Mount Hood

Siren Songs

April 9, 2025

Written by: Sadie Latimer | News Editor

Western’s music program is one of the university’s hidden gems. There are several music ensembles that students can join, including choirs, bands and orchestras. They host concerts, shows and many other events that are typically free for Western students. 

If students are not in the music program but would like to participate in an ensemble, Concert Choir does not require an audition and students can earn one credit. It is also open to the public. Many of the other ensembles are open for non-music majors, however, most of them have an audition process. 

According to Western’s catalog, the music department’s mission is to offer “comprehensive programs and services to students and the surrounding community, including professional and liberal arts degrees in music and an active schedule of performances. The department supports large and small ensembles in vocal and instrumental music and up-to-date facilities for electronic music production and recording.”

April 2, two professional musicians led a workshop for music students and afterward had a free concert in Smith Hall that was open to the public. 

Musicians Merideth Kaye Clark and Jenn Grinels both have individual music careers but came together to create music under the name “Siren Songs.” They released one album in 2020 — also titled “Siren Songs” — and have released many singles and covers. 

Clark and Grinels are both independent artists, composers, instrumentalists and vocalists. Although Siren Songs make mainly folk and Americana, they both have roots in musical theater, having met each other while performing in the same musical. Clark has starred in many beloved roles, such as Elphaba in Wicked in the touring Broadway cast (1st National Tour). 

In 2024, Grinels composed a musical of her own for B-Side Theatricals that has been a finalist for several awards. A song from the musical “Goodbye Sun, Hello Moon” was released as one of Siren Songs’ singles. They chose this song in particular to release because, according to Grinels, the single is one of the only songs in the musical that fits the genre of folk, with the other songs leaning more towards classic musical theater. 

The concert opened with Clark and Grinels singing three songs — two originals and one Joni Mitchell cover. The stage was filled with many instruments that were played throughout the concert, including guitar, a banjo, a viola, a tambourine and even a dulcimer — an instrument of the zither family.

After they had sung, the duo opened the stage to the students who had participated in the workshop. The students performed a wide range of songs, including genres of pop, musical theater and R&B. In total there were six students who sang in front of Siren Songs and the audience.

Then, after the students had showcased what they had learned in the workshop, Clark and Grinels finished the concert with a 45-minute set of songs. The set was a mix of songs from the Siren Songs album and a few of their newer singles. Their most recent single, entitled “April,” was released March 28, 2025. 

The last song they played was “For Good” from Wicked. With Western being the last stop of their spring tour, they thought they would give the audience a treat by singing a duet from one of the most beloved musicals. 

This concert and showcase is just one of the many events put on by Western’s music department. At the end of each term, each ensemble performs in a concert. There are also other events similar to Siren Songs’ concert. April 12, the Beo String Quartet will be performing in Rice Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

For more information about creative arts events at Western, visit the 2025 spring term events schedule.  

Contact the author at howlnews@mail.wou.edu

Financial wellness

April 9, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

According to Business Insider, the average debt an American owes is $104,215 across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, credit card debt, student loan debt and other debts like personal loans. Now is the time to develop positive financial habits. The transition to managing personal finances can be challenging, especially when one is faced with limited income, rising tuition costs and mounting debt. Understanding the basic concepts, such as budgeting, saving, managing debt and investing not only empowers students to make informed decisions, but also helps set the foundation for a financially secure future. While many college students feel overwhelmed by financial obligations, building financial literacy during these formative years can provide them with the tools to take control of their finances, reduce stress and avoid common pitfalls like excessive debt. By prioritizing financial wellness, we can lay the groundwork for a successful and independent financial future, by ensuring that we are prepared to manage the complexities of post-graduate life. 

First things first —what is financial wellness? It’s understanding and managing one’s financial situation effectively and making informed decisions that align with one’s personal goals and values. Essentially, being in control of one’s finances in a way that supports overall well-being and allows one to live their life without excessive financial stress. 

In order to improve our financial wellness, we need to be financially literate. Being financially literate can help equip one with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions that can significantly impact one’s life. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use financial knowledge and skills to manage money, make informed financial decisions and achieve financial goals. Some of the knowledge gained when becoming financially literate includes understanding how to create a budget, save for the future, invest wisely and how to avoid relying on others or credit for financial stability. 

