Nov 10, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle (99) and Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Michael Ajayi (1) begin to celebrate after a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 88-80. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images What? You didn’t spend six hours a day watching basketball last week?
Maybe it was just me.
College hoops season is back in full force. November games may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you chose to watch election coverage instead of unwinding with some BYU vs. Central Arkansas, that’s on you.
In case you missed it, here are 10 things to know about the first week of the season.
1. Time to worry about Gonzaga again
Granted, it’s been a few seasons since Gonzaga earned a No. 1 seed or had a recognizable star like Drew Timme. But you’d better learn the names Ryan Nembhard, Graham Ike and Nolan Hickman, because the Bulldogs will be a national contender once more. They dusted No. 8 Baylor 101-63 on opening night and beat Arizona State on Sunday, shooting at least 50 percent both times.
2. Plane scuffle didn’t slow Auburn down
Nov 9, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers players celebrate after the game against the Houston Cougars at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images The wildest story of the weekend was the news that Auburn’s initial flight to Houston for a game against the Cougars had to turn around because two reserve players got into a fight. Who needs them? Freshman Tahaad Pettiford bombed in five threes, and the 11th-ranked Tigers outscored Houston 46-36 in the second half of Saturday’s win. Auburn is Kenpom.com’s No. 1 team after one week, which helps dull the pain the football team is causing them down there.
3. The Big East could be in trouble
After feeling slighted (and rightfully so) that the Big East got only three NCAA Tournament bids last March, league officials were hoping for better days in 2024-25. In one week, Villanova lost to Columbia, Butler lost to Austin Peay and Seton Hall lost to Fordham. I love the Big East, but even I have to admit this is a rough start.
4. But UConn will be just fine
Nov 6, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots against the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images The Huskies’ goal of a national three-peat could be achievable. Alex Karaban, the lone returning starter from last year’s champions, has led UConn in scoring through two games and freshman Liam McNeeley had double-doubles in each contest. I’m looking forward to UConn’s three-game stretch against Baylor, Texas and Gonzaga in December.
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner will compete for Player of the Year
Nov 10, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) passes against Fairleigh Dickinson Knights forward Bismark Nsiah (7) during the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images Staying in the Big East for a moment, it would be lazy of me to dub him “the next Zach Edey,” but that’s who Creighton 7-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner will remind casual college hoops fans of. A three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Kalkbrenner put up a ridiculous 20-of-22 shooting performance for 49 points in the Bluejays’ season opener against UT Rio Grande Valley. He’s 3-for-3 from behind the arc through two games. Dangerous player.
6. Duke has more than one kid who can shoot it
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) dribbles the ball against forward Mason Gillis (18) with the ball during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images Duke has the No. 1 freshman in this year’s class, Cooper Flagg, a name you’ve surely heard by now and the favorite ahead of Kalkbrenner and others for the Wooden Award. Through two games, Duke’s leading scorer and top shooter is… Kon Knueppel, another freshman who’s thriving on Tobacco Road despite having one of the most Wisconsin names and faces of all time.
7. Cautious optimism for No. 1 Kansas
Nov 8, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) fight for a rebound during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images The end of Kansas’ 2023-24 season was nearly unwatchable, so Jayhawks fans will take the progress shown in a 92-89 win over North Carolina, even if that game included a blown 20-point lead. It’s early. Everyone’s still figuring things out. Transfers Zeke Mayo and AJ Storr look to be crucial for making Kansas a deeper, better version of itself this year.
8. Jury’s out on winner of the Calipari divorce
Oct 25, 2024; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari quiets the crowd as they began chanting “overrated” late in the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images Arkansas fans are unhappy about the first loss of the John Calipari era, but it came by five points to a higher-ranked Baylor team and freshman Boogie Fland is off to a great start. Calipari’s old Kentucky home racked up 103 and 100 points against two outmatched opponents, but a big test is waiting this Tuesday against Duke. The outside shooting in that game could be phenomenal.
9. If nothing else, St. John’s will be fun to watch
St. John’s dusted Fordham and Quinnipiac, the latter the preseason favorite in the MAAC, and ran up the score in the second half both times. When one guard (Kadary Richmond) is off his game on offense, another (RJ Luis Jr., Simeon Wilcher, Deivon Smith) seems primed to take over. Rick Pitino probably isn’t going to call this team unathletic anytime soon.
10. Looking for Cinderella? Try North Florida
The Ospreys of the Atlantic Sun Conference are 3-0 with two big upsets on their ledger. After taking down South Carolina on opening night, they beat Georgia Tech 105-93(!) on Sunday. It’s a wonderful surprise from longtime coach Matthew Driscoll, whose previous claim to fame was the guy who screamed “Let’s go!” for too long and got turned into a gif.
