And similar to that, we’re again. The 2024-25 males’s school basketball season started Monday, as a number of the high groups in America, impactful transfers and new faces made their debuts. We may have referred to as this Cooper Flagg Day, too.
The 6-foot-9 freshman phenom and five-star recruit for Duke, whom LeBron James not too long ago referred to as the way forward for the NBA, has formally arrived. However these watching Flagg’s first collegiate matchup towards Maine did not see the fireworks that they had anticipated till 3:20 remained within the first half, when Flagg took flight and rose above the rim for the primary time. The true takeaway from Duke’s win, although, was that it will not be a one-man present in Durham, North Carolina, this season.
Elsewhere, Purdue acquired off to a sluggish begin within the post-Zach Edey period. Kentucky regarded easy underneath first-year head coach Mark Pope. Certainly one of school basketball’s most beloved gamers suffered an ankle injury. A top-15 Texas A&M squad needed to combat on the highway towards UCF.
Simply hours into the primary day of the season, the drama had already began. And that is why we love this sport. ESPN’s Myron Medcalf, Jeff Borzello and Joe Lunardi focus on the opening slate of males’s school basketball.
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Cooper Flagg sends Duke crowd into frenzy with one-handed jam
Cooper Flagg flexes his muscle mass after throwing down a one-handed slam to pad Duke’s lead over Maine.
How did Cooper Flagg carry out in his official school debut?
Jeff Borzello: Flagg confirmed the versatile, two-way capacity that has made him such a extremely touted participant. He completed with 18 factors, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals, doing most of his playmaking within the first half, then getting his personal pictures to fall within the second. He had 2 assists on Duke’s first three baskets and did not make his first shot from the sphere till simply over six minutes have been left within the first half. After the break, he was capable of get going downhill somewhat bit extra, ending on the rim or in transition or attending to the free throw line.
Flagg did not make any 3-pointers, lacking all 4 makes an attempt, however his 3-for-6 second-half effort from the sphere is extra indicative of the effectivity we anticipate from him shifting ahead. One other optimistic is the constant effort he confirmed on the defensive finish of the ground, a staple of the competitiveness that attracted coaches and scouts at the highschool degree.
How did Duke look total with its elite freshman class?
Myron Medcalf: Whereas Flagg dazzled with a handful of high-flying dunks, Kon Knueppel, the five-star recruit from Milwaukee, most likely provided the evening’s most shocking efficiency. He was aggressive on each ends of the ground, and he was environment friendly, going 8-for-14 with a game-high 22 factors whereas connecting on 38% of his 3-point makes an attempt. At 6-7, he is a terrific counter to Flagg. He additionally poses issues for any group that makes an attempt to focus its defensive efforts solely on the projected No. 1 draft decide.
Duke’s 7-2 freshman heart Khaman Maluach completed with 3 blocks, his presence forcing Maine into pictures it won’t have in any other case taken. He was additionally 3-for-3 from the sphere. The remainder of Duke’s freshman class did not get a ton of minutes, so it is tough to guage, however Knueppel and Maluach seem like threats alongside Flagg.
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UCF trustworthy storm courtroom after upset win over Texas A&M on opening evening
UCF followers storm the courtroom after the Knights’ 64-61 comeback win over No. 12 Texas A&M.
What stood out from different top-25 groups’ video games?
Borzello: The primary sport of the post-Zach Edey period at Purdue wasn’t overly spectacular. The No. 14 Boilermakers led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi by simply three factors with 6:20 left within the sport earlier than pulling away for a 17-point win. However Braden Smith did not miss a beat with out the two-time Picket Award winner. Smith completed with 12 factors, 8 rebounds and 15 assists, his third profession sport with 15 or extra assists
Medcalf: With the return of Wade Taylor IV, an All-SEC first group honoree final season, Texas A&M entered the season with convention title aspirations and goals of creating a deep run within the NCAA match. It may nonetheless occur, however the Aggies ended their first sport swarmed by a sea of followers within the first courtroom storm of the season after they misplaced to UCF in Orlando. Taylor completed 4-for-15, and the group made simply 31% of its 3-point makes an attempt and 37% of its area aim makes an attempt. Here is the quantity to look at going ahead: Texas A&M shot simply 40% from contained in the arc. Beneath Buzz Williams, the Aggies have by no means made greater than 50% of their 2-point makes an attempt in a season. That development may influence the Aggies this season, too.