The biggest way that one can help contribute to their financial wellness is through everyday budgeting. Tracking income and expenses gives one more control over their money. Especially for students with a limited income, without a budget, it’s easy to overspend or not realize where one’s money is going. Tracking one’s income in school isn’t just that monthly paycheck, it also includes money from one’s parents, scholarships, grants and side hustles. One also needs to understand the difference between fixed and variable expenses. Fixed are regular, consistent costs relating to tuition, rent, utilities, internet, insurance and subscription services. On the other hand, variable expenses fluctuate each month, which include bills like groceries, entertainment, clothing, transportation — gas, public transportation. It’s important to note what is a “need” and a “want.” There are many times where I have thought to myself, “oh my gosh, I need this” when in reality, I could live without it. As we’ve turned into a hyper-consuming society, it’s important to be mindful of how we spend our money. There will be times where we need to tell ourselves “I don’t need that” and ask “will I still be thinking about this tomorrow?” There are many reasons to convince ourselves that we supposedly need a certain object, but we have to prioritize what’s important. Paying our bills is more important than going out with friends. Buying groceries is more important than buying the latest micro trend. Prioritization helps to avoid costly mistakes like overspending, increasing unnecessary debt and financial scams. 

The more one understands how money works, the less likely one is able to fall victim to financial fraud or scams. In today’s world, one will face scams left and right. As technology continues to advance, it’s becoming easier to fall for a scam. The latest scam of 2025 — so far — is AI scams with fake and cloned voices that can pose as family, friends, employers and even one’s own bank. As artificial intelligence evolves at a rapid pace, generated and altered voices can mimic real accents that can feel as if one is talking to a real person. Unfortunately, many fall for these financial deceptions, resulting in long-term consequences. Failure to recognize red flags, identify fraudulent schemes, and participating in risky investments can lead to one entering a never ending financial hole. Without financial literacy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of living paycheck to paycheck, relying on credit cards and neglecting long-term saving. A solid understanding of personal finance ensures you can make decisions with confidence, living within one’s means, build emergency savings and play for future goals. 

One of the biggest financial drains on one’s emotional health is student debt. Majority of students leave school with at least some debt — student loans, credit cards, personal loans, etc. It’s important to alleviate this problem as soon as possible. When it comes to just the student loans, one needs to understand how much is owed, the interest rates and the repayment terms. When it comes time to start the payment process, set the amount to minimum payment. Be sure to pay more than the minimum amount. The minimum payment is just paying off the interest on the loan, it’s not actually making a dent into what is actually owed. When it gets close to graduation, it’s important to remember to refinance one’s student loans. This will help to get a lower interest rate and more manageable monthly payments. Another way to help with financial wellness is to work part time while in school. Money from a job can help to cover living expenses and reduce reliance on student loans and credit cards. Just a few hours a week can make all the difference. 

There are other tips one could take to manage their finances in college.

Start saving early — Putting money into a savings account for future goals or emergencies is a good habit to develop. Try to save up to nine months of current expenses. This will ensure that one has enough money to use in case of an emergency, layoffs or any other situation that may arise. 

Learn more about financial aid options — Maximize financial aid knowledge by visiting the financial aid department. Look for scholarships through the “Scholarships” tab on Western’s Portal. 

Keep track of one’s credit score — Building and maintaining good credit during this time is crucial, as it determines future outcomes for other financial decisions such as renting and getting a car loan. 

Set financial goals — This could be as simple as paying off a certain amount of debt, saving money for a trip or building an emergency fund. Having specific financial goals will keep one motivated and focused as they work towards completing other life goals.

Financial literacy empowers you to make wise financial choices, avoid common pitfalls and achieve long-term financial goals. When one understands their financial situation and knows what steps to take, one will feel more confident in their ability to handle whatever comes their way, from unexpected expenses to long-term planning. In a world where financial products and services are increasingly complex, being financially literate is essential to navigating life successfully. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Cultivating compassion

April 9, 2025

Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor

Compassion is one of the most powerful and transformative emotions a person can express. It’s a vital and growing force that has the power to shape both individual lives and communities. It’s easy for compassion to fall between the cracks when we are bombarded with disasters — both natural and man-made. In today’s fast-paced digital world, cultivating compassion is more important than ever, as it helps to build stronger relationships, respond to challenges with resilience and contribute positively to a society in need of greater care and understanding.

