#college basketball preview

[waledxman123]

Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Ball State Cardinals: Full Game Preview and Analysis

As the 2024 college basketball season heats up, all eyes are on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and Ball State Cardinals as they prepare for their November 27 clash. Both teams have shown glimpses of their potential, and this matchup could serve as a defining moment early in the season. Fans can expect an intense battle as these squads bring their contrasting styles to the hardwood.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels: Scouting Report

Eastern Kentucky enters the game with a reputation for fast-paced, offense-heavy basketball. Known for their aggressive full-court press and ability to create turnovers, the Colonels thrive on pushing the tempo. Their roster includes seasoned veterans and rising stars who have excelled in adapting to head coach A.W. Hamilton’s system, which emphasizes quick ball movement and perimeter shooting.

Key strengths for the Colonels include:

Three-Point Shooting: Eastern Kentucky’s guards are sharpshooters, capable of making an impact beyond the arc. This will test Ball State’s perimeter defense.

Transition Game: The Colonels capitalize on turnovers, turning defensive stops into easy baskets on the other end.

Depth: The bench has consistently provided solid contributions, ensuring minimal drop-off when starters take a breather.

However, the Colonels’ defensive rebounding has been a weak spot, often leaving them vulnerable to second-chance points. Addressing this issue against a physical Ball State squad will be crucial.

read more in google news

Ball State Cardinals: Scouting Report

The Ball State Cardinals boast a defense-first philosophy under head coach Michael Lewis. The team focuses on disciplined play, limiting turnovers, and maximizing efficiency on both ends of the court. Their roster is highlighted by a mix of experienced big men and versatile guards who excel in half-court sets.

Key strengths for the Cardinals include:

Rebounding Dominance: Ball State has been one of the best rebounding teams in their conference, particularly on the offensive glass.

Interior Scoring: With skilled forwards in the paint, the Cardinals rely on high-percentage shots close to the basket.

Defense: The Cardinals excel at forcing contested shots and keeping opponents off the free-throw line.

One potential challenge for Ball State will be keeping up with Eastern Kentucky’s pace. Their defensive discipline will be tested, especially against the Colonels’ dynamic guards.

read more in google news

Key Matchups to Watch

Guard Play: Eastern Kentucky’s perimeter shooting versus Ball State’s defensive rotations. Can Ball State keep the Colonels’ shooters in check?

Rebounding Battle: Ball State’s size advantage in the paint could prove decisive if they dominate the boards and limit Eastern Kentucky’s possessions.

Coaching Strategies: Both teams have head coaches known for their tactical acumen, making in-game adjustments critical as the game unfolds.

Game Outlook and Predictions

The upcoming game is expected to be a clash of styles: Eastern Kentucky’s high-octane offense versus Ball State’s deliberate and defense-oriented approach. The Colonels’ ability to dictate the tempo could disrupt Ball State’s rhythm, while the Cardinals’ rebounding advantage might allow them to control the flow of the game.

Prediction: In a hard-fought contest, Ball State’s physicality and ability to limit Eastern Kentucky’s scoring runs give them a slight edge. However, if the Colonels catch fire from three-point range, an upset could be on the horizon.

Final Score Prediction: Ball State 74, Eastern Kentucky 70

read more in google news

Betting and Viewing Information

For those planning to bet on the game, sportsbooks are highlighting the close nature of the matchup, with Ball State slightly favored due to their home-court advantage. Bettors should consider:

Over/Under: A high-scoring game is possible if Eastern Kentucky sets the pace.

Spread: Ball State’s consistent rebounding and defense make them a safe pick to cover a small margin.

Fans can catch the action live through local broadcasts and online streaming platforms. Tip-off is scheduled for prime time, ensuring plenty of excitement for college basketball enthusiasts.

Conclusion

This matchup between the Eastern Kentucky Colonels and the Ball State Cardinals promises to deliver drama, strategy, and high-level competition. Whether you’re rooting for the Colonels’ electrifying offense or the Cardinals’ stifling defense, this game has all the ingredients for a classic. Make sure to tune in as these two teams battle it out for early-season supremacy.

[nshmuras]

annoying ~ l.hs

sypnosis : you just moved and came to your brothers school and your known as a chatterbox. your a freshman and you ended up crushing on your brothers best friend, lee heeseung who is the strict student council and sadly ... he's a senior. and you can't date seniors can you?

features : sunghoon enha , chaewon lsfm , rei ive.

genre : best friends sister trope , yapper x listener , angst + fluff (some suggestiveness)

pair : college senior student council!hee x freshman fem!reader

chapters : 1 2 3 4

preview under the cut.

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- Decelis Academy, the school that you recently transferred to due to finally graduating highschool and reaching that time to go to college.

- you , your brother , and heeseung all were hanging out and some people usually were confused why a freshman was hanging out with heeseung , the student council but they shrugged it off due to your brother being friends with him.

- to heeseung .. you were just his bestfriend's younger sister. So, he had to make an exception for freshmans due to you.

- You only saw him as another big brother figure but ... you were starting to crush on him.

- One day, you both were walking back home since your brother was busy with basketball practice and left heeseung to do the duty, you were talking, and...

