Unrivaled

[BrianUC]

Great game. It looks like the rules really speed up the game, for example one free throw for 2 points instead of two. More basketball, less advertisement time. Also, the end of game target score should eliminate garbage time, and there's a winning shot every game. Well done, Napheesa and Stewie!

 

[Puppy Love]

Games seem really fun but the announcers are horrible.

 

[nickp91]

These games have been so good

 

[Dillon77]

I play in a Sunday morning hoops league in which basically the same group of players divide into teams and play to either 15 (if we have three teams) or 21 (if we have two teams): two for a regular basket, three for a three, no FT's (no refs). The fourth quarter of the new league last night reminded me of a deciding fifth game to get the winning number of games. In the first, the end-of-the-three quarters lead didn't do it for Stewie's team, while it did for Phee, Howard, Arike, Hamby, etc.....barely. Fun stuff.

Regarding the announcers....muting is a must sometimes.

 

[GamecockFam]

Go Vinyl! I thought both games were a fun watch. I wonder if it going to be a trend for the underdog in the 4th to climb back into the game. Both games were almost won by the team that was down.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I'll be cheering for Vinyl. The Vinyl have Howard and Hamby who played 3x3 in the Olympics so I'm inclined to believe they have an early advantage with that experience. Plus they have my girl Boston!

They were amazing last night. That second game was a masterclass in defense by both teams.

i thought Aaliyah Edwards did a great job for the Mist.

 

[cancontent]

They were amazing last night. That second game was a masterclass in defense by both teams.

i thought Aaliyah Edwards did a great job for the Mist.

Agreed about both games. I'm also liking the composition of the teams so far. They seem to be very balanced which should bode well for these games.

When I saw Aaliyah had committed, I was really excited for her. Thought a 3-on-3 format would be an awesome way for her to work on her game during the offseason. It didn't surprise me that she had the impact she did.

Another player who stood out to me was Skylar Diggins. The back and for with Lloyd was entertaining but her energy and how show helped the Owls close out the game and win was awesome. Thought the Owls starting line up with her, Collier and Alisha Gray is a good one.

 

[cancontent]

This cool. Seeing someone like Steve Nash on hand is great to see.

 

[cancontent]

FYI for today's games.

 

[Jonathan14]

FYI for today's games.

Thanks for posting this update!

I just learned, per CBS Sports, that Hiedeman—whose name I hadn't remembered seeing attached to Unrivaled previously—"was signed as a 'relief player' due to Mabrey's calf injury, which will sideline her for two to four weeks. Hiedeman will remain in the player pool for the remainder of the 2025 season."

Even without these three, the Phantom still has BG, Sabrina, Satou Sabally, and Katie Lou. That seems like a pretty stacked lineup to me!

 

[cancontent]

Thanks for posting this update!

I just learned, per CBS Sports, that Hiedeman—whose name I hadn't remembered seeing attached to Unrivaled previously—"was signed as a 'relief player' due to Mabrey's calf injury, which will sideline her for two to four weeks. Hiedeman will remain in the player pool for the remainder of the 2025 season."

Even without these three, the Phantom still has BG, Sabrina, Satou Sabally, and Katie Lou. That seems like a pretty stacked lineup to me!

This is nice to see considering the situation with Mabrey.

 

[BRS24]

At first hub and I were not convinced about some of the rules, mostly the 11 point 4Q thingy. The free throws (2 & 3 pts) less, as it does speed up the game. After watching the first game last night, it was fun to see how the teams played the 4Q. Completely different strategy, and perhaps that will bring more folks to the women's game.

 

[BRS24]

Games seem really fun but the announcers are horrible.

I am hoping that they learn from this first weekend and adjust to the pace of the game. IMHO they have less time to say anything.

 

[JellyBean]

The games were fun and exciting. Like everyone else, I enjoyed the pace. I was equally impressed that my high school players watch the games last night and wanted to play 3v3 this morning at practice after shoot-around! Usually, we (coaches) have to assign teams but today, the team had already picked squads and they were even!

 

[cancontent]

The games were fun and exciting. Like everyone else, I enjoyed the pace. I was equally impressed that my high school players watch the games last night and wanted to play 3v3 this morning at practice after shoot-around! Usually, we (coaches) have to assign teams but today, the team had already picked squads and they were even!

Love reading this! The trickle down effect from watching others do it.

 

[cancontent]

Awwww. Hopefully some players made his wish.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Laces look like the team to beat early on

 

[Rowdy831]

I watched some of the games and my take is a little different that many I see on here. First the games with 3x3 on a full court has way too much room for any type of defense to be played and last night there wasn't much D. I liken it to watching a good team practice, it was fun but I wouldn't pay to watch it and I probably would only watch if I had nothing else to do.

The plus for the women playing though I think is significant. The pace of play is fast and with only a roster of six the players will be in great shape. For players who are still learning how to move and untilize the court it does offer time on the court and space to learn without being so out of position you end up sitting with the coach. It will also offer a lot of opportunity to learn how to defend great players one on one.

In the end I think it will start out with the most eyes the league will see and eventually will end up like so many other leagues. I don't see how the current format makes it more than a year or so.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I watched some of the games and my take is a little different that many I see on here. First the games with 3x3 on a full court has way too much room for any type of defense to be played and last night there wasn't much D. I liken it to watching a good team practice, it was fun but I wouldn't pay to watch it and I probably would only watch if I had nothing else to do.

The plus for the women playing though I think is significant. The pace of play is fast and with only a roster of six the players will be in great shape. For players who are still learning how to move and untilize the court it does offer time on the court and space to learn without being so out of position you end up sitting with the coach. It will also offer a lot of opportunity to learn how to defend great players one on one.

In the end I think it will start out with the most eyes the league will see and eventually will end up like so many other leagues. I don't see how the current format makes it more than a year or so.

This is a fair take. I feel the same way regarding the long-term viability of the league (in the absence of changes).

The one change that I hope they don't make is to the 4th quarter. That rocks.

 

[cancontent]

I watched some of the games and my take is a little different that many I see on here. First the games with 3x3 on a full court has way too much room for any type of defense to be played and last night there wasn't much D. I liken it to watching a good team practice, it was fun but I wouldn't pay to watch it and I probably would only watch if I had nothing else to do.

The plus for the women playing though I think is significant. The pace of play is fast and with only a roster of six the players will be in great shape. For players who are still learning how to move and untilize the court it does offer time on the court and space to learn without being so out of position you end up sitting with the coach. It will also offer a lot of opportunity to learn how to defend great players one on one.

In the end I think it will start out with the most eyes the league will see and eventually will end up like so many other leagues. I don't see how the current format makes it more than a year or so.

This seems a little rash after watching 2 games.

 

[Dillon77]

What I liked:

• The Fourth Quarter format, which is what most pick-up games are based on. I can really relate to how a team has to make up, say, six points to tie, then go for it.
• Some of the passes were exceptional, even at high speed.
• Zoom, off to the races.

What I didn't like:

• Zoom, off to the races (too many hard clangs off the backboard or front rim)
• Like many, I'm not certain the shortened length but similar width is doing anything but making it wide open. If that's what folks are after, then fine. We'll see if it works.

What I poinder:
- The FIFA 3x3 is, of course, just half court, but does entail defense and the emphasis on offense is often via passing and catch & shoot.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out all season and what, if any, tweaks are made.

 

[Puppy Love]

I watched a couple of games. First, Phee is a rockstar, just had to get that out of the way. Besides that, I think it has potential. The thing I’m wondering most about is whether viewers will make a ‘emotional investment’ in individual clubs or if they will just see the basketball as enjoyable. That’s a double edged sword because the potential pool of hardcore team supporters is smaller than those who will watch if the basketball is just entertaining.

I don’t like the announcers using the cartoonish player nicknames. I think it might work if the goal was purely entertainment and there were heroes and villains (basketball WWE style). But if the goal is to get people to really buy in, the nicknames mix the message. Take us seriously, sort of.

Like most new things, I think there will be a period of sorting it out to see what works. Love the all or nothing free throws and the fourth quarter concept. I think the games might be a little too long, though.

 

[WBBTakeover]

There's a ton of interest surrounding Satou Sabally's free agency, yet there was another free agent at her position who looked head and SHOULDERS above her in their match-up today [sips tea].

 

[Dillon77]

There's a ton of interest surrounding Satou Sabally's free agency, yet there was another free agent at her position who looked head and SHOULDERS above her in their match-up today [sips tea].

Well, the Phantoms were certainly blown out, losing to the Laces 86-48. And Jackie Young didn't even suit up for the Laces.
Didn't have to when Kayla McBride (K-Mac) hits 7 three pointers en route to a 28-pt. performance.

Here's a running compilations of the games to date.

MSN