t seen a herd of surrender cobras that big since last year.
FSU 86 — Notre Dame 81. The score looks much closer than it was thanks to FSU ’s 10-point run with about 3 to go in the fourth. I was half-joking after the NC State game that ND may have been broken…but after this game, Ivey has to have a serious conversation with her locker room.
LSU Paper Tigers 85 - Alabama 88. Bama came out shooting and never let their foot off the gas. Some questionable late-game decision-making and foul trouble allowed the cardiac cats to send this to OT, but LSU finally ran out of that comeback devil magic in the end.
Conference Realignment front and center
We have all seen the conferences shift over the past couple of decades, which is mostly focused on football opportunities. However, we don’t get a front row seat too often to feel the changes in the fanbase.
In a multi-part segment, the CoB is lucky to have guest contributor, Kaily “KG” Godek, currently of A10Talk.com, provide us that rare view as the University of Massachusetts wraps up their 49yr tenure as a founding member of the Atlantic 10 and venture to the MAC next season.
UMass’ Farewell to the A-10 (part 1) - by Kaily “KG” Godek:
Since forming the Atlantic 10 in 1976, the University of Massachusetts has been a significant part of the conference’s history. The Eastern Collegiate Basketball League (now the A-10) is approaching its 50th season. UMass is departing before this major milestone to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for the 2025-2026 season. The only team that has remained in the A-10 since its inception is George Washington (Duquesne as well but they left for one season, and came back for the following season)
UMass has had a great history of winning during its time in the Atlantic 10, with multiple NCAA appearances in the 1990s for both teams, as well as appearances in the WNIT and NIT from the 2000s through the 2020s. The Minutemen and Minutewomen of Massachusetts have enjoyed notable runs in the NIT and WNIT over the years, providing players with valuable experiences.
Since attending my first UMass basketball game in 2007, when I was just 3 years old during Travis Ford’s final season, I developed a passion for several outstanding players who have come through the programs and have essentially created a “Mount Rushmore” of players that I continue to follow closely.
Since 2007, I have witnessed 3 NIT appearances and 1 NCAA appearance by the Minutemen, along with 2 WNIT appearances and 1 NCAA appearance by the Minutewomen. The men’s basketball team has been idle in postseason appearances since their 2014 NCAA tournament, marking the final season for players like Chaz Williams, Sampson Carter, and Raphiael Putney. Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team has seen more recent success with the “Savage Seven,” a WNIT appearance in the 2020-21 season, an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in the 2021-22 season, and another WNIT appearance in the 2022-23 season. With a rebuild last season under Mike Leflar, the women's team could make another run at the WNIT this year.
Although this move aims to support the football team in leaving its independent status in FBS, it could potentially benefit both teams. However, the MAC has a history of being a “One-Bid League” for the NCAA tournament since 2021 for the women’s side, and the men’s side has followed a similar trend for decades. Analyzing the NET rankings, UMass appears to fit right in the middle of the pack for both the Minutewomen and Minutemen.
Champs Week is approaching for the Atlantic 10, with the Women’s Basketball Tournament beginning on Wednesday, March 5th. UMass has one last chance to emerge from Henrico as A-10 Champions for the final time. The following week, we’ll see the Minutemen head to Capital One Arena for the Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament, starting on Wednesday, March 12th.
(…watch this court…)
Keeping up with the Hannahs
Two of my favorite players are not only incredibly fun to watch…but are both named Hannah! I dedicate this section to them. We try and keep up with them during a pivotal season!
Let’s start here:
hubris | ˈ(h)yo͞obrəs | noun - excessive pride or self-confidence:
Example: The self-assured hubris among economists was shaken in the late 1980s.
sports hubris | spôrts ˈ(h)yo͞obrəs | noun - excessive fan pride that your actions actually effect the outcome of teams’ success…but more likely failures:
Example: Oh no! I left the country and the Hannahs go 1-3! I need to get home pronto!
So, we are taking a different approach this week for this segment as I have been traveling in Europe for the day job. I mean, I gotta pay for all these streaming services somehow (looking at you B1G+). However, since I was not in a proper timezone to watch these games in a timely manner, my friends this week were highlights, recaps, and box scores.
Specifically, to ‘Sports Hubris’, as fans, we all have it. At least a little, whether it’s superstitions about a certain barstool, or specific shirt, or a preferred beer you always drink. We all do it.
So, to end this week with a collective record of 1-3 for games in Hannahland while I’m not here to pay attention, I cannot help but let the ‘sports hubris’ take over and make me feel bad for letting my teams down.
Of course this is crazy, but we are sports fans so crazy goes with the fun.
But. never fear! I’m coming home in time for the conference tourneys so let’s right the ship and win some AQs!
Hannah Stuelke (Junior / Forward / Iowa):
Iowa and a decent week despite the 1-1 record. First, they welcomed #3 UCLA and national player of the year candidate 6’7“ Lauren Betts to Carver-Hawkeye arena.
#3 UCLA 67 - Iowa 65:
UCLA has been dominating everyone across the board holding an undefeated season until they ran into a Juju Watkins crosstown buzzsaw. It is easy to imagine they will want to roll over the final few teams they have in the schedule.
Well, Iowa has different plans. They already took down #4 USC at home, so can they go for the West Coast Sweep? It was close. Very close.
