Love fires in 22, draws technical foul after dunk on defender; Walton hits 18

By R.L. Bynum

It was a fiery Friday night for Caleb Love in his first Pac-12 game.

Love scored 22 points on 7 of 10 shooting and made all three 3-point attempts as No. 4 Arizona rolled to a 100–81 road victory over California. It was the first time in Love’s career that he’s made all of his 3-point attempts.

In the first half, Love drove right into the body of the Bears’ Gus Larson and slammed down a one-handed dunk. Larson drew a foul on the play, but Love drew a technical foul after the two exchanged words. The slam was No. 1 on “SportsCenter” Top 10 plays.

Love wasn’t at the postgame press conference, but Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd didn’t understand the technical foul.

“If you make a highlight play and even look at the guy you had the highlight against, it’s like an automatic technical, which I get,” Lloyd said. “Referees have to do their job. I don’t know how many we’ve had in my three years here, but we’ve had a highlight dunk that’s followed up by an immediate technical foul. We have to make the adjustment on that because I don’t think the referees are going to.”

It was the fifth time this season and 31st time in his career that Love has scored at least 20 points.

Love scored consecutive 3-pointers on a 14–0 Arizona run as the Wildcats made 13 of their first 16 shots. He leads the Wildcats (10–2, 1–0 Pac-12) in scoring at 16.9 points per game.

The splitting up of the guard tandem of Love and RJ Davis seems to be working well for both players.


In his fourth consecutive start, Kerwin Walton scored 18 points and four 3-pointers in Texas Tech’s 96–60 home victory Thursday over Sam Houston. Walton has scored in double figures four times and notched at least four 3-pointers three times in the last five games.


Dawson Garcia returned to the Minnesota lineup after missing three games with an ankle injury, contributing 12 points, six rebounds and two assists in the Gophers’ fifth consecutive victory, an 80–62 home win Friday over Maine.

Garcia’s shooting was a bit rusty from the layoff, as he made only one of his first four shots and finished 4 of 10 from the floor for Minnesota.

“It was really good just to be back out there with the guys battling,” Garcia said. “Felt really good.”


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D’Marco Dunn had 12 points and two rebounds and Puff Johnson added 10 points, six rebounds and four steals in Penn State’s 90–63 home win Friday over Rider.

An acrobatic Dunn layup helped Penn State jump out to a 13–4 lead.

Minnesota (10–3, 1–1 Big Ten) and Penn State (7–6, 1–1) return to Big Ten play Thursday, with the Gophers playing at Michigan and the Nittany Lions at Michigan State.


Justin McKoy missed a jumper at the overtime buzzer Saturday night as host Hawaii lost its Big West opener to Cal State Fullerton 63–61 in the Rainbow Warriors’ third overtime game in the last four meetings with the Titans. McKoy scored 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds, going 4 of 8 from the floor and 2 of 4 from 3-point range.

McKoy scored two consecutive 3-pointers during a 10–2 Hawaii run early in the second half.


Tyler Nickel scored 11 points off the bench, making 6 of 7 free-throw attempts, in Virginia Tech’s 86–73 loss Saturday at Wake Forest.


Kennedy Todd-Williams put up a 14.1 game score with 10 points, two rebounds, two assists, four steals and a block in a 76–37 home win Saturday for Ole Miss over Alcorn.


Destiny Adams had nine points, two rebounds and two steals before fouling out in Rutgers’ 77–70 loss Saturday at Northwestern.


Will Shaver didn’t play in UAB’s 90–85 Friday home win over UNC Asheville.


Men’s players

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 — 2–1
Season statistics — 3 games, 0 starts, 8.3 points, 9–21 FG, 5–14 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Thursday: —Texas A&M 88, Oklahoma State 69 (road) | didn’t start: 9 minutes, 3 points, 1–5 FG, 1–4 3FG, 0 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls
Monday — 8 p.m. vs. Central Arkansas, ESPN+


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
Record — 3–2
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 10.0 points, 52.5 FG% (21–40), 0–2 3FG, 57.1 FT% (8–14), 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 7 blocks, 6 steals
Saturday — Howard 64, Davidson 58 (road) | started (double-double): 29 minutes, 16 points, 6–10 FG, 0–0 3FG, 4–4 FT, 13 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 5 fouls
Wednesday — 7 p.m. at Duquesne


