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Tuesday’s college basketball slate brought no shortage of drama — from buzzer-beaters to major upsets. No. 4 Duke survived a furious rally from No. 15 Florida, while UConn showed its championship mettle with a tough road win at Kansas. Michigan State continues to look like a title contender, and unranked Syracuse stunned No. 13 Tennessee in a heart-stopper.
For bettors and fans tracking the early-season trends, these games offer sharp insights into team momentum, injury impacts, and potential futures value. Make sure to explore our expert basketball picks and college basketball betting strategies to stay sharp this season.
No. 4 Duke 67, No. 15 Florida 66
Cameron Boozer’s 29 points and Isaiah Evans’ clutch 3-pointer lifted Duke to a thrilling home win in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Evans hit the go-ahead triple with just 21 seconds left, while Caleb Foster’s late steal sealed it for the Blue Devils (9-0). Despite Florida’s 20 offensive rebounds and a second-half comeback led by Thomas Haugh (24 pts), Duke held firm.
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No. 1 Purdue 81, Rutgers 65
Trey Kaufman-Renn had a dominant double-double (19 pts, 13 reb) as the Boilermakers rolled in their Big Ten opener. Purdue (8-0) showcased its offensive versatility with four players in double figures. Rutgers dropped to 5-4 after a cold shooting night.
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No. 5 UConn 61, No. 21 Kansas 56
Solo Ball and Braylon Mullins each poured in 17 points as UConn escaped with a gritty road win in Lawrence. The Huskies (7-1) slowed Kansas’ offense and snapped the Jayhawks’ 23-game nonconference home win streak. UConn has now won three straight heading into a tough stretch.
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No. 7 Michigan State 71, Iowa 52
Coen Carr led the way with 15 points as Michigan State improved to 8-0 with a dominant win over Iowa. Jeremy Fears Jr. went a perfect 10-for-10 from the stripe, and the Spartans controlled the glass with a 37-18 rebounding edge.
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Handicappers’ Recap
SportsHub’s top college basketball handicappers were dialed in Tuesday. Several experts highlighted UConn’s road value against Kansas and correctly predicted Michigan State’s defensive domination. Want these insights delivered daily? Subscribe to a premium package or see our leaderboard for the most profitable services this season.
Syracuse 62, No. 13 Tennessee 60
In one of the night’s biggest surprises, Syracuse (5-3) edged Tennessee thanks to clutch free throws from William Kyle III and Sadiq White Jr. Nate Kingz led with 19 points, while Tennessee’s Jaylen Carey posted 22 points and nine boards in a losing effort.
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No. 16 North Carolina 67, No. 18 Kentucky 64
Derek Dixon’s driving layup in the final seconds sealed the deal as UNC took down Kentucky in a back-and-forth classic. Henri Veesaar posted a double-double, and the Tar Heels (7-1) survived a strong challenge from Otega Oweh (16 pts) and the Wildcats (5-3).
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No. 24 USC 82, Oregon 77
Chad Baker-Mazara scored 25 points, including a dagger 3-pointer in the final minute, to lead USC to a hard-fought win in its Big Ten debut. The Trojans (8-0) leaned on Baker-Mazara and freshmen Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie to beat an Oregon team that has now lost four straight.
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FAQ: NCAA Basketball Recap – Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025
What was the most exciting game of the night?
Duke’s 67-66 win over Florida stands out, with Isaiah Evans sinking the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Which ranked team was upset?
No. 13 Tennessee was upset by unranked Syracuse in a 62-60 thriller.
Who had the best individual performance?
Trey Kaufman-Renn of Purdue delivered a 19-point, 13-rebound showing in their Big Ten opener.
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