In Trump country, suburban grandmas push back against ICE

HAMILTON, OH ‒ A group that's grown almost 70-strong shows up weekly to commissioner meetings in this conservative Ohio county toprotest officials' agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

They're mostly grandmas.

"I'm here because I'm outraged. I'm here because I'm angry," Cassie Stevens, who lives in Hamilton, said at a Butler County Commissioners meeting on Nov. 18. "I'm here because I need to be able to look my grandkids in the eye and say I did not remain silent."

For 17 weeks, this group of Butler County residents has spoken at the commissioners' meetings in Hamilton. They want commissioners to cancel Sheriff Richard Jones' March agreement with ICE, which allows theButler County Jail to detain people facing deportation.

Commissioners authorized the agreement, which bringsmillions of federal dollars to the county.

At the latest commissioners' meeting, more than 70 people sat, stood and spilled through the doors. Most were White women who sported silver and white cropped hair. After the meeting, they took their protest outside, braving the November rain with fleece jackets and handmade signs.

Commission meetings prompt residents to band together

Sharon Meyer, who lives in Hamilton, criticized the county's agreement with ICE and said it sends one message: "If you don't look like us, bring a passport to Butler County."

Some people cried as speakers shared their neighbors', friends' and grandchildren's classmates' fears about ICE arrests and detentions. Toward the end of the meeting's public comment portion, and after one commissioner told them not to, critics of the contract broke into song: "America the Beautiful."

Anne Jantzen, 82, who lives in Seven Mile, first began attending commissioners meetings over the summer to protest the county's agreement with ICE. There, she met others with the same beliefs and started an email chain.

"They said, 'I heard about you and I want to be part of this,'" she told The Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, after the meeting.

Their group, Butler County for Immigrant Justice, ranges in age from 60 to 85, she said. Retirees are more likely than younger people to be able to attend commissioners meetings, which are held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

"I can do it; therefore I need to," Jantzen said.

The meetings are also streamed online, but speakers must be present to make a public comment.

A 'dirty money contract'

President Donald Trump won Butler County in 2024 with 62% of the vote. The federal government'sextra funding for the Butler County Sheriff's Officebegan to arrive this month.

Stevens, a member of Butler County for Immigrant Justice, called the agreement a "dirty money contract" and said it has "emboldened racists."

"They use the dehumanizing term 'illegals' just like they use the n-word," she said.

Melanie Stearns, who lives in Hamilton, said the county's cooperation with ICE has given the region a bad reputation. The sheriff's office is the only one in Ohio with a Jail Enforcement Model agreement, according tocurrent ICE contracts, which allows the Butler County Jail to hold ICE detainees for extended periods of time.

"We look like idiots, just like we did withthe cats and JD Vance," she said, referring to the vice president's comments last year that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, about an hour north of Butler County, were eating pets. Vance was raised in Butler County's Middletown.

Resident, Jay Stevison, who joined the group after the meeting, got teary-eyed as he spoke about his three grandchildren, who, he said, have a Latino parent.

"I would have to defend them with my life if ICE tried to take them," he said.

Commissioners give reasons for not canceling ICE contract

Twenty residents spoke out against the contract for about an hour. None spoke in favor of it.

The three commissioners, all Republicans, responded.

Commissioner Cindy Carpenter, who has served on the board since 2011, said the sheriff "alone" sets policies, determines operations and makes decisions about cooperating with federal agencies, including ICE.

But the sheriff is not an independent contractor, said Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser. Jones' office needs commissioner authorization to sign most contracts and agreements, as was done for the ICE agreement.

In a phone call with The Enquirer the day after the meeting, Carpenter said commissioners aim to facilitate county operations without inserting their own political opinions.

"We would lose a lot of credibility with our officeholders if we started undermining their judgment," she said.

The resolution passed by commissioners in February amended the sheriff's agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service to allow the jail to hold ICE detainees. Commissioners could take action to cancel the agreement. The ICEdocumentsays either party can terminate or suspend the agreement.

