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Rauf Report: Bold predictions for every conference in 2025-26

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 3d

One of my favorite #RaufReport columns do to every year - it's Bold Prediction time!

I give one prediction for each conference in college hoops as we try to guess what craziness will ensue.

How I see the season playing out, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...

Every year, we spin up predictions. Who wins each league, who steps up, who falls off. But this one feels different. We’re entering a season of uncertainty—rosters are shifting deeper, transfers are m...

Weekend Under Review - October 10, 2025

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 10d

A new episode of Basket Under Review's Weekend Under Review is OUT!

Join us as we discuss teams playing exhibition games this weekend and what we hope to learn about each team.

Available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts! www.basketunderreview.com/weekend-unde...

On this edition of Weekend Under Review, Brian Rauf and Matthew Winick preview a handful of exhibition games taking place this weekend. Matchups include: Baylor vs. Grand Canyon Arizona State vs. UC ...

Purdue's Frontcourt Puzzle: The Challenge of Maximizing Multiple Bigs

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 11d

Purdue has a national title ceiling, but reaching that ceiling is dependent upon the Boilers figuring out how to maximize a frontcourt rotation with three bigs anchored to the paint.

Is that a puzzle they can solve?

From July, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/purdues-fron...

False Floors: Hidden Flaws in Some of College Basketball's Most Hyped Teams

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 20d

The preseason is the time for optimism, but a few "can't-miss" teams always end up missing.

Who are the contenders that might actually be built on false floors - those with high ceilings but lower floors than we want to admit?

For Basket Under Review ($): www.basketunderreview.com/false-floors...

The Last Mountain: Why Tennessee May Finally Climb to a Final Four under Rick Barnes

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 24d

Tennessee's script is always the same: SEC success and elite defense before falling short in March.

But this roster is a break from the Vols' typical gameplan - could that change help bring Tennessee to its first Final Four?

For Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/the-last-mou...

There’s a familiar cadence to Tennessee basketball under Rick Barnes. The Vols enter every season ranked, usually in the top 15, sometimes even inside the top 10. They stack wins early, grind through ...

From Rebuild to Relevance: It's Time to Believe in Georgetown Again

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Sep 19

Looking for an under-the-radar breakout candidate?

Making the case for Georgetown, and why I think it's time to believe in the Hoyas again.

For Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/from-rebuild...

There’s a version of this season where the narrative around Georgetown flips fast, where we start talking about the Hoyas like other programs that figure out who they are and start winning real games ...

The Leap List: Players Ready to Go from Good to Great

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Sep 12

Every season, a handful of good players make the leap & become great players.

Welcome to The Leap List, a look at 5 established contributors that have a chance to take their careers - and teams - to the next level.

For Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/the-leap-lis...

Every season, we know who the stars are supposed to be. The All-Americans, the high-usage veterans, the five-star freshmen — they dominate the headlines and preseason lists. But the difference between...

College Basketball's Hidden Impact Transfers for the 2025-26 Season

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Sep 5

Every year, under-the-radar mid-major transfers emerge as indispensable pieces for some of the best teams in the country.

Who are this season's overlooked gems? Introducing the Hidden Impact Up-Transfers, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/college-bask...

Swing Players: 5 Important Players You Might Be Overlooking In 2025-26

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 28

Got my Homefield kickoff box just in time for kickoff and, folks, it’s spectacular

Reminder that promo code REPORT gets you 15% off your first order ➡️ www.homefieldapparel.com?rfsn=7843002...

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 28

A "Swing Player" is someone who isn't necessarily a team's best player, but one whose impact will tilt a team’s entire season towards its ceiling or its floor.

I highlighted 5 of the most important Swing Players for Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/swing-player...

Every college basketball season has its stars, the guys whose names pop up on preseason watch lists and whose faces dominate March highlight reels. But if you really want to figure out which teams ove...

Don't Sleep on Texas A&M: Why Bucky Ball is Built to Win Big in Year 1

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 21

Many new hires have injected fresh energy and increased expectations for their new programs, yet no one may exceed preseason forecasts as much as Bucky McMillan & Texas A&M.

Why the Aggies are built to win big in Year 1, for Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/dont-sleep-o...

No Step Back: Why Iowa State Is Resetting, Not Regressing, in 2025–26

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 14

If you're expecting Iowa State to take a step back this season, you may have another thing coming. The Cyclones are set to build off last season - not regress from it.

For Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/no-step-back...

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 7

Saw this and simply could not say no.

These new Platinum Football Boxes look incredible - all 45 of them. Homefield really did it again.

Promo code REPORT gets you 15% off! www.homefieldapparel.com?rfsn=7843002...

Michigan Man: Why Yaxel Lendeborg Might Be An Upgrade Over Danny Wolf

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Aug 6

Danny Wolf was the engine that drove Michigan last year. With Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines might have found an upgrade - someone who can elevate that role in Dusty May's system.

Why Lendeborg is set to thrive at Michigan, for Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/michigan-man...

When Danny Wolf declared for the NBA Draft this spring, the conversation in Ann Arbor immediately shifted. Not to whether Michigan could find another big man — there are always big men in the portal —...

Quiet Superstar: How Milos Uzan Unlocks Houston's Ceiling

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Jul 30

Houston was seconds away from cutting down the nets last season, and it has a great chance to finish the job in 2026.

If the Coogs do that, Milos Uzan will be the reason why.

How Uzan unlocks Houston's ceiling, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/quiet-supers...

Purdue's Frontcourt Puzzle: The Challenge of Maximizing Multiple Bigs

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Jul 22

Purdue has a national title ceiling, but reaching that ceiling is dependent upon the Boilermakers figuring out how to maximize a frontcourt rotation with three bigs anchored to the paint.

Is that a puzzle they can solve? Subscribe to read: www.basketunderreview.com/purdues-fron...

The Reawakening of NC State Basketball: Inside the Wolfpack's fearless offseason

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Jul 14

No program underwent an offseason overhaul quite like NC State. With a revamped roster and Will Wade leading the charge, the Wolfpack don't just have hope - it now has the expectation of success.

Inside NC State's fearless offseason, for Basket Under Review www.basketunderreview.com/the-reawaken...

'We never blinked': Florida's legendary run was both projected and improbable — Heat Check CBB

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 8

Florida entered the NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to win, but the path it took to cut down the nets was historically improbable.

“We showed up, man. We never blinked.”

On Florida’s comeback kids, from San Antonio: heatcheckcbb.com/we-never-bli...

Florida entered the NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to win, but the path it took to win was historically improbable.

Houston Basketball: Cougars are worthy of all-time great status despite 'underdog' role — Heat Check CBB

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Reposted by Brian Rauf

Dustin @dustinelviento.bsky.social · Apr 6

"Houston doesn’t belong in the underdog role. This wasn’t David vs. Goliath. It was Godzilla vs. Kong."

Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 6

Houston is embracing its role as this Final Four’s underdog, but that role doesn’t fit this team’s accomplishments.

The Cougars belong in the conversation with the all-time great teams, and it’s time we gave them the proper respect.

From San Antonio: heatcheckcbb.com/houston-bask...

Houston was viewed as the fourth team in this Final Four but, one game away from winning a title, it deserves more respect than that.

Duke Basketball: Final Four loss shouldn't cloud long-term view of Scheyer, program direction — Heat Check CBB

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 6

Duke’s collapse against Houston was startling - but the reaction from it is overblown.

Why two atrocious minutes shouldn’t dictate our view of Cooper Flagg, Jon Scheyer or Duke’s ceiling under his leadership.

From San Antonio: heatcheckcbb.com/duke-basketb...

Despite the emotion following Saturday night's collapse, the loss should not serve as an indictment of this Duke team, nor the program's direction under Jon Scheyer.

Houston Basketball: Cougars are worthy of all-time great status despite 'underdog' role — Heat Check CBB

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 6

Houston is embracing its role as this Final Four’s underdog, but that role doesn’t fit this team’s accomplishments.

The Cougars belong in the conversation with the all-time great teams, and it’s time we gave them the proper respect.

From San Antonio: heatcheckcbb.com/houston-bask...

Houston was viewed as the fourth team in this Final Four but, one game away from winning a title, it deserves more respect than that.

Walter Clayton's historic night propels Florida to 79-73 win over Auburn, title game berth — Heat Check CBB

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 6

Walter Clayton's historic 34-point performance, combined with another massive 2nd half run from the Gators, has Florida in the title game for the first time since 2007.

From San Antonio: heatcheckcbb.com/walter-clayt...

Walter Clayton's 34-point and a stellar second-half showing pushed Florida to the program's first title game appearance since 2007.

'He's just relentless': Tahaad Pettiford shining while emerging as Auburn's most important player — Heat Check CBB

Reposted by Brian Rauf

Heat Check CBB @heatcheckcbb.bsky.social · Apr 5

"He's just relentless."

"Big Game Tahaad" Pettiford has continually displayed his penchant for the big moment.

It's a product of immense confidence and an unmatched work ethic.

From @brauf33.bsky.social:

heatcheckcbb.com/hes-just-rel...

Tahaad Pettiford doesn't start for the Tigers, but his play will have as much of an impact on Auburn's Final Four success as anyone.

'He's just relentless': Tahaad Pettiford shining while emerging as Auburn's most important player — Heat Check CBB

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · Apr 4

Tahaad Pettiford doesn't start for Auburn, but there are few guards more valuable to their team.

A deep dive on Pettiford's "immense confidence," why Big Game Tahaad is real - and why he may be Auburn's most important player in the #FinalFour: heatcheckcbb.com/hes-just-rel...

Tahaad Pettiford doesn't start for the Tigers, but his play will have as much of an impact on Auburn's Final Four success as anyone.