Brian Rauf
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Brian Rauf
@brauf33.bsky.social
2.2K followers 120 following 170 posts
Senior national writer for @HeatCheckCBB, videos for @SleepersMedia. Author of the #RaufReport. @USBWA Member. Proud @UofSC alum.
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brauf33.bsky.social
Today’s #RaufReport is LOADED!

-Deciding factor in Purdue’s win over Alabama
-Robert McCray’s historic start
-JT Toppin!!!
-Andrej Stojakovic’s improved efficiency
-How Chris Beard is using Ilias Kamardine like Jarrett Culver

For Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: JT Toppin's historic start, under-the-radar impact players and more
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Mikel Brown's performance last night was the latest star showing from a freshman class already reaching unprecedented levels. We haven't seen this many freshmen be this productive this fast.

My column on the group shaping the season for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/ready-on-arr...
Ready on Arrival: The Freshman Class Dominating College Basketball
Every few years we get a freshman crop in college basketball that oozes promise. That promise, however, typically centers around a handful of one-and-done prospects that can define a season (see Flagg...
www.basketunderreview.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:47 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Start your week with a new #RaufReport!

We dive into UNC’s backcourt, KJ Lewis’ importance to Georgetown, Arizona State’s budding star and…why Michigan State reminds me of KPop Demon Hunters.

For Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: North Carolina's deciding factor, Georgetown's engine and more
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
It's time for a new #RaufReport! Looking back at the week that was, I dive into:

-Koa Peat's unblockable shot
-Thoughts on Xaivian Lee & Cam Boozer
-A pair of mid-major stars to monitor

For Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: Koa Peat's underrated skill, potential Cam Boozer concerns and more
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:34 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is LIVE & in your podcast feeds!

Join us as we look back at exhibition season & preview the biggest games of the week!

Watch at Basket Under Review or listen wherever you get your podcasts: www.basketunderreview.com/weekend-unde...
Weekend Under Review - November 3, 2025
On this edition of Weekend Under Review with Brian Rauf and Matthew Winick, the rundown includes: Exhibition season takeaways Florida vs. Arizona BYU vs. Villanova St. Thomas vs. Saint Mary’s Duke v...
www.basketunderreview.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:39 PM
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The first #RaufReport of the regular season takes a look at the biggest games of Opening Night and the key factors that will decide each of them.

For Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: Key Factors for Monday's Biggest Games
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
A new #RaufReport column looks back at my biggest takeaways from exhibition season!

Looking at why I'm confident in North Carolina, previewing an insane NPOY race and MUCH more.

FREE at Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: Top 5 Takeaways from Preseason Exhibitions
Every October, exhibition games give us our first glimpse of what’s real and what’s just noise. It’s the college basketball version of a trailer — a few promising shots, a couple head-turning performa...
www.basketunderreview.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:10 PM
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Looking for some spicy college basketball takes? We got em!

Hottest takes from the entire Basket Under Review staff: www.basketunderreview.com/basket-under...
Basket Under Review Staff Hot Takes
At some point during the offseason, everyone anchors themselves to a thought so preposterous, so completely absurd, that it causes literal backlash from the masses. We've compiled the hottest takes f...
www.basketunderreview.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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The ACC looks deeper than it has in years. But is this a real renaissance or a mirage created by the buzz of new coaching hires & a few strong teams at the top?

Latest at Basket Under Review dives into what's real & what's not in the ACC's comeback season: www.basketunderreview.com/the-acc-rena...
The ACC Renaissance: Real Progress or Just a Mirage?
The ACC looks better than it has in years, but how real is the revival?
www.basketunderreview.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
A new episode of Weekend Under Review is out!

We break down Yaxel Lendeborg's performance vs Cincy, concerns about Iowa St & St John's and MUCH more.

Available at Basket Under Review & wherever you get your podcasts! www.basketunderreview.com/weekend-unde...
Weekend Under Review - October 20, 2025
On this edition of Weekend Under Review with Brian Rauf and Matthew Winick, the rundown includes: Yaxel Lendeborg Iowa State's offense BYU vs. Nebraska St. John's point guards UCF vs. Duke ...
www.basketunderreview.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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One of my favorite #RaufReport columns do to every year - it's Bold Prediction time!

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

How I see the season playing out, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/rauf-report-...
Rauf Report: Bold predictions for every conference in 2025-26
Every year, we spin up predictions. Who wins each league, who steps up, who falls off. But this one feels different. We’re entering a season of uncertainty—rosters are shifting deeper, transfers are m...
www.basketunderreview.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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A new episode of Basket Under Review's Weekend Under Review is OUT!