Commissioner T.C. Rogers,citing CNN coverage, said there is a need for ICE arrests because of a 2023 surge of migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. That surge wasdeclining under President Joe Biden and has slowed even furtherunder Trump.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer:Suburban grandmas protest ICE contract in Trump-voting Ohio county

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December 01, 2025

In Trump country, suburban grandmas push back against ICE

HAMILTON, OH ‒ A group that's grown almost 70-strong shows up weekly to commissioner meetings in this conservative Oh...

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Israeli PM Netanyahu requests pardon in ongoing corruption trial

Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuformally requested a pardon in his long-running corruption trial, arguing it was in the "public interest."

In a letter addressed to President Isaac Herzog, Netanyahu wrote that his trial has become "a focal point of fierce controversy" for which he bears "broad public and more responsibility, with an understanding of the overall ramifications of these events."

Netanyahu said it was in his "personal interest" to prove his innocence in the ongoing trial, but "the public interest dictates otherwise." The letter was dated Thursday but submitted and publicized on Sunday.

As Israeli head of state, Herzog has the sole mandate to issue pardons. His office confirmed it received the request, and Herzog would "consider it with great care and responsibility."

In the one-page letter, Netanyahu does not include an admission of guilt or make any commitments about his political future. He has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

The formal request for a pardon is a reversal for the long-time Israeli leader, who has said the indictments would collapse and that he would prove his innocence in court.

"Faced with the security challenges and diplomatic opportunities currently before the State of Israel, I am committed to do everything in my power to heal the rifts, achieve national unity, and restore public trust in the state's institutions," Netanyahu wrote, "and I expect all branches of government to do the same."

In a statement on Monday, Herzog said he would consider the request "in the most correct and precise manner" while acknowledging that it is "clearly provoking debate and is deeply unsettling for many people in the country, across different communities."

'Only someone guilty asks for a pardon'

The opposition were quick to criticize the request from Netanyahu who has faced accusations of stoking rifts within Israeli society – against the Arab population and the left in particular – as well as prolonging the war in Gaza for his own political gain.

Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel's opposition, urged Herzog to reject the pardon request, at least in its current form. "You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and an immediate withdrawal from political life," Lapid said in a video statement.

Head of the left-wing Democrats party Yair Golan said on X, "Only someone guilty asks for a pardon. After eight years of trial, when the cases against him have not collapsed, Netanyahu is now asking for a pardon."

But Netanyahu's political allies came out in favor of the pardon. Far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir supported the request, saying in a statement it is "critical for the security for the security of the state."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump once again weighed in on the case with his own letter to Israel's president, asking for a pardon for arguably his most vocal international cheerleader.

"I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister, and is now leading Israel into a time of peace," Trump wrote in a letter distributed by the Israeli president's spokesperson.

A Channel 12 poll conducted in mid-November after Trump's letter to Herzog suggested that 48% of the Israeli public oppose an unconditional pardon, while 44% support it. The remaining 8% said they did not know.

According to the Israel Democracy Institute, the president's pardon authority in Israel is subject to his broad discretion. But, in general, pardons are only issued after an individual has already been convicted.

"The possibility that the President might pardon someone before or during trial risks turning the President into an authority that bypasses the law-enforcement and judicial system," wrote Dana Blander, a research fellow at the institute. "The rule is that the President acts as a 'compassionate authority' only after all other authorities have spoken."

Netanyahu is the first incumbent prime minister in the history of Israel to face criminal prosecution while in office. His trial began in May 2020 in three separate cases.

Inthe most serious casehe is charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust for allegedly advancing regulatory benefits worth the equivalent of more than $250 million at the time to his friend Shaul Elovitch, who was the controlling shareholder for the telecommunications company Bezeq. In return, the prosecution claims, Elovitch ensured positive coverage of the prime minister in an online news site he owned called Walla! News. Elovitch has denied the charges.

Netanyahu's own testimony started in December 2024 but has been subject to repeated delays and cancellations, the majority of them at his request. Given the remaining stages of the trial, which include testimony, judgment and potential appeals, the proceedings are expected to continue for several more years.