- "yn, Be quiet." he said, clearly not in the mood. he looked down at you with that stotic expression per usual and it sent chills down your spine before you spoke

- "huh..? but—" "you talk too much and its annoying." he continued to walk and you trailed behind him with a pout on your face but still did what he asked.

- heeseung was looking at you through the corner of his eye and noticed that damn pout on your face. fuck ... why did you have to be cute?

- after a few minutes he started to miss that annoying voice of yours for some reason ... it pissed him off how you affect him.

- he then spoke up "You know what ... you cant talk. i dont want to see you pout or whatever."

- What? heeseung was being ... nice?

send an ask to be in the taglist !

[hannicorpse]

ʚ♡ɞ hopelessly devoted to you : episode one - see? you get me!

previous | masterlist | next

pairing : frat members yang jungwon x female reader

warnings : mentions of cheating, and jungwon jokes that he will unalive himself

wc : 0.9k + smau

preview : jungwon was always known as one of the more persistent members of the epsilon nu frat. so when he ran into you for the first time, he just knew he couldn’t get enough of you. even if you couldn’t be together because of your warring friend groups. but that doesn’t mean they had to know. right?

taglist ! @firstclassjaylee

you were never one for lectures. especially when your teacher doesn’t move fast and often goes overtime. but, at least class was over now. all you had to do was sprint over to the cafeteria since you were already running late.

like always, your friends were sitting down at your usual lunch spot, their trays already full in front of them.

“you’re late again,” karina complains as you sit down next to winter. “you should consider changing your schedule.”

“i don’t see a reason to change it though.” you spoke with a confused tone.

“karina has a point. a lot of your classes end up going overtime, and you only have a single class with us.” aeri points out, waving her fork around before going back to eating.

“yeah. and, you have at least one epsilon nu member in every other period. you see them more than us during a regular school day.” karina says.

“fair points all around. but, they’re not so bad.” you shrug. “besides, with ning and minjeong as my roommates? i think i see you guys enough..” you joked, ignoring their complaints in the background.

“i get where y/n’s coming from though.” says ning. “one time, i had to be partners with jay in bio. and he’s actually a gentleman, he’s pretty nice.”

“yeah, most of them are actually pretty chill. but, i’m sure karina can’t say the same about.. heeseung” minjeong agrees, before she whispers the man’s name.

karina immediately looked up from her plate, but her facial expression was unreadable. her neutral appearance was more nerving than the face she makes when you know she’s upset.

the core members of alpha epsilon and epsilon nu were not always rivals, seeing as heeseung and karina were once a power couple. but after heeseung decided to cheat on her at the beginning of their sophomore year, things began to take a turn.

the table remained silent until karina began to continue eating.

“i’m gonna go get lunch since i was like.. 25 minutes late. can someone come with me?” you announce, looking up at the clock to see you had a little less than 40 minutes left.

“they’re not gonna let us back in line. last time i went with winter after i already got food, they thought i was getting seconds and they sent me out.” aeri reminds you.

“fine. i’ll just go alone.” you roll your eyes.

the cafeteria food at decelis academy never disappoints. it was more than exceptional for such a prestigious college.

you grabbed a bowl of kimchi stew and a side of rice, along with some melons to go along with your meal.

at the end of the line, you reached for the last strawberry milk, only for a boy behind you to take it.

“oh- i’m so sorry. did you want this? here.” he spoke, handing you the single carton.

“oh no, it’s okay. i’ll just find something else.” you smile, waving your hands.

“i insist.” “are you sure?” “of course. i’ll just have banana milk instead.” the guy assured.

your hands briefly touch his as he places the milk into your palm.

“you look familiar. do i know you?” he asks.

“maybe. y/n lee. what about you?” “ah. as in alpha epsilon?” you nod to his question.

“yang jungwon.” “epsilon nu?” “the one and only.”

you chuckle at jungwon’s response.

“where are your friends anyway?” “they didn’t want to get lunch with me since i was late. you?” “same.”

“you wouldn’t happen to be mark’s sister, would you?” jungwon questions, again.

“i am. do you know him?” “yeah. heeseung’s on the basketball team with him.”

you smile nervously.

somehow, the atmosphere grew awkward at the mention of heeseung. however, he continued to smile. not an awkward expression, but a genuine one. you noticed the way his ears grew red when you held eye contact for a few moments.

“so, epsilon nu? you’re not as scary or mean as karina described.” you joke, breaking the silence.

“thanks. yeah, i guess karina and heeseung kind of butcher our groups images, huh?”

“yeah, she never mentioned how handsome you were either.”

jungwon’s cheeks turn into a rosy pink, as he brings a hand up to scratch the back of his neck.

“are you gonna eat the stew warm or will you just continue flirting in my line?” the lunch lady interrupts, cutting off your train of thought and bringing you both back into reality.

“sorry miss!” you both bow, moving down along the line.

“so, i’ll see you around?” he questions.

“yeah. i hope so.” you smile, before walking in the opposite direction.

“bro, you were gone for like 15 minutes. where were you?” jake asks as jungwon sat back down.

“the line was just long.” he shrugs, making up an excuse, hoping his friends will buy it.

everyone goes back to eating, but jungwon doesn’t notice the way sunghoon and jake look at him, their suspicions rising.

“y/n, i know you’re slow, but it does not take half of the remaining lunch period to get food.” aeri jokes.

