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Brian Rauf

@brauf33.bsky.social
2.5K followers 121 following 341 posts

National writer for Basket Under Review. Author of the #RaufReport, host of Weekend Under Review. @USBWA Member. Proud @UofSC alum.

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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The first #RaufReport of the season is here! In-depth analysis of five second-year players poised to have breakout seasons, and what each should be able to provide for their teams: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
basketunderreview.com
Rauf Report: Five second-year players primed for breakout seasons
The sophomore leap is one of college basketball's most reliable storylines. Every fall, a handful of players who flashed as freshmen become household names, and a few we expected to take that step nev...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! We continue our Season Preview Series with a look at the Big Ten. Discussing the biggest threats to Illinois at the top, which teams can surprise, and much more. Available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/VY9tBPVlJfE?...
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Weekend Under Review - September 21, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Kelvin Sampson called Dedan Thomas a "point guard's point guard," and he's exactly what Houston needs. For Basket Under Review, I broke down Thomas' game and why his fit with the Coogs could make him the most underrated addition of the offseason: www.basketunderreview.com/dedan-thomas...
basketunderreview.com
Dedan Thomas Jr. Might Be the Most Underrated Addition of the Portal Cycle
Kelvin Sampson has not had to worry much about the point guard position at Houston, going all the way back to Rob Gray’s emergence as a star early in his tenure. He has developed high-level players in...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Luke Murray is tasked with rebuilding a Boston College program that only has three winning seasons since 2009. It's one of the reasons he wanted the job. "I like the challenge...I like the journey of it all." Inside BC's rebuild for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/were-not-ent...
basketunderreview.com
'We're Not Entitled to Anything': Luke Murray Is Building Boston College From Zero
Luke Murray's UConn tenure ended on a Monday night in Indianapolis, in a national championship game against Michigan. His Boston College tenure started just a few hours later, and the first thing he s...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! We continue our Season Preview Series with a look at the Big East - and discuss why the conference is in as healthy of a place as it has in years. Full episode available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/lBVV_GZQQ_k?...
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Weekend Under Review - August 31, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
As LSU tests the limits of eligibility constraints, no one truly knows the roster Will Wade will have available on opening night. But if things break LSU's way, the Tigers will be able to compete with the nation's very best teams: www.basketunderreview.com/backlash-of-...
basketunderreview.com
Backlash of LSU's roster-building is hiding a potential SEC title threat
We've spent the entire offseason talking about how LSU built this roster, and understandably so. But as we get closer to the start of the season, there hasn’t been much talk about what that roster may...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we preview the A-10, new Pac-12, MW, American & WCC. Plus, we break down what the additions of Donovan Dent & Mark Mitchell mean for LSU & Kentucky. Available at Basket Under Review! youtu.be/x0sj8B_CVxw?...
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Weekend Under Review - August 24, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A new episode Weekend Under Review is LIVE! We start our Season Preview series with a look at the traditional one-bid leagues. Who are the teams and players to know? Intriguing league races to follow? Breaking it down at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/IGFHCbPs48I?...
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Weekend Under Review - August 17, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we break down the biggest 5-in-5 transfers that have happened so far. Also, we give our picks for the most underrated player in every power conference. For Basket Under Review: youtu.be/fqdQRhfzuYY?...
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Weekend Under Review - August 10, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Discussing all things 5-in-5, what the Colorado ruling *really* means & why clarity is still far away. Plus, we reveal the teams we think will be most improved! youtu.be/7hhKv1m13mE?...
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Weekend Under Review - August 3, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE, breaking down Winick's newly released transfer rankings. We discuss his highest-rated classes, some that are being undervalued, and much more. Full episode available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/X-21maOXT84?...
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Weekend Under Review - July 27, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Seven of the last 11 national championship games have featured a program trying to win their first title, but none have accomplished the feat since Baylor in 2021. Who could be next to win that first natty? Ranking the top 10 for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/which-progra...
basketunderreview.com
Which Program Will Be Next To Win Its First National Championship?
Houston has played in seven Final Fours and three national championship games. It is still looking for title No. 1. Purdue paired a two-time National Player of the Year in Zach Edey with the NCAA's a...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament created ripple effects far beyond simply what we would’ve seen on the court. For Basket Under Review, I looked back at shifted narratives and altered legacies - the unfinished business of 2020: www.basketunderreview.com/unfinished-b...
basketunderreview.com
Unfinished Business: The 2020 NCAA Tournament and the Endings Nobody Earned
An independent college basketball outlet.
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we break down eight of Matthew Winick’s “A-grade” transfers and what expectations should be for their new teams. Full episode available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/rHqb9KTwZWQ?...
