Kentucky Tops Florida in High-Scoring SEC Opener
Koby Brea came off the bench to shine, delivering a career-high 23 points and sinking seven 3-pointers as No. 10 Kentucky edged out No. 6 Florida 106-100 in an electrifying Southeastern Conference opener in Lexington, Ky. The Wildcats showcased an impressive offensive display, shooting 48.3% from beyond the arc and 57.8% overall. Lamont Butler contributed 19 points and a career-high eight assists, while Otega Oweh chipped in 16 points for Kentucky. Florida kept it close, led by Walter Clayton Jr.’s stellar 33-point performance and 26 points from Alijah Martin. The Gators’ late push narrowed the gap to two points, but Butler’s clutch plays down the stretch sealed the Wildcats’ victory.
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Tennessee Dominates Arkansas to Stay Unbeaten
Chaz Lanier led No. 1 Tennessee with a season-high 29 points, helping the Volunteers cruise past No. 23 Arkansas 76-52 in Knoxville. Tennessee’s relentless rebounding effort, spearheaded by Igor Milicic Jr.’s career-best 18 boards, overwhelmed the Razorbacks, giving the Volunteers a commanding 51-29 edge on the glass. Zakai Zeigler added 12 points, seven assists, and three steals, solidifying Tennessee’s best start since 1922-23 with a 14-0 record. Arkansas struggled to keep up, with D.J. Wagner scoring 17 points and Boogie Fland contributing 12 points, but the Razorbacks’ 6-for-29 shooting from 3-point range proved costly.
Auburn Rolls Over Missouri in SEC Opener
No. 2 Auburn kicked off SEC play with authority, securing an 84-68 win over Missouri at home. Johni Broome was dominant with 24 points, four blocks, and numerous key plays, leading the Tigers to their fifth straight victory. Auburn’s Chad Baker-Mazara and Chaney Johnson chipped in 13 points each, while coach Bruce Pearl earned his 213th career win, tying Auburn’s all-time record. Missouri’s Marques Warrick tried to keep his team in contention with 19 points, but the Tigers from Columbia were outpaced in the second half, where Auburn’s decisive 12-1 run created an insurmountable lead.
Iowa State Cruises Past Baylor in Big 12 Clash
No. 3 Iowa State displayed their depth and control, overpowering No. 25 Baylor 74-55 in Ames. Keshon Gilbert led the way with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Milan Momcilovic added 15 points in the Cyclones’ ninth consecutive win. Curtis Jones contributed 14 points as Iowa State never trailed. Baylor’s offensive struggles were evident, with Jeremy Roach scoring 16 points but hitting just 6-of-17 shots. The Cyclones’ stifling defense held Baylor to 35.7% shooting and forced 14 turnovers.
Duke Overwhelms SMU Without Jon Scheyer
Even without head coach Jon Scheyer on the sidelines, No. 4 Duke dominated SMU 89-62 in Dallas, with assistant Chris Carrawell at the helm. Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg dazzled with 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel added 14 points each for the Blue Devils, who have now won five straight games. SMU’s Boopie Miller scored 21 points but had little help, as the Mustangs shot only 34.3% from the field.
Alabama Hands Oklahoma Its First Loss
No. 5 Alabama put on an offensive clinic, handing No. 12 Oklahoma its first defeat of the season with a 107-79 blowout in Tuscaloosa. Mark Sears was the catalyst with 22 points and 10 assists, while Labaron Philon added 16 points. Alabama’s balanced attack included four players scoring in double figures. For Oklahoma, Jalon Moore led with 20 points, but the Sooners struggled to contain Alabama’s high-octane offense, allowing 57.5% shooting from the field.
Texas A&M Surges Past Texas in Rivalry Win
In a heated Lone Star rivalry, No. 13 Texas A&M used a second-half surge to beat Texas 80-60 in College Station. Zhuric Phelps led the Aggies with 18 points, including seven during a pivotal 15-2 run early in the second half. Pharrel Payne added 15 points, and Wade Taylor IV chipped in 13 as the Aggies extended their winning streak to eight games. Texas, led by Tramon Mark’s 14 points, faltered after a strong first half, shooting just 6-for-24 in the second period.
Houston Stays Perfect at Home with Win Over BYU
No. 14 Houston maintained their dominance at home, defeating BYU 86-55 in a Big 12 matchup. Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 18 points, while Terrance Arceneaux provided a spark off the bench with 15 points. Houston extended their home winning streak to 30 games, fueled by a strong defensive effort and timely 3-point shooting. Trevin Knell paced BYU with 12 points, but the Cougars struggled against Houston’s suffocating defense.
Nebraska Stuns No. 15 UCLA at Home
Nebraska continued its home-court magic, toppling No. 15 UCLA 66-58 in Lincoln. Brice Williams scored 16 points for the Cornhuskers, who extended their home winning streak to 20 games, tying a program record. Nebraska capitalized on UCLA’s poor shooting night, as the Bruins hit just 14.3% of their 3-point attempts. Tyler Bilodeau led UCLA with 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Nebraska’s physical play and timely baskets.
Arizona Outlasts No. 16 Cincinnati in Tight Finish
Jaden Bradley’s clutch layup and free throws in the final minute helped Arizona secure a 72-67 road win over No. 16 Cincinnati. Bradley led the Wildcats with 15 points, while Carter Bryant added a season-high 14 points. The Bearcats, led by Dan Skillings Jr.’s 18 points, mounted a strong second-half rally but fell short in the closing moments.
Mississippi State Smothers South Carolina
Josh Hubbard found his shooting touch, scoring 21 points and hitting five 3-pointers as No. 17 Mississippi State dominated South Carolina 85-50 in Starkville. Claudell Harris added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs, who extended their win streak to seven games. South Carolina’s leading scorer, Collin Murray-Boyles, was held to just five points, and the Gamecocks shot a dismal 29.1% from the floor.
Gonzaga Rolls Past Loyola Marymount
Graham Ike and Khalif Battle powered No. 19 Gonzaga to a 96-68 win over Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Ike scored 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Battle added a season-high 26 points. Gonzaga shot 57.1% from the floor, extending their dominance over LMU with their 13th straight road win against the Lions.
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Ole Miss Shuts Down Georgia in SEC Opener
Jaemyn Brakefield and Matthew Murrell each scored 15 points as No. 24 Ole Miss defeated Georgia 63-51 in Oxford. Asa Newell recorded a double-double for the Bulldogs, but Georgia’s poor shooting — just 29.3% overall and 11.1% from 3-point range — sealed their fate. Ole Miss rebounded from a tough loss to Memphis earlier in the week, improving to 12-2 on the season.
