The latest Hammer and Rails podcast recaps Purdue’s recent sports week, starting with a rough exhibition loss to UConn—Purdue shot just 8% from three—and moves on to preview the upcoming Halloween matchup against Penn State, where the Nittany Lions sit 0-4 in conference play while Purdue is 2-2. Hosts Ryan and the author discuss both football and men’s basketball, inviting listeners to tune in before the Penn State game and the start of Purdue’s regular basketball season.
The Daily Mauling roundup spotlights Kansas sports and wider headlines. It notes Lance Leipold’s aggressive 4th‑down call against Baylor and Andy Kotelnicki’s green light for gadget plays, while DK McDonald discusses strategies to halt TCU. Bill Self’s recent remarks raise doubts about Trey Kaufman‑Renn’s role in the upcoming season opener. The post also reports Ernie Johnson’s departure from Inside the NBA, Pat McAfee’s Saturday Blitz antics on College Gameday, and broader issues like NBA injury list concerns, an NPR piece on presidential climate actions, and an Axios story on the Cheesecake Factory’s cultural clash. A quick mix of Jayhawk updates and national sports news.
Duke (5-2, 2-2) hosts Boston College (4-3, 2-2) Saturday at 12 p.m. in Wallace Wade Stadium, with the Blue Devils favored by seven points. Duke comes off a 31‑28 win at Virginia, while BC rides a two‑game streak, beating Georgia Tech 49‑27 and Pitt 27‑21. BC’s dual‑threat QB Mason McKenzie leads with 614 rushing yards and 1,363 passing yards. Duke struggles with injuries to safety Andrew Pellicciotta, DT David Anderson and others, though captain center Matt Craycraft returns. Key matchup: stopping BC’s run, which posted 399 yards against Georgia Tech. Prediction: Duke 24, Boston College 23.
Kentucky caps its three‑game preseason with a 90‑76 overtime win over UCF, after Alex Wilkins hit a game‑tying jumper to force OT. The Wildcats outscored UCF 19‑5 in overtime, improving to 3‑0 with wins over Little Rock (69‑49) and Texas Tech (76‑65). The squad opens the regular season on Nov. 3 at home vs. Manhattan, followed by James Madison. Fans are invited to grade the Wildcats’ performance as they head into conference play.
Episode 222 of the “Bucketheads” men’s basketball podcast (LGHL) recaps Ohio State’s exhibition vs. Butler, highlights Thad Matta’s halftime honor on Oct. 25, and previews the upcoming matchup with BYU, featuring guest beat reporter Jackson Payne. The hosts discuss BYU’s key pieces—Jaxon Kohler and Bruce Branch III—and what the Buckeyes should expect. Listeners get the hosts’ take on the Butler game’s positives and negatives before diving into the BYU preview. New episodes drop every Thursday morning.
Indiana men’s basketball head coach Darian DeVries speaks to the media ahead of the Hoosiers’ season opener versus Eastern Illinois on Monday night at Assembly Hall. He recaps the team’s three exhibition games against Butler, North Carolina and Western Kentucky, noting strong rebounding, turnover concerns and the final performance against WKU. The full media session is available to watch.
Maryland athletic director Jim Smith has hired TurnkeyZRG, a sports‑focused executive search firm led by Chad Chatlos, to spearhead the hunt for a new head football coach after Michael Locksley’s dismissal. The firm, which boasts over 1,500 placements—including hires of Curt Cignetti at Indiana and Steve Sarkisian at Texas—will vet candidates from college and the pros. Interim coach Aazaar Abdul‑Rahim leads the Terps into his first Big Ten game on Halloween versus Illinois, while the program promotes free spring‑2027 tuition for fans who stay through the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Maryland men’s basketball unveiled its 2026‑27 promotional schedule, women’s guard Lea Bartelme is cleared from ACL surgery, and the football team will debut an all‑black jersey with a red helmet against Illinois.
In Kentucky’s final exhibition versus Johnny Dawkins’ UCF Knights on Oct. 28, sophomore forward Braydon Hawthorne flashed his potential, scoring seven points in the first half with two tough threes and a near‑perfect free‑throw line. He also contributed three blocks, including a clutch stop with 2:11 left, using his 7‑foot‑3 wingspan defensively. With Kam Williams and Trent Noah out, Hawthorne’s early impact drew coach Pope’s trust, though he missed the final out‑of‑bounds play. The performance suggests he could be a reliable option as the season begins.
Duke lands recruit Asa Montgomery, who chose the Blue Devils over UNC, sparking excitement on the campus. The decision, highlighted by Keeping It Heel, underscores Duke's recent 'collecting' streak. A podcast from The Field of 68: After Dark discusses Montgomery's commitment and updates on other prospects like Colton Hiller. The post also links to Montgomery’s standout performances, including a 23‑point game versus Cameroon and his 2027 AOT Run for the Cup highlights.