“sorry. i didn’t expect the line to be so long.”

“yeah, and mr hwang has a big class. maybe it was just y/n’s other classmates getting lunch too.” ning adds on, causing you to look at her with an eyebrow raised.

ningning leans into your ear to whisper, “you’re lucky karina’s in the bathroom, or i wouldn’t have been the only one to see you talking with yang jungwon.”

[bunbun-mochi]

Safeguarding

High school Caleb x MC, no in a relationship, third POV

Trigger Warning: bullying, so there will be phrases that could be triggering, such as comments of one's look, taking of one's life, etc, and violence. Do not read this if any of those could trigger you.

Word count: 2331, no proofreading

Preview: Old days - MC was being bullied when she was in freshman. Once junior Caleb heard this, he decided to teach those bullies a lesson. *Cue overprotective Caleb*

Note: Guess what I'm supposed to be doing? That's right! Studying! And guess what I'm doing instead? Simping for Caleb and Sylus Procrastinating! Whoo! Anyway, enjoy high school Caleb and MC. I love their cute interactions during their days in high school and college. It's so cute. OMG.

Tagging: @madam8, @gavin3469

MC was excited to start high school because, for two years, she and Caleb had been going to two different schools. When she and Caleb were in middle school, Caleb would always sit with her during lunch, tutor her with classes she was struggling with, and finally, he would always wait for her outside during the last period of class so they could walk home together.

Two years ago, Caleb started high school and things haven't been the same. If she and her friends had an argument, she would sit all by herself during lunch. After school, she ends up walking all by herself to the high school to watch Caleb's practice. However, some things didn't change: Caleb continued to tutor her except it was at home and they would still walk home together, except it was after his practice. Being the most amazing friend she is, she would attend all of Caleb's basketball games.

Once she start high school, she can finally spend more time with Caleb as they did in middle school. That's why MC was excited to go to high school. At least, was.

During middle school, she knows pretty much everyone in the school, since it's located in their town. Everyone knows who she and Caleb are. No one dared to anger Caleb because he once harshly disciplined a kid who tried to make fun of MC. So MC never really experienced bullying from other students.

The high school, however, is located further away, near a city, where other towns would go to the same high school. There are all sorts of people going to the same high school and that includes bullies.

During her first day of high school, Caleb drove them both to the high school. It's her first day being a freshman while it's junior for Caleb. They waved goodbye and started their separate classes.

Except, her first "class" started when a bunch of girls shoved her head in the toilet while laughing and giggling. Many of them commented on how she dressed, even though they were wearing the same uniform. Others commented on her looks.

When lunchtime rolled around, MC felt her excitement bubbling from her chest. She excitedly shoved her books into her bag and started to walk out of class when the same mean girls blocked her path.

"Going somewhere in a hurry?" The "leader" of the girls asked.

"Yes, please step aside," MC answered, trying to walk around them. But every time she did that, they would continue to block her path.

Then another girl walked into the class, all excited. "Omg, omg," She ran toward the mean girls. "You know that hot junior?"

The girls squealed excitedly, "Omg, omg, Caleb?"

"Yes! He's outside this class! He looked like he was waiting for someone!" The girls looked at the "leader" of their group.

The leader quickly adjusted her hair and clothing, "Wait for me for good news, girls!" And with that, she left the classroom.

MC hangs her head while she listens to the conversation outside the classroom.

"Hey!" MC could hear the fake high voice from the leader.

"Hey, pip-" Caleb paused. "Uh-"

"I heard a lot about you, Caleb."

"Uh, great. Where is MC? I'm pretty sure she has this class before lunch."

"She's not here. Want to have lunch with me, instead?"

"If she's not here, where is she?"

"Not sure, but do you want to have-" MC could hear the footsteps shuffling outside the classroom. Then she heard Caleb's voice, loud and clear.

"Pip-squeak!" MC looked up and saw Caleb waving from the doorway, showing his bright smile. "We finally are having lunch together!"

MC could only strain a smile. She was already having the worst day possible but she didn't want to ruin Caleb's day. However, Caleb already could tell she was forcing a smile.

"Did you make new friends? How's high school? How are the classes?" Being Caleb, he already started to throw questions at her. Then he leaned down and patted her head, "What's wrong?" His voice was gentle, so gentle it nearly made MC to break down and tell him what's wrong.

Before MC could answer, the girls quickly interjected, "She got into trouble in class."

"Yea, she couldn't understand simple math."

MC quickly shook her head, "It's not-"

Caleb, however, kept his smile. "Perfect, this is just like middle school. Here, let me help you with math while we eat lunch." He grabbed onto her hand and led her out of the classroom.

Suddenly, one of the girls yelled, "Don't touch her! She has cooties!"

Caleb looked back with a very confused look, "Those things don't exist. I thought you all being in high school already knew that, no?"

The leader once again tries her luck, "You shouldn't go out with her. She drinks from the toilet water."

Caleb looked at the leader then back to MC, "Are you sure these are your new friends? I would suggest to you to ditch them. They don't sound very nice."

The comment immedietly infuriated the girls, "At least we are prettier than this pig."

MC could see Caleb fuming from the comment so she held onto his arm, "Caleb, don't." Knowing full well what he would do.