Compassion is the ability to recognize and empathize with the suffering or struggles of others — feeling a desire to help alleviate the pain and hardship. Compassion can be expressed through kind words, understanding or even small acts of kindness, and it often brings people closer together. 

Many think that compassion and sympathy go hand in hand, but they are very different. Sympathy is the feeling of pity or sorrow for someone’s misfortune or suffering — it’s feeling bad for someone but not necessarily taking action to help.

Why do we need to practice compassion? For one, it builds stronger connections with the people in our lives. Showing that we care and are understanding towards others fosters a sense of closeness and trust. When people feel valued and supported, it leads to stronger and more meaningful relationships. Being compassionate towards others increases our own happiness. It gives one a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Helping others releases oxytocin — the “feel-good” chemical.

Compassion directly helps alleviate the suffering of others, whether it’s emotional, physical or psychological. We can make a tangible difference in someone’s life, helping them to feel less isolated in their struggles.

Compassion also contributes to the creation of a more caring and supportive society. Compassionate communities are more inclusive, less judgmental and more cooperative. It’s beneficial to everyone because it reduces social isolation and fosters a greater sense of belonging. One becomes resilient in the face of adversity as they practice compassion. Responding with empathy and patience reduces feelings of anger, frustration and helplessness when we are faced with challenges.

Acting compassionately to others can inspire them to act kindly, creating a positive ripple effect. Focusing on understanding and caring for others shifts our focus from personal grievances to more constructive and positive actions that result in the improvement of our own mental state and relationships. In the end, it truly helps to create a more supportive, resilient and harmonious world for everyone. 

There is concern of a decline of compassion within our modern society. Here are some of the reasons why we’re seeing a downward trend.

Increased digital interactions — Social media and online communication increases the loss of face-to-face, personal connections that naturally foster compassion. Because online interactions feel more impersonal, they lead to a decrease in empathy and a sense of emotional detachment. Specifically, the anonymity of the internet can increase cases of trolling and online bullying.

Individualistic lifestyles — Our modern life emphasizes productivity, achievement and individual success. With the prioritization of competition and individualism, there is less focus on collective well-being and concern for others. People may feel too busy or preoccupied with their own lives to engage in compassionate acts toward others.

Social and political polarization — Increasing polarization happens when people are deeply divided. There’s a tendency to dehumanize those on the “other side,” making it harder to feel empathy or compassion for people with differing viewpoints. Polarization also creates an “us vs. them” mentality which, in turn, fuels a society where understanding and kindness are overshadowed by judgment and hostility. 

Cultural shifts towards self care — Although self care is extremely important for our mental and emotional well-being, an overemphasis on individual needs can sometimes overshadow a focus on others. Becoming too absorbed in one’s own self-care routine can lead to the neglect of the needs of others and/or fails to engage in acts of kindness and compassion. The shift towards self-care is due to the constant exposure to global crises, such as war, poverty and natural disasters, through news and social media.  Also known as “compassion fatigue” and “desensitization,” this can be overwhelming, leading one to disconnect emotionally or feel helpless, reducing their capacity to respond with compassion.

There are many challenges that hinder compassion in some areas of society. The decline in compassion may be more related to certain societal trends or challenges, but the ongoing efforts of individuals, communities and organizations suggest that compassion continues to thrive and can be nurtured in response to the difficulties we face. We can fight back by actively practicing compassion.  But ow can we practice compassion? 

Active listening — This means to truly listen to others without judgment or interruption; to listen to understand, not just to respond. Also, to acknowledge someone’s emotions and letting them know they’re heard can be incredibly comforting.

Showing empathy — Try to put oneself into the other person’s shoes to understand their emotions and experiences.  Comfort them by saying, “I can’t imagine how hard that must be for you.” This shows that one recognizes their pain and is emotionally connected to their experience.

Offering help and support — Compassion is demonstrated through action. Try to offer to help through physical assistance, emotional support or being there for someone.

Don’t forget about self-compassion — It’s important to be kind to oneself. Treat oneself with the same kindness, understanding and patience that one would offer a close friend. Instead of being overly critical, be empathetic and offer gentle encouragement. 

Random acts of kindness — Small, unsolicited acts of kindness go a long way, such as holding the door open for someone, sending a thoughtful note to a friend or giving a genuine compliment. Actions not only brighten someone else’s day but also cultivate a mindset of compassion in your own life.

