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Brandeis February Break Sports Updates

Luka Doncic Traded

 On the night of Saturday, Feb. 1, National Basketball Association fans were told of the most shocking  news they had ever experienced over years of fanatical fandom. Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old superstar  Slovenian guard for the Dallas Mavericks, a consensus top-five talent in the NBA and one of the league’s  top stars, was traded in a blockbuster move to the  Los Angeles Lakers.  The details of the trade are as follows: the Dallas  Mavericks traded Doncicć, forward Maxi Kleber and  forward Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange  for Lakers forward-center Anthony Davis, guard  Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. Most shockingly, the Mavericks gave no indication that their  franchise cornerstone, a five-time NBA All-Star  and All-NBA selection with career averages of 28.6  points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, would be moved. Doncicćwas widely viewed around the league as an  untouchable asset. Still, Mavericks general manager  Nico Harrison apparently had his reservations about  Doncic’s defensive abilities and his overall durability, with some injury concerns arising in the past  few months. Harrison shockingly only spoke to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka about the details  of the trade and contacted no other teams about getting a potential return for an otherworldly player.  The soured attitude on Doncicć is a great departure  from previous Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who  was an avid supporter of Doncicć and infamously  remarked: “If I had to choose between my wife and  keeping Luka on the Mavs, catch me at my lawyer’s  office prepping for a divorce.” However, Cuban sold  his majority stake in the team in 2023, and evidently  new ownership does not share his devotion to the superstar. While the Mavericks are receiving a decent return  in this trade in terms of a top-10 player in Davis and a  competent role player in Christie, there are a couple  of glaring issues in their negotiating process. Harrison emphasized that the Mavericks made this decision looking towards the future, despite Doncicć being only 25 while Davis is 31 with an extensive injury  history that has consistently plagued him throughout his career.  Another significant problem was the Mavericks  were only able to grab a single first-round pick from  the Lakers, as L.A. did not even have to give up their  available pick for 2031. Traditionally, trades involving NBA stars or superstars come with the stipulation that the team receiving the coveted player has  to give a great deal in terms of draft capital. Mikal  Bridges (a starting caliber player not in the same  stratosphere as Doncic) was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the New York Knicks this past summer  at the price of the Knicks providing the Nets with a  whopping five first-round picks! The fact that with  that precedent, the Mavericks were only unable to  collect one first-round pick for a player like Doncicć  is utterly inexcusable. It is extremely likely that the Mavericks will regret  this decision in the future as an injury-riddled Davis  faces the end of his NBA career while Doncicć begins  to thrive, entering his prime in L.A. Mavericks fans  can only hope that this trade does not go down as  one of the worst in NBA history, as they lost a generational talent in his prime. Despite the greatness  Davis has shown over the years, Doncicć is essentially irreplaceable in basketball terms, with the potential exception of the world’s best, such as Denver  Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and San Antonio Spurs  Center Victor Wembanyama. This is not even mentioning the philanthropic work that Doncic has done  in the Dallas area with the Luka DoncicćFoundation  and his deep love of the city and state, even wearing a  cowboy outfit to one of his years a few years ago as an  homage to the state he played in. In fact, Doncicć was  about to close on a home in the Dallas area around  the time the trade took place.  The loss of Doncicć has fallen especially hard on  Mavericks fans, who have gravitated towards his  awe-inspiring play and on-court personality since  his debut as a rookie in 2018. Their displeasure and  ire at management for the trade has resulted in allout protests being staged at the Mavericks arena  (American Airlines Center). Fans were seen chanting “Nico sucks” in reference to General Manager  Harrison for his role in the debacle of a trade. Ultimately, only time will tell if this trade ages  horribly for the Mavericks, but Davis and Kyrie Irving are literally required to bring the team a championship because that’s the sole form of compensation that Mavericks management could provide to  the fans who lost the soul of their franchise. As for  Luka on the Lakers, LeBron James will ride into the  sunset of his career playing alongside a remarkable  talent, and Luka will usher in yet another era of Laker dominance anchored by a transcendent superstar 

A recap of last weekend’s Super Bowl!