Caleb took a deep breath as if to calm himself before smiling his signature bright smile. "If I say those girls look like pigs, I would be insulting the pigs. But alright, let's go." He took your hand and led you toward the cafeteria, completely ignoring the girls.

As cliche as it sounds, lunch is truly the best "class subject". MC enjoyed her time with Caleb. It was like they were back in middle school. Talking and laughing, even the silence wasn't awkward.

However, MC's happiness didn't last long. Right after lunch, those mean girls invited their own friends and brothers to join in the bullying. They went as far as throwing her books out the window, scribbling on her notebook, pushing her around, and slamming her on the lockers all the while speaking mean things to her.

"Your looks don't deserve Caleb's attention."

"I'm sure Caleb just took pity on you."

"You're ugly, might as well just end yourself."

MC lay on the floor sobbing while her body was littered with cuts and bruises. "Please leave me alone."

"Aww," One of the boys mocked, "Please leave me alone."

"So pathetic."

Suddenly, something flew across the hallway, striking one of the boys down. MC looked at the object to see a book about plane models lying on the floor.

"I was wondering what would've caused her to be so upset." MC sucked in her breath, immediately knowing who that voice belonged to.

The mean girls immedietly changed their tone and sounded more shy compared to when they were bullying her. "Caleb!"

"Caleb, I didn't know you're here!"

"We're just here to teach her a lesson for dirtying your clothes."

"Yea, that's right. She's very dirty. She drank toilet water-"

"Fuck off." MC widens her eyes. This was the first time she had ever heard Caleb swear. She looked up to see Caleb walking toward her. He took off his sweatshirt and covered her. "Stay here." His tone was much more gentler than when he was talking to her bullies.

One second he was covering MC with his sweatshirt, the next, he punched a boy so hard he was knocked out immediately from contact. The other boys and girls were staring in shock. This boy that Caleb had just knocked out was a senior who was slightly taller than Caleb.

"If you all try to hurt her again," The bullies looked up at Caleb as he tried to contain his anger. "And I'll make sure your parents won't even recognize you once I'm done with you."

The bullies stood there in shock as Caleb carried you to the nurse's office.

"Next time, pip-squeak, you should tell me immediately if anyone is hurting you."

MC leaned into his embrace, "I didn't want to bother you."

"Nothing you do bothers me."

MC sniffled, "Caleb?" Tears already spilling down her cheeks.

"Don't cry while I'm carrying you. I won't be able to wipe your tears."

"Am I ugly?" MC sobbed. "Am I dragging you down?"

"Nonsense, you're always pretty. If we want to talk about who's dragging who down, it's clearly me who's dragging you down."

"Are you saying that to make me feel better? Do you take pity on me?"

Caleb softly chuckled, "Pip-squeak. I've known you since we were kids. Have I ever took pity on you? Pretty sure I was the one who pushed you into the pool."

"I still haven't forgiven you."

"Yea, yea, I know."

As soon as Caleb dropped you off at the nurse's office, an announcement called in, "Caleb, 3rd year, principle's office immediately."

MC grabbed on Caleb's sleeve, "Caleb?" Her eyes watered as tears continued to spill. "Are you in trouble?"

Caleb chuckled and wiped her tears, "Don't worry about me, pip-squeak. I'll be back before you know it."

MC nodded before hesitantly letting go of his sleeves. She lay on the bed while the nurse put band-aid and ice packs on her wounds.

Once Caleb arrived at the office, he was doing some breathing exercises before going to the principal's office. Not because he's nervous, but because he's trying to calm himself down or else he'll end up hurting everyone in the office. He knocked twice before opening the door.

Inside the room sat the principal behind his desk and the senior bully with his parents. The mother was coaxing and soothed this boy as if he were a toddler while the father just sat there with his arms crossed as if he didn't want to be here. Caleb wanted to roll his eyes. No wonder this senior is a bully: his parents look just as bad as he does.

"Caleb," the principal called out. "I'm curious and tell me the truth. Did you actually used violence against a student today?"

The principal asked this because Caleb was one of the best student this school had. He was asked several times to skip grades but he refused several times.

Caleb huffed, "Yes, I did.."

"Good, I thought you actually did- wait, what did you just say?" The principal was dumbstruck because he wasn't expecting such a great student to resort to violence.

"Caleb, let me make myself clear: It is against school policy to use violence, especially to another student."

"Wasn't he the one who used violence against a student first?" Caleb snapped. "I'm sure in your policy, it said bullying is not tolerated."

Once again, the principal was dumbstruck. He was opening his mouth and closing it, unable to argue against Caleb.

"Look at this child!" The mother screeched, "He had no remorse for hurting my baby!"

"Ma'am," The principal quickly tries to calm her down.

Caleb turned toward the mother. She was patting his son's head. He could see the name tag on the left side of her breast. "Ms." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Tuskan. Your son bullied a friend of mine. It's your son who had no remorse for hurting someone else's child."

"You!" The mother shrieked. She immedietly stood up and stomp her way toward Caleb, pointing her finger at him, but her height was nowhere close to Caleb's. "You're a monster!"

Caleb glared down at her, "I didn't know the company you work for would hire you. Guess they hire anyone nowadays."

"Excuse me? You better be careful what you say. I will get you suspended."

"Is this a threat?"

"Damn right, it is. You better fucking sleep with an eye open, you bastard!"

