A Nimbus 2000–level sweep

The GIST: For the second straight year, the aforementioned Texas Longhorns brought brooms to the national championship court — this time sweeping the Nebraska Cornhuskers 25–22, 25–14, 25–11 in front of yesterday’s record-breaking indoor NCAA volleyball crowd. Cut that net.

How they did it: The Longhorns bounced back from a nerve-wracking 5-3 season start to bag their fourth trophy. This title broke Texas’ championship game losing streak against the Huskers, who defeated the Longhorns in their first two ’ship meetings (1995 and 2015). The third time’s the charm.

• Other than the previously mentioned Skinner’s (literal) killer tournament, sixth-year middle blocker Asjia O’Neal scored a career-high five out of her squad’s championship-record 12 aces — including the serve that sealed the title.

What’s next: As the Pro Volleyball Federation’s first-ever No. 1 draft pick, O’Neal will soon be serving professionally and perhaps for Team USA at next summer’s Olympics. With only three other seniors on their roster, Texas will return the bulk of their champs (including Skinner) as they try to hook the sport’s second-ever three-peat next year.

• As for Nebraska, this is just the beginning. With no seniors, the freshmen-heavy Huskers will return a complete roster of athletes with championship experience. Already scared.

Zooming out: ICYMI, volleyball is the moment, and all eyes (and dollars) are on the college game, where indoor and international attendance and viewership records continue to be broken.

• It’s no wonder that investors and broadcasters are digging in, creating more events to feature the NCAA’s best. Just the beginning.

The GIST: Six weeks into the season, and the NCAA’s hoopers spent Saturday decking the halls with impressive upsets and score-lines. Here’s what you need to know.

Four men’s teams remain undefeated: Seven squads entered Saturday undefeated, but only No. 4 Houston, No. 11 Oklahoma, No. 20 JMU, and Ole Miss remained unbeaten by midnight.

• The three to fall? No. 13 Clemson, who were edged 79–77 by Memphis, No. 1 Arizona, who fell 92–84 to No. 3 Purdue and their stellar backcourt, and the No. 6 Baylor Bears.

Michigan State’s men make history: MSU’s 88–64 thrashing of Baylor was the Spartans’ largest victory margin over a Top-10 team ever. Jingle bell king grad guard Tyson Walker scored more than all the Bears combined in the 45–17 first half, then added a nasty second-half alley-oop. “Not dead yet” indeed.

Two perfect women’s seasons plummet: No. 24 Miami was pounded 75–57 by No. 10 Baylor, and No. 23 UNLV’s perfect record was pillaged in a 84–54 loss by the Seton Hall Pirates, dropping the list of undefeated squads to 14.

The No. 17 UConn Huskies bite back: In yet another injury-cursed season that sent the Huskies to their lowest rank in 30 years, UConn’s women proved they still have a big bite when they dominated No. 18 Louisville 86–62.

No. 12 Ohio State to show Cali girls a white(-out) Christmas: The one-loss Buckeyes will host undefeated No. 2 UCLA tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. These Bruins are tough, particularly on offense and in rebounding, so Ohio State better bring a blizzard…

Tuesdays are for upset watching: No. 22 Virginia’s guys barely survived a weak Northeastern team on Saturday, and they better shape up by tomorrow: The aforementioned Memphis, who put an end to No. 13 Clemson’s perfect season on Saturday, will be looking to make the AP’s nice list with a dub over UVA at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Just six weeks into the NCAA women’s basketball season, and the Player of the Year race is already heating up. LSU triple-double queen Angel Reese continues to take the world by storm, but UConn’s Paige Bueckers has roared back from last year’s ACL tear to lead her Huskies.

• The repeat case for Iowa’s Caitlin Clark? Oh, just leading the nation in scoring...not to mention that she has State Farm on her side.

While these hoopers mix it up on the court, State Farm is stuffing the stat sheet off the court. They’re pouring record resources into the women’s game, from their partnership with Clark to their support in bringing you this newsletter.

• State Farm may not be draining logo threes, but they are raising the standard for brand partnerships in the women’s game. Dropping dimes left and right.

If the College Football Playoff field puts your stress levels through the roof then we have the perfect solution for you. Take a break with your bestie and enjoy a five-night all-inclusive stay for two in Panama.

• That’s right, you and your BFFL can look forward to a relaxing stay at the Los Establos Boutique Resort, where all meals, beverages, and activities are covered. Enter this contest now.