The University of Miami men’s tennis team won 4-3 against the South Florida Bulls on Tuesday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
With the victory, the Hurricanes (6-3) gain their sixth win at home on the season as well as increase their home winning streak to 19, which goes back to Jan. 13, 2025.
UM started off their day by securing the doubles point. The pair of Spanish seniors, Antonio Prat and Nacho Serra Sanchez, got the opening 6-2 win against James Newton and Max Mroz. The Canes then clinched the doubles point when Rafael Segado and Jules Garot defeated Stepan Mruzek and Timeo Gaillard, 6-4. When play was halted, Miami was leading in a tough court one matchup with Mehdi Sadaoui and Jakub Kroslak leading 6-5 over Hugo Car and Ettore Danesi.
Moving on to singles, No. 95 Prat opened things with the ranked win on court one over No. 119 Car, 6-1, 6-4. Garot then put the Canes within a point of victory with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Gaillard. However, USF did not go without a fight as they notched wins from Mruzek over Kroslak, 0-6, 7-5, 6-3, followed by a 6-4, 6-4 win from Danesi over Sadaoui.
The comeback by the Bulls (1-6) would be stopped short as Segado clinched the match on court five, defeating Newton in a back-and-forth second set for the 6-1, 7-6 (5) win. After the clinching victory, No. 112 Elijah Cham bested Serra Sanchez in two hard-fought sets, winning 5-7, 5-7.
The Hurricanes will be back on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 12:00 p.m. to host FGCU (1-6) at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
Some huge video game news has the University of Miami’s competitive esports team buzzing.
Five new heroes, a new focus on annual story arcs, and a “Hello Kitty” collaboration were among the transformative changes announced by videogame developer Blizzard at its 2026 Overwatch Spotlight on Feb. 4.
“But our key focus this year is how we can evolve what it means to play an Overwatch game,” Aaron Keller, Overwatch’s Game Director, said at the Overwatch Spotlight event “There are so many things coming to Overwatch this year we can’t even fit it into this Spotlight.”
With the first season of this new chapter for Overwatch released on Feb. 10, Blizzard’s plans will change the fabric of Overwatch and force the ’Canes to adjust their strategy for the Spring 2026 collegiate esports season. A few of them are excited to play the new heroes.
“I feel like it’s Blizzard’s message to the community that it’s ready to go all in on Overwatch,” said Anthony Crespo, one of two team captains for UM’s eSports team. “There are a lot of exciting heroes and changes that will refresh the game over the coming months, and a roadmap of future content to keep everyone interested.”
Crespo and his co-captain, Randy Advincula, will, however, assess how this will affect their season.
The new heroes will be locked behind the PlayVS College League’s two-week rule, which prevents new heroes from being playable until two weeks after official release.
“We’re going to have two weeks to plan strategies for our teams, but it’s going to be crazy,” Crespo said. “With new heroes, perk changes, map changes, and most likely some balance changes, it’s going to be chaos.”
While the delay in hero releases will give the ’Canes time to prepare, they will have to adjust quickly to other changes to the game. Perks, or in-game upgrades to heroes, and maps are all being updated in the new update.
Subroles, labels given to certain heroes to denote their purposes and which come with an extra ability, are also a new addition to Overwatch that the ‘Canes will have to consider.
There will be two games played before the end of the two-week period for UM eSports.
“New heroes and subroles are a lot, and it’ll give an advantage to those who can adapt and learn quickly, something Overwatch has been missing for a while,” Advincula said. “We will have to keep in mind to test new stuff in our scrims while still practicing old strategies in the meantime.”
Despite all the backlash he received for being selected to perform the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime shows, Bad Bunny got over 135.4M viewers.
Bad Bunny didn’t walk onto the Super Bowl halftime stage to prove anything. He didn’t arrive in opposition, or anger, or resistance. He arrived with love—and that choice is what made the performance land as deeply as it did.