"Thank you for clarifying," Caleb said sarcastically. "First off, under this school's policy, swear words are prohibited. You had violated that rule."

"You!"

"Second, I have this in a recording. I will be sending this recording to your boss."

The mother's face paled, and she turned toward her husband, asking for support. "Why aren't you backing me up?"

The husband looked annoyed, "What am I supposed to do? Our son just bullied someone and this kid taught him a lesson. Maybe that'll stop him from being an asshole."

The mother whipped her head back to Caleb and gave him the nastiest look. But Caleb just smirked, "Ma'am, here's some advice for you and your son. I advise you to teach your son how to be a decent human being and I advise your son to stop bullying, especially toward my friend. Because the next time I see him near her, he won't come back unscathed." Then Caleb looked at the principal, "I expect you and this school to do a better job upholding the policies. The next time I hear any bullying, I will report this school. Do I make myself clear?"

The principal quickly nodded. Caleb smiled, "Good, think we are done here."

"Wait," the mother stopped him. Caleb slightly winced at her annoying voice. "I need that recording."

Caleb scoffed, "Heh, no. I expect you to do what I asked or else I will be sending this to your boss." He looked over to the father. "and yours too." Sending the last warning, he showed himself out of the principal's office. As he closed the door, the mother and father were having a screaming match in the office.

"Look at what you've done! If I lose this job, I'm divorcing you!"

"What kind of father are you? Why can't you support me and your son?"

Caleb smiled to himself before returning back to MC's side.

Ever since that incident, no one dared to bully MC ever again. Because wherever she is, Caleb is right there behind her. Anyone who dared to hurt her would either return to school with a cast on or never return back to school. This infamous story was even used in the school's anti-bully projects, even after those two had long graduated from high school.

Dividers, headers, banners, and templates used on this post are from @uzmacchiato

[sidekickjoey]

You're On Your Own, Kid (You Can Face This)

Graphics & writing by: @sidekickjoey Beta: @steddieasitgoes Art by: @ja0netholmes/@bittlebarnes & @danadaria Part of @steddiebang 2023

Set at the end of the Summer of '86, Steve Harrington finds himself left behind by the narrative, literally and figuratively. It seems as if everyone around him is preparing to go off to college and move on with their lives while he, still processing the past, is stuck at Family Video. He has no degree, no goals, and (seemingly) no one to love. Insert Eddie Munson, the boy he saved, offering him a way forward he never before thought possible. Battling surfacing feelings, more-than-difficult parents, and his own self-sabotaging ways, Steve will decide whether he's willing to let his bleak future consume him, or if he'll finally take the leap and carve out the future he really wants - with who he really wants.

Chapter 1/10 - Summer Went Away (preview below the cut)

There’s no instruction manual for surviving in a post-apocalyptic world. 

It's probably because people are not expected to make it out of an apocalypse alive enough to need one. The word ‘apocalypse’ by its very definition alludes to a complete and final destruction no one can survive. It does not speak of life finding a way or going against all odds to stop horrible disasters from occurring. No, it points to an ending — a damning, bleak, and unsurmountable ending for all involved. 

Even apocalyptic movies, for all the hope of a brighter future they bring to their audiences, leave a lot to be desired regarding what happens next. Most of their endings require their leading characters to leave their home worlds to survive, to move on as wounded strangers in a foreign land. They do this among creatures who have no idea what they went through and why they did what they did in the past, just that they survived, and audiences all clap along accepting they've finally reached their 'happy ending.' 

They survived, after all. That was what everyone wanted! The rest can be sorted out later, after the screen fades to black and the final battles all become distant memories. Enjoying the relief of their characters being alive is more important than dealing with the grittier, darker details of what its aftermath means for them, anyway. 

Steve Harrington had once loved those kinds of movies. 

He didn’t stumble upon them often, too busy with baseball or basketball or a pretty date to sit for a full show. When he did though, they captivated him. They showed him a world in which even the most dire of circumstances could eventually work themselves out in the end. Happy endings could exist for anyone. As a boy who felt rather smothered by an oppressive father and the weight of expectations on him going into high school, it was a comforting concept. It was also incredibly naive.  

Steve stopped being naive in November of 1983. 

[lezzballer]

I'm sharing a preview of my story and I'd like to hear your feedback on it!

I don't have a title for it yet so the working title is Lauren Jackson x Reader Meet Cute. The story is set in 2003 in Connecticut because I love writing retro ball. Storm Head Coach Ann Donovan made Sue and Lauren train together before the 2003 season because they didn't get along. This story takes place during that time.

It's the end of February in Connecticut. The winter snow is melting and the campus stress is mounting. Academic and athletic stress keeps you up at night. So rather than waste your time lying awake staring at the ceiling, you party.

There's a basketball party tonight and it's a big one. The conference tournament starts in a few days and Sue is in Storrs again to see the games. It's been a year since she was drafted but she's still a god here. So whenever she comes back here, you throw her an absolute rager.

You're a few shots in when Sue walks through the front door. She runs over and wraps you in a big hug. "I've missed you, dude!" she yells in your ear. You've missed her a lot. Your heart broke when she was drafted to Seattle. Everything is harder without Sue around.

