By R.L. Bynum
Cade Tyson has more field goals in five games at Minnesota than he scored in 31 games at Carolina last season.
The senior wing kept his early-season momentum going Tuesday night, scoring a game-high 22 points and three 3-pointers in the Gophers’ 66–54 home victory over Chicago State, his fourth time with at least 20 points in five games, to push his average to 23.4 points per game.
Tyson is second in the Big Ten in scoring at 23.4 points per game and has led the 4–1 Gophers in that category in all five games. In the “win shares” metric (which quantifies a player’s contribution to victories), Tyson is third in the country at 1.3, behind Duke’s Cameron Boozer (1.6) and Carolina’s Caleb Wilson (1.4).
Tyson scored 29 field goals and 81 points in 246 minutes last season and already had 32 field goals and 117 points in 160 minutes this season, including a transition dunk on Tuesday.
Tyson scored all three of his 3-pointers in the first 15 minutes of the first half, notching a 3-pointer and a layup in a 6–0 first-half run.
Minnesota doesn’t face a ranked team until it visits No. 1 Purdue on Dec. 10.
On Monday, Ven-Allen Lubin scored in double figures for the second time in four games, just missing a double-double with season-highs of 11 points and nine rebounds as No. 25 N.C. State (4–0) fended off a challenge from VCU 85–79.
Lubin, who scored 13 3-pointers two seasons ago at Vanderbilt but was 0 of 3 outside the arc for Carolina last season, was 1 of 2 on 3-point attempts Monday. His previous 3-pointer came in the Commodores’ season-ending 90–85 overtime loss to Arkansas on March 13, 2024.
In their first season at SMU after moving over from Arizona, it’s not going well so far for Coach Adia Barnes and former Tar Heel Paulina Paris.
The Mustangs fell to 1–3 on Tuesday with their third consecutive loss, a 76–60 road setback at Grand Canyon.
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Paris, a senior guard, came off the bench after starting the first three games and scored 12 points, nearly equaling her point total of 13 entering the game. She only has one assist in 79 minutes.
Teonni Key had six points on 1 of 8 shooting, seven rebounds, and three assists Tuesday as No. 20 Kentucky rolled to a 76–35 home win over Purdue.
In action on Wednesday night:
— Elliot Cadeau’s 3–0 No. 7 Michigan team hosts Middle Tennessee at 6:30 (Big Ten Network).
— Will Shaver’s 2–2 Samford team is at home against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
On Thursday night:
—Tray Crisp’s 4–0 Mississippi State team is at Texas Tech at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).
—Ian Jackson’s No. 14 St. John’s team hosts Bucknell at 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV).
—Vanderbilt (4–0), with Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington, is at home against Texas Southern at 7 p.m.
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 FG%, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 of an assist, 2.2 turnovers
Oct. 14 exhibition — UCLA 87, Cal 53 (road) | 27 minutes, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 4–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, +20
Exhibition finale —2 p.m. Sunday vs. Texas in Cedar Park, Texas
Season opener — 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Lehigh, B1G+
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
Exhibition — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, vs. Western Colorado
Season opener — 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, vs. Idaho State
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 FG%, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists. 0.4 of a steal
Oct. 11 exhibition — New Mexico 99, Oklahoma State 89 (home) | didn’t start: 24 minutes, 13 points, 3–10 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 3 fouls, 4 turnovers
Remaining exhibitions — 3:30 Friday vs. Tulsa; 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Wisconsin, B1G+
Season opener — Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Incarnate Word
James Brown, Howard center
6–6, 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 opener — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Yale
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
Team record: 37–3; won national championship; Cadeau MOP
Oct. 11 exhibition — Michigan 87, Eastern Michigan 62 (home) | started: 26:49, 10 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 5–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 4 fouls, 8 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals, +28 (tied for team high)
Friday exhibition — Michigan 98, Oregon State 83 (home) | started: 25:48, 27 points, 7–16 FG, 1–6 3FG, 12–15 FT, 1 rebound, 8 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, 4 fouls, -1
Final exhibition — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston in Grand Rapids, Mich., B1G+
Season opener — Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Incarnate Word
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 3FG%, 81.8 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.4 of a steal
