CoB Higher Post: It's Time To Feast!
...and the Irish/Trojan rivalry expands to the court.
Congregation, please stand up….
…because we need some cardio before all this feastin’!
For those who follow football, you will know that one of the biggest rivalries in college football is USC/Notre Dame. The first game played in 1926 and has been annual event ever since, with the exception of WWII and 2020 due to the pandemic. Two of the most historic programs going head-to-head each year is always a highlight to the football fan and its rivalries like this that make college sports great.
But, later today, the rivalry expands the women’s basketball and we will be treated to pre-thanksgiving treat as the #3 USC Trojans (4-0) take on the #6 Notre Dame Irish (4-0) in the battle of Sensational Sophomores, USC’s Juju Watkins and Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo (Saturday, 4p NBC/Peacock). Watkins, who is already assumed to be the #1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, has just hit the 1000 point mark in her short collegiate career (38 games) and has a supporting cast including senior forward Kiki Iriafen and freshman guard Kennedy Smith. The Women of Troy started the season with close call with then #20 Old Miss in Paris, but have rolled ever since, even beating one opponent by 85! (CSU Northridge 124-39).
Meanwhile, for the Irish, Hannah Hidalgo, along with seniors Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron and freshman Katie Koval are looking for that statement win. The Irish’s strength is their balance and scrappiness. Hidalgo and Miles split point duties. Both can drive to the hoop. Both can shoot 3’s. They play unselfishly and don’t take their foot off the gas, besting their opponents by an average of 42.5 points. The biggest question is how will these Irish handle a fierce opponent like this Trojan team? After all, they have had this type of test on the short season so far. This game will go to the wire, and sadly, someone will go home with a ‘L’ but it will make them stronger for a March run. That is what these games are about.
And, if that is not enough, we also get treated to #1 South Carolina at #5 UCLA on Sunday (4p. FS1). Dawn Staley’s squad got a scare in the first game of the season against Michigan. After that, the Gamecocks soundly defeated #9 NC State, Coppin State, East Carolina and Clemson. This is a different type of South Carolina team than we are used to seeing the past few years, without that domination in the paint. It’s the guard play of MiLaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopoa and forward Chloe Kitts racking up the points. That will make a challenge in facing UCLA’s junior Center 6’7” Laura Betts. South Carolina is still heavily favored, even on the road, but don’t be surprised to see an upset.
What to watch this week:
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Feast Week has begun! This is one of my favorite times in the season because of all the mini tournaments creating great matchups you don’t get to see on the schedule as often. Obviously, Feast Week is a double meaning here as it mainly refers to Thanksgiving, but also because there is just a buffet of delicious snacks on the schedule all week that we just get to gobble up. Here are some of the highlights to circle on calendar.
Maui Invitational (Nov. 25-27, Lahaina, Maui, ESPN/2/u) - #4 Auburn, Colorado, Dayton, #5 Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State, #10 UNC, #2 UConn
Players Era Festival: This tourney is a different in that it’s an also a large NIL event. The top 4 schools get a prize of $1.5M to $1.1M for their team’s NIL fund. Teams: #8 Alabama, #7 Houston, #24 Rutgers, Notre Dame, #14 Creighton, Oregon, #23 Texas A&M
Rady Children’s Invitational (Nov. 28-29, San Diego, FS1): # 6 Purdue, NC State, BYU and Old Miss
Terry’s Chocolate Vegas Showdown (Nov. 26, 9p EST, Las Vegas, ESPN): Doubleheader with #1 Kansas vs. #12 Duke, followed by Seattle at Furman.
Lastly, while we are in weird times, please remember that we all have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy this time with friends, family, and if you are in need of either this holiday season, find yourselves a game watch for your favorite school, as there will be faithful Bracketologists everywhere to share the fun with. Go Defense!
Keeping Up with the Hannahs
Two of my favorite players are not only incredibly fun to watch…and they both happened to be named Hannah! I dedicate this section to them. We try and keep up with them during a pivotal season!
Hannah Stuelke (Junior / Forward / Iowa):
Welcome to the party Hannah!
This has been a challenging start of the season for ‘Hometown Hannah’. Not a bad start. Just a challenging one. She is coming off a knee injury that kept her from practice until late September. She has a new head coach (granted Jan Jensen was the associate head coach for 24 years previous). She has a new point guard running the floor (Lucy Olsen) with a different style from the previous one (Caitlin Clark). And, she is playing a new position (the 4) and not the 5 we have all got accustomed to. Bottom line - this is different looking Hannah Stuelke than we were watching previously. Sometimes she was locked in, and other times, she may have looked a little lost. But, Hannah is a fighter, so it would just be a matter of time for things to snap in place.