The tone was set long before the first song. When Bad Bunny accepted Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, he closed his speech with a line that felt simple but carried weight: “The only thing stronger than hate is love.”
That message wasn’t left behind at the Grammys. He carried it onto the biggest stage in the country, not as a slogan, but as a thesis.
This halftime show wasn’t about separation. It was about connection.
The pacing was fast, intentional, and cinematic. This wasn’t a show designed for the stadium alone — it was designed for the camera, for the world watching at home. A recognition that the audience was global, not local.
The show was filled with so many symbolisms and little nuggets of latin life: elders playing dominos, piraguas, boxers Xander Rayas and Edgar Berlanga sparring, a little boy sleeping on 3 chairs and the broken light posts.
It’s also interesting who chose to be present. Not announced. Not spotlighted. But there. Cardi B, Karol G, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba and UM influencer Alix Earle were all spotted at Benito’s infamous casita.
Another monumental appearance was Lady Gaga. Her presence acted as a co-sign, lending credibility not just to the performance, but to the message behind it about unifying our cultures. Performing “Die With a Smile” — reimagined in a salsa arrangement — is musical unification at its finest.
When Ricky Martin stepped out to perform “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” I broke into tears. Ricky Martin hadn’t appeared during La Residencia in Puerto Rico, which made his presence here feel deliberate.
The song itself is a warning about colonization, about culture turned into a product, about what happens when land and people are reduced to monetization.
The energy didn’t drop after that moment. A mix of “El Apagón” and “Café con Ron” reminds us that joy and protest can coexist. And then, finally, he performed “DtMF”as the emotional punctuation mark of the entire night.
Puerto Rican and Latino culture hasn’t just arrived. It’s always been here. It seems to have required this specific geopolitical moment, this level of repetition, this much visibility, before it was fully allowed to be heard.
If Factory Town during Basel was a glimpse into bliss, Miami Music Week 2026 is shaping up to be the full descent. With its five-night announcement, Factory Town once again challenges Ultra as the gravitational center of Miami Music Week.
Running March 25 – 29, Factory Town is putting legendary artists across five different stages.
Justice headlines the Infinity Room on March 25. Whether this becomes a late-night spectacle or stretches into sunrise, it’s the kind of set people will be talking about long after MMW ends. Elsewhere, Max Dean b2b Luke Dean bring groove-driven energy to The Park, while Layton Giordani takes over the Chain Room.
March 26 doubles down with Jamie Jones’ Paradise and Meduza & James Hype’s Our House, setting up for the rest of the weekend.
March 27 shifts into full chaos in the best way with BASSRUSH taking over The Warehouse. Expect sweat, bass and total release. Kettama commands the Chain Room, while Josh Baker makes his Infinity Room headlining debut.
March 28 will deliver familiarity that works: a Pawsa sunrise at Infinity Room, Ben Sterling at The Park and Ranger Trucco packing out Cypress End.
On March 29, Elrow will transform Infinity Room into a trippy, overstimulating playground, while hard techno anchors The Park with I Hate Models, Indira Paganotto and Nico Moreno. Chasewest will close out these impressive nights at Cypress End.
Fair warning: all Cypress End sets will be packed—plan accordingly.
Factory Town isn’t reinventing itself for Miami Music Week. It’s refining what already works. If Basel was the preview, this is the full film.
Tickets for Factory Town’s Miami Music Week events are sold exclusively through Factory Town and Insomniac’s official ticketing platforms like DICE. Presales typically move fast, especially for Friday and Saturday nights, so buying early is strongly recommended.
Getting to Factory Town is easiest via rideshare, though surge pricing is inevitable, particularly between 1 and 5 a.m. Arriving earlier in the night can save both time and money, especially if you’re targeting high-demand sets at the Infinity Room or Cypress End.
Timing matters — cell service becomes unreliable late at night, making coordination difficult. Once set times are released, you’ll have a better idea of when to arrive.
