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Cardi B supported her man and the New England Patriots when they decided to root for the Houston Texans. The Patriots were home at Gillette Stadium when they faced the Houston Texans on Sunday, Jan. 19, and prior to the start of the game, ESPN broadcasters chose who they chose to win between the Patriots and Texans. All four broadcasters chose the Texans, which then got a response from the Grammy-winning rapper. “What are y’all talking about? Nothing!” Cardi yelled on social media in response to the broadcasters. “THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US !!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED !!!! #Patsnation,” she captioned the video. THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US !!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED !!!! #Patsnation https://t.co/pufQTNTIIw pic.twitter.com/GLa7dQy9Jr — Cardi B (@iamcardib) January 18, 2026 Fans hopped in the comment section to share their hope for Pats Nation as they continue their playoff run. “We know all of Pats Nation is sounding just like this right now,” the official account for DIRECT TV responded to Cardi’s post. “Tell em Cardi,” another fan responded. “YES LET THEM KNOW!!!! The haters will HATE you’re supporting the team!” another fan wrote in agreement. The Patriots won 16-28 over the Texans and will advance to the AFC Championship Game next weekend to face the Denver Broncos on Jan. 25. Cardi B and Stefon Diggs relationship Cardi has been very supportive of Diggs throughout the season as she attended the Atlanta Falcons game in November, the New York Jets game in December, and the Texans game over the weekend. The couple has been together for less than a year after making their rumored romance official over the summer. The couple then welcomed their first child together in November 2025. Diggs reportedly has five other children with different women and Cardi has three children with her ex-husband, Migos rapper Offset. The Patriots will be on the road for the AFC Championship game against the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium. It will be the Patriots’ first time advancing to the conference championship game since the 2018 season. The post Cardi B goes off on reporter rooting against Patriots, Stefon Diggs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The heart of January is where women’s college basketball reveals its truth. By this stage of the season, teams can no longer rely on reputation, early momentum, or theoretical upside. Conference play strips away insulation quickly, familiar opponents expose habits, travel tests focus, and physical games challenge both depth and resolve. January basketball is rarely about flash. It is about execution, resilience, and the ability to perform when preparation matters more than surprise. This week offered a particularly sharp snapshot of the national hierarchy, not because it produced chaos, but because it clarified it. This week’s power rankings are rooted in performance, not perception. It prioritizes how teams played during the most recent week, the quality of opponents faced, and how convincingly teams handled adversity. Close games are not penalized when they reveal composure, and losses are not automatically damaging if the performance suggests sustainability. What matters most is trajectory and reliability in a demanding stretch of the calendar. These 25 teams stand above the rest of the field, with each one’s placement reflecting not only results, but identity, adaptability, and the ability to translate preparation into execution. This is January basketball in its most honest form. 1. UConn (=) UConn women’s basketball stands at the top of the national picture because the team has removed uncertainty from its performances. This past week once again demonstrated that the Huskies are not simply winning games, but controlling them from start to finish. Their defensive execution remains the defining trait. Passing lanes are closed early, and opponents are routinely pushed deep into shot clocks without generating clean looks. Offensively, UConn is patient and precise. The team does not force shots or chase mismatches unnecessarily. Instead, the Huskies allow the game to come to them, trusting spacing, ball movement, and discipline to produce high-percentage opportunities. What truly separates UConn from the field is depth. Rotations don’t just rely on Azzi Fudd or Sarah Strong; they can expand without sacrificing intensity or structure, allowing them to maintain pressure for forty minutes. Even in January, when fatigue begins to affect most teams, UConn looks composed and fresh. The Huskies’ consistency is not accidental— it is the product of preparation, culture, and execution. At this stage of the season, almost no team has demonstrated a higher floor or a clearer championship-level standard. 2. South Carolina (+2) South Carolina’s placement reflects toughness, adaptability, and an ability to win games that resist comfort. Their narrow revenge victory over Texas was one of the most physically demanding contests of the week, and it revealed exactly why the Gamecocks remain among the elite. When offensive rhythm falters, South Carolina women’s basketball leans into its defensive identity. Interior defense altered shots, rebounding limited second chances, and physicality wore down a talented opponent over time. Offensively, the Gamecocks show patience, refusing to rush possessions even when pressure mounted. That composure is critical in January, when games often hinge on execution rather than momentum. South Carolina’s versatility also stands out. The team is capable of winning fast or slow, in transition or in the half-court. The Gamecocks’ ability to adjust mid-game without losing structure keeps them consistently competitive against elite opposition. While they may not dominate statistically every night, they consistently control the most important aspects of games. That reliability, particularly against top-tier opponents, secures their position just behind UConn. 3. UCLA (=) UCLA’s solid place in the upper tier is driven by offensive balance and growing defensive cohesion. The Bruins’ performance this past week, particularly in the 30-point blowout against Maryland, showcased a team that understands how to pressure…

There is no question that Bill Belichick went through a tumultuous first year as head coach at North Carolina. The Tar Heels finished the season at 4-8 and 13th in the ACC. Now he has time to reflect. On Monday, before the National Championship game, Belichick came clean about his transition from the New England Patriots to North Carolina, per College GameDay. “It was great to work with a lot of young players,” he said. “I saw a lot of improvement both off the field in their training, conditioning, strength, and explosion, and all that. Then on the field in terms of technique, communication, and so forth.” When asked by Pat McAfee if he enjoyed coaching college more than the pros, Belichick said he enjoys all of it. “I like all of them,” he said. “It’s great to see young guys improve like rookies in the NFL. It’s great to work with the great players like the Tom Bradys and Rodney Harrisons and guys like that. “ Bill Belichick joins College GameDay to recap his transition from coaching NFL pros to college athletes pic.twitter.com/hlvGqmBNg3 — College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 19, 2026 Undoubtedly, Belichick left his mark on the Patriots. He coached Tom Brady and company to six Super Bowl titles (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019). Belichick coached the Patriots for 24 seasons and became one of the most decorated coaches in NFL history. He has 333 career wins, 302 in the regular season and 31 in the postseason. Altogether, Belichick is ranked on the all-time wins list behind Don Shula with 347. Additionally, he coached players such as Harrison, Adam Vinatieri, Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Tedy Bruschi. In December 2024, Belichick was hired to be the head coach at North Carolina. The post Bill Belichick breaks down transition from Patriots to North Carolina appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Las Vegas Raiders decision-makers converged in Miami on Monday as the organization balanced its head coaching search with franchise-altering draft considerations. As Tom Brady’s influence within the organization continues to grow, the College Football Playoff National Championship created a rare convergence of scouting, interviews, and long-term planning ahead of Monday night’s matchup. Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, traveled to Miami with general manager Jon Spytek ahead of Monday night’s national title game at Hard Rock Stadium. The matchup between Indiana and Miami features quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and projected No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza sits at the center of the Raiders’ draft strategy heading into April’s NFL Draft. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the setting was intentional, with several head coaching candidates already in the area for in-person meetings with the Raiders’ leadership group prior to the championship game. “Minority owner Tom Brady will be in attendance at the national title game, which will feature Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and potential No. 1 pick. The Raiders own the top selection in April’s NFL Draft, and are projected to select Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft.” The Raiders accelerated their coaching search after they parted ways with Pete Carroll earlier this month. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel met with team officials Monday morning, while Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero arrived Monday night and will interview Tuesday. Los Angeles Chargers coordinator Jesse Minter remains a candidate and will meet with Las Vegas in South Beach. Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had planned to interview Wednesday, but the Dolphins are finalizing an agreement to hire him as their next head coach. The Raiders have also expressed interest in Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Davis Webb, though postseason obligations will delay an in-person interview. For Las Vegas, Brady’s presence underscored how tightly the head coaching decision now aligns with the franchise quarterback choice, with both moves positioned to shape the organization’s direction for years to come. The post Raiders’ Tom Brady holding court at National Championship amid head coaching search appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA will resume having referees wear headsets with earpieces and microphones Tuesday, with the test scheduled to continue through games of Feb. 12 before the league breaks for All-Star weekend. From Nov. 1 through Dec. 12, referees had the headsets clipped onto their uniforms — then used it during instant replay reviews and other stoppages, but not actually during live play. In this phase, referees will wear the earpieces throughout the game, including during live play, and be able to communicate directly with the replay center and each other at all times. The league told teams on Monday that the first phase enhanced officiating accuracy and improved game flow. The league also is hoping the new headsets — also used by referees in the NFL, with FIFA, the top soccer leagues in England and Germany, and Major League Soccer as well — have improved technology, after audio quality and the ability to communicate with other referees without disruption was an issue in some cases during the first phase of the project. The NBA has been testing the technology since 2022 at various events, including the G League Winter Showcase, NBA Summer League and NBA preseason games. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA Source