By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Love and Kerwin Walton had big games Saturday to help their streaking teams earn road victories, while Dontrez Styles had his best game of the season in a loss for slumping N.C. State and Ali Zelaya had her career-best game to finish a monster weekend.
Both , Love and Dawson G”_3_($: x .arcia hit memorable recent buzzer-beaters.
Love, playing 39 minutes, collected 27 points, five 3-pointers, seven assists and six rebounds in an 81–73 victory at Arizona State.
Late in the game, Love was ejected after the Sun Devils’ B.J. Freeman head-butted him. Freeman was only ejected after a replay review by the referees. You can watch the play here.
Love, who leads the Wildcats in scoring at 16.2 points per game, has had some memorable performances of late, including hitting a buzzer-beating shot from beyond half-court on Tuesday in their 86–75 overtime home upset of No. 3 Iowa.
Saturday’s win was Arizona’s fourth in a row (15–6, 9–1 Big 12), which tied No. 6 Houston (17–4, 9–1) for the Big 12 lead.
The Wildcats are tied because Walton’s Texas Tech team (17–4, 8–2) gave the Cougars their first loss with an 82–91 overtime win in Houston. Walton, who has started every game for the Red Raiders but is only averaging 4.9 points, scored 14 points and four 3-pointers in Texas Tech’s sixth consecutive victory.
Styles couldn’t stop the losing streak for the Wolfpack (9–12, 2–8 ACC), now at six, but he scored 24 points and six 3-pointers, both season-highs and for his best career ACC game, in N.C. State’s 68–58 home loss Saturday to Clemson.
Styles is 10 of 14 from 3-point range in the last two games after scoring 18 points and four 3-pointers in Monday’s 74–64 loss at No. 2 Duke.
Zelaya has scored 49 points in two games over the last three days.
She produced her seventh career double-double with 27 points (a career-high), 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 76–57 home win Sunday for UNCW (12–10, 6–3 ACC) over Stony Brook, the Seahawks’ third consecutive victory.
The previous career-best for Zelaya (whose best game for UNC was 12 points on Feb. 22 last season in a home win over N.C. State ) was her 22 points on Friday in the Seahawks’ 70–67 home overtime victory over Hofstra. She had never scored at least 20 points before this weekend.
James Okonkwo isn’t putting up big numbers in his senior season at Akron (7.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game), but the Zips (16–5, 9–0 MAC) are alone atop the MAC with a nine-game win streak.
Okonkwo produced a double-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in Akron’s 85–71 Friday victory at Kent State.
In the Big Ten, Dawson Garcia’s Minnesota team (11–11) and Penn State (13–9), with D’Marco Dunn and Puff Johnson, are both 3–8.
Garcia had another big game in Saturday’s 71–68 home loss to Washington with 28 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and four assists. It was his 15th game with at least 20 points this season. His season-high is 31 points on Jan. 25 against Oregon.
Garcia, who leads the Gophers in scoring (20.1 points per game) and rebounding (7.1), hit a game-winning 3-pointer from the Minnesota logo at the buzzer on Jan. 16 against Michigan in an 84–81 overtime victory.
Not only is Penn State struggling, Johnson has missed the last four games because of a hand injury. He’s started all 17 games he’s played, averaging 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals. His season-high is 20 points on Nov. 12 against Saint Francis (Pa.)
Dunn has come off the bench in all 21 games, averaging 6.2 points while shooting 94.4% from the free-throw line. His season-best game was 18 points and five rebounds on Jan. 15 at Michigan State.
Tyler Nickel’s No. 24 Vanderbilt team (16–5, 4–4) suffered a 97–67 Saturday loss at Oklahoma, when he had two points on 1 of 8 shooting. Nickel has started all 21 games, averaging 10.2 points while shooting 37.8% from 3-point range. His best game was 24 points and six 3-pointers on Nov. 22 against Seton Hall.
Destiny Adams continues to put up big numbers in her senior season for Rutgers (9–13, 1–10 Big Ten) in another tough season for the Scarlet Knights. Adams, averaging 17.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, had 19 points and six rebounds in Thursday’s 69–65 home loss to Illinois.
Deja Kelly has hit a bad scoring stretch at Oregon (16–6, 7–5 Big Ten), combining for 23 points (but 15 assists) in the last four games, including two points in Sunday’s 80–48 loss at Michigan. Kelly is shooting a career-low 57.4% at the free-throw line after shooting 75.5% during her four seasons at Carolina.
