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The 2025 college basketball season is already living up to its hype as powerhouse programs go head-to-head in the ACC/SEC Challenge and Big Ten conference openers. From buzzer-beating threes to breakout freshman performances, this week’s slate delivered drama, dominance, and defining moments that could shape the rest of the season.
Top-ranked teams like No. 4 Duke and No. 1 Purdue held firm, while others—like No. 6 Louisville and No. 22 Indiana—faced early-season setbacks. Rising stars are making their names known, and veteran leaders are keeping their teams steady under pressure.
Whether you’re tracking your favorite team, analyzing betting angles, or preparing your next college hoops parlay, this full recap delivers all the must-know highlights, standout performances, and game-by-game breakdowns.
Arkansas 89, Louisville 80
Trevon Brazile led No. 25 Arkansas with 21 points, including 17 in the first half, as the Razorbacks secured an impressive 89-80 home win over No. 6 Louisville in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. tallied his first career double-double, notching 17 points and a season-high 10 assists. Meleek Thomas contributed 17 points while Malique Ewin chipped in 12 points and nine boards.
Arkansas (6-2) earned its first victory over a Top 10 team under coach John Calipari. Mikel Brown Jr. paced the Cardinals (7-1) with 22 points in their first true road game of the season.
No. 9 BYU 91, California Baptist 60
AJ Dybantsa poured in 22 points and added five rebounds and five assists to propel No. 9 BYU to a dominant 91-60 win over California Baptist in Salt Lake City. Keba Keita had a monster night with 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Cougars improved to 7-1.
BYU shot 55% from the field and limited the Lancers to just 33%. Martel Williams led Cal Baptist (7-2) with 12 points.
No. 10 Iowa State 132, Alcorn State 68
Milan Momcilovic caught fire with eight made 3-pointers en route to a 27-point, five-steal outing as No. 10 Iowa State demolished Alcorn State in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones (8-0) also got 26 points from Jamarion Batemon and a 24-point, 10-assist double-double from Joshua Jefferson.
Iowa State set school records for total points and 3-pointers made (22). Jameel Morris led Alcorn State (1-9) with 17 points.
No. 12 Alabama 90, Clemson 84
Labaron Philon Jr. dropped 29 points, including a key late jumper, to lead No. 12 Alabama to a 90-84 win over Clemson in a tightly contested ACC/SEC Challenge matchup. Alabama improved to 6-2 behind strong contributions from London Jemison and Taylor Bol Bowen.
RJ Godfrey paced Clemson (7-2) with 19 points in the Tigers’ first loss in five games.
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No. 17 Vanderbilt 88, SMU 69
Tyler Tanner scored 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting as No. 17 Vanderbilt rolled to an 88-69 win over previously unbeaten SMU in Nashville. Devin McGlockton added 13 points and Tyler Nickel scored 12 as the Commodores (9-0) maintained their undefeated record.
SMU (8-1) was led by Boopie Miller’s 17 points and Samet Yigitoglu’s 16 points and eight rebounds.
No. 20 Auburn 83, NC State 73
Kevin Overton exploded for a career-high 29 points and Keyshawn Hall added 28 points and 10 rebounds as No. 20 Auburn outpaced NC State 83-73 in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Tigers shot 59.1% from the floor and used a strong second-half surge to pull away.
Qadir Copeland led the Wolfpack (5-3) with 22 points while Tre Holloman scored 16.
Minnesota 73, No. 22 Indiana 64
Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds each scored 17 points to lift Minnesota to a 73-64 win over No. 22 Indiana in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Gophers (5-4, 1-0 Big Ten) snapped a three-game skid and got a big boost from Isaac Asuma, who contributed 15 points and seven rebounds.
Indiana (7-1, 0-1) was led by Tayton Conerway with 18 points.
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