Iowa held off the Bruins to only run short by 2 when the final buzzer sounds. Hannah Stuelke was 2 rebounds off another double-double as she scored a total 11 while still pulling down 8 boards.
I know Hannah and Her Hawkeyes won’t want to think of this as a moral victory, but it does show us that this team is fighting hard every game behind the court leadership of PG Lucy Olsen as they ramp up for the very competitive BiG Tourney next week. I cannot wait.
Iowa 79 - Michigan 66:
Michigan is a wild team. They are heavy in talent, but it’s young talent. They have had an up and down year learning how to put it all together in a top heavy B1G. The focus has been on freshman Syla Swords, who has been tearing it up on both ends of the floor.
Given the recent successes (and moral victories) of the Stuelke Squad, this is a game they should win. Its not a must win, but its ‘really shouldn’t lose’ kind of game. Especially, coming off a 2pt loss to (then) league leading UCLA, you want to snap back.
And that they did.
Led by the hot shooting of senior guard Sydney Affolter, who netted 24 total points, while going 9-12 from the field with a perfect 4 from behind the arc, the Hawkeyes were able to hold back a feisty Wolverine team convincingly. Iowa won 3 of the 4 quarters, growing the lead to 20 early in the 3rd.
Syla Swords fired up the Wolverines to get the lead down to 6 deep in the 3rd, but that was as close as it got from there. Swords was the leader with a high of 22pts along side 10 rebounds.
Hannah did Hannah things protecting the paint and scoring all her 13 points either inside the restricted arc or at the free throw line.
There is one game left on the season as the Hawkeyes welcome a struggling Wisconsin to Carver-Hawkeye today to close the regular season. Then its off the the B1G Tourney and if its like what we have seen in the new expanded B1G this season, this will be super fun!
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday 3/2 - Wisconsin at Iowa (4p, Peacock) - Regular Season Finale!
Weds 3/5 - Sun 3/9 - B1G Tourney!
Hannah Hidalgo (Sophomore / Guard / Notre Dame):
All good things must come to an end. On the verge of an undefeated ACC regular season, the Irish entered a thorny patch on the way to the roses. When you are the #1 team in the country, you have a huge target on your back. When you approach the end of the season, everyone has something to prove.
#1 Notre Dame 95 - #13 NC State 104 (2)T):
This was the game that worried me. The Wolfpack were rolling after some tough stumbles out of the gate. The Irish, on the other hand, were starting some games slowly with some less than stellar shooting decisions.
However, what makes a team great - specifically this team - is the sum of the parts. If Hannah Hidalgo stumbles, Olivia Miles is there to pick the team up. If they both are down, you got Sonia Citron, the silent assassin to do the job, as she did today with an (almost) buzzer-beating 3 to force over time.
While that shot was able to extend the game ultimately for 10 more minutes, it wasn’t enough to save the Irish’s unblemished ACC record.
The sad part is that Hannah already started getting backlash on the lost because she fouled out in the 2nd OT. The criticism focused on her ‘selfishness’ for fouling out when the team needed her most.
However, The Pack was up 8 with less than a minute to go when she did. It’s time for fans to put the entitlement away and celebrate what you have right now. It’s very possible these two teams will meet in the ACC Tournament Final next week as 1 & 2 seeds. If we get another thriller like this, just enjoy it.
#24 Florida State 86 - #1 Notre Dame 81:
Ok, NC State is one thing. I was not surprised to see the Irish get upset by a hungry hungry potent Wolfpack teams in there house. But, now we are back in Niele Ivey’s Poison Garden that is Purcells Pavillon to match up with a rising Florida State team.
This would also give us the Ta’Niya Latson - Hannah Hidalgo matchup we have been excited to see. Unfortunately, it was all Latson offensively as she led the Seminoles with 23 points while Hidalgo tallied 16pts but was 4-17 from the field. Hannah and Olivia were a collective 0-5 from behind the arc as well.
It was ‘Silent Sonia’ again to lead the team with 21 points. Sonia has been on fire since early February scoring between 16-23ppg while keeping the Irish in games as opponents focus on trying to shut down Miles and Hidalgo.
At this point, Citron is making NY Liberty fans like Kay and myself uncomfortable as her stock has her rising up the mock drafts and well out of Liberty range. Come on Soni, stop being so good and give us a chance!!
It’s been a wonderful and long hard fight season for Hannah and her sisters. They have a short bench 4 of the 5 starters averaging over 30mins of play and steamrolling opponents along the way. It was a matter of time before others caught up.
That said, I truly believe this team can win the national title. The question over the next week will be how they adapt to their first losses since Thanksgiving. How do they adjust to work around their struggles or are they running out of gas. We will see today as they welcome Louisville back for their revenge game.
Then it’s off to the ACC Tourney!
Up Next (all times EST):
Sunday 3/2 - Louisville at #1 Notre Dame (Noon, ACCN) - Regular Season Finale!
Weds 3/5 - Sun 3/9 - ACC Tourney!
Final Seconds
Ok, folks! Enjoy the hoops. Today is the last day of the Women’s regular season so it should be great slate of games! Thanks to both Kay and KG for jumping in this week!! Looking forward to having you back again!
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Also, feel free to join the conversation - just keep it upbeat!
Always live One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.
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