On Weds, we saw just that. Stuelke recorded her first double-double of the season, leading her Hawkeye squad (5-0) in points and rebounds to victory over the 4-0 Kansas Jayhawks. More importantly, she looked great on the floor - comfortable on the perimeter, physical in the paint, and running havoc all over the floor. At one point, she even played with one shoe as Kansas’ S’Mya Nichols gave Stuelke a flat tire, then picked up Hannah’s shoe and tossed it off the court. That didn’t slow her down. She kept position and protected that paint. This is the Hannah we’ve been waiting for. The Hannah we’re excited to see. Now, let’s start the party.
Next Up: The Hawkeyes welcome Washington State to Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Sunday Nov. 24, 4p EST.,B1G Network). Then, on Thanksgiving, Iowa takes on the 3-3 (but always feisty) Rhode Island Rams from the Atlantic 10.
Hannah Hidalgo (Sophomore / PG / Notre Dame):
Last Sunday, Notre Dame just kept going as they traveled to Easton, PA and rolled over the Lafayette Leopards, 91-55. While Hidalgo lead the Irish with 29pts and 5 steals, this Irish squad showed its strength in balance again as all but 1 of the 5 starters scored double digits (and Cassandre Prosper was 1 point short at 9.) Katie Koval and Olivia Miles both recorded double-doubles with a total 31pts and 30 rebounds. This team is locked in, but it’s time for some real competition.
Luckily for us, that competition is coming as 4 of the next 5 non-conference games will be against ranked teams, including #2 UConn, #3 USC, and #4 Texas! To be the best, you have to play the best and its time to take your midterms.
Next Up: As mentioned above, the Irish go west to take on #3 USC today at 4p. EST on NBC/Peacock. After, they welcome former LSU/Louisville guard Hailey Van Lith and #19 TCU to South Bend, Friday Nov. 29, 5p, on FloHoops.
Five Touches: Quick passes around the world of hoops
Will they make a GOAT token?: The official ‘LeBron x Monopoly’ collab with Nike has been released and includes a special LeBron version of the Monopoly board game and two Monopoly themed sneakers. But, will Bronny get his own Monopoly Junior before his time?
P.B Ewing?: And the winner of the Paige Bueckers Sweepstakes goes to…Dallas?: The Dallas Wings wins the actual lottery by snagging the #1 Draft Pick away from the favored LA Sparks causing everyone to shuffle their mock drafts before posting.
‘Inside the NBA’ moving to ESPN: As TBS/TNT was left on the bench in the new rotation of NBA broadcast contracts, what would happen to the best NBA show on the air? It was rescued by ESPN. But when will Disney announce the new Sir Charles Barkley Broadway musical, The Tiger King?
As Jon Rothstein says, “We sleep in May”: Madness struck early as #13 Baylor’s Jeremy Roach hits a game winning shot to steal one from #22 St. John’s.
Thanksgiving Travel: Two times this week in the NBA, there were game winning buzzer-beaters where the shooter traveled before the shot and was not called for it. First with Jayson Tatum over the Raptors, followed by Julius Randle over the Suns. I don’t have the heart to tell them, they haven’t called traveling in the NBA since before you had to pay to check luggage.
Extracurricular Reading: Sometimes you gotta call a T.O.
Closing Stats: After a remarkable 23 year run, ESPN will end ‘Around The Horn’ in 2025, as reported by the NY Post. Not sure what this means for Tony Reali as he has done a wonder to grow that show from a goofy gameshow rip off to a solid sports debate show. I don't watch everyday, but I will miss it being out there.
Erin Matson has carved her place in women’s sports. Can field hockey capitalize? The Athletic takes a deep look at UNC’s field hockey head coach Erin Matson, her amazing success story and how shortsighted US Field Hockey is missing on her playing talents in the Olympics to help rise the sport.
She has Spirit (the best money can buy): Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang has donated $30M to US Soccer but exclusively as an investment for the women’s game. What does that mean for the game itself?
Squeezed Out? The Houston Astros announced a new 15 year deal with Daikin Industries to sponsor their ballpark. So next year, there will be no more ‘juice boxes’ in MLB as Tropicana Field will be out of commission for repairs after hurricane damaged.
That’s it for this week! After all, I gotta post so I can watch some games.
Remember to celebrate everything wonderful in your life. This is a special time to spend with friends and family. Hope you get so do so around a little hoops.
Live life One Shining Moment at a time. Never be boring.