Staying safe at Factory Town is mostly about preparation. Miami heat, long nights and warehouse environments demand hydration and pacing. Eat before you arrive, keep your group close,and set a clear meetup point in case signal drops.
Security and staff are visible throughout the grounds — make sure to respect them and the people around you sothe experience remains what it’s meant to be: communal and immersive.
Miami Music Week at Factory Town rewards those who plan just enough and then let go.
We Belong Here Miami returns to Virginia Key Beach Park for its most ambitious edition yet. It is celebrating five years by expanding to three days, from Feb. 27 to March 1, for the first time.
What began as an intimate gathering rooted in connection and community now enters a new chapter, without sacrificing the ethos that made it one of Miami’s most beloved ethereal festivals.
Set by the waterfront where it all began, this year’s We Belong Here leans fully into what it does best: world-class electronic music, thoughtfully curated production and sunset moments that feel distinctly Miami.
The festival remains 21+, drawing a mature, open-minded crowd and prioritizing inclusivity, unity and dance music culture in its purest form.
The three-day lineup balances iconic headliners with day one brand artists, designed to honor where the festival is going and where it came from.
Feb. 27 sets the tone with Kaskade bringing his beloved Redux sound — deep, stripped-back and emotionally rich. Elderbrook and Lost Frequencies will help set the festival’s signature beachy and tranquil vibes.
Feb. 28 shifts into a higher energy with a three-hour sunset set from Lane 8, which guarantees an emotional centerpiece and Chris Lake headlining the night. Supporting sets from Kevin de Vries and D.O.D round out the day with depth and drive.
March 1 closes on a high with Tiësto delivering a rare three-hour sunset set, followed by Gorgon City on the main stage. Meanwhile, up and coming nimino and RØZ will deliver more energetic and eclectic sets with some niche known tracks.
We Belong Here’s identity has always lived beyond its headliners. This year, The Lost Village and Beach Stages spotlight a carefully chosen mix of rising touring talent and Miami locals, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to discovery and scene-building.
Touring acts include Devault, Nicky Elisabeth b2b Rezident, Fallon, Ky William, Emanuel Satie, Ashibah, Mishell, Lincoln Jesser, Robby East and Paperwater. This lineup reflects where dance music is headed, not just where it’s been.
True to form, We Belong Here pairs music with intentional design. The festival features three stages: the signature 360° Main Stage, Lost Village Stage and Beach Stage. These create oversized dance floors with genuine room to move.
Expect immersive art installations, lounge areas woven throughout the grounds, elevated food and beverage offerings, and premium hospitality and VIP options for those looking to enhance the experience.
At its heart, We Belong Here remains a festival about connection — between artists and fans, locals and travelers, music and place. With waterfront views, golden-hour sets, and an atmosphere built on respect and openness, this fifth anniversary feels less like a reinvention and more like a confident evolution.
The housing application for continuing students opened on Monday, Feb. 9, but spring admits quickly ran into issues trying to register for Lakeside Village.
Once spring admits reached the room preferences portion of the housing application, they were only given the option to select a room configuration preference within Eaton Residential College. Lakeside did not appear in the drop down.
“I was fearful that since my application only gave me the option to choose Eaton that I wouldn’t be able to live in Lakeside, or that our chances of getting Lakeside would be lower,” said freshman spring admit Sienna Acosta.
Screenshot of a spring admit’s housing portal room preferences page only showing Eaton on the evening of Monday, Feb. 9. // Photo via Sienna Acosta.
Richard Sobaram, the associate vice president of student affairs and housing strategic initiatives, told The Hurricane that the issue was resolved on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 11.
The Hurricane submitted a media inquiry to UM Communications asking about the potential issue on the evening of Monday, Feb. 9. UM Communications then forwarded the inquiry to Sobaram.
“When I got the inquiry from [UM Communications] that [said] spring admit students are not able to apply for Lakeside, I responded and said, ‘That’s ridiculous, of course they are. They’re not restricted, we don’t restrict them,’” Sobaram said.