Avoiding judgment — Avoid making snap judgements about others. One’s behavior is often influenced by unseen circumstances. Try to be open-minded and approach others with curiosity and compassion instead of criticism and labels.

Practice patience — It’s a requirement for cultivating compassion. Give people the time and space they need. 

Understand that words have power — Be mindful how one speaks to others. Communicate with kindness and respect. A gentle word can sometimes heal more than a harsh one. Also remember, when offering advice, make sure it’s supportive rather than critical. 

Be present — Sometimes the most compassionate thing one can do is simply be present for someone. Being there for someone in their time of need can provide them with a sense of comfort and connection. 

Be forgiving — This includes letting go of grudges and practicing forgiveness. Holding onto anger or resentment is harmful in the long run. It’s important to know when it’s time to forgive. Forgiving others can create healing and free up emotional space for compassion. It’s equally as important to practice self-forgiveness, releasing oneself from unnecessary blame.

Cultivate compassion beyond humans — This extends to animals and the environment. Reducing waste, conserving water and treating animals with care are ways to practice compassion for the world.

Compassion helps us connect on a deeper level, fosters a sense of empathy and motivates us to act with kindness, understanding and patience. This practice requires effort and mindfulness as the rewards are immeasurable — both for those we help and for ourselves. It doesn’t take much to change the world, but one could try starting with one small act. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Barefoot, blue-jean night

April 9, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

“Barefoot Blue Jean Night” — Jake Owens

“I Had Some Help” — Post Malone and Morgan Wallen

“Wagon Wheel” — Darius Rucker

“Knee Deep” — Zac Brown Band

“Drunk On a Plane” — Dierks Bentley

“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith

“Cruise” — Florida Georgia Line

“Redneck Woman” — Gretchen Wilson

“We Were Us” — Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert

“Stuck Like Glue” — Sugarland

“Friends in Low Places” — Garth Brooks

“Gunpowder and Lead” — Miranda Lambert

“That’s My Kinda Night” — Luke Bryan

“Redneck Yacht Club” — Craig Morgan

“American Nights” — Zach Bryan

“Holy Smokes” — Bailey Zimmerman

“You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley and Riley Green

“Bad Day to Be a Beer” — Drake Milligan

“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” — Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet

“Two Piña Coladas” — Garth Brooks

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The live-action love affair

April 9, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

It seems most of what Disney has been doing these days is releasing live-action remakes, creating a phenomenon where every other film they churn out flops at the box office. So why is the studio so hit-or-miss with these remakes?

Well, for one, these films used to be a novelty. Every so often, Disney would remake one of their classic films, dedicating their time to create a film that honored the original film while also carving its own place in the studio’s catalog. They were never meant to be a one-to-one recreation, but rather an homage to what came before.

Live-action remakes are not a new thing, either. Most people associate the era of these movies with recent times, starting in the 2010s and continuing production today. After all, most adults today grew up with Tim Burton’s 2010 live-action “Alice in Wonderland” remake; however, the first Disney live-action remake was released in 1994, being a live-action remake of “The Jungle Book.” The next two came in 1996 and 2000, in “101 Dalmatians” and “102 Dalmatians.” Most reviews of these three films are split, but most people can point to them being cult classics and staples in their childhood. 

Of course, as more of these films are created and they become commonplace, they lose the camp and nostalgia they once had. Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” — and the box office bomb “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” which was based on “Fantasia” — created a domino effect of classic animated films being turned into live-action versions of themselves. 

Many of these remakes come from four of Disney’s seven eras of animation: the golden, silver, bronze and renaissance eras. Most of these films adjust their tale for modern audiences, removing racist and sexist subtext that many classic films tend to have, and Disney executives have agreed that some movies simply cannot be adapted due to their nature — “Pocahontas” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” are two that have been delayed indefinitely.

But, while writers, directors and producers have the right to make necessary changes, there are some that just don’t land with fans. Enter “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mulan” and “Cruella.”

While their original iterations are still widely popular, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Mulan” seemed to fail among audiences. Their subtle changes and casting choices left fans dissatisfied and upset that more thought from the original films wasn’t put into consideration.

