November 19, 2025
The Weekly Fast Break: Thriving or floundering early
Mid-November tests, pressures and sunburns ahead
The first run of games for the 2025-26 season is in the books, and some are handling the pressures better than others. We have teams that are thriving with unexpected upset wins and others that are wondering why their turnover stat line is out of control. Coaches are still teaching just the first section of the offensive playbook and players are hearing the phrase “be in help side rotation” in their exhaustion-fueled dreams.
Mid-November is a time on the schedule when many teams find themselves packing not only their uniforms and lucky socks but sunglasses and flip flops as they embark on tournament destinations. Whether it is Florida or the Bahamas, Hawaii or Mexico, the opportunity to play high-level competition and travel to a unique destination is one that programs will not pass up. How they each measure their own progress after the fact is to be determined. We also wait to see which staff member gets the gold star for remembering the sunscreen in the gear bag.
Our motto this season here at The Weekly Fast Break is “pressure is a privilege – it only comes to those that earn it.” Tennis legend Billie Jean King knew when she coined this phrase that it not only is about performance, but how you respond to disappointment and handle the different pressures that come your way. It is difficult to get an accurate barometer of who is thriving and who is floundering this early in the season, but there are plenty of clues leading us to a fruity drink on the beach two hours before tipoff.
TIP-OFF
Greenbrier Brawl: Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, The Greenbrier is a National Historic Landmark and world-class resort that has been welcoming guests from around the world since 1778. The Greenbrier Tipoff, a college basketball event that runs over two consecutive weekends in November at the property, was host to the much-anticipated women’s matchup of No. 15 Duke and West Virginia on Nov. 14. The Mountaineers traveled just over three hours from home in Morgantown to battle with the Blue Devils and unbeknownst to all of us, this would not be a relaxing night at the resort.
The first half would end with Duke ahead 23-20 and sophomore Jordan Wood blocking a shot attempt by WVA’s Jordan Harrison as time expired. Wood taunted Harrison by yelling in her direction, which resulted in Harrison shoving Wood, and a brief scuffle breaking out with other players pushing each other as well. Five WVA players left the bench to come onto the floor and although they did not get involved in the extracurricular activities, they were ejected for leaving the bench. Harrison and Wood were also ejected. This is where the fun begins. WVA was left with five players for the entire second half – one starter in senior Sydney Shaw and four reserves. And what a half it would be.
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With their fans rallying behind them, the Mountaineers outscored Duke 24-9 in the third quarter. For the game they caused 21 turnovers and their stifling defense held the Blue Devils to just 38% from the field and 2-for-12 from behind the arc. In what seemed like unprobeable circumstances, WVA survived with the “Greenbrier Five” to upset Duke, 58-49. Head coach Mark Kellogg was almost speechless afterwards. “You see in sports things like that happen – there’s just something where you rally around each other,” he told ESPNU after the game. “I’m so proud of that group of five. I guess it’s one of those moments where you don’t really know what to say. But that’s as good a win as I’ve probably ever had.”
First and foremost, we tip our cap to WVA and their unwavering determination to take down the No. 15 team in the nation in such a chaotic turn of events. For those that are new to the party, Kellogg is an extremely talented coach and showed yet again why his teams should never be overlooked. Our questions are more about Duke, the favorites to win the ACC this season. How is it that a team with such talent on its roster cannot find a way to beat an opponent that only had five players available? Where was the gameplan to run as much as possible to fatigue the Mountaineers? Where were the sets to exploit foul trouble and attack WVA every single possession off the bounce? With all but one of their players available for the second 20 minutes, was there not a group of five Dukies that were motivated enough to blow WVA out of the gym? It appears when the Mountaineers dug deep, the Blue Devils did not. It may be time for Duke to do some soul-searching after this loss.
Frog Alert: Fort Worth, TX has become a transfer portal destination, and the numbers prove it – 18 transfer players in three seasons. Head coach Mark Campbell has attracted top talent to his pick and roll system, and it has paid off. The 2024-25 season was a historic one for TCU, garnering them their first-ever Big 12 regular season title, first-ever Big 12 postseason tournament title and a run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Guard Hailey Van Lith ran the show with 6’7 Sedona Prince inside and the next iteration of dynamic duos is thriving for the Horned Frogs. All-American Olivia Miles transferred to TCU from Notre Dame because she wanted to play in Campbell’s system, one that can prepare her for the pro level. Others, such as senior sharpshooter Maddie Scherr, stretch forward Marta Suarez (Cal transfer) and post Clara Sliva (Kentucky) are thriving in Fort Worth as well.