There is no deadline for Herzog to make a decision regarding a pardon.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the pardon request letter was dated Thursday but submitted on Sunday.

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Israeli PM Netanyahu requests pardon in ongoing corruption trial

Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuformally requested a pardon in his long-running corruption trial, arguing it was in the "publi...

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19-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Lioness at Zoo in Front of Other Visitors After Scaling 20-Foot Wall into Enclosure

Gerson de Melo Machado was mauled to death by a lioness after sneaking into the big cat's pen at a zoo in Brazil on Sunday, Nov. 30

NEED TO KNOW

• Machado, 19, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia, had previously attempted to sneak onto a flight to Africa to pursue his dream of training lions

• "My feeling is one of total powerlessness, and this feeling causes enormous pain in my soul," child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira said of Machado's death
  

A teenager was mauled to death by a lioness after sneaking into the animal's pen in front of fellow visitors at a zoo in Brazil.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, Gerson de Melo Machado climbed a wall about 20 feet high to break into the big cat's enclosure at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa, Paraíba, local news outletsO Correio Brazilense,O GloboandFolha de São Pauloreported.

The botanical zoo, which is home to hundreds of animal species, confirmed Machado, 19, was mauled to death in a news release shared onInstagram.

Thao Pham / 500px / Getty

"Once the incident was confirmed, the park was immediately closed, following all safety protocols," the zoo wrote. "The teams mobilized the competent authorities and provided the necessary support for the service and work of the experts."

ary mattos/Getty

The zoo announced that it would remain closed amid the ongoing investigation into the incident, while reassuring visitors that it has "strict" safety standards.

"The Arruda Câmara Park is in solidarity with the family of the boy who passed away, deeply regrets the loss and wishes strength at this difficult time," the news release concluded.

The zoo's security team allegedly attempted to stop Machado as he climbed into the lioness' enclosure, but he moved too quickly,O Correio Brazilensereported, citing a statement from the City Hall of João Pessoa. The state's Civil Police forensics team has not yet ruled out that his actions may have been suicidal.

Machado had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been in several institutions, perO Correio Brazilense. He came from a family with a history of mental health issues and grew up in "extreme poverty."

Child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira told the outlet that all four of his siblings were adopted except for him when they were removed from their mother's custody and placed for adoption while he was still very young.

He went on to have several run-ins with the police throughout the years, having begun to steal in his childhood. Just last week, Machado allegedly came to Oliveria for help with seeking employment after being released from prison.

"He was 19 years old, but when he spoke, I believe his cognitive ability was no more than that of a 5-year-old,"  Oliveria toldO Correio Brazilense.

She recalled that Machado previously snuck into the landing gear of a plane heading towards Africa in pursuit of his dream to tame lions, but was detected and referred to the Child Protective Services at the airport.

"Gerson is the result of a system that always excluded him; he's been caged for years. Today was the culmination of a 'Chronicle of a Death Foretold,' " Olivieria told the outlet of his death. "I hope the lesson remains and that the countless Gersons we care for every day have a happier ending. My feeling is one of total powerlessness, and this feeling causes enormous pain in my soul."

jamesphillips/Getty

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Following Machado's death, Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara shared an update on the lioness in a news release shared onInstagram.

"Leona, the lioness at Arruda Câmara Park, is doing well and will continue to receive all necessary care," the zoo wrote. "After the incident, she was immediately evaluated by the technical team and remains under continuous observation and monitoring, as she experienced a high level of stress.

"It is important to emphasize that euthanasia was never considered," the zoo continued. "Leona is healthy, does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident, and will not be euthanized. The protocol in situations like this provides exactly what is being done: monitoring, behavioral assessment, and specialized care.

"The Bica team, veterinarians, handlers, and technicians are fully dedicated to Leona's well-being, ensuring that she recovers, stabilizes emotionally, and resumes her routine safely," the zoo concluded.