“Cruella” wasn’t welcomed as a film, not because it was a live-action remake, but rather because it was a villain origin story for the villain of “101 Dalmatians.” I mean, the lady wants to make puppies into a fur coat. Why should anyone care about why she’s a villain? 

Well, the film had hoped to market off the success of “Maleficent” and “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” films that explored Maleficent’s backstory and were remakes of the silver-era movie “Sleeping Beauty.” But where these movies succeeded, “Cruella” failed. To reiterate what I said earlier — she quite literally wants to kill puppies. 

Of course, there’s a third reason these live-action remakes often flop: they try to translate talking animals into a film style that only works if executed flawlessly. So far, none of the five recent animal-focused films — “The Jungle Book,” “Dumbo,” “The Lion King,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “Mufasa: The Lion King” — have met this mark, something “Alvin and the Chipmunks” did in 2007, when computer-generated imagery was still developing. 

The controversies surrounding the newly released “Snow White” remake have only discouraged fans from enjoying these films. 

The first controversy arose when actor Rachel Zegler was cast in the titular role, with many stating that the connection between the character’s name and racial identity was crucial to the film — an attempt to justify racism towards Zegler. It was later explained in the film that Snow White’s name came from surviving a snowstorm, a callback to another iteration of the original tale. 

The second controversy arose when Peter Dinklage, a well-known actor with dwarfism, criticized the film and dismissed it as a backward story. In response to this, Disney stated that they would be taking a different approach to the film’s dwarfs, following this criticism and conversations with those part of the dwarfism community. The seven dwarfs in the film were created by CGI, a decision that has further isolated the dwarfism community from the film. 

Zegler’s criticism of the original 1937 film pushed away more viewers as well, especially following her statements at the 2022 D23 Expo.

“The original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. Weird. So we didn’t do that this time. We have a different approach to what I’m sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie, Andrew Burnap, great dude,” said Zegler. “But it’s really not about her love story at all, which is really, really wonderful. All of Andrew’s scenes could get cut, who knows? It’s Hollywood, baby.”

The most current controversy to arise from this project comes from the political views of the actors themselves. Zegler is a very vocal supporter of Palestine in the ongoing conflict, frequently using her platform to advocate for Palestinian rights and call attention to humanitarian issues in the region. Her co-star, Gal Gadot, who is Israeli and served in the Israeli Defense Forces, has been extremely open in her support of Israel. Their open stances on opposing views have isolated movie-goers from both political parties, with the actors receiving death threats in August of 2024 ahead of the film’s release. 

These controversies have even affected the production of Disney’s next few live-action films. While remakes of “Lilo and Stitch” and “Moana” have been confirmed and have release dates, four others on Disney’s list have been delayed — “Hercules,” “Robin Hood,” “The Aristocats” and “Bambi” — while the live-action remake of “Tangled” has been canceled wholly. 

Despite what has been happening with these films, fans actually feel excitement for “Lilo and Stitch,” which is set to release May 23. Reactions to trailers for the film have been positive, with many expressing a refreshed feeling at seeing the live-action depiction of Stitch.

Whether Disney continues to follow this route of adapting beloved classics remains to be seen, but with such negative reviews and fan reactions, one can only hope they will decide to pull the plug. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

What’s new in gaming?

April 9, 2025

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

The gaming industry is an ever-changing, ever-evolving world. With all the work and effort that goes into developing games, consoles and content, it’s no surprise that a plethora of news and controversies arise. From Nintendo to Xbox, here are some of the more recent updates in the gaming world. 

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders pushed back — When the Switch 2 was announced in January with a June 5 release date, fans were excited about the larger, higher resolution screen, key hardware updates and updated Joy-Cons. Preorders for the console were set for April 9, but now have been pushed back with no update on when that new date will be. 

“Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025, in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” Nintendo said in a statement. “(We) will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.”

The company had originally moved production of the Switch 2 from China to Vietnam amid the economic tensions between the U.S. and China; however, with Vietnam being hit with a 46% reciprocal tariff, it will make importation of the devices much more expensive.

“Titanfall 3” rumors — Fans of the popular first-person shooter series “Titanfall” have been clamoring for a franchise continuation since the popularity of “Titanfall 2” in 2016. The community lost hope as the third installment faced constant cancellations, especially since Respawn Entertainment — the studio behind the franchise — prioritized its “Jedi Survivor” and “Apex Legends” games. 