On Nov. 16 TCU took one of only two road trips it will make before Big 12 play begins to face then No. 10 NC State. For the second straight year, the Horned Frogs took down the Wolfpack and with their 69-59 victory, ended NC State’s 24-game home winning streak. Suarez was dominate, playing all 40 minutes and posting 26 points, including 4-for-8 from three. Miles had a double-double (15 points and 14 boards) as did the 6’7 Silva, who hauled in 12 rebounds to go with 10 points. TCU won the battle on the glass and held NC State to just one field goal over the final four minutes. The win is only the second time they have defeated a top 10 team on the road, and it is also their first ranked road victory in nonconference play since 2011. Campbell’s team is the hunted now not only in the Big 12 but nationally as well – and it is the Horned Frogs’ happy place.
Poll Watch: Only seven teams are in the same spot in the AP Top 25 poll as they were last week, including the top five, of which three are from the SEC. The Michigan Wolverines vaulted eight spots to No. 6 after destroying Notre Dame, 93-54 on Nov. 15 in the Shamrock Classic. It is the first time in school history that both the Michigan women’s and men’s basketball teams are ranked inside the top 10 simultaneously (MBB is at No. 7). The Fighting Irish barely stay in this week’s poll falling from No. 18 to No. 24, but Duke was not so lucky. The Blue Devils fall out of the Top 25 after their loss to West Virginia, who jumps in this week at No. 24. TCU is the second-biggest mover behind Michigan, up seven spots to No. 10 and fellow Big 12 member Iowa State is up four places to No. 12. Seven Big Ten schools are in this week’s poll and three are receiving votes – Minnesota, Ohio State and Nebraska. Four mid-majors are feeling the voter vibes as well this week with South Dakota State leading the way with 7 points.
STAR POWER
Here at The Weekly Fast Break, the only thing we love more than perfect execution of an out-of-bounds play is a triple-double. Star power is on overdrive when we see those numbers cross a stat sheet. There have been two triple doubles posted in the past week, starting with guard Filipa Barros of California Baptist who notched 10 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds on Nov. 12 in her team’s 83-60 victory over Long Beach State. The 5’9 guard from Portugal is just the second player in CBU history to record a triple double. Iowa State junior Addy Brown notched her first career triple double and just the fourth in program history on Nov. 16 with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the 98-52 win over Norfolk State. The 6’2 forward from Derby, KS also surpassed the 1,000-point scoring mark on Nov. 12 when she scored 18 points in the Cyclones’ win over Valparaiso, 97-50.
Get the brooms out for an early season sweep of the weekly honors in the BIG EAST. UConn sophomore Sarah Strong was named BIG EAST Player of the Week after averaging 20 points, 8 boards, 5.5 assists, 3 blocks and 4.5 steals per game in wins over Loyola Chicago (85-31 on Nov. 12) and Ohio State (100-68 on Nov 16). The 6’2 forward tied her career high with 29 points and added 13 rebounds and seven assists against the Buckeyes. It was her second double-double of the season. The BIG EAST Freshman of the Week awardwent to Huskies’ forward Blanca Quiñonez who averaged 11.5 points in the two victories last week. The native of Ecuador set her career high of 18 points in the win over Ohio State going 7-for-11 from the floor.
Caliyah DeVillasee of Cincinnati was tapped as the Big 12 Freshman of the Week after she became the Bearcats’ single-game assist record holder. The 5’8 guard from Owings Mills, MD delivered 15 assists in her team’s 100-61 win over Georgetown College on Nov. 16. Her 15 assists are the most by a freshman in a game nationally this season and are the second most overall in a game by any player. DeVillasee also had 14 points for her first career double-double, the program’s first point-assist double-double since 2022. She is the first Bearcat to win Big 12 Freshman of the Week.
Howard’s Zennia Thomas and Maryland Eastern Shore’s Ashanti Lynch were named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Co-Players of the Week. Thomas, a 6’2 senior guard, was key in two wins for Howard, averaging 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 steals per game. She scored 15 points and seven boards in the 62-60 win over George Washington on Nov. 11. The Cleveland, OH native had her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds on Nov. 15 in a 56-46 victory at Elon. Lynch totaled 47 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and 10 steals across three games, including a career-high 22 points in the 71-66 win over Monmouth on Nov. 11. The 5’9 senior guard also contributed 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and four steals in the 69-54 loss at Northwestern on Nov.14.