With the opening tip-off of the 2026–27 NCAA women’s basketball season right around the corner, the sport continues
The post 2026–27 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Preview: Powerhouses, Paris Tip-Offs, and National Award Race appeared first on We Never Stop .
Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood confirms a string of injuries heading into the final preseason exhibition against UIC. David Mirkovic remains sidelined in a walking boot and will likely miss key early‑season games, while Andre Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic are listed as doubtful for the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson. Freshman Lincoln Williams is questionable after a practice fall, but Tomislav Ivisic is cleared after a knee bruise. Underwood stresses the roster will play through the setbacks, noting Mirkovic’s “Larry Bird” comparison and emphasizing the need for patience as players recover.
Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa, a top WNBA draft prospect and former Duke player, is leading a push for athlete rights as interim president of the United College Athletics Association. She opposes the Protect College Sports Act, arguing it favors administrators and seeks an antitrust exemption that would limit players’ input on regulations. Okananwa highlighted the need for student‑athletes to have a seat at the negotiating table, noting her effort to gather over 100 women’s basketball players’ union cards. The bill cleared the Senate in November and moves to the House next month, prompting Okananwa to call for collective bargaining and clearer written protections.
Gonzaga wraps its preseason exhibition schedule with a 91-59 win over NAIA Lewis‑Clark State, raising $ for Spokane wildfire relief. Five Zags scored in double figures, with Parker Jefferson earning MVP honors (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Izan Almansa adding 12 points on near‑perfect shooting. Coach Mark Few highlighted the community impact and noted the return of sophomore wing Davis Fogle to the starting lineup after a leg injury. The game also showcased depth in the frontcourt, featuring redshirt senior Braden Huff, sophomore center Massamba Diop, and bench contributions from Jefferson. The win offers a morale boost ahead of Gonzaga’s first regular‑season test.
Kent State is a big favorite? On the road?! This is new territory for the Golden Flashes, and for Sacramento State. Here's the CFN game preview and prediction.
Cal Poly women's basketball concludes its exhibition schedule by hosting Cal State Monterey Bay on Thursday at 11 a.m.
In the latest Duke Basketball Report podcast, hosts Jason and Donald reveal that head coach Jon Scheyer has secured top recruit Asa Montgomery, the breakout star of the U17 World Cup who stunned with his performance against Serbia in July 2026. They break down Montgomery’s skill set and his potential impact on Duke’s freshman class, then shift to preview Boston College’s upcoming ACC showdown at Durham, highlighting quarterback Nate Sheppard’s rushing prowess. The episode wraps with a look at the preseason All‑American list, noting which Blue Devils made the cut and the elite opponents they’ll face.
Stanford falls to visiting UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday night, 65-56
Miikka Muurinen had a double-double while Billy Richmond III and Jordan Smith Jr. each scored 17 points to lead #12/13 Arkansas to a 93-81 exhibition win over Memphis Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville men's basketball outscored Mercyhurst 41-18 in the second half on Wednesday night, leading to a 71-39 exhibition victory over the Lakers.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Four Hoosiers scored in double digits as Indiana defeated Marian, 87-39, on Wednesday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Calipari Talks Win over Memphis
No. 3-ranked Fighting Illini close out exhibition play with decisive victory over UIC.
Pat Kelsey’s Louisville Cardinals dominate DI newcomer Mercyhurst 71-39, pouring 56 points in the paint. Alvaro Folguieras leads with seven rebounds, five assists and a pair of turnovers, while Flory Bidunga scores early before handing off four miscues. JayHawk transfer (likely Isaac Ellis) adds a triple, and Jackson Shelstad nails another. Obi Ekezie protects the rim with four blocks and eight rebounds, and De’Shayne Montgomery provides efficient bench scoring. Despite a quiet crowd and 17 turnovers, the Cardinals showcase interior strength ahead of tougher matchups next week.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia concluded preseason play with a 98-55 victory over Division II Wheeling University on Wednesday night at Hope Coliseum.
After three exhibition games, Kentucky’s optimal starting five for the 2026-27 season emerges: point guard Mason Williams (8 pts, <1 turnover), shooting guard Alex Wilkins (+32 plus‑minus), small forward Milan Momcilovic (took over OT vs. UCF), power forward Ousmane N’Diaye (defensive versatility, 31% shooting), and center Malachi Moreno (near triple‑double against UCF). The article argues Williams should replace Zoom Diallo, Wilkins needs to curb turnovers, and N’Diaye wins the PF battle over Justin McBride for now. This lineup is presented as the team’s best chemistry heading into the regular season.