As you and Sue get reacquainted, someone else walks through the door behind her. A giant. You recognize her immediately but there's no way she could possibly be in Storrs. This must be a dream.

"I told you I had a surprise for you, remember?" Sue says. "Well, here's your surprise."

Ever since Sue left Storrs for Seattle, she's been complaining to you about Lauren Jackson. Every time you'd call her, she'd tell you "Lauren is a problem." And now that 6'5" problem is standing in the doorway of this UConn party. She looks down at you. For a brief moment there's something warm in her eyes. And then her face twists into a scowl.

"Who is this?" she asks Sue. Sue introduces you. Lauren doesn't shake your hand or smile. She just looks around the room and sighs. She does not want to be here.

Sue rolls her eyes. "Okay, where's my drink?" You lead Sue and Lauren through the crowded living room into the kitchen and pour some shots. Sue pounds her shot back without flinching. Lauren pours hers in a can of coke. By now, the rest of the UConn basketball players have realized that Sue is here. They all file in to the kitchen to embrace Sue. One-by-one, Sue introduces them to Lauren. Lauren glares and mumbles her way through every introduction until she's left a bad first impression with everyone. When she's content with her work, she turns away from the crowd and sips her vodka coke. A cheeky grin forms on Lauren's face while Sue attempts to clean up after Lauren's rudeness. "Sorry, we're a little jet-lagged!" Sue says as she leads the crowd out of the kitchen, leaving you alone with Lauren.

"Are you jet-lagged?" You ask.

"No, I'm just on the wrong continent." Her Australian accent is thick and musical. Every sentence sounds like a question. You can't tell what's sarcasm and what isn't.

"So, how'd you end up in Storrs?"

"Coach's orders."

"Coach Auriemma?"

"Who? Oh, that's your coach, right? No, I'm here on the Storm coach's orders. Anne Donovan wants me to follow Sue around. You know, they're not even paying me for this. It's charity work."

"So why are you doing it?"

"I have no idea. I could be on a beach in the Gold Coast right now. I'm missing bikini season for this. The waves, the girls, I'm missing it all for Storrs."

She talks about girls openly with no shame in her voice. You've never heard a woman talk like that in your life. This WNBA player is living up to every stereotype and she doesn't seem to care.

"There's girls here, too, you know." The words fall out of your mouth before you even realize what you're saying. "And bikinis."

"Really?" She looks you over and takes a long sip of her vodka coke. You suddenly feel dizzy. Your college team is laughing and dancing in the living room. And you're just a few feet away flirting with a WNBA player. This can't be happening but it is. You're not even drunk. If you were drunk, this would all make a lot more sense. Maybe it's time to get drunk. You walk over to the bowl of Nightmare Punch and fill up your cup. The punch is a deep maroon brown color. It smells terrible and tastes even worse. You choke down half of it and then look enviously at Lauren's vodka coke.

"Wanna trade?" you ask.

"No way!" she laughs. Her laughter feels so good.

Your teammates come find you and pull you and your Nightmare Punch onto the dance floor. Apparently your song is on. Part of you feels grateful that your teammates saved you from whatever it was you were just doing. And another more wicked part of you resents them for it.

Three songs and one bathroom break later, you find your way back to the kitchen. But Lauren is already gone. You feel a pang of crushing disappointment in the pit of your stomach. You retrace your steps back through the house looking for Lauren's sulking 6'5" figure. You don't find her but you do find Sue.

"Hey, have you seen Lauren?" You ask.

"Lauren? No. What time is it?"

You look at your watch. "It's barely ten" you say.

"Ten? Okay. Lauren's gone"

"What do you mean she's gone? We're in the middle of nowhere. Where could she even go?"

"I don't know. She just leaves. Every time I try to do something social with her, she just disappears. It's all part of her, you know, it's all part of her bullshit. She's a problem, remember? And you're supposed to help me solve that problem. That's why I brought her here."

"Lauren said your head coach put you up to this"

"Well, I gave Coach Donovan the idea. Lauren hates me and she hates UConn. So I thought, what the hell, I might as well bring her back here with me."

"To torture her?"

"Exposure therapy. Listen, she'll turn up tomorrow morning. Let's forget about her and have fun tonight." Sue pushes another drink into your hand. There was a time when this used to be enough for you. There was a time when drinking and laughing with a beautiful woman was all you wanted in life. But you're growing up and learning that you want more. You remember when Sue visited back in December and brought a boyfriend to your game. The little crush you once had on her died that day. You want more and you won't get it here.

You hang around the party for a little while longer before grabbing your jacket and slipping out the door. There's nowhere to go in Storrs. But Lauren is 6'5". You should be able to see her from a distance. And the booze in your system gives you confidence that you'll find her.

You walk about 50 yards before reality starts to set in. It's freezing out here and Lauren is long gone. Your drunk mind pictures her leaving the party with one of those Gold Coast bikini girls she was talking about. "Damn it!" You yell out into the night. Now you're really mad. You had a chance, a brief window of opportunity, and you missed it. "God fucking damn it!" Rogue tears spill over your eyelids. You can't go back to the party now. There's only one place in the world where you belong. The gym...

•••

I'm working on writing the next scene. Here's a work in progress that you can read now if you want!