FILM ROOM
When two ranked teams square off in the first two weeks of the season, there usually is not the feeling that one is trending up and the other in the opposite direction. Ranked teams are supposed to be firing on all cylinders when the season starts, relying on star talent and working as a unit each time they hit the floor. Michigan and Notre Dame met in the Shamrock Classic in Detroit, MI on Nov. 15 and from the jump, the Wolverines were firing on all cylinders. They outscored the Fighting Irish 17-10 in the first quarter and never looked back. Eight players saw at least 12 minutes of playing time and four starters finished in double figures. Sophomore sensation Olivia Olson led all scorers with 20 points, going 7-for-17 from the floor and hauled in six boards. Head coach Kim Barnes-Arico’s squad shot 50% for the game and answered every run by Notre Dame. It was a decisive win for Michigan over then No. 18 Notre Dame, 93-54.
(Photo by Michigan WBB on Twitter @umichwbball)
Most anticipated this matchup would be close for 40 minutes, but Niele Ivey’s Irish squad was flat-footed from the tip. They lacked the defensive discipline and effort we are accustomed to seeing from Notre Dame and their inability to generate offense with their defense was telling. Only three players scored in double figures (Cassandre Prosper led the way with 17) and All-American Hannah Hidalgo was held to just 12 points, going 4-for-21 from the field. A lack of a true post presence was glaring for Notre Dame, as they were outscored 50-26 in the paint and dominated on the glass 50-28. Many of those paint points by Michigan also came off penetration to rim and no stops by the Irish. This may very well be a rebuilding year for Notre Dame, even with Hidalgo running the show. Ivey and her staff have had plenty of teaching moments in the film room after that performance.
FULL COURT PRESS
While some teams are packing for warm destinations, others still have work to do before the Thanksgiving holiday break. Tough home games and critical road matchups can tell us a lot about who is thriving and who needs a nap in the sunshine between practices. As things come more into focus for players and coaches, keep your eyes on these games coming up which include some great non-conference rivalry matchups (check your local listings for game times and broadcast availability):
Nov. 19
R/V Ohio State at St. John’s
Rice at R/V Princeton
Butler at Indiana
Oregon at Washington State
R/V Minnesota at Kansas
Nov. 20
Davidson vs. Miami (WBCA Showcase, Disney Wide World of Sports in Florida)
No. 12 Iowa State at Drake
UNI at Creighton
No. 15 Tennessee vs. Middle TN
Little Rock at Arkansas
No. 19 Iowa vs. No. 7 Baylor (WBCA Showcase, Disney Wide World of Sports in Florida)
Nov. 21
Wyoming at North Dakota
No. 11 USC at No. 24 Notre Dame
No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 1 UConn (Basketball HoF Showcase in Connecticut)
Nov. 22
No. 20 Kentucky at No. 21 Louisville
Miami vs. No. 19 Iowa (WBCA Showcase, Disney Wide World of Sports in Florida)
Colorado vs. UT-Arlington (Hawaii North Shore Showcase)
VCU vs. Texas A&M (Hawaii North Shore Showcase)
K-State at Green Bay
Nov. 23
Missouri vs. Washington State (WBCA Showcase, Disney Wide World of Sports in Florida)
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Illinois at Florida State
No. 1 UConn vs. Utah (Basketball HoF Showcase in Connecticut)
Lehigh at R/V Stanford
UNC Greensboro at No. 14 North Carolina
Townson at UMBC
Nov. 24
R/V Ohio State vs. Belmont (Bahamas)
R/V Minnesota vs. S Florida (Bahamas)
UTSA vs. Auburn (Frisco, TX)
Cal vs. Grand Canyon (Frisco, TX)
UC Davis vs. Sacramento State
Northwestern vs. UVA (Fort Meyers Tip-Off)
Nov. 25
Indiana at FL Gulf Coast (Coconut Hoops, Fort Meyers, FL)
SMU vs. St. Louis (Nashville, TN)
Old Dominion vs. Texas Tech (Frisco, TX)
Villanova at La Salle
Northern Colorado at Arizona
UTEP at Kansas City
*All statistics cited in this column are sourced from university and conference provided statistics
Written by Missy Heidrick
Retired Kansas State shooting guard who spent almost 20 years working in Higher Education and Division 1 athletics. Currently working as a WBB and MBB basketball analyst for television, national college basketball correspondent at The IX Basketball, podcast host, WBB Naismith Award board of selectors member and run my own consulting business.
