Zero ranked teams played last night, but there was a great collection of solid bubble or NIT caliber teams who matched up, as well as some strong mid-major matchups. Here’s the recap, and be ready for a SPECTACULAR weekend of college hoops, with an amazing Friday night slate, while Saturday is always entertaining!

Games of the Day

The best game of the year was definitely Grand Canyon vs. Arizona State. In this Arizona team matchup, the Sun Devils were able to pull out the win, 87-76, despite Grand Canyon leading early on. Arizona State was led by freshman guard Joson Sanon, who was spectacular, scoring 21 points on 8/12 shooting and 5/7 from three. Basheer Jihad added 18 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists, including 9/11 from the free throw line, and Alston Mason poured in 16 on 5/9 shooting and 5 assists as well. For the Lopes, this was a definite off game, with leader Tyon Grant-Foster scoring 19 with 7 boards, 3 assists, and 4 steals, but on 5/17 shooting. Guard Ray Harrison played well, with 15 points and 6 assists, and TCU transfer forward JaKobe Coles had 17 points on 6/6 from the field, but fouled out of the game and was in foul trouble throughout, limiting his time on the court. Overall, this was a great sign for ASU, and not the end of the world for GCU, who is still getting guys back from injury.

The two largest name programs that played were LSU and Kansas State, with LSU beating KSU 76-65 in Manhattan. Former Kansas State guard Cam Carter carried LSU in his revenge game, scoring 20 points on 6/11 shooting. Also contributing for the Tigers was UT Martin transfer Jordan Sears, who had 15 points, 7 boards, and 5 assists, shooting 50% from the field, and freshman VJ Miller, adding another 15 on 6/9 shooting. It was tough sledding offensively for the Wildcats, with only 2 players in double digits, Dug McDaniel and David N’Guessan, who had 16 points a piece, N’Guessan on 6/10 from the field, and McDaniel on 7/15.

The underrated matchup of the night was Northern Iowa vs. Wichita State, a former Missouri Valley Conference rivalry, which ended in a Shockers victory, 79-73. Georgia transfer Justin Hill continues to be vital for them, with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. The leader offensively for WSU was St. Peters transfer Corey Washington, who scored 19 points while also grabbing 6 boards. For the Panthers of UNI, center Jacob Hutson put up a 22 point game, being joined in double digits by guard Tytan Anderson, who had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, as well as Ben Schwieger, who scored 12 in this one.

Other Top Performances

• Abou Ousmane, a Xavier transfer, put up 18 points, 4 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks for Oklahoma State in their 85-78 win over Southern Illinois
• Jalen Hill scored 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals, leading UNLV to a win over Omaha, 80-69.
• Pacific lost to Northern Arizona 60-57, but Elias Ralph still put up a good performance, with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, on 50% shooting from the field.
• Missouri absolutely demolished Mississippi Valley State, 111-39, and Duke transfer Mark Mitchell was apart of it, scoring 13 points, while also grabbing 5 steals.

One of (hopefully) two posts coming today! In other news, Bowdoin Basketball took the win in their first game of the year, beating Curry College 75-58, led by freshman Liam McBride with 15 off the bench, including 3 straight threes in his first collegiate game!

(P.C. LSU MBB)