Oct. 13 exhibition — Arizona 93, San Francisco 69 (home) | started: 31:03, 10 points, 4–11 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 foul, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, +17
Friday exhibition — Arizona 82, San Diego State 67 (home) | started: 34 minutes, 12 points, 4–12 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–3 FT, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 2 steals, 1 foul
Final exhibition — 9 p.m. Friday vs. Eastern Washington
Season opener — 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, vs. UCLA in Las Vegas, TNT
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
Thursday exhibition — Minnesota 72, Omaha 52 (home) | started: 26 minutes, 8 points, 3–7 FG, 2–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 4 steals, 1 foul
Final exhibition — 7:30 Friday at Creighton, YouTube
Season opener — 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, vs. North Dakota, B1G+
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 opener — 7:30 Tuesday, Nov. 3 vs. Oral Roberts, 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
Team record: 19–12
Season opener — 7:30 Tuesday, Nov. 3, vs. Incarnate Word
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 opener — noon Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Radford
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW
Zayden High, South Florida forward
6–2, 175 pounds | Senior | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
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
Monday exhibition — South Florida 104, Saint Leo 72 (home) | started: 18 minutes, 12 points, 3–4 FG, 6–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls
Season opener — 7:30 Thursday, Nov. 5, at DePaul
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
Team record: 30–7; Final rank: No. 10
Oct. 14 exhibition — St. John’s 81, Drexel 52 (home) | started: 24 minutes, 10 points, 4–12 FG, 0–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals
Sunday exhibition — St. John’s 104, Rutgers 99, 4 OTs (home) | started: 49 minutes, 24 points, 8–17 FG, 2–7 3FG, 6–7 Ft, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 block, 1 steal, 4 fouls
Final exhibition — noon Sunday vs. Texas in MSG
Season opener — 6:30 Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Monmouth at Carnesecca Arena, ESPN+
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
Team record: 20–14
Sunday exhibition — N.C. State 77, Mississippi State 73 (in Greensboro) | started: 26 minutes, 13 points, 2–4 FG, 9–12 FT, 5 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 block, 3 fouls
Final exhibition — noon Saturday vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
Season opener — 7:30 Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Campbell, ACC Network Extra
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 2022–23 (1 season)
Statistics last season (UNC) — 4 games, 7 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG
Season opener — Tuesday, Nov. 3 vs. Bethesda
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
Saturday exhibition — Providence 87, Pittsburgh 64 (road) | started: 31 minutes, 15 points, 3–10 FG, 2–7 3FG, 7–8 FT, 1 rebound, 1 foul
Season opener — 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Rider, ACC Network Extra
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
Team record: 18–14
Oct. 13 exhibition — Samford 71, Alabama A&M 61 (Boutwell Auditorium; neutral site in Birmingham) | started (never has started in 60 regular-season games): 12 points, 5–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–6 FT, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, team-high +17
Remaining exhibitions — 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Jacksonville State; Thursday, Oct. 29, at Auburn
Season opener — 7:30 Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Berry
In eligibility limbo
Louisville guard Seth Trimble
Minnesota forward Cade Tyson
Tennessee center Jalen Washington
Photo via @GopherMBB
Hi,
Excellent update on the former Tar Heels making waves at their new programs. It’s great to see both Tyson and Lubin finding immediate success and significant roles. Tyson putting up numbers like that in the physical Big Ten is especially impressive and speaks to his adaptability.
My question is about fit versus opportunity: In your opinion, is their individual success more a product of landing in a system that perfectly highlights their skills, or is it primarily a function of getting the major minutes and usage that simply weren’t available in last year’s crowded UNC frontcourt?
It varies by the player. Tyson is getting more of an opportunity, but really struggled when he got his chances at Carolina. Jackson is hard to figure but you have to think he would have thrived at UNC in the right situation. Hopefully, he has a big season at St. John’s. It’s still too early to know if Washington’s move will work out well for him. Obviously, Nickel’s move to Vandy has worked well.