By R.L. Bynum
It was another night of career-highs for former Carolina players.
On Wednesday, it was Georgetown’s Dontrez Styles and Rutgers’ Destiny Adams with big games — although both were in losses — one night after Justin McKoy scored a career-high 15 points in his Hawaii debut.
Styles got off to a hot start and tied his career-high of 15 points by halftime. But he went scoreless and took an elbow to the face in the second half of the Hoyas’ 71–57 loss at Rutgers.
Styles, who had to settle for tying the career high he set in the opener against Le Moyne, bled heavily around his left eye after taking an elbow to the face from Rutgers’ Cliffo Omoruyi with 7½ minutes left. The game stopped so that an athletic trainer could attend to him on the bench, but Styles returned 2½ minutes later.
Styles’ three 3-pointers bettered his career-high of two in the Le Moyne game. He made four of seven shots from the floor, including three of five from 3-point range.
A Styles 3-pointer cut Georgetown’s deficit to 33–32 with 1:13 left in the first half. But Rutgers led 38–32 at halftime, then jumped out to a 54–36 advantage early in the second half.
Georgetown (1–2), which has lost two in a row since the opening-game win over Le Moyne, hosts Mount St. Mary’s at noon Saturday.
Adams’ 27 points in Rutgers’ 82–63 loss at Seton Hall easily topped her previous season-high of 17 set in the Scarlet Knights’ 86–43 home win over Wagner last Thursday.
Adams tied her career-high with 15 shots and scored a career-high 11 field goals in addition to pulling down eight assists, which tied for the team-high.
Adams’ point total and field-goal total bettered her previous best of 23 points and 10 field goals for Carolina last season on Nov. 16 against South Carolina State.
Adams, who got a steal and a layup in the game’s first minute, battled foul trouble with four fouls and committed a career-high seven turnovers after turning it over six times in Sunday’s 76–56 loss to Auburn.
Rutgers (2–2) is at home at noon Saturday against Saint Francis.
Tyler Nickel, who averaged 21 minutes and seven points in Virginia Tech’s first two games, missed the Hokies’ 60–44 Wednesday home victory over Campbell because of an illness. The Hokies (2–1) are back at home at 5 p.m. Sunday against Wofford (ESPN3).
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In Thursday games, Dawson Garcia’s Minnesota team (2–0) is at home at 9 p.m. against Missouri (Big Ten Network), Justin McKoy’s Hawaii team (1–0) faces Niagara at 1 a.m. ET at home, Will Shaver’s UAB team (1–2) hosts Alcorn State at 8 p.m. (ESPN+) and Kerwin Walton’s Texas Tech (2–0) team hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 8 p.m. (ESPN+).
Men’s players
Luka Bogavac, Oklahoma State guard
6–6, 215 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 21 starts, 24.3 minutes, 9.8 points, 40.2 FG%, 34.9 3P%, 73.6 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.4 of a steal
Record — 2–0
Season statistics — 2 games, 0 starts, 11.0 points, 8–16 FG, 4–10 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Friday — Oklahoma State 118, Queens 68 (home) | didn’t start: 16 minutes, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 assists, 1 steal, +31
Thursday — 8 p.m. at Texas A&M, SECN+
James Brown, Howard center
6–10, 240 pounds | Junior | UNC 2024–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 9 games, 50 minutes, 11 points, 75.0 FG%, 38.5 FT%, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 11.5 points, 62.5 FG%, 0–2 3P, 37.5 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals
Record — 1–1
Thursday — Howard 94, Alcorn State 89 (road) | started: 23 minutes, 12 points, 5–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–4 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls
Monday — 6 p.m. at Penn
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan guard
6–1, 180 pounds | Junior | UNC 2023–25 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season — 40 games, 40 starts, 10.5 points, 41.1 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 70.9 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 turnovers
Record — 1–1
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 7.5 points, 4–16 FG, 1–9 3FG, 6–9 FT, 1.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 5.0 turnovers
Friday — No. 4 UConn 84, No. 16 Michigan 77 (in Boston) | started: 28 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 5 turnovers, -10
Wednesday — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Marquette, FS1
Derek Dixon, Arizona guard
6–5, 205 pounds | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 16 starts, 22.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 36.4 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 81.8 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.4 of a steal
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 13.5 points, 36.0 FG%, 29.4 3P%, 4–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 turnovers, 3 steals
Record — 1–1
Thursday — No. 5 Arizona 104, Cal Poly 84 (home) | started: 30:04 9 points, 4–8 FG, 1–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals, 1 foul, +28
Tuesday — 9 p.m. vs. Northern Arizona, ESPN+
Kyan Evans, Minnesota guard
6–2, 175 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 17 starts, 17.7 minutes, 4.0 points, 32.8 FG%, 30.5 3P%, 69.2 FT%, 1.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 of a steal, 1.1 turnovers
Record — 2–0
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 6.0 points, 4–18 FG, 2–9 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 turnover, 1.5 steals
Friday — Minnesota 76, St. Thomas 62 (home) | started: 30 minutes, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 1 steal, +6
Monday — 7 p.m. at Cincinnati, ESPN+
Zayden High, South Florida forward
6–10, 230 pounds | Senior | UNC 2023–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 23 games, 103 minutes, 18 points, 31.6 FG%, 0–8 3FG, 54.5 FT%, 26 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 15.5 points, 65.0 FG%, 2–4 3FG, 3–5 FT, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Record — 1–1
Thursday — DePaul 82, South Florida 80 (road) | started: 24 minutes, 11 points, 4–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 block, 1 steal, 4 fouls
Wednesday — 3 p.m. vs. Saint Joseph’s in Annapolis, Md., CBS Sports Network
Ian Jackson, St. John’s guard
6–5, 200 pounds | Junior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 36 games, 19 starts, 9.4 points, 40.9 FG%, 34.3 3P%, 90.0 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Record — 1–0
Monday’s opener — St. John’s 78, Monmouth 63 (home) | started: 22 minutes, 15 points, 6–12 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls.