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19-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Lioness at Zoo in Front of Other Visitors After Scaling 20-Foot Wall into Enclosure

Gerson de Melo Machado was mauled to death by a lioness after sneaking into the big cat's pen at a zoo in Brazil on S...

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NFL Week 13 winners and losers: Colts losing contender status as crisis hits

Sunday's slate wrapping upWeek 13in theNFLessentially amounted to being fed Thanksgiving leftovers.

The league loaded up on captivating matchups for both the holiday itself and Black Friday. But that setup left the weekend a little light on marquee showdowns.

Still, while there might not have been much drama in specific games on Sunday, things appear to be setting up for a fascinating finish over the final five weeks of the regular season.The playoff pictureshifted substantially inWeek 13, and many divisions that once looked to have a runaway winner are getting unexpectedly close.

Here are the biggest winners from Sunday's action:

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

NFL Week 13 winners

Carolina Panthers

Having upended theGreen Bay Packersat Lambeau Field only to lose at home against theNew Orleans Saintsthe following week, thePanthershad already established themselves as capable of almost anything on a week-to-week basis. But a stunning31-28triumph over the previously NFC-leadingLos Angeles Ramsput Carolina over the top asthe NFL's agents of chaos.

The Panthers were largely content to chip away at the Rams with a steady ground game, but breakthroughs came via the air on a pair of fourth downs in the second half: first on a 33-yard scoring shot from Bryce Young to Jalen Coker, and another on a 43-yard touchdown connection with rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. What truly set Carolina apart from Los Angeles' past challengers, however, was the defense's playmaking streak. MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford was picked twice – with one takeaway returned by Mike Jackson for a touchdown – to double his interception total for the entire season, and his costly fumble on a sack while in field goal territory ended any chance at a rally.

Carolina still sits a half game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South lead with a less favorable setup down the stretch. But with two tilts against the four-time defending division champs in the coming weeks, the Panthers now have a legitimate shot at ending a seven-year playoff drought - so long as they skew closer to this extreme on their spectrum of possible performances. Given how low the ceiling has been in Carolina for years, that's volatility that the franchise will gladly take.

NFC playoff pandemonium

In the next month or so, talk about theKansas City Chiefsand other AFC powers might seem inescapable. But the bigger postseason entropy likely will be found in the other conference.

The Rams' loss cratered the power structure that was starting to emerge in the NFC, with theChicago Bearssurging to the No. 1 seed while theSeattle Seahawkscaught up to force another tie atop the NFC West. Three of the divisions feature only one game of separation between the leader and second-place team, and even the NFC East has renewed relevance with theDallas Cowboys' emergence coinciding with thePhiladelphia Eagles' stumbles. Seedings and berths truly seem like a toss-up, making for a highly entertaining – and consequential – final five weeks.

AFC South intrigue

The division has long been considered the NFL's least enticing foursome – at least on a national stage – with the winner annually destined for a Saturday afternoon wild-card slot. This year, however, the race for the AFC South crown might be one of the more noteworthy stories down the stretch. TheIndianapolis Coltsonce looked poised to wrap things up early, but their loss to theHouston Texanshelped vault theJacksonville Jaguars, who beat the Tennessee Titans, into first place. But this is still very much a logjam, with Indianapolis set to meet Jacksonville twice in the next four weeks before wrapping things up against Houston. Of course, barring some unexpected schedule flexing, don't expect a prime-time spotlight for the chase.

Adonai Mitchell

The 2024 second-round pick was largely seen as a mere toss-in to the Sauce Gardner trade between the Colts andNew York Jets, as Indianapolis made him a non-factor following his costly gaffes in aWeek 4loss to the Rams. On Sunday, however, Mitchell re-emerged for the rebooting Jets, notching a career-high 102 yards on eight catches to help power a27-24overtime win against theAtlanta Falcons. Missed opportunities for big plays downfield have dogged the receiver throughout his first two seasons in the pros, but he finally made good on his deep speed by hauling in a 52-yard heave from Tyrod Taylor, which was both New York's longest play from scrimmage his season and Mitchell's first career NFL touchdown. The Jets still need a suitable No. 2 next to Garrett Wilson for 2026, and it's not clear yet whether Mitchell can hold down that role. But he's making a strong case to Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand that he's a piece worth developing.

