College basketball is back in full swing, and some teams have already secured major wins while others are glad it’s only November. Let’s look at some winners and losers from this past weekend of hoops.
Winner: North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson
The marquee matchup on Friday featured No. 19 Kansas and No. 25 North Carolina. It took a second-half rally from UNC to come away with an 87-74 victory.
Freshman forward Caleb Wilson powered the comeback with 24 points, shooting 75 percent from the field. He also tallied seven rebounds and four assists and had his way with the Jayhawks in the paint.
Rick Pitino’s squad claimed the Big East title last year and entered this season ranked fifth in the nation. The Red Storm gave up more than 90 points only once last year, but No. 15 Alabama cracked triple digits against them on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide walked into Madison Square Garden and scored whenever and wherever they wanted on their way to a 103-96 win. Guards Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway totaled 25 and 21 points, respectively, exposing the Red Storm’s defense.
Some fans wonder if longtime head coaches are becoming fatigued in the new era of college basketball. As for Tom Izzo, he isn’t.
No. 22 Michigan State fended off No. 14 Arkansas, 69-66, over the weekend. The Spartans went 1-of-14 from three-point range, but made plays when it counted. The energy inside the Breslin Center was off the charts from the beginning, thanks to forward Coen Carr’s opening slam.
