Fudd Around And Find Out

Episode: "A Fudd Around February Check-In"

Release Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Azzi Fudd
Co-Host: Ashanti Plummer
Podcast Produced by: iHeartPodcasts & Unanimous Media

Episode Overview

This episode is a candid, upbeat February check-in with UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd and co-host Ashanti Plummer. The duo reflect on recent historic moments in women’s basketball, survival tactics for the coldest winter in recent memory, the importance of Black History Month, team chemistry, recent UConn wins, breakout player performances, and the journey of podcasting and personal growth. The episode is sprinkled with joyful friendship, fan shout-outs, and authentic insights into student-athlete life, capped off with a game of "Sweet Tweets" and a “What the Fud” moment celebrating the women’s basketball boom.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Women’s Basketball on the Rise & Unrivaled Philly (01:54–03:02, 41:45–43:58)

• Azzi recounts the experience at Unrivaled Philly: The event drew a record-breaking 21,490 attendees, highlighting explosive growth in support for women’s basketball.
  • "It was like 21,490, which is honestly unbelievable. As someone who's been like a basketball fan my whole life to see how far the women's game has grown and...It was super special to feel a part of it." – Azzi (02:11)
  • Both hosts reflect on the emotional impact and excitement around the moment for women’s sports.
• What the Fud of the Week: Recognized Unrivaled Philly’s record attendance and Marina Mabrey’s 47-point game as a historic high point for women’s hoops. (42:30-43:58)

2. Surviving the Coldest Winter & College Life (03:10–05:50)

• Battling severe winter weather: Both Azzi and Ashanti discuss coping strategies, from thermals to staying inside, while joking about being peer-pressured to play in the snow for social media.
  • "Right now, I've just been getting around with literally 50 layers. I have thermals now!" – Azzi (04:08)
  • Lighthearted banter about snow days and a viral TikTok from team managers.

3. Is February the Worst Month? + Black History Month (05:01–05:37)

• Debate: Hot take from a producer about February being the worst month.
  • "No, my biggest reason is it's Black History Month...That alone makes it not the worst month for sure." – Azzi (05:16)
  • Both hosts celebrate February for Black History Month, and hope it warms up soon.
• Black History Month Fun Facts:
  • Azzi: “Negro History Week” began in 1926, evolving to Black History Month officially in 1976 (38:16–39:03).
  • Ashanti: Motown outsold Broadway and Hollywood in the 1960s (39:07–39:18).

4. Lessons from UConn Alums & Team Chemistry (06:08–08:31)

• Mentorship from Amy of Madison Reed:
  • Ashanti highlights Amy’s wisdom about building strong teams and not having to be the best at everything:
    • "She's not ashamed of not being necessarily the smartest person in every single aspect of work. And so she can find people around her that can make her better and make each other better..." – Ashanti (07:28)
  • Azzi connects Amy's advice on overcoming adversity to bouncing back in sports and life.

5. UConn Basketball Check-In (08:35–16:11)

• Reflecting on Tennessee Win:
  • Azzi praises the team’s performance—calling it a “revenge game” after last year’s loss to Tennessee.
    • "I was just proud of how we played as a team..." – Ashanti (09:01)
    • "It was the worst loss for Tennessee in history of the rap." – Azzi (09:57)
  • Azzi hypes Ashanti’s performance, noting she’s broken out of her “layup slump.”
• Team Growth & Roles:
  • Embracing roles leads to team success; breakout performance by Ali with 34 points off the bench (14:58).
    • "Just going off last game, the Tennessee game, people came in and off the bench, and they changed the game for us...Everyone loves their role, and that's what makes us work so well together." – Ashanti (13:03)
• Cottage Cheese Side Note:
  • Cottage cheese as Azzi’s go-to protein on the road draws chuckles and becomes a recurring bit throughout the episode. (11:32, 16:11–17:16)

6. Mental Toughness & Maintaining Prep (11:46–12:39)

• No shortcuts in preparation:
  • "Something that we, as a team, we pride ourselves in is not changing our preparation depending on who we play...But definitely when February comes around, at least for me, it's like, a lot more recovery, really trying to make sure I'm controlling what I can..." – Ashanti (11:57)
  • Emphasis on discipline during tough times in the season.