 Well, there you have it. The Philadelphia Eagles are the 2025 Super  Bowl champions! In a blowout 40-22  victory over the Kansas City Chiefs  that saw them lead 24-0 at halftime,  the Eagles were utterly dominant.  They justified their National Football Conference Championship win  a couple of weeks ago with another  authoritative victory on the game’s  highest stage. Eagles quarterback  Jalen Hurts held down the fort, as his  steady presence enabled the Eagles  to ease in front without ever doubting the outcome. Hurts was cool and  collected, evidenced by his 221 yards  passing on 17 completions. He also  threw for two touchdowns and gained  72 yards on the ground. The only statistical blemish on his night was an  interception, but it hardly had any  impact on the thrashing that the Eagles gave to the two-time defending  champs. For his efforts under center,  Hurts was awarded Super Bowl MVP,  an accomplishment of major proportions that solidifies the 26-year-old’s  NFL legacy. However, he still has  many years to add to his collection  of accolades, and Hurts will remain a  major name in NFL football for years  to come. Although Hurts shined with his  MVP-level performance, the Eagles  got much-needed contributions from  across the board to ensure their victory on Sunday. Rookie cornerback  Cooper DeJean chose the perfect time  to catch his first career interception,  which he took back for a touchdown  to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead with  about seven minutes remaining in  the first half. Once Dejean’s pick-six  occurred, the Eagle's victory seemed  all but secured. This was further assisted by linebacker Zack Baun’s  interception of Chiefs quarterback  Patrick Mahomes on the Chiefs’ own  14-yard line with a couple of minutes  left in the first half. This then set up a  touchdown reception from Eagles receiver A.J. Brown to further balloon  the lead to 24-0. Even with their superstar running  back Saquon Barkley struggling — 25  carries for 57 yards — the Eagles encountered almost no resistance from  the Chiefs, with their defensive plays  powering their offensive success.  Besides the two aforementioned interceptions by DeJean and Baun, the  Eagle's defense forced a fumble and  sacked Mahomes for a loss on six separate occasions. With the Eagles employing a stalwart defense anchoring  a steady offensive attack, the Chiefs  were powerless to overcome their  early deficit. Mahomes had a horrific night, as  his 257 passing yards were greatly  inflated by scores near the end of  the game, which essentially served  as consolation prizes. He turned the  ball over on three separate occasions  — two interceptions and one fumble  — and looked completely out of sorts  in the first half, only throwing for  33 yards. It was an uncharacteristic  outing for the three-time Super Bowl  Champion and MVP, who has historically thrived when the games matter  the most.  Additionally, the Chiefs must go  back to the drawing board as an organization to remedy what went wrong  to foil their plans for a third consecutive Super Bowl victory. Veteran  tight end Travis Kelce has hinted at  this season potentially being his last. The Chiefs have further pressing  issues on both sides of the football  that need immediate remedying if  they want to remain contenders.  They need more reliable options at  receiver other than just standout  rookie Xavier Worthy, and their defense was torn into shreds on the Eagles’ offensive drives. But with head  coach Andy Reid confirming his return to the sideline next season amid  retirement rumors, the Chiefs hope  they can change their fortunes. Lastly, I want to thank everyone  for following these weekly recaps of  NFL action. It is fairly remarkable  that we started in early September,  and this has extended five months  into February. Hopefully, you all enjoyed following the exciting twists  and turns that accompany the NFL  season. But there’s no need to worry  about what to do with your time now  that the NFL season is over! The NFL  offseason will commence over the  next couple of months with the coming of the 2025 NFL Draft and the advent of free agency, so stay tuned for  more football-related content in the  time to come. Events to watch: NFL Free Agency Period Begins:  March 12, 2025 2025 NFL draft, April 24-26, 2025,  Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Highlight: Dylan Walters and Brandeis men's Tennis

 The Brandeis University men's tennis team  fought vigorously but ultimately lost 5-2 to Division I Bryant University in their spring 2025 season opener. Despite the loss, the Judges showcased  resilience and individual excellence, particularly  at the top of their lineup, with Dylan Walters MA  '26 being named UAA Player of the Week. Match Summary Brandeis (0-1) started the match with competitive doubles play. Walters, a graduate student and  designated All-American, teamed up with Daniel  Shemesh ’28 to secure a hard-fought 7-5 win at #1  doubles. However, Bryant (1-1) claimed victories  at #2 (6-3) and #3 doubles (6-2), earning the crucial  doubles point under the new one-point doubles system. Despite the team's defeat, Brandeis fought back  in the remaining matches. Shemesh battled to  three sets at #3 singles but ultimately fell 6-2, 4-6  and 7-5. The Judges secured their two points as  Walters prevailed at #1 singles in a grueling contest, winning 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, and 7-5. Aidan Wang-Fan  ’28 added another victory at #4, rallying for a 3-6,  7-6 (11-9) and 7-5 triumph. Walters Named UAA Player of the Week Brandeis standout Walters earned recognition  for his performance, being named the UAA Men’s  Tennis Player of the Week for the third time in his  career. Walters was a double winner in the match  against Bryant, securing victories in both singles  and doubles. His singles win at #1 demonstrated  his endurance, leadership and skill as he outplayed  his opponent in three tough sets. Walters, a first-team All-UAA selection in 2024  and a second-team honoree in 2022, made history  last year as Brandeis' seventh All-American after  advancing in the NCAA Division III singles tournament. His performance sets a high standard for the  Judges as they progress through the season. Looking Ahead The Judges will take the next week to regroup  before heading to Claremont, CA for their annual February break trip. They will play their  next match on Feb. 16 against Scripps College’s  Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, the #2-ranked team in  Division III. With Walters’ leadership and young  players stepping up, the men’s tennis team looks to  make a strong performance as the season unfolds. 