However, even with EA coming out to debunk theories throughout the years, @YOROTSUKI and @Osvaldatore, two popular “Apex Legends” leakers, have come out on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming that Respawn is indeed working on the game. After posting the rumored “Titanfall 3” logo, @YOROTSUKI claimed that the “secret game” that has been in development at Respawn will be the next in the franchise. They also claimed that it will be announced at the 2025 Game Awards with a 2026 release date. @Osvaldatore corroborated these claims. Both leakers are well-known in the “Apex Legends” community and boast nearly 100% accurate track records for their leaks. 

New “Elden Ring” content — The popular role-playing game is finally set to receive another update with downloadable content, commonly called DLC. “Elden Ring” was massively successful when it was originally launched in 2022, with smaller, free-to-play content and bug fixes added post-launch. 2024 marked the RPG’s first expansion, one that was so popular it was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024.

This newest expansion will be released late this year and will include armor and weapon updates, new customization options for mounts and stronger cross-platforming. The DLC, called “Tarnished Edition,” was announced specifically for the Switch 2, but will be available for all consoles. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

The madness is underway

April 2, 2025

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

The 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is in full swing, pulling in views from fans across the nation with its signature blend of unexpected upsets and standout performances. As teams battle for the national championship, the tournament showcases an array of talent and grit, with powerhouse programs living up to expectations and underdog teams defying the odds. With the journey to the Final Four well underway, the 2025 edition of March Madness is proving to be one to remember.
This year’s tournament has featured multiple No. 1 seeds, including the Houston Cougars, Florida Gators, Duke Blue Devils and Auburn Tigers. Each of these teams have dominated throughout their seasons, positioning themselves as favorites for the national title. The Houston Cougars, known for their lockdown defense, have proved to be one of the most disciplined teams in college basketball. Their ability to shut down opponents and control the tempo of games have been key factors in their success this season.
The Florida Gators have shown their ability to adapt to any playstyle, driving them to a deep run in the tournament. Their dynamic offense, combined with an aggressive defensive game plan, has made them an extremely tough matchup for any opponent. The Duke Blue Devils, under the guidance of head coach Jon Scheyer, have crafted a powerhouse of players. Headlined by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, Duke has been able to balance young talent and depth, making them a dangerous team in the East Region. Auburn, led by senior forward and Naismith Player of the Year candidate Johni Broome, has dominated the paint and used their versatile guard play to run through opponents on their route to the Sweet 16.
Several players have already captured the national spotlight with their standout performances. Cooper Flagg, an 18-year-old sensation from Duke, delivered a historic performance in the second round against Arizona State, recording 30 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. His skill set and composure under pressure have shown scouts and fans alike his status as a top prospect for the 2025 NBA draft. Another standout performer has been Purdue’s Braden Smith, who has been one of the most consistent guards in the nation. As the Big Ten Player of the Year, Smith has been the main contributor to Purdue’s offense, finishing the season as the conference leader in assists and second in steals.
As the tournament advances into the Sweet 16 and beyond, the anticipation is building for tough matchups that will determine the path to the national championship. One of the most anticipated matchups was between the Auburn Tigers and Michigan State Spartans, where the Tigers secured a 70-64 victory over the Spartans. Also, the matchup between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Houston Cougars lived up to the hype, as the Houston Cougars edged out the Purdue Boilermakers 62-60.
The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has also showcased a combination of exceptional talent and thrilling games, leading to a Final Four featuring UCLA, South Carolina, Texas and UConn. UCLA, making its inaugural Final Four appearance, has been led by center Lauren Betts, whose dominance in the paint has been a game-changer. Texas returns to this stage for the first time since 2003, with standout performances from Madison Booker. The defending champions, South Carolina under Coach Dawn Staley, continue to dominate the college scene, marking their fifth consecutive Final Four. UConn, led by arguably the best player in NCAA women’s basketball at the moment, Paige Bueckers, aims to end a nine-year championship drought, with Bueckers delivering remarkable games, including a 31-point game against Southern Cal.
As the dust settles and the Final Four draws near, the excitement of the March Madness tournament continues to build. With established powerhouses fighting to sustain their dominance and underdog teams refusing to back down, this year’s tournament embodies the spirit of college basketball. Fans across the country will remain glued to their screens until they are able to witness who will come out on top and cut down the nets in Phoenix. 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu