An update on Ukraine
ZWF #3: Sunday, February 27, 2022
This week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts comes to you in a much different state than seven days ago. The world order has seemingly been altered overnight, as Russia takes direct aim at the liberal international order the world has relied on for peace since World War II. The Russian invasion of democratic Ukraine has been the subject of international headlines over the last several days, and this week’s ZWF provides an update on what you need to know.
The third edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts also includes a college basketball breakdown, as several conferences begin their conference tournaments this week, and it is the final week of the regular season for the power conferences.
The goal of Zander’s Weekend Facts is to give you the facts about anything going on in the world around us. You’ll just have to read these facts, instead of listening to them on the Zander’s Facts Podcast.
Without further ado, here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, February 27, 2022:
Russia invades Ukraine: What you need to know
On Wednesday night, (Thursday morning in Europe) it finally happened. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into Ukraine, formally declaring war on the former Soviet state. For weeks, a buildup of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders with Russia and Belarus had caused alarm in the country and in the west. Now, those troops have moved into Ukraine, looking to overthrow the government and install a puppet regime closely aligned to Moscow.
To justify the invasion, Putin has blamed the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alliance for imposing security concerns on Russia. For years, Ukraine has aspired to join NATO but has not been admitted. Putin argued that if Ukraine joined NATO, the organization would try to take back the Crimean region and eastern separatist regions of Ukraine that Russia has either occupied or declared independent. Putin claimed that a takeover of Ukraine by Russia would put an end to genocide in the country and would denazify the country. This is despite the fact that there is no evidence of any genocide, and that both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal are Jewish.
Fighting is occurring in the northern, eastern, and southern areas of the country, as Russian forces aim to take control of Kyiv, the capital. That is where President Zelensky continues to lead Ukraine, as he has refused western attempts to evacuate him out of the warzone. Reports from Ukraine so far show strong resistance to Russian forces, with Russia reportedly frustrated by the little progress they have made so far. Even so, the Ukrainian army is severely outmanned, but recent reports have been a welcoming sign.
It has become clear, despite what Putin says, that Ukraine will most likely not be the endgame. He yearns to expand Russia to its previous Soviet boundaries, which would include several nations currently in NATO. Any attack on a NATO nation would then trigger Article 5 of NATO’s treaty, which states that an attack on one nation is an attack on all. It would be the final move that would start World War 3 between Russia and the west. While Russia would be severely outgunned, the threat of nuclear weapons would come into play, something Putin has not been shy about in recent days.
NATO, along with other nations not in the north Atlantic, hope they can prevent that from happening by crippling Russia’s economy. Since Thursday, the United States, the European Union, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand have all announced sanctions meant to harm the Russian economy. The sanctions have been aimed at harming Russia’s financial, energy, transport, and technology sectors. Foreign assets of many Russian oligarchs have been frozen, and personal sanctions have now been levied on Putin himself. On Saturday, the step was taken of removing several Russian banks from the SWIFT bank messaging system, which cuts those banks off from the international financial system. However, while the sanctions are sure to decimate portions of Russia’s economy, they could take time in their effects, potentially months or years.
For more on the situation in Ukraine, check out Episode 55 of the Zander’s Facts Podcast, dropping this Wednesday.
College Basketball’s Bubble Watch
Just two weeks from today, the field of 68 will be revealed for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Several conference tournaments will be tipping off beginning this week. The winners of each conference tournament automatically qualify for a spot in the tournament. Here are the tournaments that begin this week:
Northeast Conference (NEC) (February 28-March 8)
Site: Campus Sites
TV: Semifinal and Final: ESPN
Defending Champion: Mount St. Mary’s
Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) (March 1-8)
Site: Campus Sites
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Liberty
Horizon League (March 1-March 8)
Site: Early rounds: Campus Sites; Semifinal and Final: Indianapolis, IN
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Cleveland State
Patriot League (March 1-9)
Site: Campus Sites
TV: Early rounds: ESPN; Semifinal and Final: CBS
Defending Champion: Colgate
Big South Conference (March 2-6)
Site: Charlotte, NC
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Winthrop
Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) (March 2-5)
Site: Evansville, IN
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Morehead State
Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) (March 3-6)
Site: St. Louis, MO
TV: Early rounds: ESPN; Semifinal and Final: CBS
Defending Champion: Loyola
Sun Belt Conference (March 3-7)
Site: Pensacola, FL
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Appalachian State
West Coast Conference (WCC) (March 3-8)
Site: Las Vegas, NV
TV: Semifinal and Final: ESPN
Defending Champion: Gonzaga
Southern Conference (SoCon) (March 4-7)
Site: Asheville, NC
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: UNC Greensboro
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) (March 5-8)
Site: Washington, DC
TV: Semifinal and Final: CBS
Defending Champion: Drexel
Summit League (March 5-8)
Site: Sioux Falls, SD
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Oral Roberts
America East Conference (March 6-12)
Site: Campus Sites
TV: ESPN
Defending Champion: Hartford
It’s always important to keep an eye on the mid-majors, as you never know which teams that only make the tournament by winning their conference tournaments could make a run.
