By R.L. Bynum
Conference tournaments ended frustratingly for several former Tar Heels, including Puff Johnson missing a potential game-winning 3-point attempt at the buzzer. In addition, Caleb Love’s No. 6 Arizona team, Justin McKoy’s Hawaii team and Kerwin Walton’s No. 25 Texas Tech team all lost Friday in the semifinals of their league tournaments.
Johnson’s Penn State team beat Michigan on Wednesday in the first round of the Big Ten tournament 66–57 but lost Thursday in the second round to Indiana 61–59.
Johnson collected 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss to the Hoosiers. His two free throws with 2:38 gave the Nittany Lions a 57–56 lead but they trailed by two when Johnson, who had seven points against Michigan, missed a 3-point attempt in the final seconds off the front of the rim.
“It hurts and this is something you need to build on and learn on,” said Johnson, who told reporters that he hasn’t decided if he’ll return for a fifth season.
D’Marco Dunn played 12 scoreless minutes against Michigan and scored nine points against Indiana, as Penn State finished 16–17.
Dawson Garcia’s Minnesota team lost its Big Ten tournament opener, falling 77–67 Thursday in a second-round game against Michigan State. He scored 19 points to finish the season with a 17.7 average, as the Gophers’ season is likely over at 18–14.
Love has the NCAA tournament ahead, but the Wildcats have lost two of their last four games. Love scored 11 points in Thursday’s 70–49 win over USC in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament, but Arizona lost Friday to Oregon 67–59 in the semifinals.
Against Oregon, Love was 2 of 11 from the floor and 1 of 7 from 3-point range (with the only make from outside the arc banked in) and finished with six points and two assists.
Many bracket projections have Arizona headed to the West Regional in Los Angeles as the No. 2 seed, with No. 4 North Carolina as the No. 1 seed.
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McKoy, in likely his final college game, had 10 points and six rebounds Friday as the Rainbow Warriors (20–14) lost 68–65 to UC Davis in the semifinals of the Big West tournament. He had 16 points and three 3-pointers in Hawaii’s 75–68 second-round win over CSUN.
Tyler Nickel played well with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds Wednesday in Virginia Tech’s 86–76 loss to Florida State in the second round of the ACC tournament. Read much more about that game and Nickel’s thoughts on his first season with the Hokies here.
Walton collected 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists in Texas Tech’s 81–67 Thursday quarterfinal win in the Big 12 tournament over No. 20 BYU. On Friday, he had eight points and three rebounds as No. 1 Houston beat the Red Raiders (23–10) 82–79 in the semifinals.
Dontrez Styles’ frustrating first season at Georgetown ended Wednesday with a 74–56 loss to Providence in the Big East tournament’s first round. He had seven points and nine rebounds as the Hoyas finished 9–23.
Will Shaver is the only transfer whose team is still playing in its league tournament. He didn’t play Friday as his UAB team beat Wichita State 72–60 in the American Conference tournament quarterfinals. He had one rebound in two minutes of Saturday’s 93–83 semifinal victory over South Florida. The Blazers (22–11) will meet Temple in the championship game at 3:15 p.m. Sunday (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, 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
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 — 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 — 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 — 1–1
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 — 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: 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 — 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
Photo via @PennStateMBB