The Hurricane then provided UM Communications with screenshots of a spring admit’s portal, and the issue became clear. According to Sobaram, spring admits had been listed in the system as first year students instead of continuing first year students — students who have completed one semester as UM.
Since Eaton is available to first years, spring admits were able to see it as an option in the portal. Lakeside is sophomore housing, so only continuing first year students are able to apply. Due to the technical issue, spring admits were not included in this group.
The Department of Housing and Residential Life sent an email this morning to all 458 Spring Starters.
“We understand that as a Spring 2026 starter, you may notice that only Eaton appears as an option on the room preference page,” the email read. “Please be rest assured that this does not mean you are ineligible for Lakeside Village.”
Sobaram said that his team worked with IT to resolve the issue and both Lakeside and Eaton will be visible to spring admits once room selection begins.
“So now, any spring admitted students that go in and go to the room preference page, they see the exact same thing as anybody else,” he said. “They see both Eaton and Lakeside.”
Sobaram also clarified that this technical issue should not have had any impact on forming roommate groups. However, he said that if students panicked and stopped the application process, they would need to go back and complete the application.
“Nobody who applied was denied,” Sobaram said. “They could have formed a roommate group with … kids within the spring and they would be able to get with that roommate group and they will all get to compete for Lakeside.”
Room selection appointment times will be issued on Monday, Feb. 16. University Village room selection opens on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and Eaton and Lakeside open on Friday, Feb. 20. More information is available on UM’s Housing and Residential Life webpage.
It began with a coronation and ended in a court-storming in Coral Gables.
Not bad for a Tuesday night in February.
On an evening where Miami football’s national champion runner-up season was celebrated in front of a sold out crowd at the Watsco Center, the Hurricanes hoops toppled No. 11 North Carolina 75-66 in the first statement win for the program since hiring head coach Jai Lucas, never trailing at any point.
The landmark result marks the team’s first ranked victory since Jan. 18, 2024, when the Hurricanes last beat No. 16 Clemson. Miami had not taken down an UNC squad since 2018, when Ja’Quan Newton’s game-winning buzzer-beater shot propelled UM to a 91-88 win against the No. 9 Tar Heels.
It was a contest that required an all-hands-on-deck performance from the Canes, and everyone delivered.
Four of Miami’s five starters finished in double figures, led by Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh Jr., who each recorded double-doubles. Udeh controlled the interior, pouring in a season-high 15 points while hauling in 10 rebounds for his fifth of the season.
The Hurricanes now improve to 19-5 on the season and are 8-3 in ACC play. At this same time last year, Miami was last in the conference with a 2-11 record and went on to end the season with only seven wins.
Needless to say, Lucas has orchestrated quite the turnaround in year one. More impressively, he has done so with a completely revamped roster that has not returned a single player from UM’s 2024-25 campaign.
Photographer Bella Ochoa // Senior guard Tre Donaldson in the paint against University of North Carolina on Feb. 10, 2026 at Watsco center
The ranked victory now dramatically boosts Miami’s chances at cementing an NCAA Tournament berth, bolstering its resumé with a much-needed Quadrant 1 win. Although still sitting on the bubble and not entirely immune from being left out, Tuesday’s momentum has the Canes trending in the right direction.
Early on, both sides were scorching hot on the offensive end. Reneau, who had registered his seventh double-double by the end, opened the night with a team-high 10 points through the first 20 minutes of action. Miami shot 58% from the floor in the first half and significantly benefitted off turnovers, forcing 8 that led to easy scoring in transition.
However, the two squads remained in lockstep with one another heading into the break. North Carolina was unstoppable from behind the line, shooting 54% and going 7-13 from three-point range to prevent the Hurricanes from pulling away, trailing only 43-40 when the first half expired.
The scoring production cooled down for Miami and UNC in the second frame, drastically slowing the rhythm and tempo as the offensive numbers plummeted.
UM went 0-6 from the perimeter while the Tar Heels were 1-14 from beyond the arc. Neither team shot over 36% from the field in the last 20 minutes.
Despite the lackluster showing after halftime, Miami was able to rely on its frontcourt when all else failed, dominating North Carolina in points in the paint by a margin of 46-28.
The Canes outscored and outrebounded UNC underneath, which proved to be the difference maker at a time where mid-range and three-point shots were hard to come by.
Photographer Bella Ochoa // Senior center Ernest Udeh Jr. with a dunk against University of North Carolina on Feb. 10, 2026 at Watsco center
Miami’s success in the low block over the entire night came as no surprise to Lucas, who acknowledged that supremacy in this area has become a defining characteristic of the group’s identity.
“We didn’t do anything special,” Lucas said. “We didn’t do anything different. I mean, you look at our box score, and this is what we usually do. It’s 46 points in the paint. 12 offensive rebounds. Doubled on their free throws.”
“This is Miami basketball,” he said.
For Lucas, the result was also validating, showing what the team was capable of achieving when they don’t get in their own way with mistakes of their own making.
“Everything that has gone bad for us has been self-inflicted,” Lucas said. “There hasn’t been one game I’ve watched, except for maybe the Clemson game, where I’ve said, ‘All right, maybe it’s something else.’”
Udeh agreed.
“A team has never truly just beaten us,” he said. “We beat ourselves whenever we put ourselves in certain positions. The most important thing for us is just, whether win or loss, go into practice the next day, watch the film, talk over it, and do better the next time.”
The Hurricanes will look to use this performance as a launchpad that elevates their play going forward. The focus now shifts toward Saturday’s contest in Raleigh against NC State. Tip-off at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum is slated for 4 p.m. on ESPN2.
Photographer Bella Ochoa // Timeout strategy talk during the University of North Caroline game on Feb. 10, 2026 at Watsco center
The UNITED ticket is one of two groups running in this year’s student government executive elections. UNITED is campaigning on a platform centered on academic accessibility, campus life improvements and increased transparency between Student Government and the student body.
It is made up of presidential candidate Jaell-Ann (JJ) Auguste, vice presidential candidate Alex Barrowclough and treasurer candidate Grace Wheeling.
Auguste is a junior majoring in finance with minors in broadcast journalism, accounting and dance. Barrowclough is a junior majoring in political science with minors in business law, law & politics and disaster relief & humanitarian aid. Wheeling is a junior majoring in health science on the pre-dental track with minors in chemistry, biology and religious studies.
According to their Instagram account, UNITED is committed to enhancing the student experience at the University of Miami. They want to ensure “every voice is heard and every perspective is valued.”
Academic initiatives
UNITED’s academic initiatives include improving wifi and internet access on campus. It looks to implement online office hour availability, introducing financial and AI literacy curriculum in First Year Direction courses and expanding pre-professional advising for pre-dental, pre-physical therapy and pre-veterinary students.
They would also like to provide an advisor’s guide for transparency before registration, implement a letter of recommendation policy in syllabi and improve tutoring by increasing tutor training and increasing availability for upper level courses.
Campus life initiatives
To improve campus life, UNITED’s initiatives include expanding food options on campus, implementing a grace period for parking violations and revamping the lock out policy for on-campus housing to reduce fees for residents.
For physical renovations, plans include new crosswalks to Red Roads, Cloisters and House 57. It also pushes for updated accessibility routes and location markers, a survey on sooner renovations for Whitten LC as well as more transparency with campus renovations and housing projects.
Social initiatives
As for social initiatives, the team will work to get food trucks to frat row on game days and open the dining hall during Greek recruitment. They also want to allow fraternities two RP events per semester, with an ABM cleaning fee.
UNITED wants earlier hours for intramural sporting events and to add a new guard house near Centennial Village for late night access.