The major conferences don’t begin tournament play until next week. This week will mark the final week of regular season play. While several teams appear to have locked themselves into the tournament, many power conference squads are still fighting for their spot in the big dance. The following is a breakdown of the squads vying to be a part of the madness from the six major conferences. Teams that have the LOCK designation appear almost certain to make the tournament, while teams with the BUBBLE designation are on the bubble at the moment and still have some work to do.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
LOCK: #7 Duke (25-4, 15-3 ACC)
BUBBLE: Miami (20-9, 12-6 ACC)
NET ranking: 60
Last week: Win at Pittsburgh, Loss vs Virginia Tech
This week: Wednesday at Boston College, Saturday at Syracuse
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: North Carolina (21-8, 13-5 ACC)
NET ranking: 40
Last week: Win vs Louisville, Win at NC State
This week: Monday vs Syracuse, Saturday at #7 Duke
ESPN Projection: Last Four Byes
BUBBLE: Notre Dame (21-8, 14-4 ACC)
NET ranking: 47
Last week: Win vs Syracuse, Win vs Georgia Tech
This week: Wednesday at Florida State, Saturday vs Pittsburgh
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Virginia Tech (18-11, 10-8 ACC)
NET ranking: 41
Last week: Win at Georgia Tech, Win at Miami
This week: Tuesday vs Louisville, Saturday at Clemson
ESPN Projection: Next Four Out
BUBBLE: Wake Forest (22-8, 12-7 ACC)
NET ranking: 42
Last week: Loss at Clemson, Win vs Louisville
This week: Wednesday vs NC State
ESPN Projection: Last Four Byes
Big 12 Conference
LOCK: #10 Baylor (24-5, 12-4 Big 12)
LOCK: #5 Kansas (23-5, 12-3 Big 12)
LOCK: #9 Texas Tech (22-7, 11-5 Big 12)
LOCK: #20 Texas (21-8, 10-6 Big 12)
BUBBLE: Kansas State (14-14, 6-10 Big 12)
NET ranking: 71
Last week: Loss at #5 Kansas, Loss vs Iowa State
This week: Monday at #9 Texas Tech, Saturday vs Oklahoma
ESPN Projection: Out of the Tournament
BUBBLE: Iowa State (20-9, 7-9 Big 12)
NET ranking: 37
Last week: Win vs West Virginia, Win at Kansas State
This week: Wednesday vs Oklahoma State, Saturday at #10 Baylor
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Oklahoma (15-14, 5-11 Big 12)
NET ranking: 48
Last week: Loss at #9 Texas Tech, Win vs Oklahoma State
This week: Tuesday vs West Virginia, Saturday at Kansas State
ESPN Projection: Out of the Tournament
BUBBLE: TCU (18-9, 7-8 Big 12)
NET ranking: 49
Last week: Win vs West Virginia, Loss at #20 Texas, Win vs #9 Texas Tech
This week: Tuesday vs #5 Kansas, Thursday at #5 Kansas, Saturday at West Virginia
ESPN Projection: Out of the Tournament
Big East Conference
LOCK: #11 Providence (24-3, 14-2 Big East)
LOCK: #21 UConn (20-7, 11-5 Big East)
LOCK: #8 Villanova (21-7, 14-4 Big East)
BUBBLE: Marquette (18-10, 10-7 Big East)
NET ranking: 36
Last week: Loss at Creighton, Win vs Butler
This week: Wednesday at DePaul, Saturday vs St. John’s
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Xavier (17-11, 7-10 Big East)
NET ranking: 35
Last week: Loss at #11 Providence, Loss vs Seton Hall
This week: Wednesday at St. John’s, Saturday vs Georgetown
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Seton Hall (18-9, 9-8 Big East)
NET ranking: 32
Last week: Win vs Butler, Win at Xavier
This week: Wednesday vs Georgetown, Saturday at Creighton
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Creighton (19-9, 11-6 Big East)
NET ranking: 67
Last week: Win vs Marquette, Win at St. John’s, Loss at #11 Providence
This week: Wednesday vs UConn, Saturday vs Seton Hall
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
Big Ten Conference
LOCK: #15 Illinois (19-8, 12-5 Big Ten)
