Auburn's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, falling 84-78 to Duke in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Freshmen played a significant role, with Duke's Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans scoring a combined 39 points, while Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford led his team with 20 points. Duke dominated in key areas, forcing turnovers and scoring 20 second-chance points. Auburn, now 7-1, will face Richmond next and participate in the Holiday Hoopsgiving against Ohio State.
Stats Perform has announced 25 finalists for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the top freshman in FCS college football. The award, named after Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, is in its 14th season and has previously been awarded to notable players like Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance. The winner will be announced on December 4 and honored at the Stats Perform National Awards Banquet on January 4 in Frisco, Texas.
Two UNC basketball freshmen, James Brown and Ian Jackson, will miss the game against American due to lower leg injuries. Jackson has been a key bench player, while Brown made an impact in his debut against Kansas. With a week off after the game, UNC hopes both players will recover before their upcoming trip to Hawaii.
In a wrestling dual where Stanford lost to Iowa 32-9, freshmen Tyler Knox and Lorenzo Norman achieved significant upsets. Knox defeated NCAA runner-up Drake Ayala 15-10 at 133 pounds, while Norman secured a 4-1 victory over All-American Nelson Brands at 174 pounds. Both wrestlers had impressive redshirt seasons and are now making strong starts to their collegiate careers, positioning themselves as potential All-American contenders.
BYU's men's basketball team, under new coach Kevin Young, opened their season with a dominant 88-50 victory over Central Arkansas, showcasing the talent of their highly-touted freshmen. Five-star recruit Egor Demin impressed with 18 points and 11 assists, while four-star recruit Kanon Catchings added 17 points. Despite a slow start, the team found their rhythm, with contributions from Richie Saunders and Mihailo Boskovic. The game highlighted the potential of the young squad as they prepare for their next match against UC Riverside.
Day 2 of the NCAA women’s tournament saw dominant performances from blue-blood programs UConn and Tennessee, with UConn's Paige Bueckers making a triumphant return. Freshmen players shined, Iowa's supporting cast stepped up, and Syracuse's Dyaisha Fair showcased heroic scoring despite an injury scare. Despite some close calls, there were no upsets on Saturday, going against the current trend of parity in women's basketball.
Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman is cautious about praising the 15 scholarship freshmen who joined the program in January, emphasizing that each player's journey is different. He highlighted the journeys of former players Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison as examples. Freeman also discussed the team's tight end usage and evaluated the safety options, expressing confidence in the coaching staff. The official athletic director transition from Jack Swarbrick to Pete Bevacqua will take place on Monday, with Freeman expecting an easy transition and expressing gratitude for Swarbrick's mentorship.
Kentucky's surprising first-round NCAA Tournament exit serves as a cautionary tale for Rutgers, highlighting the potential pitfalls of relying solely on elite freshmen. The trend of freshmen leading teams deep into the tournament appears to be waning, with the current landscape favoring a mix of experienced veterans and strategically chosen freshmen. The rise of the transfer portal and NIL era has shifted the dynamics of college basketball, emphasizing the importance of roster construction and the need for a balanced team composition.
Caitlin Clark of Iowa earns her third straight AP All-America team honor, joined by freshmen JuJu Watkins of USC and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame, along with Stanford's Cameron Brink and UConn's Paige Bueckers. Clark, the NCAA's all-time scoring leader, led the nation in scoring and assists, while Watkins and Hidalgo made significant impacts in their freshman seasons. Brink and Bueckers also stood out, with Brink being a dominant force at both ends and Bueckers returning to form after previous injuries.
ESPN's latest mock draft features two Kentucky Wildcats freshmen, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, as lottery picks, with Dillingham going third to the San Antonio Spurs and Sheppard 12th to the Chicago Bulls. Ugonna Onyenso is projected to go early in the second round to the Memphis Grizzlies, just eight spots away from a first-round pick, while DJ Wagner is pegged as the 27th pick for the Washington Wizards. The mock draft also includes Justin Edwards at No. 51 to the Indiana Pacers, but excludes 5-star recruit Aaron Bradshaw and standout player Antonio Reeves.
Kentucky basketball's win over UNC showcased the team's talented freshmen and echoed the glory years of coach John Calipari. The Wildcats' victory, led by freshmen guards Rob Dillingham and Aaron Bradshaw, demonstrated their ability to make clutch plays and close out games. With a record of 8-2 and quality wins over Miami and North Carolina, Kentucky's resurgence is evident. The team's modernized pace-and-space approach, combined with the addition of a post presence, has contributed to their success. Calipari's willingness to let his young players shine, reminiscent of his coaching of John Wall and Malik Monk, has been a key factor in the team's performance.
Kentucky basketball's win over UNC showcased the team's talented freshmen and echoed the glory years of coach John Calipari. The Wildcats' victory, led by their young stars, demonstrated their ability to make crucial plays down the stretch and regain control of the game. Kentucky's freshmen scored the majority of the team's points and showcased their potential for future success. With a record of 8-2 and quality wins under their belt, the Wildcats are showing signs of a resurgence under Calipari's guidance.
No. 14 Kentucky defeated No. 9 North Carolina 87-83 in the CBS Sports Classic, with freshmen leading the way for the Wildcats. Kentucky's top four scorers were all freshmen, contributing to their 36-14 bench points advantage. Despite a late charge from North Carolina, Kentucky's depth and versatility proved to be the difference. This win solidifies Kentucky's rotation depth and highlights their talented core of freshmen, while North Carolina's R.J. Davis continues his impressive scoring streak.
As the college basketball season progresses, several freshmen have emerged as standout players. Reed Sheppard of Kentucky has seen his stock rise with impressive offensive and defensive performances. Isaiah Collier of USC has showcased his scoring ability and playmaking skills. Ja'Kobe Walter of Baylor has been a key contributor to the team's undefeated record. Robert Dillingham of Kentucky has displayed his speed and scoring prowess. Malik Mack of Harvard leads all freshmen in scoring and assists. Other notable freshmen include Carlton Carrington of Pittsburgh, Josh Hubbard of Mississippi State, Myles Rice of Washington State, Aden Holloway of Auburn, and Milan Momcilovic of Iowa State.
Ohio State's dominant victory over Michigan State allowed head coach Ryan Day to play 13 true freshmen, including Malik Hartford who started in place of the injured Josh Proctor and recorded a career-high four tackles. Freshman quarterback Lincoln Kienholz made his debut, completing two passes for 18 yards, while tight end Jelani Thurman caught his first career receptions. Carnell Tate extended his catch streak to six games, and Jermaine Mathews Jr. showcased his potential in the defensive backfield. Overall, 14 of Ohio State's 21 scholarship true freshmen have seen playing time this season.