Reducing housing waste with a ‘Canes resale program and granting student organizations access to the Vibelink platform is also one of its goals.
Student Government initiatives
UNITED hopes to host student leader roundtables led by the president, create a clearer timeline between SAFAC budget submission and approval decisions and hold student government general body meetings to encourage new initiative and strengthen the executive and senate bond.
They would also like to increase visibility to student run business, implement a Student Activities & Student Organizations timeline guarantee for reimbursement for organizations and increase transparency between SG and students.
“The UNITED campaign stands ready to usher in a new era of Student Government,” the UNITED Instagram wrote. “An era defined by opportunity, transparency, and action. We stand UNITED as one, prepared to serve the ‘Canes community in every facet.”
The For U ticket is competing in this year’s Student Government elections with a campaign centered on improving academic resources, building a stronger campus community and enhancing the overall student experience.
For U is made up of presidential candidate Fernando Sepulveda Sagaseta, vice presidential candidate Aaron Gonzales and treasurer candidate Dylan Hall.
Sepulveda Sagaseta is a junior pursuing a dual degree in Business Analytics and Innovation, Technology and Design (ITD). Gonzales is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies. Hall is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in finance, business technology and sustainable business.
According to the For U Campaign’s Instagram account, the team aims to build on its previous momentum by pursuing larger-scale initiatives and fostering leadership that is both accessible and accountable. The campaign states that “every student deserves representation.”
Academic Goals
One of For U’s academic priorities is expanding and improving career services for students. The group also hopes to extend Richter Library’s hours to be open 24 hours a day.
Currently, Richter Library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Community Goals
One of the ticket’s main goals to strengthen the UM community is to increase the number of available student tickets at sporting events, including football, basketball and baseball. They also hope to increase the number of registered frat parties each semester.
Student Life Goals
For U aims to expand the Hurricane Food Court operation to operate late hours and weekends. Their other main goal is to enable Cane Card accessibility via Apple Wallet, allowing students to open classroom and dormitory doors with an iPhone.
Over the past year, Sepulveda Sagaseta and Gonzales brought Half Moon to Whitten Residential College, expanded Freebee’s service map to reach additional off-campus residences and points of interest, and improved students’ rainy-day commutes by installing shuttle stop covers and advocating for free umbrellas for first-year students.
“This campaign is about YOU,” the For U Campaign Instagram said. “We helped turn the century and reinvented Student Government. Now, we continue on our success. The U is Back.”
“Wuthering Heights,” a classic early 1800s love story, has been reimagined for a new generation with Oscar-nominated and winning talent. Director Emerald Fennell takes the star-crossed romance between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw to new heights with actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
“Sone movies are designed to make you think, and some movies are designed to make you feel,” Robbie said at a college roundtable with The Hurricane. “This is all feeling.”
The film follows Healthcliff and Catherine falling in love from the first day they meet as children. Their responsibilities to their family clash with what their hearts want. The forbidden love story takes dark and deadly turns, making us question whether the destined lovers will ever be together till the last second.
Charli xcx’s soundtrack for the film brings the character’s heartbeats to life. The moment Catherine dreads having a life without Heathcliff, we hear eerie electronic beats that crescendo with Charli’s screams.
Every word that’s left unsaid is vocalized with the music, and costumes. We see how the character’s feelings change from love to anguish with the colors of suits and dresses.
“It’s a big thematic choice to have red throughout the film,” Robbie said. “It represents love, both the passionate side of it but also maybe the more dangerous, fiery side of it too.”
The film’s music, costume and sets carefully show Healthcliff and Catherine’s true feelings, how they burn for each other or are fighting the urge to burn something down. Robbie and Elordi’s chemistry and collaboration helped them bring their best to the screen.
“It’s a constant collaboration, these dueling parts,” Elordi said. “They exist because of each other.”
See where Healthcliff and Catherine’s fiery love takes them in “Wuthering Heights” only in theaters on Feb. 13. Listen to Charli xcx’s album for the film on your favorite music platforms on the same day.