Mike McDaniel

When theMiami Dolphinsparted with general manager Chris Grier at midseasonbut opted to hang on to their embattled coach, they seemingly gave McDaniel a decent runway to turn things around. So far, he's taken advantage of that opportunity. A21-17win over the New Orleans Saints might not seem like it would move the needle much on his tenure, with Miami only fending off a comeback bid in the final two minutes once Minkah Fitzpatrick ran back an interception on a potential game-tying two-point conversion attempt by New Orleans. But the Dolphins have now won three consecutive games and set themselves apart from the league's bottom tier of teams. With a meeting against the Jets next weekend, McDaniel will have a shot at creeping closer to .500 before the schedule ramps up in the final four weeks.

NFL Week 13 losers

Los Angeles Rams

Since aWeek 5loss to theSan Francisco 49ers, Sean McVay's crew had essentially gone unchallenged, never having trailed since the first quarter ofWeek 6. That made Sunday's outcome all the more remarkable, as the Rams previously looked to be in a class of their own in the NFC.

With the uncharacteristic turnovers looming so large, it's difficult to say any true weaknesses were exposed here for Los Angeles. The secondary experienced a bit of regression to the mean, with cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. allowing both of the fourth-down touchdowns and a total of five receptions for 110 yards after an extremely stellar stretch. And the defense as a whole looks a bit adrift without standout safety Quentin Lake, who could be back for the playoffs after landing on injured reserve with a dislocated left elbow.

The larger issue for Los Angeles is the missed opportunity. The Rams had a chance to maintain their advantage over the rest of the NFC's top threats but instead ceded their spot at the front of the pack. And any further missteps could be costly, with Seattle ready to pounce for the division lead and the Eagles owning the head-to-head tiebreaker for seeding. With aWeek 15matchup with the desperate Detroit Lions looming before a potentially NFC West-shaping"Thursday Night Football"tilt against the Seahawks inWeek 16, this slip-up could end up being the difference between securing home-field advantage and having to hit the road for the entirety of the postseason.

Indianapolis Colts

Assign fault or extend qualifiers as you see fit. No matter how you arrive there, it's getting exceedingly difficult to keep the Colts in the NFL's contender class, with the team having lost three of its last four games after Sunday's20-16setback against the Texans.

In a vacuum, Indianapolis being held to a season-low scoring output by a stifling Houston defense wouldn't be cause for concern. But an offense that started out the season setting the league-wide high water mark for efficiency has shown serious signs of sputtering in recent weeks. As Daniel Jones plays on through a fractured fibula, the quarterback appears to be noticeably inhibited, particularly in his ability to extend plays or evade pressure. Coach Shane Steichen might not admit it, but that setup has taken a toll on an offensive approach that was becoming increasingly more risk-averse – and therefore unable to punish teams regularly through the air. Jones enjoyed some success in scattered instances working downfield, like with his 19-yard scoring strike to Alec Pierce or his 34-yard connection with Josh Downs. But Steichen's play-calling and Jones' limitations in extending plays have put Indianapolis in a spot where it barely threatens teams if Jonathan Taylor can't lead the way. In the Colts' three November losses, the back has been held to just 3.69 yards per carry.

The defense is also showing signs of unraveling. While Gardner appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario of a torn Achilles, his calf injury still could sideline him for a critical stretch. That's a major blow to a unit that had shifted its coverage approach to a much heavier dose of man coverage since his arrival. Meanwhile, the pass rush still isn't up to par, with the front lacking any juice beyond what coordinator Lou Anarumo can scheme up.

After a 7-1 start, Indianapolis finds itself having lost its grasp on the division lead. Worse yet, the schedule brings matchups with eight- or nine-win teams over the next four weeks before the season finale against the Texans. If the division falls through the Colts' hands, Indianapolis could be hard-pressed to find a path forward in the near future after giving up its next two first-round picks in the Gardner deal.

