Show Notes
The Opening Drive: NCCAA Power Rankings Welcome back to The Next Play! We are live from the heart of Gilbert, bringing that Southeast Valley heat. If you thought the desert was cooling down in January, you haven't been watching the Justice University Lions. We’re talking NCCAA Division I dominance and the grind of the SWS Intercollegiate Conference.
Men’s Basketball: Fresh off a massive statement at the National Championships, the Lions are proving they belong in the elite tier. The defense has been stifling, holding opponents to ice-cold shooting percentages early in halves.
Womens Beach Volleyball: The sand is flyin'! With the program gaining serious momentum in the Southeast Valley, these ladies are the standard for "Sand Power" in the NCCAA.
The Pitch & The Pitch: Men’s Baseball and Soccer (Men’s & Women’s) are gearing up for a spring blitz. We’re looking at rosters built on speed and local Gilbert grit. ⚠️ The Flashpoint: The Arizona Athletic Grounds Brawl It’s the story everyone is talking about, and it’s a dark cloud over our backyard. This past Sunday at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, what started as a youth tournament turned into a 100-person melee.
The Scene: Tensions boiled over during a flag football game. What began with 10 players sparked a chain reaction involving parents and spectators.
The Response: It took 70 officers from Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and MCSO to restore order.
The "Bleed Over": Prof G and Shively dive deep into how this "win-at-all-costs" youth culture is bleeding into the collegiate level. If we don't fix the sidelines at the youth level, we’re built on a foundation of sand. It’s time to bring respect back to the game.
More from The Next Play
The best way to close out a season isn't just with stats—it’s with stories. We sat down with some of Justice University’s finest—Abi, Sam, Erica, Zoey, Dylan, and Jaret—for our season finale of The Next Play. Hearing about their journeys, their grit, and what’s next on their horizon reminds us why the JU community is so special. These athletes aren’t just playing a game; they’re preparing for the next big play in life. From the sand to the diamond and everywhere in between, these Justice University athletes represent the heart of the Lions. You don’t want to miss this finale—hit the link in our bio to listen!
While the men’s basketball season ended on a heartbreaking "in-and-out" shot that would have sent them to the national tournament, Prof G notes that the team’s ability to turn a tough season start into a deep conference run is a victory in itself. Matt Shively candidly describes going through the actual stages of grief—denial, bargaining, and depression—after the basketball loss. They suggest that:
The spring season is officially in full swing, and Prof G and Shively are back on the mics to break down a massive week for the program. From conference dominance on the diamond to high-stakes postseason runs on the hardwood, there’s a lot to celebrate. In This Episode: • Hoops Hype: Basketball is officially firing on all cylinders as the crew prepares for the Regional Championship. We look at the momentum carrying them into the title hunt. • Diamond Dominance: A huge shoutout to Baseball for securing their first conference sweep of the season. We dive into the pitching and plate discipline that made the difference. • Pitch & Sand: * Soccer is looking fresh with a wave of new talent hitting the pitch. • Women’s Sand Volleyball adds to the win column with a gritty performance. • The "Next Play" Mentality: How these teams are transitioning from regular-season success to "win or go home" postseason stakes. Don’t miss an update—hit play and stay locked in!
We’re back in the booth and there is NO shortage of Justice University action to cover. From the hardwood to the sand, here’s what we’re breaking down this week:
It’s been a week of grit and gut checks for the Pride. Prof G and Shively are hitting the mics for Season 2, Episode 7 of The Next Play to break down a polarized week in Lions athletics. We’re diving deep into the diamond where Justice Baseball hit a rough patch—unpacking those tough losses and what it takes to bounce back when the counts are against you. But the energy shifts fast as we celebrate the Lions Basketball crew, who are absolutely tearing up the court and stacking Ws. It’s a tale of two seasons, one mission: Keep Pushing.