On Jan 10, Kelly hit the game-winning jumper with 4.1 seconds left in the Ducks’ 63–61 victory at Penn State.
Redshirt junior Teonni Key has started all 21 games for No. 12 Kentucky (19–2, 8–1 SEC), which got a huge 95–86 road win Sunday over No. 13 Oklahoma. Key, averaging 11.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, fouled out after playing 22 minutes with two points and six rebounds.
Kennedy Todd-Williams, a fifth-year player in her second season at Ole Miss (15–6, 6–3 SEC), is averaging 11.9 points per game while shooting 82.3% at the free-throw line. She had eight points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks Sunday in the Rebels’ 76–51 road upset of No. 23 Vanderbilt.
Paulina Paris, a junior in her first season at Arizona (14–9, 5–5 Big 12), has started 19 of 23 games, averaging nine points, 3.2 rebounds. 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals. Paris, who had five steals on Jan. 25 against West Virginia, scored three points in 17 minutes on 1 of 6 shooting in Friday’s 67–58 loss at Utah.
Anya Poole got her fifth start of her fifth and final college season for Clemson (11–11, 4–7 ACC) in the Tigers’ 94–65 Sunday loss at Boston College, but got into foul trouble and was scoreless. She’s averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 57.6% from the floor.
RyLee Grays is getting limited playing time in her first season at Virginia (12–11, 4–7 ACC). She has come off the bench 20 of 21 games and scored 41 points on the season. She played five scoreless minutes in Sunday’s 70–67 win at Syracuse.
Redshirt sophomore Will Shaver continues to play sparingly for UAB (14–8, 7–2 American). He hasn’t played since getting in for one minute of a Jan. 4 home game against Tulsa and has two points in 41 total minutes.
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 — 2–1
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+
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
Record — 2–2
Season statistics — 4 games, 4 starts, 8.5 points, 50.0 FG% (15–30), 0–2 3P, 40.0 FT% (4–10), 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 7 blocks, 5 steals
Thursday — Howard 75, Stetson 62 (home) | started: 31 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls
Saturday — 7 p.m. at Davidson, ESPN+
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan guard
6–1, 180 pounds | Senior | 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
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+
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 — 2–1
Season statistics — 3 games, [confirm starts], 13.0 points, 41.2 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 4–4 FT, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 turnovers, 3 steals
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 — 9 p.m. at Auburn, ESPN2
Kyan Evans, Minnesota guard
6–2, 175 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
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
Zayden High, South Florida forward
6–10, 230 pounds | Junior | 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 — 3 games, 3 starts, 14.7 points, 64.3 FG%, 2–5 3FG, 6–8 FT, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Record — 1–2
Wednesday — Saint Joseph’s 83, South Florida 80 (in Annapolis, Md.) | started: 25 minutes, 13 points, 5–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 fouls, 8.8 game score
Saturday — 2 p.m. vs. Coppin State, ESPN+
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
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
Record — 3–0
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 15.3 points, 69.0 FG%, 4–5 3FG, 2–4 FT, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.7 turnovers, 2 double-doubles
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 — 7 p.m. vs. Troy, ACC 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
Record — 2–1 (hasn’t played)
Wednesday — Long Beach State 62, Pacific 59 (road) | didn’t play
Saturday — 4 p.m. vs. Air Force, ESPN+
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 — 3 games, 3 starts, 12.2 points, 39.4 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 1–5 FT, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assist, 1.7 turnovers, 2.0 assists
Record — 3–0
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 — 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
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
In eligibility limbo
Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington
Women’s players
Elina Aarnisalo, UCLA guard
5–10 | Junior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
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
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 — 4–0
Wednesday — BYU 82, Bethune-Cookman 56 (home) | didn’t play
Saturday — 9 p.m. vs. New Mexico
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
Saturday — 11 a.m. at Cornell
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 — 2–1
Monday — Seton Hall 68, Charlotte 62 (in Philadelphia) | Keyshuan Tillery 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Friday — 7 p.m. vs. Appalachian State, 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 — Rhode Island 84, Monmouth 66 (in Uncasville, Conn.) | Keyshuan Tillery 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
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 @ArizonaWBB