Max Brosmer

The Minnesota Vikings' undrafted rookie quarterbackwas forced into an impossibly unfair spot in having to make his first start against the Seattle Seahawks' swarming defense, all while the offense around him continued to come undone. Brosmer hardly deserves to bear the brunt of the blame for the26-0rout, but his four interceptions also put to rest the notion that the unit could be saved merely by extracting J.J. McCarthy from behind center. Desperation set in quickly, with a fourth-down fling caught by Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV and returned 85 yards for a score serving as a harbinger for the hurting that would be inflicted in the shutout. Minnesota's offensive outing was so inept that it essentially rendered any Sam Darnold revenge plot lines moot, as the signal-caller registered a season-low 128 yards on 14-of-26 passing but didn't need to give his new team anything more. If McCarthy can clear concussion protocol in the next week or two, Minnesota has little choice but to turn back to him and continue gaining insight on whether a full reset is required.

Aaron Rodgers

When thePittsburgh Steelerssigned Rodgers in June, it figured Pittsburgh would be able to scale back its ask of the 41-year-old by equipping him with abundant support. But a26-7home flop against theBuffalo Billsreinforced how badly almost every level of the operation - particularly on offense - has failed to do its part.

Pittsburgh managed just 166 total yards on Sunday, including the rushing attack mustering just 58 against a Bills defense that has been repeatedly gashed on the ground. The game was broken open at the start of the second half when Rodgers, while trying to buy time against the oncoming pass rush by maneuvering in the pocket, was pummeled by Joey Bosa, who forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Christian Benford. From there, the Steelers proved unable to climb out of a hole, as the bloodied four-time NFL MVP's fractured wrist - and left tackle Broderick Jones' absence - seemingly exacerbated the offense's inability to get anything going in the downfield passing game.

Rodgers stood by Mike Tomlin after the loss, but it became clear that frustration is mounting, with the quarterback demanding that players – including himself – be held accountable. That's a good start, but it seems unlikely the missing spark will be ignited simply by willpower given how this team has been built. If Pittsburgh falters next week against the rival Baltimore Ravens and surrenders further ground in the AFC North, the team - and Rodgers - will have to face some uncomfortable realities about where this season is headed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL Week 13 winners, losers: Colts lose contender status amid crisis

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December 01, 2025

NFL Week 13 winners and losers: Colts losing contender status as crisis hits

Sunday's slate wrapping upWeek 13in theNFLessentially amounted to being fed Thanksgiving leftovers. The leag...

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Michigan's big statement leads winners, losers from college hoops holiday week

It took Dusty May five seasons before he turnedFlorida Atlanticinto a Final Four team.

At Michigan, it may just take two.

Over three days in Las Vegas, theWolverinesproved they are a national championship contender after a dominant showing in the Player's Era Festival.

The showing came after Michigan had struggled in the first few weeks of the season with close wins against Wake Forest and TCU. There were questions about how the Wolverines would fare in the 18-team tournament loaded with ranked teams. Those doubts went away as fast as chips at a blackjack table.

Michigan blew out San Diego State and No. 25Auburnby a combined 70 points to earn the spot in the championship game against No. 10 Gonzaga. The Bulldogs had also been impressive over two games in Sin City, making the matchup billed as a meeting of a possible Final Four opponents.

Instead, it looked like a No. 1 seed playing against No. 16. Michigan jumped out to a 20-5 lead in the first five minutes and never looked back in a 40-point over the Bulldogs, the biggest loss in the Mark Few tenure.

It's hard to grasp how exceptional Michigan looked with its closest game the 30-point defeat of Auburn.

Yaxel Lendeborg showed why he was the top transfer in the country with 52 points and 22 rebounds in the three games, and the 6-foot-9-inch forward just one piece of what is a long lineup that features 7-foot-3-inch Aday Mara and 6-foot-9-inch Morez Johnson Jr.