Let me know what you think of it so far. If you like this and want to read more, send me an ask about it so I don't procrastinate lol

[tonyspicks]

Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat 12/04/2024: NBA Picks

Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat 12/04/2024: NBA Picks Predictions Previews by Tonys team of professional handicappers who research College Basketball. Visit Us for Free Football Sports Picks, NBA Free Picks, Free NCAAF Picks, Free NCAAB Picks, Free NFL Picks and Free College Basketball Picks

Visit: https://tinyurl.com/4bzv57hw

[maxinemaxmayfield]

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!

So so so excited to start posting my labour of love for the @steddiebang, nobody rules these streets at night like me tomorrow, on which i got to collaborate with the amazing incredible insanely talented @maikaartwork!

Sneak preview of the fic below:

On Christmas Day, Eddie wakes to see a light dusting of snow on the ground. He resolves to stay huddled up in his blankets for the day, re-reading his favorite book and eating pop tarts and chips as his Christmas dinner. It seems like a pretty good plan. 

By mid-afternoon, however, he’s restless. He can’t focus on his book anymore, and he’s too wired from the sugar to sit still. 

So he bundles up in every shirt and sweater he owns, layered on top of each other, with his battle vest thrown on top for good measure. He hasn’t got any gloves, so he grabs a thick pair of socks to keep his hands warm.

He’s heard some kids talk about the quarry, out past Loch Nora, but he’s never been. He figures it’s as good a goal as any, and heads in that direction. 

Walking warms him up, though his toes start to lose feeling. The houses get bigger, nicer, with more sprawling lawns as he continues. He catches glimpses of people sitting in their living rooms in front of a roaring fire, or at their dining tables with impressive spreads for Christmas dinner. All happy. All smiling.

He tries not to dwell on it, and keeps moving. 

The quarry comes into view, a layer of ice frozen over the top. Eddie strips off the socks from his hands and takes the carefully tucked-away joint from his pocket – a little reward for making it out here, and a Christmas present to himself. He turns the corner on the path down to the water… and sees someone sitting next to the water’s edge, hood of their coat pulled up. 

Eddie tucks the joint back away, just in case, and walks a bit closer. Not wanting to scare whoever it is, he speaks up. 

“Hey, uh, you alright down there?”

The mysterious person turns, and Eddie freezes. 

It’s Library Boy. College Application Boy. English Class Boy.

And he smiles at Eddie. 

“Oh. Didn’t expect to see anyone else out here. You’re in my English class, right? Edward?”

“Eddie.”

“Sorry, Eddie,” he corrects himself. 

Eddie stands there awkwardly, shuffling from foot to foot.  “Um, I didn’t catch your name,” he says.

“Steve. Steve Harrington.”

Eddie’s mouth drops open. He’s heard the name, heard whispers through the halls of the great King Steve who had fallen from grace, lost his girlfriend, his popularity and his spot on the basketball team in one fell swoop. 

He wouldn’t have guessed that this was the King Steve they were talking about.

He snaps his mouth shut, tries to pretend he hasn’t heard the name floating around since the first day he stepped into Hawkins High. “Cool. Uh, nice to meet you, officially.”

[wttnblog]

Saturday's Sweet Sixteen Preview: The Superstars of Women's March Madness

We’re in the thick of March Madness, the annual playoff tournament in college basketball. With just sixteen teams left, the competition is ratcheting up another tier and I for one cannot wait. It’s day two of the Sweet Sixteen (half of the teams played yesterday) and given that the women’s tournament has had primetime channel slots all postseason, I’m here with an introductory guide to the games…

[isaidwhatisaidyt]

NFL Playoffs Championship Weekend: In-Depth Analysis & Bold Predictions NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend: In-Depth Analysis & Bold Predictions #nflplayoffs #wildcardweekend #nflpredictions Hi Everyone! Welcome to the I Said What I Said Ready for some thrilling football action? The NFL Championship Game Weekend is here, and we’ve got you covered with expert analysis, bold predictions, and in-depth breakdowns of every matchup. From underdog stories to Super Bowl favorites, we’ll explore every angle to keep you ahead of the game. In this video, we cover: 🔹 Commandes vs. Eagles 🔹 Bills vs. Chiefs ☑️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - NFL Conference Championship Preview 02:27 - Commanders vs. Eagles 16:28 - Bills vs. Chiefs 27:43 - Outro Don’t miss out on the ultimate NFL Playoff preview! 🔔 Subscribe for more bold opinions, game-winning betting strategies, and fresh perspectives on everything football. Your support keeps the sports talk alive! 📩 What’s your bold prediction? Share it in the comments! 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@iswis_pod/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms: Spotify:https://ift.tt/b3ytR0W ApplePodcast:https://ift.tt/OIJrfnq 🔗 Stay Connected With Us. Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/iswis_pod Instagram: https://ift.tt/e4k1gVD Tiktok: https://ift.tt/HKdsNoD Discord: https://ift.tt/aW1DPnI ============================= 🎬Suggested videos for you: ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RMAaVxOb2w&t=41s ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Z5sBpuoqw&t=17s ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgBYRlI5hOg ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-q0axEvvak ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYcq_KnUqVI ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po0kLf3Cu6k ================================= ✅ About I Said What I Said. Welcome to I Said What I Said, the ultimate sports podcast channel where bold opinions and fresh perspectives take center stage! Hosted by Brad Wakai and Tyson Gentri, we bring you in-depth discussions on football and basketball while exploring the hottest topics across the sports world. Whether you're here for expert takes, unique insights, or tips to sharpen your edge in sports gambling, this is your go-to destination. From game analysis to betting strategies, we’ve got everything you need to stay ahead of the game. Subscribe now and join the conversation! 🔔 Hit subscribe and stay ahead of the game with unfiltered sports talk, bold opinions, and game-winning betting strategies on football, basketball, and beyond! https://www.youtube.com/@iswis_pod/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= 🔎 Related Phrases: NFL Playoffs, Playoffs, Wild Card Weekend, NFL Wild Card Weekend, AFC Playoffs, NFL Playoff Analysis, NFL Analysis, NFL Playoff Race, NFC Playoffs, N F L Playoffs, NFL Playoff Picture, AFC Playoff Picture, NFL Playoff Bracket, NFL Playoff Schedule, College Football Playoff, NFL Wildcard Weekend #nflplayoffs #wildcardweekend #nflpredictions #footballanalysis #nflnews #wildcardmatchups #sportsbetting #footballtalk #nfl2025 #sportsanalysis #commandersvseagles #eaglesvscommanders #billsvschiefs #chiefsvsbills via I Said What I Said https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpFZBTd7DXTq8vwghPztwA January 24, 2025 at 04:00AM