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Weekend Under Review - July 13, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Ranking the 25 toughest places to play in college basketball — by the data, over nearly two decades. No. 1: Allen Fieldhouse. Obviously. The surprises are further down: www.basketunderreview.com/ranking-the-...
basketunderreview.com
Ranking the 25 Toughest Places to Play in College Basketball
Every road game presents its own challenge, but some dates get circled the moment the schedule drops. You know the buildings. The ones that are vital to the lifeblood of the sport, where crazed stude...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
George Mason's Final Four run ushered in the modern era of NCAA Tournament Cinderellas. How does it stack up historically? As we wrap up 2006 Week, I used a formula to objectively rank the 15 most impressive Cinderella runs of all time: www.basketunderreview.com/ranking-the-...
basketunderreview.com
Ranking the 15 most impressive Cinderella runs in NCAA Tournament history
One of the best parts of March Madness is how quickly a team can become part of the tournament's history. A school most fans had barely watched all season wins a game or two, captures the country's at...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Villanova did not win the national title in 2006, but that team was arguably the most impactful. For 2006 Week at Basket Under Review, I looked back at how its four-guard lineup changed the sport and laid the foundation for the 2016 & 2018 title teams: www.basketunderreview.com/how-villanov...
basketunderreview.com
How Villanova’s Dynasty Started With a Team That Never Cut Down the Nets
Jay Wright was not trying to change college basketball when he moved Randy Foye to power forward. He was trying to replace Curtis Sumpter. That was the problem Villanova had to solve heading into the...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Ahead of tonight's #NBADraft, here's a look at five players I believe are still being undervalued by NBA franchises - including why Yaxel Lendeborg could be the best player outside the consensus top-four in the class. www.basketunderreview.com/five-prospec...
basketunderreview.com
Five Prospects Being Undervalued in the 2026 NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is always an exercise in projection. But it is also, too often, an exercise in typecasting. By this point in the cycle, most prospects have been sorted into tidy categories. The elite t...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Kicking off 2006 week at Basket Under Review with a new episode of Weekend Under Review! We look back at the biggest games and best players from that 05-06 season before doing a mock #NBADraft ahead of the real thing tomorrow. Join us! youtu.be/3-ObOwkIyKU?...
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Weekend Under Review - June 22, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Last week, we ranked every national champ since 2000. This week, using the same formula, we’re looking at the 15 best teams in college hoops history that did NOT win a natty. Shockingly, 4 teams from the last 2 seasons made the cut: www.basketunderreview.com/ranking-the-...
basketunderreview.com
Ranking the 15 best college basketball teams that did not win a championship
Picking the best team never to win it all is one of the great bar arguments in college basketball — and like most bar arguments, it usually runs on nostalgia and whichever heartbreak the person across...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! We turn our attention to the #NBADraft, highlighting the players we think are being underrated - and those that are overvalued. Full episode at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/JPFJM1vWl7M?...
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Weekend Under Review - June 15, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
It's the offseason so let's have some fun, shall we? I put each national champion since 2000 through an objective rating formula, then ranked them 1-26. Michigan graded out as the third-best champion of the millenium. Read the rest at Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/ranking-ever...
basketunderreview.com
Ranking every college basketball national champion since 2000
Ranking national champions is usually a fool's errand. These lists tend to boil down to vibes, recency bias, and whichever team the writer happened to grow up watching.  I wanted to do it differently...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Today’s episode of Weekend Under Review features both a Final Four draft & an All-American draft!! Join us as we pick and discuss the teams and players we expect to dominate next season. Available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/Y2Cxj5Aexzc?...
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Weekend Under Review - June 8, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
We are just over two weeks away from the #NBADraft, where plenty of questions exist outside the top four prospects. For Basket Under Review, I looked at five prospects I feel are being the most undervalued - and why they can overachieve at the next level: www.basketunderreview.com/five-prospec...
basketunderreview.com
Five Prospects Being Undervalued in the 2026 NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is always an exercise in projection. But it is also, too often, an exercise in typecasting. By this point in the cycle, most prospects have been sorted into tidy categories. The elite t...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we discuss Milan Momcilovic's pending decision, where St. John's & Vanderbilt stand, & 4 intriguing transfer classes flying under the radar. youtu.be/flL613kq7HM?...
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Weekend Under Review - June 1, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
NIL spending was supposed to slow down. Instead, college basketball keeps getting more expensive. Why? My latest for Basket Under Review looks at why the market keeps climbing, and why the sport may not be close to its ceiling yet: www.basketunderreview.com/college-bask...
basketunderreview.com
College Basketball Keeps Getting More Expensive. How High Can the NIL Market Go?