Is it early to declare a national championship favorite? Probably, with Selection Sunday more than three months away. But it's hard to not laud Michigan after one of the most impressive three-day stretches you can have in November.

The Wolverines have sent a message to the rest of the country, and that's why they lead the winners and losers of Feast Week.

Winners

Kansas

Kansas had a favorable road in the Player's Era Festival and were set up to fail in the third-place game. Instead, Kansas proved it still is a contender with a perfect finish in Las Vegas.

After handling unranked Notre Dame and Syracuse, it felt like the the Jayhawks would have a rough outing against No. 16 Tennessee, which just knocked off No. 2 Houston. The result seemed locked when the Volunteers had a 12-point lead in the second half. That's when Kansas turned it on. Elmarko Jackson and Melvin Council Jr. combined for 27 second half points and shut down Tennessee for a massive 81-76 win.

It can't be overstated how much Kansas needed that win since it looked flat against North Carolina and Duke earlier in November. It felt like it was trending to another down year, but this game certainly gives Bill Self his mojo back, especially with standout freshman Darryn Peterson still sidelined. The Jayhawks can ride the momentum into big contests against Connecticut and North Carolina State in December.

Iowa State

The Cyclones were denied the Player's Era championship due to its unusual tiebreakers, but you can't take away what was an exceptional week in Las Vegas for T.J. Otzelberger's squad.

No. 13 Iowa State got a major test in the first game against No. 15 St. John's, and proved to be tougher in the final minutes for a major one-point victory over the Red Storm. The win did come at a cost with star guard and leading scorer Tamin Lipsey being injured late and missing the rest of the tournament.

It wasn't much of a problem. The Cyclones returned with a rout of Creighton, and took their frustrations out on missing out on the big prize in the Player's Era Festival by putting a beat down on Syracuse in the second half of a 31-point victory. Iowa State remains undefeated and gets two early Quad 1 wins to make its case for being among the Big 12 favorites.

There's a noticeable trend that the Big 12 had a great week, capped off by TCU's performance at the Rady Children's Invitational in San Diego.

The Horned Frogs have recovered from the season-opening loss against New Orleans. They nearly beat Michigan on Nov. 14, but got the job done last week with a key win over defending champion Florida on Thanksgiving Day. Against Wisconsin in the championship, the Horned Frogs kept a safe distance from the Badgers, never trailing despite 30 points from Badgers guard John Blackwell.

Credit Jamie Dixon's team for not letting the season get away, and the Horned Frogs become another team that makes the Big 12 a gauntlet of a conference.

Southern California

All aboard the Muss Bus? It wasn't a loaded Maui Invitational, but it's still impressive to win in Lahaina, and the Trojans are feeling the aloha spirit after winning the prestigious tournament.

USC powered pastBoise Stateand Seton Hall in its first two games, and in the championship, the offense shined in a comfortable win overArizona State. What's even more impressive is the win over the Sun Devils came without leading scorer Rodney Rice. That's when a guy that knows about winning the tournament in Chad Baker-Mazara stepped up. The Auburn transfer has transitioned well for USC and looked like the best player on the court with 23 points in the title game, earning tournament MVP.

Eric Musselman has been trying to bring some hype back to Los Angeles, and starting 7-0 will certainly help. The Trojans have the makings of an NCAA Tournament team, something it's trying to get back to after two straight seasons missing out.

Michigan State

Michigan wasn't the only team in the state to have a great week with No. 12 Michigan State picking up another ranked win to prove the Spartans still are a contender.

In the Fort Myers Tip-Off, the Spartans had a comfortable win over East Carolina, but the main attraction was the Thanksgiving matchup against No. 17 North Carolina. Both teams have impressed so far, and the winner would get another big boost. It was a back-and-forth first half, but Michigan State grabbed control before halftime and never let it go en route to a 16-point win over the Tar Heels.

That's now three ranked wins in the first seven games for Tom Izzo, and it's notable that two of those ranked victories were by double-digits. Michigan State is an experienced team and it shows, and it's the first undefeated November for the Spartans since 2015-16, and this team is capable of winning 30 games again this season.