[classifieds-marketing-news]

Preview of St. John's Men's Basketball Game Against Georgetown

College basketball fans rejoice as St. John’s and Georgetown are set to clash in what promises to be a thrilling game at Madison Square Garden. Georgetown, under the guidance of Ed Cooley, has surged to a 12-4 record, led by standout players Thomas Sorber, Micah Peavy, and Malik Mack. On the other side, St. John’s is enjoying a resurgence, winning ten of their last eleven games with R.J. Luis delivering impressive performances. Game Information: Who: St. John’s Red Storm (14-3, 5-1 Big East) vs. Georgetown Hoyas (12-4, 3-2 Big East) When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 7:30 p.m. Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York TV: Peacock Radio: Learfield Tickets: Ticketmaster Series History: St. John’s leads, 67-57 Injury News: Deivon Smith's availability for the game is uncertain after a shoulder injury. Brady Dunlap remains sidelined with injuries. What to Watch for in the Storm: Keep an eye on R.J. Luis's impressive performances and Deivon Smith's injury status. The frontcourt duo of Luis and Zuby Ejiofor has been dominant on the boards. Scouting the Hoyas: Georgetown's defense has significantly improved under Ed Cooley. Thomas Sorber is a key player to watch, excelling on both ends of the court. Micah Peavy and Malik Mack provide offensive firepower for the Hoyas. Jayden Epps is a scoring threat at all levels. Keys to the Game: Slow down Thomas Sorber and capitalize on Georgetown's turnovers. Focus on outworking the Hoyas on the glass to secure rebounds. Prediction: St. John’s is favored to win, but Georgetown poses a challenge if Deivon Smith is unavailable. The game is predicted to end with St. John’s victorious with a score of 76-70. College basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between St. John’s and Georgetown, a matchup that could reignite one of the Big East's greatest rivalries. As the two teams prepare to face off at Madison Square Garden, excitement is building for what promises to be a memorable game. #News #Basketball #frontpage #game #garden #georgetown #in #john #Johns #Men #Mens #Preview #rumble #s #st #stjohnsredstormmensbasketball #the https://tinyurl.com/23nbj3wy

[heartlandcollegesports]

BYU vs. Providence Basketball Prediction & Preview | Heartland College Sports

Check out the latest prediction, odds, and game preview for the BYU vs. Providence basketball game on December 3, 2024. Stay informed with expert analysis and insights from Heartland College Sports, your trusted source for college sports news and updates.

[tfgadgets]

UNC-Kansas Preview: Blue Bloods Clash in Allen Fieldhouse - 247Sports

UNC-Kansas Preview: Blue Bloods Clash in Allen Fieldhouse  247Sports How to watch Kansas basketball play UNC in rematch of 2022 national championship game  The Topeka Capital-Journal Kansas vs. North Carolina: Live game updates, college basketball scores, NCAA top 25 highlights  CBS Sports UNC, Kansas, Roy Williams — and the reunion they tried to avoid for more than 40 years  Raleigh News &…

[planesspoken]

College Basketball Preview

Dukes gotta guy. 2 NIL deals is this going to be the guy who succeeds, or is he going to get fucked like the Clemson QB.

Schyer can't get psyched out, so and so never would, little emotional at the end. Push for Caple in works. Woj has gotta get outta there if he hasn't already, just be a HC which is the opposite of what a lot of coaches with good gigs should do.

Sometimes you can back fill a guy if a good coach leaves, sometimes the entire room changes.

They still call them NIL deals? I thought they were Zilch deals. Someone could break through, never know.

[a2zsportsnews]

Big Ten expert picks: 2024-25 preview, projected order of finish, preseason predictions, top players to watch

The Big Ten will look drastically different during the 2024-25 college basketball season with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joining the league. The additions of the four West Coast-based programs will swell league membership to 18, tying it with the ACC for the largest power conference in the nation.  Because of conference realignment and expansion, the Big Ten Tournament will also look…