Major milestone achieved during Brandeis men's basketball win

On Friday, Jan. 24, Brandeis University men's basketball senior Toby Harris '25 etched his name into the record books, becoming the 36th player in University history to reach the 1,000-point career milestone. Harris' achievement came at a crucial moment, helping the Judges secure a 92-76 victory over Carnegie Mellon University in a hard-fought University Athletic Association road matchup.

Athlete Ally at Brandeis University

A new wave of advocacy is sweeping through Brandeis University. A group of passionate student-athletes has come together to create the University's chapter of the national advocacy group, Athlete Ally. This movement is part of a larger effort to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, especially college athletics.

A preview of next Sunday’s Super Bowl

While the Pro Bowl provided some fun for many National Football League fans, it was ultimately a filler week gearing up to what is regarded as the highly anticipated finale of the season: the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have both experienced dominant seasons, but only one squad can reach the pinnacle of the sport. The Chiefs are vying for the unprecedented feat of achieving a three-peat — three consecutive Super Bowl wins — while the Eagles are attempting to win their second-ever Super Bowl for their rabid fanbase, which would be their first since 2017. Let’s focus in on the strengths and weaknesses of these squads and the key factors that may determine who enjoys the opportunity to lift up that Super Bowl trophy next Sunday.

A recap of the AFC and NFC championship

The National Football Conference and  American Football Conference champion ship games this weekend were pivotal, en ticing matchups that have set the stage for  the National Football League’s peak event,  the Super Bowl. The clashes between the  Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Com manders, as well as the Buffalo Bills and  Kansas City Chiefs, were riveting games  with great importance, and there is now  only a singular game that will determine  the champion for the 2024 NFL season. 

Brandeis Track and Field shines with record-breaking performances

This weekend, the Brandeis University  track and field team continued its strong  early-season performance with five individ ual victories at the Wheaton College Lyon  Invitational. For the second week in a row,  the team has set new school records. Even  though the event was a non-scoring meet,  the Brandeis athletes showcased their tal ents, setting personal and program records.

Brandeis Women's Basketball splits the first half of their UAA road trip

 On Jan. 24, the Brandeis University women’s  basketball team won 72-60 over Case Western  Reserve University on the road, showcasing  strong offensive execution and dominant defense.  The Judges turned the game around in the  first quarter with a 9-0 run to close out the pe riod, leading 18-10 at the break. Senior Cait lin Gresko 25’played an important role, con tributing five points during that run. The  Judges kept pushing forward, holding Case  without a field goal for the final 7:30 of the game. 

Judges in Action: Toby Harris

Toby Harris ’25 comes from a family of basketball players — his sister plays college basketball at Hamilton College and his father, who played college basketball for the University of California, Davis, is a high school coach in his home state of North Carolina. After fifteen years of growing up in and around the sport, Harris easily associates the word “team” with the word “family.”  

Fourth quarters define the past three games for Brandeis women’s basketball

Coming back after the Thanksgiving break, the Brandeis women’s basketball team is 3-4. Their last three games were decided in dramatic fourth quarters, clueing audiences into the fact that this determined team is still working out its kinks. 

Boston Bruins season preview

As of Nov. 29, 2024, the Boston Bruins are the fourth seed in the Atlantic Division, holding a record of 11-11-3. Since winning the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, the Bruins have been trying to recapture their championship glory. Despite strong regular season performances and even setting a National Hockey League record for most regular season wins in the 2022-2023 season, the Bruins have been stumped by mediocrity when it comes to postseason success. Fans might be in for much of the same disappointment as the Bruins’ start to the 2024-2025 season has been subpar.

A recap of Week 13 (Thanksgiving Week) of the National Football League season

Week 13 of the NFL season did not disappoint as Thanksgiving week featured a myriad of high octane matchups and nail biting finishes. Typical of the holiday, games were spread out throughout the week’s entirety for fans to enjoy. This included three matchups on Thursday, Nov. 28 and a game on Friday, Nov. 29 to complement the rest of the games predominantly taking place on Sunday. As a result, fans were able to consistently tune into nonstop NFL action throughout their Thanksgiving break. 

Getting to know the Brandeis fencing team

The early history of fencing as a combat method can be traced back to ancient Egypt in the year 1190 Before Christ, as well as Greek fencing schools, which were located in Ancient Athens. In Germany and Italy, fencing as a technique evolved into a sport by the 14th or 15th century. 

Brandeis men's basketball season starts off strong

The Brandeis men’s basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season last Tuesday, Nov. 12 — and since then, there’s been nothing but positive news and strong performances to report.

Reviewing Week 11 of the National Football League Season

Week 11 of the NFL season furthered the excitement and high-octane play that has captured the attention of fans so far this year. This week featured a battle between two NFL titans, as well as the vanquishing of a former favorite’s playoff hopes. 

Moving forward: Lulu Ohm '25 welcomes a new era of Brandeis women's basketball

“Playing with joy and playing to win:" these are the goals of senior captain of the Brandeis University women’s basketball team Lulu Ohm ’25 as she heads into her final year playing collegiate basketball.