By R.L. Bynum
Dontrez Styles had another big game for Georgetown in Saturday night’s 88–81 home victory over Jackson State in the Hoyas’ third straight win.
Styles, second on the team with a 17.8 scoring average, scored 22 points and two 3-pointers, and had five rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
The Hoyas (4–2) rebounded from losses to Holy Cross and Rutgers before the three-game streak. In the three wins, Styles is averaging 23.3 points and eight rebounds and hasn’t turned the ball over.
Styles said that the team is learning from the early setbacks.
“The journey is going to be the journey,” said Styles, who scored 13 first-half points. “There’s going to be ups and downs, so you just got to embrace it. The team is new — new staff, new players. So we’re all trying to jell, but we know at the end of the day we’re trying to win. So we’ve got to do whatever it takes to speed it up as much as possible.”
Styles is 12 of 30 from 3-point range, but has been most dangerous with short jumpers.
“A lot of kids don’t really do the mid-range game anymore, but I know that’s where my strength is so I go out there and play with confidence,” he said.
Justin McKoy led Hawaii to the championship at the Acrisure Invitational in Palm Desert, Calif., with a 76–57 Friday victory over UT Rio Grande Valley and a 77–66 Saturday win over San Diego.
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McKoy, averaging 12.4 points through five games, had seven points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals on Friday, then 17 points and five rebounds in the championship game.
The Rainbow Warriors are 5–0 for the first time since the 2010–11 season.
Penn State lost all three games at the ESPN Events Invitational near Orlando. The Nittany Lions (4–3), after falling 89–77 in the first round to No. 12 Texas A&M, fell 88–78 Friday against Butler and 86–74 in a Sunday morning loss to VCU.
D’Marco Dunn had two points and four rebounds Friday, then collected 11 points and three steals on Sunday. Puff Johnson had four points and two rebounds Friday, then contributed seven points, two rebounds and two steals on Sunday.
In that same ESPN Events Invitational, Tyler Nickel had two points, a rebound and an assist in 24 minutes as Virginia Tech lost Sunday to No. 19 Florida Atlantic 84–50.
Dawson Garcia had 19 points, two 3-pointers and six rebounds as Minnesota (4–2) lost 67–58 at San Francisco on Sunday night.
Destiny Adams’ Rutgers team (3–5) has lost three in a row after losing both games over the weekend at the South Point Classic in Las Vegas.
Adams had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists before fouling out in the Scarlet Knights’ 79–72 Friday loss to Texas Tech, and had six points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in Saturday’s 68–65 setback against Boise State.
In a 58-45 Saturday win over Little Rock, Kennedy Todd-Williams contributed 11 points and six rebounds for No. 24 Ole Miss.
Todd Williams is shooting 31.3% from the floor on the season but has made only 2 of 16 3-point attempts.
In Texas Tech’s 73–57 Friday victory in a losers’ bracket game at the Battle 4 Atlantis, Kerwin Walton had two points in 16 minutes. He has eight points over five games for the 5–1 Red Raiders.
Will Shaver didn’t play in UAB’s 92–86 home win Saturday over Furman and has only gotten into two of the six games for the 4–2 Blazers.
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, 15.5 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, 2.0 steals
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
Record — 1–1
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
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
Nov. 2 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 — 2–0 (he didn’t play in either game)
Saturday — Pacific 63, Bradley 52 (road) | didn’t play
Wednesday — 10 p.m. at Long Beach State, 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 — 4–0
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 — Pittsburgh 82, Penn State 76 (at The Palestra in Philadelphia) | started: 40 minutes, 13 points, 5–15 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 turnover, 5 steals
Friday — 6:30 at Butler, Peacock
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 — 1–1
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 15.5 points, 65 FG%, 3–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks
Saturday — UNLV 88, Samford 79 (road) | started: 25:35, 14 points, 6–10 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–4 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 fouls, -8
Friday — 8 p.m. vs. Wright State, ESPN+
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 — 2–0
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 12.0 points, 45.0 FG%, 22.2 3P%, 44.4 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals
Saturday — No. 11 Louisville 107, Morehead State 57 (home) | started: 24 minutes, 11 points, 5–9 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 foul, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals
Sunday, Nov. 15 — 1 p.m. at Memphis, ESPN
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 — 3–0
Thursday — BYU 74, Portland 64 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — BYU 97, Montana 53 (home) | didn’t play
Wednesday — 4 p.m. vs. Bethune-Cookman
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 — 3 games, 3 starts, 12.3 points, 52.2 FG%, 42.1 3P%, 5–6 FT, 1.0 rebound, 3.3 assists
Record — 3–0
Thursday — No. 15 TCU 96, Le Moyne 41 (home) | started: 28 minutes, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul
Sunday — No. 15 TCU 89, Tarleton 42 (home) | started: 27 minutes, 14 points, 5–7 FG, 3–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 4 assists, 1 steal
Tuesday — 5 p.m. vs. Iona, 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: 1–1
Saturday (season debut) — Tulsa 67, Rogers State 40 (home) | 8 minutes, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, 2 turnovers,
Thursday — 6 p.m. vs. No. 22 Oklahoma State, ESPNU
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 — 3 games, 3 starts, 11.3 points, 40.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 8–10 FT, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 turnovers, 2.0 steals
Record — 3–0
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 — Clemson 72, UNCG 44 | started: 20:17, 9 points, 1–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 6–6 FT, 6 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 assist, 3 turnovers
Thursday — 7 p.m. vs. No. 1 South Carolina, ESPN2
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW
In eligibility limbo
Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington
Photo via @GeorgetownHoops