Borzello: Kansas‘ win over Howard was noteworthy for a few rotation observations. Invoice Self constantly spoke about South Dakota State switch Zeke Mayo because the group’s most constant participant within the offseason, whereas Wisconsin switch AJ Storr was one of many high 5 gamers within the portal this previous spring. Neither began on Monday; Northern Illinois switch David Coit, an under-the-radar pickup, did. Mayo ultimately got here off the bench to attain 19 factors and bury 5 3-pointers. Self may tweak his lineup shifting ahead, nevertheless it was an fascinating begin nonetheless.
Borzello: In six video games with out Tyler Kolek final season, Marquette guard Kam Jones averaged 20.8 factors and 4.5 assists. If Monday evening is any indication, that may be his flooring this season. Within the Golden Eagles’ 102-62 win over Stony Brook, Jones completed with 32 factors, taking pictures 14-for-16 from the sphere and 4-for-6 from 3-point vary. He additionally made 3 assists. Shaka Sensible is giving him the liberty to run the offense, whether or not that is searching for his personal shot or creating for others. He’ll have the ball in his fingers, and Monday definitely will not be the ultimate time we see him hit 30-plus this season.
Which groups outdoors the highest 25 stunned you?
Medcalf: In a battle of potential future Cinderellas, South Dakota State upset Will Wade’s McNeese Cowboys squad on Monday 80-73. McNeese returned a number of key gamers from the earlier 30-win season. South Dakota State, led by head coach Eric Henderson, gained the Summit League title final season however misplaced Zeke Mayo, the Summit League Participant of the 12 months, to the switch portal. In his place, redshirt freshman Joe Sayler (18 factors) led the Jackrabbits, who had 4 gamers file not less than 12 factors within the win in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Borzello: We have seen what Rick Pitino can do when his group has a slew of massive, skilled perimeter gamers — and that is precisely what this season’s St. John’s group has on its roster. The Crimson Storm beat Fordham by 32 factors on Monday evening, getting 17 factors from potential breakout candidate Simeon Wilcher and 16 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists from No. 1 switch Kadary Richmond in his St. John’s debut. Maybe extra importantly for Pitino, the Johnnies turned 19 Fordham turnovers into 20 factors. This can be a group I’d remorse not having in my preseason high 25.
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Asa Newell skies for giant flush
Asa Newell skies for giant flush
Which gamers left an impression on you?
Borzello: Cooper Flagg wasn’t the one McDonald’s All-American final season at Montverde Academy (Florida) — Maryland huge man Derik Queen was one other. And Queen confirmed Monday why he was such an important recruit for Kevin Willard and the Terrapins. He completed with 22 factors and 20 rebounds — together with 6 on the offensive finish — in a win over Manhattan. In keeping with ESPN Analysis, Queen is the primary Maryland participant to go 20-20 since Joe Smith within the 1995 NCAA match; the one different participant previously 25 years to achieve these marks in his debut was Michael Beasley in 2007.
To not lean too closely into the previous Montverde participant development, however Asa Newell additionally had a unbelievable debut within the Georgia Bulldogs‘ win over Tennessee Tech: 26 factors, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, taking pictures 13-for-22 from the sphere. Newell put up gaudy numbers in Georgia’s preseason exhibition video games, and it is carrying over to the common season.
Harvard coach Tommy Amaker might need one other freshman star this season to observe Malik Mack — one among final season’s shock first-year gamers who averaged 17. 2 factors and 4.8 assists earlier than transferring to Georgetown. Robert Hinton generated some optimistic buzz within the preseason after taking part in nicely towards UConn in a scrimmage, and he opened his profession with 27 factors in a win over Marist.
What different storylines will you be watching this season?
