Evaluating College Basketball’s Opening Week
After a full week of college basketball, the period for knee-jerk reactions has come to an end.
Here’s a look at some notable winners and losers from the opening week of the sport.
The Wildcats kicked off the 2025-26 season with a notable victory, defeating the reigning national champions, Florida, 93-87 on opening night. It’s easy to see why Arizona is being talked about, especially with freshman forward Koa Peat putting on a remarkable show—he scored 30 points, gathered 7 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and snagged 3 steals.
Coach Tommy Lloyd’s squad might have had a bit of a slow start against Utah Tech on Friday, only leading by seven at halftime, but they eventually secured a 93-67 win. Peat still shined, contributing 18 points on just seven shots.
Arizona was projected to finish fourth in the Big 12’s preseason poll, but if the first week is any indication, they could pose a serious challenge to Houston’s championship aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels made a bold statement after crushing Central Arkansas by 40 points in their season opener. They followed that up with a solid win over Kansas State, taking it 87-74.
Much of the pre-game buzz centered around Kansas’ freshman standout Darrin Peterson, yet it was UNC’s Caleb Wilson, a McDonald’s All-American, who truly stole the scene. He impressive scored 24 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and made 4 assists and 4 steals, demonstrating why he’s a player to watch this season.
After the game, Wilson revealed that competing against Peterson held personal significance for him.
This season is surely a competitive one for Hubert Davis at Chapel Hill. While starting with a clear win is great, it’ll only be meaningful if they can build on it in their upcoming non-conference matchups.
Carolina has a significant opportunity in their upcoming games against Michigan State, Kentucky, and Georgetown as November turns into December.
While Arizona may have had the most dazzling win of the week—thanks to the excitement of opening night—Alabama arguably pulled off the biggest surprise after defeating fifth-ranked St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.
Despite off-season predictions suggesting Nate Oats’ team might struggle this season, they came out strong, showing dominance in a lively game where they clearly took control.
LaBaron Fillon made a notable impact, scoring 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, while teammate Aiden Holloway also had a solid night with 21 points.
St. John’s isn’t out of the race; Rick Pitino’s teams usually come together as the season progresses, which suggests that this loss might not be as detrimental as it looks now.
Should a loss to a top 25 team cause concern? Maybe, but the November stock report often focuses more on team vibes than fair assessments, similar to how College Football Playoff rankings operate.
The Razorbacks’ struggles with shooting and guard play re-emerged, as they managed just 7-of-28 from three-point range. Freshman guard Darius Acuff faced challenges, particularly with his shot selection and an ill-timed foul during a key moment.
Despite their potential, the Razorbacks’ inability to perform in crucial moments mirrored the narrative of John Calipari’s initial season in Fayetteville.
The Bruins’ performances have been, well, a bit inconsistent, aside from victories against Eastern Washington and Pepperdine. Nevertheless, head coach Mick Cronin seemed unbothered, asserting that the No. 10 team in the nation is merely working through early-season challenges.
Joking aside, he mentioned wishing for dismissal after the season’s first game.
It’s apparent that UCLA is grappling with the integration of Donovan Dent, a point guard focused on scoring, which requires a transition to be effective. Fans might feel anxious, but it’s just Week 1—yet the hope for a return to form feels further away.
No matter how much they might beat Merrimack in their second game, they can’t shake off negative headlines after a poor foul that led to an overtime against Bethune-Cookman.
A case could be made that Stephen Pearl is the right choice for the Tigers, but his first game left a few questions regarding potential performance moving forward.