Magic Johnson
college dominance: Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.
NBA: 5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Carmelo Anthony college dominance: In his lone season (2003), led Syracuse to a national championship and earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. Averaged 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game as a freshman.
NBA: 10× NBA All-Star. 2012–13 NBA scoring champion, averaging 28.7 points per game.

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Before NBA glory: How Jordan, Bird, Magic and Curry ruled in college

Magic Johnsoncollege dominance:Led Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA Championship, defeating Larry Bird's Indiana State.NBA:5× NBA champion in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 with the Los Angeles Lakers. 3× NBA Finals MVP in 1980, 1982 and 1987. 3× NBA Most Valuable Player in 1987, 1989 and 1990. 12× NBA All-Star: 1980, 1982-1992. 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1990 and 1992. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

LOSERS

Florida

A 1-1 showing in the Rady's Children Invitational is not what Florida had in mind. Instead of winning the four-team tournament, the Gators head back from the West Coast with more questions.

Things seemed to be going well against TCU until Florida's offense fell apart in the second half, leading to a head-scratching loss. The Gators were able to regroup for a win against Providence to avoid a disastrous time in San Diego.

It's obviously hard to defend a national championship, but Florida came into this season looking like it would be well positioned to do so with a mix of key transfers joining some veteran pieces. But it hasn't looked quite right since the season-opening loss to Arizona, and the Gators don't look anywhere near as dominant as last season's national championship-winning squad.

St. John's

Rick Pitino's magic in New York looks like its fading, with the hype surrounding St. John's coming to a screeching halt after a losing week in the Player's Era Festival.

The Red Storm fell in a thriller to Iowa State in the opening contest. There wasn't anything wrong with the loss, and they came back to beat Baylor in the second game, but the consolation round performance was troubling. After leading Auburn by nine points at halftime, the Tigers outscored St. John's by 20 points in the second half to win. A team that could've contended for a Player's Era crown instead went 1-2 in Las Vegas.

St. John's is now 4-3 in the young season looks suspect on defense. It's allow 76.4 points per game and gave up an astonishing 88 points against the SEC and Big 12 teams it has played this season. If it can't defend against top-tier teams, there won't be another big season for Pitino.

Oregon

The inaugural Player's Era Festival champion didn't get anywhere near an encore with a winless showing in the expanded field.

Oregon returned to Las Vegas and had double-digit losses to Auburn, San Diego State and Creighton. The Ducks returned two key pieces from last season's tournament team, but they haven't been able to put together solid performances. Jackson Shelstad struggled as he recovers from a broken hand, and big man Nate Bittle got hurt against San Diego State. The result led to sloppy performances throughout the week.

North Carolina State

There was a great opportunity for Will Wade to prove in Maui the Wolfpack were ready to get off to a fast start in his first season. Instead, NC State showed it still has some ways to go.

According to the rankings, NC State was the best team in the Maui Invitational, but ended up finishing in sixth place. The Wolfpack fell to Seton Hall before responding beat Boise State. In their final game, they allowed 102 points to Texas to head back to the mainland with a 1-2 record.

Defense is a glaring problem, but what is a real concern is Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams hasn't been the dominant player he can very easily be. It will go a long way if Williams can assert himself as one of the best players in the ACC, but at this point, the Wolfpack don't look like they can be a heavy contender yet.

Boise State

It's far too early in the season to be declared out of the at-large tournament discussion, but Boise State has a lot of ground to make up if it doesn't the Mountain West's automatic bid.

After the stunning season-opening loss to Division II Hawaii Pacific, the Maui Invitational provided for the Broncos to earn some quality wins, but they couldn't capitalize in their first two games. They played Southern California close in the opener before not being able to keep up with NC State the following day. That left Boise State in the last=place game against Chaminade, another game against a Division II school that won't count in the NET rankings.

What was a big moment for Boise State ended in a dud with no signature victory, and things are going to have to drastically change in Boise if the Broncos don't want to miss the tournament again.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College basketball winners, losers: Michigan makes major statement

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