LOCK: #25 Iowa (20-8, 10-7 Big Ten)
LOCK: #22 Ohio State (18-7, 11-5 Big Ten)
LOCK: #4 Purdue (24-5, 13-5 Big Ten)
LOCK: #13 Wisconsin (23-5, 14-4 Big Ten)
BUBBLE: Indiana (17-7, 8-9 Big Ten)
NET ranking: 43
Last week: Loss at #22 Ohio State, Win vs Maryland
This week: Sunday at Minnesota, Wednesday vs Rutgers, Saturday at #4 Purdue
ESPN Projection: Last Four In
BUBBLE: Michigan (15-11, 9-7 Big Ten)
NET ranking: 34
Last week: Loss at #15 Wisconsin, Win vs Rutgers
This week: Sunday vs #15 Illinois, Tuesday vs Michigan State, Thursday vs #25 Iowa, Sunday at #22 Ohio State
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Michigan State (19-9, 10-7 Big Ten)
NET ranking: 33
Last week: Loss at #25 Iowa, Win vs #4 Purdue
This week: Tuesday at Michigan, Thursday at #22 Ohio State, Sunday vs Maryland
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
BUBBLE: Rutgers (16-12, 10-8 Big Ten)
NET ranking: 84
Last week: Loss at #4 Purdue, Loss at Michigan, Loss vs #13 Wisconsin
This week: Wednesday at Indiana, Sunday vs Penn State
ESPN Projection: In the Tournament
Pac-12 Conference
LOCK: #2 Arizona (25-3, 15-2 Pac-12)
LOCK: #12 UCLA (21-6, 13-5 Pac-12)
LOCK: #16 USC (25-4, 14-4 Pac-12)
BUBBLE: Oregon (18-11, 11-7 Pac-12)
NET ranking: 58
Last week: Win vs #12 UCLA, Loss vs #16 USC
This week: Thursday at Washington, Saturday at Washington State
ESPN Projection: First Four Out
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
LOCK: #24 Alabama (19-10, 9-7 SEC)
LOCK: #18 Arkansas (23-6, 12-4 SEC)
LOCK: #3 Auburn (25-4, 13-3 SEC)
LOCK: #6 Kentucky (23-6, 12-4 SEC)
LOCK: LSU (20-9, 8-8 SEC)
LOCK: #17 Tennessee (21-7, 12-4 SEC)
BUBBLE: Florida (18-11, 8-8 SEC)
NET ranking: 51
Last week: Loss vs #18 Arkansas, Win at Georgia
This week: Tuesday at Vanderbilt, Saturday vs #6 Kentucky
ESPN Projection: Next Four Out
BUBBLE: Mississippi State (17-12, 8-8 SEC)
NET ranking: 52
Last week: Win at Missouri, Loss at South Carolina, Win vs Vanderbilt
This week: Wednesday vs #3 Auburn, Saturday at Texas A&M
ESPN Projection: Not in the Tournament
Saturday was a particularly wild day of basketball. The top six teams in the AP Poll all lost, (Gonzaga, Arizona, Auburn, Purdue, Kansas, and Kentucky) the first time that has ever happened on a single day. Also, Seven of the top ten teams in the poll lost on Saturday, (Texas Tech) which is the most teams in the top ten of the AP Poll to lose on the same day.
Remember to check out Zander’s College Basketball games to watch for this upcoming final week of the regular season, which will be posted on Zander’s Facts’ social media channels tomorrow afternoon.
This week’s sporting facts
With so much going on in the sports world, here are the top storylines from the past week and what to watch for the next seven days.
Abramovich under fire at Chelsea - English soccer club Chelsea FC’s owner Roman Abramovich, one of Russia’s most powerful oligarchs, announced on Saturday that he is ceding “stewardship and care” of the club to its charitable foundation trustees. Abramovich has come under scrutiny in recent days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as he is seen as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Abramovich recommended Putin to be President of Russia to then-President Boris Yeltsin in 1999, and served as governor of Chukotka, an autonomous region in far-eastern Russia, from 2000 to 2008. Abramovich clarified he has no intentions to sell the club, despite support in the UK Parliament to sanction Abramovich’s assets, including Chelsea FC. Since Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, the club has won five Premier League titles, and two UEFA Champions League titles, including last year’s final.
