All articles tagged with #ncaa basketball
The article provides predictions and key storylines for the 2025-26 NCAA basketball season, highlighting teams like St Thomas, Kansas, and Connecticut, as well as standout players such as Darryn Peterson and Sarah Strong, and discusses potential surprises and challenges for top teams.
The AP Top 25 preseason poll for women's college basketball 2025-26 season has been revealed, with UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and LSU ranked as the top five teams, reflecting expectations based on returning players, transfers, and coaching. The season begins on November 3rd, with teams adjusting to roster changes and new talent.
Tahaad Pettiford, a talented sophomore guard for Auburn, has decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to college for another season, citing a favorable NIL deal and the potential for a significant role on the team. Pettiford, who contributed to Auburn's deep NCAA Tournament run, is expected to be a key player in their upcoming season, especially with the team losing several seniors and adding transfers. His decision underscores his confidence in Auburn's prospects for 2025-26.
Yaxel Lendeborg, a top transfer from UAB, has decided to return to Michigan for his final college year, significantly boosting the Wolverines' prospects for the 2025-26 season, enhancing their roster with a versatile, elite defender and scorer, and representing a positive trend for college basketball and NIL opportunities.
The Tennessee Lady Vols set a new NCAA Division I record for most 3-pointers in a game, making 30 in their 139-59 victory over North Carolina Central. This achievement surpasses both men's and women's previous records of 28. Under new coach Kim Caldwell, the Lady Vols remain undefeated at 8-0, showcasing an aggressive style with frequent 3-point attempts. Samara Spencer led the team with nine 3-pointers, setting an individual program record. The Lady Vols also set a school record for points in a game and achieved their fourth-largest margin of victory.
The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team suffered their first loss of the season, falling 76-63 to Creighton in Omaha. Creighton's strong three-point shooting, led by Pop Isaacs' 27 points, and a solid performance from Ryan Kalkbrenner, who returned from injury, were key factors in the victory. Kansas struggled offensively, with Hunter Dickinson being largely neutralized and Dajuan Harris Jr. leading the team with 15 points. The Jayhawks will next face Missouri in the Border Showdown.
UConn's junior forward Alex Karaban suffered a head injury during the team's 85-67 loss to Dayton at the Maui Invitational, marking their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. Despite Karaban's strong performance, scoring 21 points, the Huskies, who are at risk of dropping from the Top 25, lost all three games against unranked teams. Karaban was taken to the hospital, but the team doctor anticipates a normal CAT scan. UConn faces upcoming challenges against Maryland Eastern Shore, Baylor, and Gonzaga.
The Kansas Jayhawks narrowly defeated the Duke Blue Devils 75-72 in a thrilling NCAA basketball game in Las Vegas. Despite losing star center Hunter Dickinson to a second-half ejection, Kansas held on with key contributions from Flory Bidunga, who forced a crucial turnover, and Rylan Griffen, who secured the win with late free throws. Dajuan Harris Jr. led Kansas with 14 points and nine assists, while Duke's Tyrese Proctor was the game's leading scorer with 15 points. The Jayhawks remain unbeaten and will next face Furman.
Rutgers maintained its undefeated streak with a 74-63 victory over Merrimack, despite struggling offensively against Merrimack's zone defense. Ace Bailey led the Scarlet Knights with a standout performance, helping the team to a 41.2% success rate on three-pointers and a 73.9% free throw completion rate. This win follows Rutgers' best offensive game under coach Steve Pikiell against Monmouth.
Mark Pope, in his first season as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, led the team to a significant 77-72 victory over Duke, marking Kentucky's first win against Duke since 2015. This victory, achieved in the Champions Classic, showcased Pope's effective coaching style and the team's resilience, despite trailing by 10 points at one stage. The win has energized the fanbase, who were previously frustrated under former coach John Calipari, and highlighted Pope's ability to build a cohesive and competitive team from scratch.
John Calipari, newly appointed head coach of the Arkansas men's basketball team, acknowledges the need for a new roster-building strategy after recent postseason failures at Kentucky. He plans to focus on older transfers and fewer freshmen, aiming to create a more experienced team. Calipari is optimistic about his fresh start at Arkansas, despite starting with no players or schedule, and is currently building the roster with a mix of top recruits and transfers.
The Tennessee Volunteers have secured a commitment from North Florida guard Chaz Lanier, a Nashville native and first-team All-ASUN selection, who chose Tennessee over Kentucky and BYU. Lanier, who averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, is expected to significantly boost Tennessee's chances of winning the SEC and making a deep tournament run. This move is a notable loss for Kentucky, which now looks to other prospects to fill their roster needs.
Former NC State forward DJ Burns Jr. has reportedly shed 45 pounds in six-and-a-half weeks through early-morning cardio workouts, dispelling rumors of using Ozempic. The 6'9" power forward, who led the Wolfpack to the Final Four, showcased improved stats during the NCAA tournament, sparking interest in both NBA and NFL. Despite speculation about a potential football career, Burns has firmly stated his focus on the upcoming NBA draft, scheduled for June 26-27 in Brooklyn.
Haley and Hanna Cavinder, known for their success in NCAA basketball and their extensive NIL portfolio, have announced their return to the University of Miami for their fifth and final season of collegiate eligibility. The twins initially planned to pursue opportunities outside of basketball but have decided to reunite on the court for one more season, citing their passion for the game and the opportunity to play together as siblings. Their return comes as Miami welcomes a new head coach, Tricia Cullop, and follows their impressive performance in helping the team reach its first-ever Elite Eight in 2023.
Caitlin Clark, projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, admitted that her nerves for her "Saturday Night Live" appearance were worse than playing in the national championship. During her surprise guest appearance on the show, she delivered jokes and expressed excitement for joining the WNBA, thanking the league’s legends for paving the way in women’s basketball. Despite her stardom in basketball, Clark's nerves off the court seem to need some work.