For most of the NIL era, college basketball has been awaiting a correction. That has always been the underlying assumption around this market: eventually, the market would become too aggressive to su...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Who are the best shot creators in the transfer portal? Using KEMBA ratings, I broke down five guards built to carry offense — and why each could dramatically change the ceiling of their new team. New column (FREE)⬇️ www.basketunderreview.com/the-portals-...
basketunderreview.com
The Portal’s Proven Creators: Which High-Usage Transfers Can Scale Up?
The transfer portal is often talked about in terms of fit, need and roster construction, and all of that matters. But sometimes, the appeal of a transfer is much simpler. Can this guy go get a bucket...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
One year after having the nation's best frontcourt, could Michigan have the nation's best backcourt in 2026-27? I think it's a very real possibility, especially if Trey McKenney makes the leap he's capable of. From Weekend Under Review:
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
On today's episode of Weekend Under Review, we discussed why NCAA Tournament expansion stinks because of what it will do the regular season, and how it will change the way we watch March Madness:
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we look back at news from the last week and dive into six programs that have had interesting offseasons so far. Available at Basket Under Review! youtu.be/531fBuZXYWc?...
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Weekend Under Review - May 4, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is out! Join us as we reveal our favorite portal additions so far, transfer classes we love, and which ones may be overrated. Plus, a look at key early draft entries! Available at Basket Under Review: youtu.be/7JTMFxmKyVg?...
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Weekend Under Review - April 27, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Louisville, Wisconsin, NC State, Vanderbilt, & Auburn all made underrated moves in the transfer portal this cycle. Everyone's focused on the stars but, for Basket Under Review, I broke down why these additions could end up shaping the season just as much. www.basketunderreview.com/five-under-t...
basketunderreview.com
Five Under-the-Radar Transfers That Could Change The Season
The transfer portal opened at midnight after the national championship game, and within hours it was already overflowing. More than 1,000 Division I players entered the portal in the first 12 hours a...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE! Join us as we reveal what we learned from the season before diving into the latest portal news. Available at Basket Under Review & wherever you get podcasts! youtu.be/MF7ZwYLyHH8?...
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Weekend Under Review - April 13, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Before the season, I wrote a column giving a bold prediction for all 31 conferences. In today's #RaufReport, it's time to revisit those predictions. What was a hit? What was close? What did I get really, really wrong? (Sorry, Georgetown) www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
basketunderreview.com
Rauf Report: Revisiting preseason bold predictions
Every October, when the season is still a collection of possibilities, I make a promise that is equal parts fun and dangerous: I write down my bold predictions for every single conference in college basketball. Thirty-one conferences, thirty-one swings at something that feels just plausible enough to imagine and just
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
UConn was nearly perfect in executing its gameplan and, on the brink of a dynasty, that should’ve been enough. Instead, Michigan showed why it was “clearly the best team in the country.” www.basketunderreview.com/uconn-dynast...
basketunderreview.com
UConn dynasty stopped by "legit" Michigan team that was simply better
The coaching profession is a brutal one, requiring plenty of sleepless nights and hours poring over film to try to find an edge. Dan Hurley knows this better than anyone, and he's outwardly as maniac...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Arizona had been the most steady, unflappable team in the country. But in the biggest game of its season, the Wildcats showed a shocking lack of poise. Postgame, Tommy Lloyd admitted his team “just got a little panicky.” www.basketunderreview.com/arizonas-dre...
basketunderreview.com
Arizona's dream season undone by uncharacteristically "panicky" performance
Poise has been the best word to describe Arizona all season long. No matter what challenges the Wildcats faced, no matter what was working and what wasn't, they kept their cool. They didn't flinch. ...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
UConn beat Illinois with its defense, another massive Tarris Reed showing, and another clutch shot from Braylon Mullins. In short, the Huskies showed the championship DNA engrained into the program. "We go into these games and we're ready for battle." www.basketunderreview.com/uconn-showca...
basketunderreview.com
UConn showcases championship DNA in Final Four victory over Illinois
Dan Hurley sauntered up to his postgame press conference with a half-smile on his face, knowing his team had just earned the right to play for their third national championship in four seasons. These...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Jaden Bradley waited his turn to be at the forefront of Arizona's attack. Now, he's guiding the Wildcats to their first Final Four in a quarter century. On Arizona's unquestioned leader, and why he's ready for the moment: www.basketunderreview.com/hes-about-wi...
basketunderreview.com
"He's About Winning": Jaden Bradley waited his turn, and is now the engine driving Arizona
Every great team has a star, and those that reach the Final Four usually have several. However, the teams that advance while others fall in the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight often possess something extra: a...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Our Final Four Deep Dives series at Basket Under Review continues with UConn. What makes the Huskies tick, and how do they match up with Illinois? www.basketunderreview.com/2026-final-f...
basketunderreview.com
2026 Final Four Deep Dives: UConn
If there is a team in this year's Final Four that wasn't supposed to be here, it's UConn. And yes, I understand that's an absurd thing to say about a program that has won two of the last three nation...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
NEW Weekend Under Review! We recap the weekend's thrilling Elite Eight action before previewing the Final Four. What do you need to know ahead of Illinois-UConn? What will determine the showdown between Arizona & Michigan? youtu.be/nzOyRHszQqA?...
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Weekend Under Review - March 30, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Our Region Reset series takes a look at all of the weekend’s action & previews the upcoming rounds, region-by-region. I dove into the West Region, highlighting storylines to monitor & stats that will determine who makes the Final Four: www.basketunderreview.com/the-2026-nca...
basketunderreview.com
The 2026 NCAA Tournament Reset: West Region
The West Region has been the region filled with the most fun. It gave us the closest thing we've had in this tournament to Cinderella in High Point, who was only a few minutes away from advancing to t...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Wrote about the lack of upsets in the last two NCAA Tournaments. It may feel like a permanent change given the shifts in the college sports landscape, but I wanted to contextualize what we've seen. Cinderella isn't dead - she's just sleeping ➡️ www.basketunderreview.com/the-march-ma...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Cinderella may not be disappearing from March Madness - it might just be a possession or two away. A look at the near-upsets, changing roster dynamics, & why the NCAA Tournament has felt different the last two years. New column at Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/the-march-ma...
basketunderreview.com
The March Madness Cinderella isn't dead, but she is sleeping
For a brief moment late Saturday night, it felt like March was finally about to turn mad. Sometime after 11:30 p.m., with Arkansas clinging to a two-point lead in the closing minutes of its Round of ...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The first weekend of the NCAAT may have been short on upsets, but it wasn’t short on drama. We look back at everything from the first two rounds before previewing EVERY Sweet 16 showdown on today’s Weekend Under Review: youtu.be/9tARmETSZkk?...
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Weekend Under Review - March 23, 2026
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
My #MarchMadness bracket. Let's have some fun!
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Still mulling over who you should pick to win the national championship? There's only six teams that have what it takes. Breaking down why those six fit the mold of a title-winning team - and why the other top seeds do not - for Basket Under Review:
basketunderreview.com
March Madness 2026: Pick one of these six teams to win the national championship
Picking the national champion is the single most important decision you'll make when filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket. First-round upsets are fun to predict, but under almost every scoring…
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Think Cinderella is dead? Think upsets have gone away for good? Think again. I'm picking NINE double-digit seeds to win their first round games. #MarchMadness is back to being mad. Breakdowns of each upset pick for FREE at Basket Under Review:
basketunderreview.com
March Madness 2026: Most likely first round upsets
Following last year's chalky NCAA Tournament, a popular narrative has taken hold: Cinderella is dead and upsets will be fewer and far between. The transfer portal has concentrated talent at the top.…
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Upsets are great, but what about teams that can string multiple upsets together and go on a real tournament-changing run? Breaking down the four most likely Cinderella candidates, FREE at Basket Under Review:
basketunderreview.com
March Madness 2026: These four double-digit seeds are the most likely Cinderella candidates
Every March, we convince ourselves the chaos is random. It is in some sense, but often times, we simply overlook the signs. Upsets usually come from teams that have already been stress-tested, teams…
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Who are the players capable of taking over the NCAA Tournament? Using my new KEMBA Rating, I looked at players in each region that are worth monitoring - including which mid-major stars you need to know about. Breakdown is FREE at Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/march-madnes...
basketunderreview.com
March Madness 2026: Players who can go on a Kemba Walker-like run in the NCAA Tournament
Every year, the NCAA Tournament introduces us to someone new — a player we hadn’t fully appreciated whose name suddenly feels unavoidable. For a few games — sometimes a full weekend, they take over ev...
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Brian Rauf @brauf33.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Upsets are dead? Think again. I’m picking NINE double digit seeds to win their first-round matchups - including three 13-seeds. Full breakdowns of my nine upset picks for FREE at Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/march-madnes...
basketunderreview.com
March Madness 2026: Most likely first round upsets
Following last year's chalky NCAA Tournament, a popular narrative has taken hold: Cinderella is dead and upsets will be fewer and far between. The transfer portal has concentrated talent at the top. ...
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