7. AMA: Fan & Producer Questions (21:27–34:42)

• Impact of Podcasting on Confidence:
  • Both hosts discuss stretching their comfort zones and personal growth from podcasting.
    • "Facing my fears and doing this has helped me step out of my comfort zone...What are other things that I can try and like?" – Ashanti (21:50)
    • "You’ll be surprised. I was also nervous at the beginning, but now I go into everything kind of like, hey, it’s just a conversation." – Azzi (22:35)
• Media Perspective:
  • Azzi and Ashanti express new appreciation for behind-the-scenes media work and control over their narrative (23:08–24:30).
• Locker Room Fun:
  • Best moment? "Really great TikToks" by teammates (24:47).
• Podcast Popularity:
  • Both are often surprised by who listens, from fans and young women to grown men in gyms (26:32–28:09).
• Off-mic favorite moments:
  • Hanging out with each other’s families and at All-Star weekend (28:32–29:51).
• Crossover Skills:
  • Podcasting boosts the courage to try new things in basketball and life (29:58).
• Favorite Guests:
  • Ashanti: "I really don't think there's a guest I haven't enjoyed,” highlights Gabby, Ryan, Malika Andrews, and the Stud Buds.
  • Azzi: Loves the positive, genuine energy of in-person episodes.

8. What They Want the Pod to Be (32:25–34:16)

• Vision for the Podcast:
  • Authenticity, fun, a peek inside real lives—nothing forced or clickbaity.
    • "It's like a documented history into our lives and it's just...light and fun." – Azzi (33:16)
• Bucket List:
  • "Will you ever get to ball with Adam Sandler?"
    • "Are you kidding me? I hope so. Like, that's bucket list material right there." – Ashanti (34:21)

9. Sweet Tweets: Fan Shout-Outs (39:36–41:56)

• Reading and reacting to fans’ favorite online comments:
  • "Ashanti and Az's friendship is just so endearing. Like Ashanti will really ride or die for az. I love their friendship period." – Read by Azzi (39:56)
  • Multiple tweets about cottage cheese, March Madness, and the positive energy the hosts bring.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On witnessing women’s basketball history:
  • "It almost made me a little bit emotional. You know what I mean? It's just like, we've come so far, and I'm just so proud and excited to see what's next for Unrival[ed] and just women's sports in general." – Azzi (02:23)
• On mental hurdles in sports:
  • "All slumps are mental...There’s no other way around it but just working on it in practice." – Ashanti (10:45)
• On teammate Ali’s record-setting game:
  • "Miss Girl had 34 points off the bench, the most in UConn history...I was blown away." – Azzi (14:58, 15:08)
• On friendship and support:
  • "Because it takes nothing to love your friends, okay? It takes nothing..." – Azzi (41:05)
• On podcasting as a growth experience:
  • "If I can do this, what are other things that I can do that I was worried about? So I think that's been really cool." – Ashanti (29:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Unrivaled Philly Experience: 01:54–03:02, 41:45–43:58
• Weather & Playing in the Snow: 03:10–05:50
• Black History Month/February Debate: 05:01–05:37, 38:16–39:33
• UConn Win Reflection: 08:35–09:57
• Breaking the Layup Slump: 10:45–11:26
• Cottage Cheese Shtick: 11:32; 16:11–17:16
• AMA (Producer & Fan Questions): 21:27–34:42
• Sweet Tweets: 39:36–41:56
• What the Fud of the Week – Philly Unrivaled: 42:30–43:58

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a vibrant, supportive, and authentic tone. Hosts Azzi and Ashanti balance lighthearted friendship with insightful, real talk about the challenges and joys of elite college athletics, media, and life. The episode is filled with playful teasing (especially about cottage cheese), hype for teammates, gratitude for fans, and honest encouragement for stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Their dynamic creates a “hang out with the team” feel that resonates with listeners across generations and backgrounds.

Summary Takeaway

A perfect February check-in: celebration, reflection, and realness from two stars on and off the court. Whether you are a UConn fan, women’s basketball supporter, sport/life podcast listener, or just someone craving a positive and authentic audio experience, this episode offers warmth, motivation, and a front-row seat to history in the making—plus plenty of jokes and cottage cheese.