Borzello: Robbie Avila‘s harm is one thing to observe. Saint Louis‘ star huge man twisted an ankle late within the Billikens’ loss to Santa Clara; he wanted to be helped to the locker room and did not return to the sport. He was seen on the bench within the ultimate minutes, along with his shoe off and ice on his ankle. Avila missed a lot of the preseason with a sprained ankle, and this could possibly be one other harm that retains him out just a few weeks. Avila was the fulcrum of among the best offenses within the nation final season on Josh Schertz’s Indiana State squad, and he was terrific towards Santa Clara previous to the harm, ending with 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. If Avila is out for an prolonged interval, Saint Louis won’t hit its stride till convention play.
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Robbie Avila pressured off with ankle harm in St. Louis debut
Try one of the best of Robbie Avila’s St. Louis debut earlier than he was pressured to go away the sport as a consequence of an ankle harm.
There was a shocking quantity of personnel information on opening day, headlined by the redshirt of Illinois guard Ty Rodgers, who began all 38 video games final season for the Combating Illini. Rodgers averaged 6.2 factors and 5.3 boards a season in the past, however a slew of perimeter arrivals — freshmen Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley, transfers Kylan Boswell and Tre White — has pushed Rodgers down the pecking order. Clemson freshman Dallas Thomas, a former ESPN 100 recruit, can also be redshirting, whereas Memphis ahead Tyreek Smith, who arrived this season after a 12 months at SMU, has determined to switch.
Lamont Paris put forth a Nationwide Coach of the 12 months-caliber marketing campaign final season, main South Carolina to a 15-win enchancment in his second season on the helm. By means of one sport in 2024-25, that magic has not carried over. The Gamecocks suffered a stunning 74-71 dwelling loss to North Florida. For context, North Florida hasn’t completed above .500 since 2020 and was picked seventh within the preseason Atlantic Solar ballot. Carolina was anticipated to take a step again, picked eleventh within the SEC within the preseason. However Paris and the Gamecocks have some work to do to even get to that time.
Which new head coach impressed or disillusioned most?
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Pope talks about soaking in his first win at UK
Mark Pope talks about how particular Kentucky nation is to him because the Wildcats make an announcement towards Wright State in Rupp Enviornment.
Medcalf: Mark Pope kicked off his first 12 months at Kentucky impressively. Within the first half of his group’s matchup towards Wright State, the Wildcats made 58% of their pictures, 44% of their 3s. 5 gamers had not less than eight factors earlier than the break. Kentucky completed with 103 factors. Jaxson Robinson is a possible future professional, however this system does not have a transparent star but. Which is OK, so long as UK continues to play selflessly within the former BYU coach’s offensive scheme that spreads the ground — 50% of BYU’s pictures final season have been 3s — and encourages gamers to push the tempo and assault the rim. It is a enjoyable model.
Borzello: In a vacuum, Louisville beating Morehead State by 48 factors in Pat Kelsey’s first sport on the helm is not purpose to get overly excited. However bear in mind how unhealthy the Cardinals have been the previous two seasons. This can be a program that suffered nonconference dwelling losses to the likes of Chattanooga, Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Wright State and Bellarmine throughout Kenny Payne’s quick tenure. On Monday, Louisville turned 21 turnovers into 29 factors and was led by South Florida switch Kasean Pryor‘s 18 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Tennessee involves city on Saturday.
Which groups’ NCAA match probabilities have been impacted most?
Lunardi: One of many first video games of the day was a possible bubble battle between Santa Clara of the WCC and Saint Louis of the Atlantic 10. Excessive expectations encompass each Jesuit faculties, with every doing every part attainable to craft a schedule worthy of NCAA at-large consideration. On Monday, that meant a neutral-site assembly in Sioux Falls, with the Broncos incomes an 85-78 victory. The Billikens have been hampered by one other harm to Robbie Avila however have been chasing the sport regardless. It’s totally early, however chalk up one assertion win for the WCC and a misplaced alternative for the A-10.
Beneath America’s outcast Will Wade, McNeese has generated loads of NCAA at-large speak. These prospects took a decent-sized hit on Monday following the 80-73 loss to South Dakota State. Sure, the sport was in Sioux Falls. Sure, the Jackrabbits have made the match two of the previous three years. However South Dakota State wasn’t picked to win the Summit League this time, and this was a sport the Cowboys merely needed to win. McNeese could have different probabilities — Alabama, Santa Clara and Mississippi State stay on the schedule — however low majors can nearly by no means take this type of hit.