The Miami Hurricanes Men’s basketball team defeated the Boston College Eagles 74-68 on Saturday afternoon in a much needed bounce-back road win.
Sitting at 17-5 entering the game, the Canes are a fringe NCAA tournament team, and a one-point loss to the Cal Golden Bears in their previous game certainly did not point them in the right direction.
The 9-13 Boston College Eagles entered the game on a three-game losing streak, and were looking to put a halt to their negative momentum.
The first half was characterized by scoring runs from both teams, as the Hurricanes took a 29-19 lead early following a 7-0 run, but the Eagles fought back with a 14-5 run of their own to bring the score to 34-33 Hurricanes at the break.
The Canes started the second half strong, as they drilled seven-straight field goals, pushing their lead to 50-40. However, the Eagles managed to claw their way back into the game, securing a late 58-57 advantage.
Down late and needing a score, Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson came up big, scoring two big buckets which gave Miami a 61-58 lead.
With an emphatic Ernest Udeh Jr. alley-oop from Donaldson, the Hurricanes sealed the victory.
Malik Reneau led Miami with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Henderson added 19 points on 8-11 shooting. Miami shot 51.9% as a team, dominated the paint 44–30 and held Boston College to 40% shooting and 32.1% from three.
The Hurricanes will be back in action Tuesday night at home as they play host to their biggest test of the season: No. 14 North Carolina.
The game at the Watsco Center will air on ESPN, and tipoff will be at 7 p.m.
Max Rogers // Senior Tre Donaldson stares down Justin Pippen after reverse layup against UC Berkeley on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Each year, Super Bowl halftime performers have just 12-15 minutes to give over 100 million viewers a show that will keep people talking for days or weeks following.
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio — Bad Bunny — gave a performance that was both entertaining and impactful. Through intricate sets and guest appearances, he gave a meaningful picture of what it means to be hispanic.
Over the past few years, we have seen halftime performers such as Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna give dynamic and entertaining performances that capture audiences’ attention even through a TV screen.
However, I don’t think anyone has done it the way Bad Bunny did that night.
Bad Bunny has always made a point to pay his respects to his culture, and the halftime performance was no different. Each scene featured aspects of different Hispanic and Latino cultures that viewers could relate to.
From the abuelos playing domino, to being a little kid falling asleep on chairs at the family wedding, Benito knew his fans would connect with every aspect of his show.
Taking viewers through multiple sets, he gave glimpses of what basically every Latin American or Hispanic has experienced throughout their life, or have heard their parents and grandparents describe.
Opening in the fields demonstrated agricultural workers, many of which are generalized to be Hispanic or Latino. He then transitioned into a barrio, a Spanish neighborhood or district.
The wedding scene was nostalgic for every Hispanic child who remembers falling asleep at a family wedding, only to wake up and realize the party was still going on. The moment depicting abuelos playing dominos was also a very accurate detail.
There was also an array of occupations highlighted throughout his performance. Background dancers and actors were seen selling piraguas, serving as bartenders and acting as power line and farmworkers.
While these occupations are not reserved solely for the latin or Hispanic community, they highlighted the hard work of an ethnic group that is not always acknowledged or well-represented.
To satisfy the older generations of Hispanics, Ricky Martin was featured singing “LO QUE LE PASO A HAWAII,” and included several other “throwback” Reggaeton songs such as “Gasolina” and “Pa’ Que Retozen.”
Although Bad Bunny’s performance was short, he executed an effective statement and delivered one of the most impressive and immersive halftime performances seen in a very long time. I can guarantee there likely wasn’t a single person watching from their TV screen that didn’t feel connected to both his performance and their own cultural background.
He demonstrated how boisterous and hardworking our people are. It was a beautiful love letter to the Hispanic and Latino communities.
His final shout out to every North and South American country showed his sense of pride to be Puerto Rican and that, “together we are America.”