Carabao Cup Final - Speaking of Chelsea FC, they face off against Liverpool FC in the final of the EFL Carabao Cup this morning. The EFL Cup (Carabao Cup for sponsorship purposes) is a domestic soccer tournament that takes place in England and Wales each year. Chelsea and Liverpool stand next to each other in the Premier League standings at the moment, with Liverpool in second place and Chelsea in third. Liverpool are tied with Manchester City, the reigning EFL Cup champions, for the most EFL Cup trophies with eight. Chelsea has won the EFL Cup five times, most recently in 2015. This is the first Carabao Cup Final since 2016 that will not feature a club from Manchester, England. The match kicks off at 11:30 am et and can be watched in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Champions League Final moved - UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) announced on Friday that the final match of this year’s UEFA Champions League would be moved from St. Petersburg, Russia to Paris, France. Russia was also scheduled to host a 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff match in March against Poland, with the winner of that match facing Sweden or the Czech Republic. However, Poland and Sweden are now refusing to play Russia, while all three nations have asked FIFA to move any matches out of Russia. Ukraine is scheduled to play in a playoff match next month against Scotland, which is still on as of now. The playoff matches are being held Additionally, Formula One announced that this year’s Russian Grand Prix, held annually in Sochi, has been canceled.
Steelers hire ex-Dolphins coach Flores - Last week, the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers hired former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores as the team’s senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach. The hiring comes despite Flores’ ongoing lawsuit against the NFL, which accuses the league and three franchises of discriminating against black coaches in their hiring practices, among several allegations. The NFL announced that they have hired Loretta Lynch, who was the first black woman to serve as United States Attorney General from 2015 to 2017, as a part of the legal team to defend the league against Flores’ lawsuit.
Disgraced Briles hired at Grambling State - On Thursday, Grambling State head football coach Hue Jackson announced that former Baylor head football coach Art Briles had been hired as the team’s offensive coordinator. Briles has not coached in football since 2016, when he was fired from Baylor after the university’s investigation of sexual assault where football players were among those accused of sexual assault. Jackson was hired as the head coach at Grambling State in December after serving as head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018, winning a total of three games.
Rapid-fire Facts
To wrap up the week, here are a couple of storylines in the news from the past week you’ll want to know about.
Ketanji Brown Jackson selected as Supreme Court nominee - Buried under all the news on Ukraine, President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. If confirmed by the United States Senate, Jackson will become the first black woman to serve on the high court. Jackson is currently serving as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a position President Biden nominated her for last year. Jackson is being nominated to succeed Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced in January that he will retire at the end of the court’s current term.
Push for VA House of Delegates elections this year - Former Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Paul Goldman filed a lawsuit in federal court back in June requesting that Virginia hold elections for all 100 House of Delegates seats this November. The House of Delegates is the lower body of the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia typically holds General Assembly elections in odd-numbered years, as it did last year and will do in November of 2023. However, Goldman argues that because of a delay in the drawing of new district maps after the 2020 Census, new elections should be held this year using the new districts. The Virginia NAACP, League of Women Voters, and other groups have also voiced support for the lawsuit.
New President of CNN selected - While not confirmed, several sources including CNN, are reporting that Chris Licht has been selected as the next President of CNN. Licht currently serves as the executive producer and showrunner of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” at CBS and as executive vice president of special programming at ViacomCBS. Licht previously helped create MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and helmed “CBS This Morning”. Previous CNN President Jeff Zucker resigned in early February after he did not disclose a relationship with a CNN colleague.
CDC issues new guidance for mask-wearing - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines on Friday that recommends over 70% of Americans can now unmask in indoor settings. The new guidelines take into account covid hospitalizations, current beds occupied by covid patients, and hospital capacity, along with case counts. You can use
this link from the CDCto see if you live in an area where unmasking indoors is recommended.
Wrapping Up
Before this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episode of the Zander’s Facts Podcast. Download and listen to Episode 54 wherever you get your podcasts. Check out Zander’s Facts’ Linktree page for more information: Zander's Facts on Linktree
A brand new edition of the Zander’s Facts Podcast drops this Wednesday! On Episode 55, Zander’s Facts NBA analyst Hill Billy joins to break down this season’s title contenders along with the race for the MVP award! Plus, the latest on the situation in Ukraine!
Do remember to check out the next edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts next Sunday! Make sure to sign up to get Zander’s Weekend Facts in your inbox every Sunday so you don’t miss anything!
That’s a wrap on this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The Facts return next Sunday, March 06, 2022.