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
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 10.7 points, 10–26 FG, 3–13 3FG, 9–14 FT, 3.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 4.7 turnovers, 1.7 steals
Record — 2–1
Wednesday — No. 20 Michigan 84, Marquette 70 (home) | started (double-double): 35 minutes, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–5 FT, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 fouls, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block, +22, 18.4 game score
Sunday — 2 p.m. vs. William & Mary, B1G+


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 — 3–1
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 12.5 points, 39.1 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 6–6 FT, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 turnovers
Tuesday — No. 12 Arizona 90, Northern Arizona 59 (home) | started: 27 minutes, 12 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 turnovers, +19, season-high 9.4 game score
Friday — No. 12 Arizona 80, Auburn 69 (road) | started: 37 minutes, 11 points, 4–12 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul
Wednesday — 9 p.m. vs. No. 4 UConn, FS1


Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 17 starts, 17.6 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 — 4–0
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 12.0 points, 18–43 FG, 6–19 3FG, 6–10 FT, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals
Thursday — Minnesota 91, Southern 61 (home) | started: 31 minutes, 10 points, 3–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–5 FT, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals, 4 fouls
Monday — 8 p.m. vs. Western Illinois, Big Ten Network


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
Record — 2–2
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 15.5 points, 63.2 FG% (24–38), 28.6 3P% (2–7), 80.0 FT% (12–15), 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.8 turnovers, 5 steals, 4 blocks
Saturday — South Florida 73, Coppin State 63 (home) | started (double-double): 30 minutes, 18 points, 6–10 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6–7 FT, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, 2 fouls
Tuesday — 7 p.m. vs. Tennessee State, ESPN+


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
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 16.3 points, 55.9 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 2–2 FT, 2.7 rebounds
Record — 3–0
Wednesday — St. John’s 90, Colgate 59 (at Carnesecca Arena) | started: 20 minutes, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +13, season-high15.4 game score
Sunday — 7 p.m. vs. Syracuse 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
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 15.3 points, 64.9 FG%, 66.7 3P%, 69.2 FT%, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.3 turnovers, 3 double-doubles
Record — 4–0
Tuesday — N.C. State 94, Presbyterian 60 (home) | 25 minutes (double-double): 21 points, 10–17 FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 4 turnovers, 2 blocks, 14.2 game score
Friday — N.C. State 81, Troy 62 (home) | started (double-double): 27 minutes, 15 points, 4–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 7–9 FT, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 3 blocks, 1 foul
Thursday — 6 p.m. vs. Murray State in Nassau, Bahamas, CBS Sports Network
Plays UNC — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Tobacco Road Classic in Greensboro, ESPN2


Ivan Matlekovic, Pacific center
7–0, 220 pounds | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Statistics last season (UNC) — 4 games, 7 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG
ecord — 2–1 (hasn’t played)
Saturday — Air Force game postponed because of travel restrictions caused by the nationwide FAA ground stoppage
Sunday — 4 p.m. ET vs. Air Force, ESPN+; rescheduled from Saturday


Jonathan Powell, Pittsburgh wing
6–6, 191 pounds | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 16.4 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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 13.5 points, 43.2 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 42.9 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.0 turnovers, 1.5 steals
Record — 4–0
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 — Pittsburgh 76, Butler 64 (road) | started: 38 minutes, 17 points, 6–11 FG, 3–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 foul
Tuesday — 7 p.m. vs. Villanova, ACC Network
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 — 1–2
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 15.3 points, 71.4 FG%, 3–6 3FG, 3–6 FT, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 2.7 blocks
Friday — Wright State 90, Samford 66 (home) | started: 25 minutes, 15 points, 7–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 blocks, 1 foul
Wednesday — 6:30 p.m. at USC Upstate, 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
Last 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
This Sunday — 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


Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington


Women’s players

Statistics last season (UNC) — 36 games, 26 starts, 26.8 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 — 3–0
Is missing two UCLA games to play for Finland’s senior national team at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers:
Thursday with Finland — Finland 76, Lithuania 74 (road) | didn’t start: 16:13, 5 points, 1–4 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls
Sunday with Finland — 9 a.m. ET at Lithuania
Missed Thursday UCLA game — No. 11 UCLA 76, Arizona 44 (home)
Will miss Sunday UCLA game — 6 p.m. vs. Princeton, FIBA YouTube channel


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
Record — 5–0
Season statistics — 1 game, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5 rebounds
Saturday — BYU 82, New Mexico 65 (home) | didn’t play
Wednesday — 4 p.m. vs. Utah State


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
Record — 5–0
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts, 11.6 points, 5–6 FT, 0.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists. FG% and 3P% need her shot totals through four games, which the sheet didn’t give, so I left them off.
Thursday — No. 15 TCU 106, Southeastern Louisiana 47 (home) | started: 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–9 FG, 4–8 3FG, 0 FT, 0 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 3 fouls
Sunday — 3 p.m. vs. Abilene Christian, 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: 2–1
Season statistics — 1 game, 4 points, 1–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, 2 turnovers
Thursday — Tulsa 64, No. 22 Oklahoma State 62 (home) | didn’t play
Sunday — 4:30 p.m. vs. Texas Southern, ESPN+


Taliyah Henderson, Clemson guard
6–1 | Sophomore | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)

Statistics last season (UNC) — 33 games, 0 starts, 344 minutes, 122 points, 56.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 48.3 FT%, 66 rebounds, 9 assists, 21 steals, 1 block
Record — 3–1
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 9.0 points, 12–32 FG (37.5%), 8–10 FT, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 turnovers, 1.8 steals. 3P is left off because the sheet only had the percentage (33.3).
Thursday — No. 1 South Carolina 65, Clemson 44 (home) | started: 19:51, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 0 FT, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, 3 fouls
Sunday — 5 p.m. vs. Stetson, ACC Network
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW


Head coaches with UNC connections

Jerod Haase, UNCG
UNC assistant coach under Roy Williams (2003–12)

Career head coaching record — 206–180 | first season at UNCG | previous stops at Stanford (126–127) and UAB (80–53) | C-USA regular-season champion 2016, C-USA tournament champion 2015 | C-USA Coach of Year 2016
UNC connections on his staff — Assistant Coach David Noel III and Graduate Assistant Manager Kenny Williams
Season record — 2–2
Wednesday — UNCG 91, Lees-McRae 84 (home) | Dionte Neal 26 points, 8 assists
Scheduled Saturday game at Cornell postponed because of travel disruptions; no makeup date announced
Wednesday — 8 p.m. at Gardner-Webb, ESPN+


Wes Miller, Charlotte
Played at UNC (2004–07)

Career head coaching record — 287–210 | first season at Charlotte| previous stops at Cincinnati (100–74) and UNCG (185–134) | SoCon tournament titles 2018, 2021, SoCon regular-season titles 2017, 2018, 2021 | SoCon Coach of Year 2012, 2018
UNC connection on his staff — Assistant Coach Marcus Paige
Season record — 2–2
Friday — Appalachian State 66, Charlotte 60 (home) | Keyshuan Tillery 23 points, 5 3-poiners, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Tuesday — 7 p.m. at Davidson, ESPN+


Carrie Moore, Harvard
UNC assistant under Courtney Banghart (2019–21)

Career head coaching record — 83–42, all at Harvard | fifth season | Ivy League tournament champions 2025
Season record — 3–1
Wednesday — Harvard 87, UMass 65 (home) | Abigail Wright 22 points, 5 rebounds
Sunday — 2 p.m. vs. Michigan State


King Rice, Monmouth
Played at UNC (1987–91)

Career head coaching record — 240–245 | in 16th season, all at Monmouth | MAAC regular-season champion 2016, 2017, 2021
UNC connections on his staff — Assistant Coach Brian Reese and Assistant Coach for Player Development Shammond Williams
Season record — 1–2
Thursday — Monmouth 74, Quinnipiac 70 (road) | Stefanos Spartalis 20 points, 14 rebounds
Tuesday— 7 p.m. at Wake Forest, ACC Network Extra
Plays at UNC— 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, ACC Network Extra


Charlotte Smith, Elon
Played at UNC (1991–95);
assistant on Sylvia Hatchell’s staff (2002–11)

Career head coaching record — 238–217 | in 16th season, all at Elon | CAA Coach of Year 2017
Season record — 1–2
Wednesday — ETSU 65, Elon 60, OT (home) | LaNae Corbett 18 points, 5 rebounds
Sunday — 3 p.m. at Wake Forest, ACC Network Extra
Plays at UNC— 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, ACC Network

Photo via @ArizonaMBB

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