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

Available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts! www.basketunderreview.com/weekend-unde...
Weekend Under Review - October 10, 2025
On this edition of Weekend Under Review, Brian Rauf and Matthew Winick preview a handful of exhibition games taking place this weekend. Matchups include: Baylor vs. Grand Canyon Arizona State vs. UC ...
www.basketunderreview.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:39 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Purdue has a national title ceiling, but reaching that ceiling is dependent upon the Boilers figuring out how to maximize a frontcourt rotation with three bigs anchored to the paint.

Is that a puzzle they can solve?

From July, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/purdues-fron...
Purdue's Frontcourt Puzzle: The Challenge of Maximizing Multiple Bigs
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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The preseason is the time for optimism, but a few "can't-miss" teams always end up missing.

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

For Basket Under Review ($): www.basketunderreview.com/false-floors...
False Floors: Hidden Flaws in Some of College Basketball's Most Hyped Teams
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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Tennessee's script is always the same: SEC success and elite defense before falling short in March.

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

For Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/the-last-mou...
The Last Mountain: Why Tennessee May Finally Climb to a Final Four under Rick Barnes
There’s a familiar cadence to Tennessee basketball under Rick Barnes. The Vols enter every season ranked, usually in the top 15, sometimes even inside the top 10. They stack wins early, grind through ...
www.basketunderreview.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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Looking for an under-the-radar breakout candidate?

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

For Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/from-rebuild...
From Rebuild to Relevance: It's Time to Believe in Georgetown Again
There’s a version of this season where the narrative around Georgetown flips fast, where we start talking about the Hoyas like other programs that figure out who they are and start winning real games ...
www.basketunderreview.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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Every season, a handful of good players make the leap & become great players.

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

For Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/the-leap-lis...
The Leap List: Players Ready to Go from Good to Great
Every season, we know who the stars are supposed to be. The All-Americans, the high-usage veterans, the five-star freshmen — they dominate the headlines and preseason lists. But the difference between...
www.basketunderreview.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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Every year, under-the-radar mid-major transfers emerge as indispensable pieces for some of the best teams in the country.

Who are this season's overlooked gems? Introducing the Hidden Impact Up-Transfers, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/college-bask...
College Basketball's Hidden Impact Transfers for the 2025-26 Season
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Got my Homefield kickoff box just in time for kickoff and, folks, it’s spectacular

Reminder that promo code REPORT gets you 15% off your first order ➡️ www.homefieldapparel.com?rfsn=7843002...
August 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
A "Swing Player" is someone who isn't necessarily a team's best player, but one whose impact will tilt a team’s entire season towards its ceiling or its floor.

I highlighted 5 of the most important Swing Players for Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/swing-player...
Swing Players: 5 Important Players You Might Be Overlooking In 2025-26
Every college basketball season has its stars, the guys whose names pop up on preseason watch lists and whose faces dominate March highlight reels. But if you really want to figure out which teams ove...
www.basketunderreview.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Many new hires have injected fresh energy and increased expectations for their new programs, yet no one may exceed preseason forecasts as much as Bucky McMillan & Texas A&M.

Why the Aggies are built to win big in Year 1, for Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/dont-sleep-o...
Don't Sleep on Texas A&M: Why Bucky Ball is Built to Win Big in Year 1
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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If you're expecting Iowa State to take a step back this season, you may have another thing coming. The Cyclones are set to build off last season - not regress from it.

For Basket Under Review subscribers: www.basketunderreview.com/no-step-back...
No Step Back: Why Iowa State Is Resetting, Not Regressing, in 2025–26
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
brauf33.bsky.social
Saw this and simply could not say no.

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

Promo code REPORT gets you 15% off! www.homefieldapparel.com?rfsn=7843002...
August 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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Danny Wolf was the engine that drove Michigan last year. With Yaxel Lendeborg, the Wolverines might have found an upgrade - someone who can elevate that role in Dusty May's system.

Why Lendeborg is set to thrive at Michigan, for Basket Under Review (FREE): www.basketunderreview.com/michigan-man...
Michigan Man: Why Yaxel Lendeborg Might Be An Upgrade Over Danny Wolf
When Danny Wolf declared for the NBA Draft this spring, the conversation in Ann Arbor immediately shifted. Not to whether Michigan could find another big man — there are always big men in the portal —...
www.basketunderreview.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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Houston was seconds away from cutting down the nets last season, and it has a great chance to finish the job in 2026.

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

How Uzan unlocks Houston's ceiling, for Basket Under Review: www.basketunderreview.com/quiet-supers...
Quiet Superstar: How Milos Uzan Unlocks Houston's Ceiling
An independent college basketball outlet.
www.basketunderreview.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM