Category: Men’s college basketball

USC men’s basketball experiences its first Big Ten road atmosphere

USC absorbed a road atmosphere in an unexpected Big Ten location.

On Saturday evening against Michigan, USC men’s basketball experienced a Big Ten road atmosphere for the first time.

The Michigan fans were loud throughout the game. They cheered after their team’s baskets, and made noise when the Trojans were at the free throw line. Chants of “Let’s go Blue!” and “It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!” rang throughout the arena.

There was just one problem: The game was played at Galen Center in Los Angeles, more than 2,000 miles from USC’s campus.

The good news is that the fans came out in full force on Saturday. The announced attendance for USC-Michigan was 7,075, by far the highest for a Trojans home game this season.

The bad news for the Trojans is that at least half—if not more—of those were Michigan fans. In their first Big Ten home game against a non-former Pac-12 opponent, USC fans were outnumbered by the opposition in their own building.

Obviously, there are several things that should be noted. Michigan has a huge alumni network in Los Angeles. The game also took place during the middle of USC’s winter break, meaning that many students were not yet back on campus.

But still, to see the Trojans playing what felt like an away game in their own building was alarming. Hopefully it will serve as a wake up call to USC fans that this isn’t the Pac-12 anymore, and that they need to show out for each and every game.

Does Kentucky basketball have the nation’s best resume?

Kentucky basketball has an elite NCAA Tournament resume so far.

There’s an argument to be made that Kentucky basketball has the best basketball resume in the country.

Just 14 games into the season, the Wildcats already have three wins against teams ranked inside the top-10.

Kentucky took down second-ranked Duke 77-72 after some clutch defensive plays on November 12. They followed that up with a 90-89 comeback win against fifth-ranked Gonzaga on December 7 and a 106-100 footrace against the eighth-ranked Florida Gators this past Saturday.

As such, Kentucky is now the only team in the country with three wins against top-10 teams. Only two other teams in the top 10, the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, even have two.

The team’s two losses, to Clemson and Ohio State, are also to a pair of teams likely to make the NCAA tournament.

The strong start has pushed the Wildcats out to a 12-2 record. Plus, that win against the Gators means that Kentucky has started off 1-0 in SEC play.

The Wildcats play their next game tonight, as they’re slated to travel to Athens for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs.

UCLA men’s basketball drops in latest AP Top 25 poll

The Bruins fell in the polls after a poor shooting performance doomed them versus Nebraska.

After a hot start to the 2024-2025 college basketball season, the UCLA Bruins suffered their first loss in the Big Ten last weekend. Falling to the Nebraska Cornhuskers 66-58, the Bruins dropped in the AP Top 25.

The Bruins were previously ranked No. 15, but their loss to the Cornhuskers dropped them seven spots. Now ranked No. 22 in the nation, UCLA looks to rebound.

Though UCLA’s loss to Nebraska showcased many of its weaknesses, the loss served as a learning experience.

The Bruins’ abysmal 14.3% shooting performance beyond the arc proved that Mick Cronin and the UCLA coaching staff must change their approach. Cronin and Co. need to become multidimensional for the Bruins to have a long and successful run in both the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments.

Tied for sixth in the nation in scoring defense, the Bruins must lean into their defensive identity as the season progresses. If UCLA’s shooters go cold late in the season, playing sound basketball could be the only way forward behind veterans Dylan Andrews and Tyler Bilodeau.

With No. 24 Michigan coming to town, all eyes will be on the Bruins’ response as they try to collect their third win in the Big Ten.

UCLA hoops suffers first Big Ten loss, falling to Nebraska on the road

The Bruins leave Lincoln empty-handed.

In a low-scoring affair in Lincoln, the Nebraska Cornhuskers handed the No. 15 UCLA Bruins their first loss in the Big Ten this season, 66-58.

Now 11-3 on the season and 2-1 in the Big Ten, the Bruins’ loss on Saturday afternoon is one they wish they could have back.

Though UCLA finished with a better field goal percentage than the Cornhuskers (38.6 to 32.7), the Bruins’ inability to knock down threes plagued them from the jump.

The Bruins finished 4-28 from three-point range, with UCLA starters Sebastian Mack, Skyy Clark, and Dylan Andrews combining to shoot 0-11 beyond the arc.

Standout forward Tyler Bilodeau tallied 15 points and five rebounds but could not lift the Bruins to victory; foul trouble limited his production.

Sloppy execution on offense led to 15 turnovers and only six offensive rebounds for the Bruins. They struggled to keep pace with Nebraska’s production off the bench. The Huskers were plus-8 in bench points (23-15), and that was the final margin of victory for NU.

The Bruins will return home to Westwood next week as they try to get back in the win column against another Big Ten opponent, Michigan.

USC basketball flips four-star commit from Harvard

Eric Musselman is building his 2025 recruiting class and laying a foundation at USC.

Eric Musselman and USC men’s basketball have officially doubled the size of their 2025 recruiting class. On Tuesday, the Trojans flipped the commitment of four-star guard Elzie Harrington. Harrington had previously been committed to Harvard.

Harrington is a Southern California product, playing at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 56 player in the class of 2025.

Harrington becomes the second top-60 commit for Musselman and the Trojans in this cycle. USC also holds a commitment from another four-star guard in No. 35 overall player Jerry Easter.

The Trojans currently sit at 9-4 in Musselman’s first season. USC is back in action at Galen Center on Saturday evening against Michigan. The Trojans are entering their first season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Trojans need to pick up big wins in early January if they are to give themselves a real shot at the NCAA Tournament entering February and the stretch run of the season.

UCLA men’s and women’s hoops both in AP Top 25 rankings

The UCLA men and women are balling.

The UCLA men’s and women’s basketball teams have gotten off to a hot start in the 2024-2025 season.

The UCLA women’s basketball team is the nation’s top-ranked team, with a perfect 11-0 record, while the men’s team ranks No. 18, with a 10-1 record.

In a post on X by Fox College Hoops, the Bruins are one of nine NCAA programs with AP Top 25 men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Joining college basketball powerhouses Connecticut, Duke, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, and Kentucky on the list, the Bruins are seeing success with both programs.

After a 2023-2024 season where both programs fell short of their early-season aspirations, things are looking up in Westwood. Despite moving to the Big Ten from the Pac-12, the men’s and women’s teams are competing at a high level.

Though the season is only just getting started, if the men’s and women’s teams continue to play this way, they both enjoy long runs in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments in March.

How to watch Texas Longhorns vs. NM State today: Time, TV channel, streaming

It’s Texas vs NM State on Thursday. Here’s how to watch, with info on time, channel, TV Schedule and streaming info.

Texas basketball (7-2) fell short in its toughest challenge of the season, losing to No. 20 Connecticut on Sunday. Head coach Rodney Terry is eager to see how the Longhorns respond. They’ll have little time to regroup with New Mexico State (4-5) set to visit Austin on Thursday.

Texas will be home for the Holidays as they’ll play the next four games in the Moody Center, the Longhorns host an all time record of 34-6 inside Moody (4-1 this season). Texas does not play on the road until Jan. 4 at Texas A&M to start SEC play.

Here’s how to watch the Texas vs. NM State game Thursday night, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Texas Longhorns vs. NC State game on today? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: SEC Network

Start time: 7:00pm C.T

David Saltzman (PXP) and Justin Mason (analyst) will call the action.

Where to watch Texas vs. New Mexico State on livestream

Streaming options for the game between Texas and NC State include both FUBO, ESPN+ and SEC+

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Texas vs. NM State live on ESPN+” link=”https://go.web.plus.espn.com/Vmrv2O”]

Texas vs. NC State game odds:

All College Football Odds via BetMGM:

  • Texas is a -19.5 point favorite vs New Mexico State
  • Total (Over/Under): 138.5 points
  • Point spread: Texas -19.5 -105 New Mexico State +19.5 -115

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Ohio State basketball takes down Rutgers for first Big Ten victory

Back in the win column! #GoBucks

The Ohio State Buckeyes took down the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at home on Saturday, winning 80-66 to claim their first Big Ten victory of the season.

The Buckeyes came up well short against the Maryland Terrapins Wednesday in their first conference battle of the season, failing on the road, 83-59. OSU will brace for a home match with No. 2 Auburn next Saturday, an ESPN2 featured game.

That said, how did the Buckeyes manage to take down the Scarlet Knights? Well, they got back to efficient offense, shooting 55.2% from the field despite connecting on just six of 18 three-point attempts.

Ohio State was led by Devin Royal and Bruce Thornton, both of which dropped 22 points and shot over 55% from the field.

It also was able to limit free throw attempts for its opponent as Rutgers got to the line just 12 times. On top of that, Ohio State won the turnover battle, forcing 14 turnovers and committing just 11.

Here are some highlights from the Ohio State victory.

After starting the season with a victory over then-No. 19 Texas and winning five of their first six, the Buckeyes have struggled, going just 1-2 in their last three.

Hopefully this win gets them in the right mentality to welcome a top-three program this coming weekend.

Eric Musselman offers blunt assessment of USC’s season outlook

Eric Musselman knows he does not have a full plate of options at USC in his first season. The Trojans are fighting an uphill battle all the way.

It has not been the best start to the season for Eric Musselman and the USC men’s basketball team.

On Wednesday night, the Trojans fell 68-60 at home to Oregon in the first Big Ten game for both programs. With the loss, USC fell to 5-4 on the season. With only three more nonconference buy games left before conference play gets into full swing, things are not looking great for the Trojans in Year 1 under Musselman.

Following the loss, Musselman was asked by Luca Evans of the Orange County Register about his outlook for this year’s team, and he gave an extremely honest assessment.

“I don’t know how many Big Ten games we’re gonna win,” Musselman said. “What I do know is, if you put forth that effort—from a culture standpoint, you know—I don’t think any, you walk out of the building, you think the team played hard, you think the team played hard, you think the team gave great effort, and you think the team didn’t close the game. Which we didn’t.

“We were right there. And like I said, if you lead for 30 minutes, it’s the last 10 minutes of play that we’re not used to winning as a unit.

“There’s probably going to be other nights that we play really well, and whether we can walk away with the win or not, I don’t know in year one. But the effort was there, other than defensively, down the stretch.”

Given Musselman’s prior success at Arkansas and Nevada, the Trojans’ program should be in good hands long term. But if early results are any indication, USC fans might need to wait a year or two before the victories start to come in.

How to watch Texas vs. NC State today: Time, TV channel, streaming for SEC/ACC Challenge

It’s Texas vs NC State in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Here’s how to watch, with info on time, channel, TV Schedule and streaming info.

The Texas Longhorns (6-1, 0-0 SEC) will face up against the NC State Wolfpack (5-2, 0-0 ACC) tonight in the SEC/ACC Challenge at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.

This will be the first true road game of the season for the Longhorns and prove as a pivotal opportunity for head coach Rodney Terry’s squad to showcase their growth since the season opener loss in Las Vegas against Ohio State. Texas rebounded since then on a six-game winning streak. The streak includes a standout performance in the Legends Classic in Brooklyn, NY.

NC State presents a challenge, offering a valuable litmus test for the Longhorns as they prepare for a tough December slate. Following tonight’s matchup, Texas will return home to host the defending back-to-back national champions, the UConn Huskies, at the Moody Center in Austin on Dec. 8. These games will serve as key indicators of the Longhorns’ readiness for the grind of SEC play, which begins in early January against rival Texas A&M.

Here’s how to watch the Texas vs. NC State game Wednesday night, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Texas Longhorns vs. NC State game on today? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: ESPN2

Start time: 8:15pm C.T

ESPN’s Tom Hart (Play-by-Play) and Fran Fraschilla (analyst) will call the action.

Where to watch Texas vs. NC State on livestream

Streaming options for the game between Texas and NC State include both FUBO and ESPN+

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Texas vs. NC State live on ESPN+” link=”https://go.web.plus.espn.com/Vmrv2O”]

Texas vs. NC State game odds:

All College Football Odds via BetMGM:

  • Point spread: Texas -2.5 -110 / NC State +2.5 -110
  • Money line: Texas -150 / Texas A&M +125
  • Over-under: 144.5 -10/-115

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