Sunday — noon vs. Iona at Madison Square Garden, Peacock
Ven-Allen Lubin, N.C. State forward
6–9, 235 pounds | Graduate | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 34 games, 34 starts, 13.6 points, ACC-leading 66.8 FG%, 27.3 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 7.1 rebounds
Record — 1–0
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 12.5 points, 83.3 FG%, 4–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 turnovers
Friday — N.C. State 77, ETSU 63 (home) | started: 26 minutes, 5 points, 2–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, 4 turnovers, 1 block, 1 steal, -1
Plays UNC — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Tobacco Road Classic in Greensboro, ESPN2
Ivan Matlekovic, Pacific center
7–0, 220 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 4 games, 7 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG
Record — 1–0
Tuesday’s opener — Pacific 102, Bethesda 47 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — 8 p.m. at Bradley, ESPN+
Jonathan Powell, Pittsburgh wing
6–6, 191 pounds | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 16.2 minutes, 4.8 points, 38.1 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 48.3 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist, 0.5 of a steal
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 12.0 points, 44.4 FG%, 44.4 3P%, 0–2 FT, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.0 turnovers
Record — 2–0
Thursday — Pittsburgh 80, Buffalo 61 (home) | started: 39 minutes, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 2–9 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
Sunday — 8 p.m. vs. Penn State at The Palestra in Philadelphia, ESPN2
Plays UNC — 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, in Pittsburgh, ESPN or ESPN2
Will Shaver, Samford center
6–10, 265 pounds | RS senior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 30 games, 2.6 points, 47.6 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 59.3 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 17 blocks, 7 steals
Record — 1–0
Monday’s opener — Samford 87, Berry 58 (home) | started: 18 minutes, 17 points, 7–10 FG, 3–4 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 4 blocks, 2 fouls
Saturday — 4 p.m. at UNLV
Seth Trimble, Louisville guard
6–3, 200 pounds | Fifth-year | UNC 2022–26 (4 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 14.0 points, 47.1 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.4 turnovers
Record — 1–0
Monday’s opener — No. 11 Louisville 84, Chattanooga 70 (home) | started: 27 minutes, 13 points, 4–11 FG, 1–5 3FG, 4–7 FT, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal, 4 fouls
Saturday — noon vs. Morehead State, ACCNE
Plays UNC — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Louisville, ESPNU; 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at UNC, ESPN
Women’s players
Elina Aarnisalo, UCLA guard
5–10 | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 36 games, 26 starts, 26.7 minutes, 10.2 points, 47.3 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 76.1 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 turnovers
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 11.5 points, 42.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 2–2 FT, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 turnovers
Record — 2–0
Thursday — No. 11 UCLA 78, UC Irvine 42 | started: 26 minutes, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 turnovers, 1 steal, 2 fouls
Next Thursday — 10:30 vs. Arizona
Liza Astakhova, BYU wing
6–2 | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 12 games, 57 minutes, 25 points, 34.5 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 3–4 FT, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5 rebounds
Record — 2–0
Thursday — BYU 74, Portland 64 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — 4 p.m. vs. Montana
Lanie Grant, TCU guard
5–9 | Junior | UNC 2024–26 (2 seasons)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 34 games, 29 starts, 29.1 minutes, 10.8 points, 44.0 FG%, 41.9 3P%, 81.4 FT%, 1.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 of a steal, 1.8 turnovers
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 11.5 points, 43.8FG%, 35.7 3P%, 4–4 FT, 1.0 rebound, 3.0 assists, 1.0 turnover
Record — 2–0
Tuesday’s opener — No. 15 TCU 99, Oral Roberts 43 (home) | started: 26 minutes, 12 points, 4–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, tied for team-high +40
Thursday — No. 15 TCU 96, Le Moyne 41 | started: 28 minutes, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul
Sunday — 3 p.m. vs. Tarleton, ESPN+
RyLee Grays, Tulsa forward
6–4 | Senior | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Statistics last season— 30 games, 2.3 points, 43.6 FG%, 4–10 3FG, 69.7 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 8 blocks, 12 steals
Record: 0–1
Tuesday’s opener — Incarnate Word 63, Tulsa 57 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — 3 p.m. vs. Rogers State
Taliyah Henderson, Clemson guard
6–1 | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Statistics last season — 33 games, 0 starts, 341 minutes, 122 points, 56.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 48.3 FT%, 66 rebounds, 9 assists, 23 steals, 1 block
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 12.5 points, 50 FG%, 41.7 3P%, 2–4 FT, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 turnover, 2.5 steals
Record — 2–0
Thursday — Clemson 76, ETSU 57 | started: 36:46, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals, 1 foul
Sunday — 2 p.m. vs. UNCG, ACCNE
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW
In eligibility limbo
Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington
