By R.L. Bynum
It was more Maui frustration for Ven-Allen Lubin despite a good game, while Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson had contrasting luck in Vegas as holiday tournaments tipped off on Monday.
Lubin, who combined for 19 points when UNC lost two of three Maui Invitational games last season, scored a season-high 16 points and tied his season-high with nine rebounds Monday, leading No. 23 N.C. State in both categories.
It wasn’t enough as the Wolfpack, the only ranked team in this season’s Maui field, lost 85–74 in the first round to Seton Hall (6–0).
Lubin didn’t get enough help from his teammates as the Wolfpack (4–1) lost its first game under first-year coach Will Wade. Lubin was 6 of 10 from the floor; the rest of the team was 19 for 49.
“I think that we were a little bit sped up and took some forced shots, knowing that we can get better shots,” Lubin said. “We were well prepared. Coach did a good job, knowing that they were going to be very scrappy, they were going to be handsy and do a lot of run and jump. We just had to continue to stay poised, and we didn’t do a great job of that.”
Lubin scored his second 3-pointer of the season after going 0 for 3 from beyond the arc last season for the Tar Heels. That 3 cut N.C. State’s deficit to 12 with 4:19 left, but the Wolfpack got no closer than 11 points after that.
Seton Hall dominated State inside, with a 40–26 edge on inside points.
“I think that we just have to be stronger with the ball when it’s in the middle of the paint,” Lubin said. “A lot of guys were crashing down in the paint. So just making quick and easy decisions, whether to go up with the force or kick it out to an open guy.”
Lubin expects to be a leader and takes accountability for the failures to consistently score inside.
“We were juggling the ball a lot in the paint, not really getting a secure catch and a powerful finish,” Lubin said. “I know I missed some, and that kind of left some points on the table. So, that’s something I’ll say I get better at. Once the team sees me doing that, then they’ll continue to carry on. But I think that’s something that I want to take accountability for and just continue to do that for the next game.”
N.C. State became the first ranked team this season to lose to an unranked team.
Cadeau and Jackson are both playing in the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas.
Cadeau’s No. 7 Michigan team (5–0) rolled to a 94–54 victory over San Diego State (2–2) while Jackson’s No. 14 St. John’s team (3–2) dropped a heartbreaker to No. 15 Iowa State (5–0) 83–82.
Cadeau scored 13 points and three 3-pointers in 18 minutes with one assist, one turnover and one steal.
It was the third time in five games that he’s scored in double figures but also the third consecutive game with only one assist after combining for 21 in his first two games as a Wolverine. Last season at UNC, Cadeau dished out at least four assists in all but six games and had only one game with just one assist: when he scored seven points in an 82–68 home win Jan. 7 against SMU.
The competition gets much tougher at 8:30 Tuesday (TNT) when Michigan takes on No. 21 Auburn (5–1), which knocked off unranked Oregon 84–73 on Monday.
After starting the Red Storm’s opener, Jackson has come off the bench in every game since then. He only played 16 minutes with five points, two turnovers and an assist in their loss to Iowa State. He was scoreless in six second-half minutes and missed his only shot, and made 2 of 6 shots for the game.
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St. John’s missed shots in the final minute and fell to 0–2 against ranked teams after falling 103–96 to No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 8.
The Red Storm tries to rebound at 4:30 Tuesday (truTV) against Baylor (4–0).
Tray Crisp contributed eight points, three assists and two rebounds as Mississippi State (5–1) easily beat Alcorn State 65–51 in the first round of the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Fla. The Bulldogs play Middle Tennessee State at 1:30 Tuesday in the championship game (FloSports).
In other games on Tuesday:
—Will Shaver’s 3–4 Samford team takes on Georgia State at 2 p.m. (FloCollege) in the first round of the Cancun Challenge.
—Paulina Paris’ 1–4 SMU team opens play at 2:15 (BallerTV) in the Music City Classic against Saint Louis.
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, 11.0 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 — 3 games, 3 starts, 9.0 points, 52.2 FG%, 0–2 3P, 37.5 FT%, 5.7 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 blocks, 4 steals
Record — 1–2
Monday — Penn 78, Howard 65 (road) | started: 23 minutes, 4 points, 2–7 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks (season-low point total after combining for 23 points in the first two games)
Thursday — 7 p.m. vs. Stetson
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 — 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
Record — 1–1
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, 36.5 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, 17.6 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 — 3–0
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 starts, 12.7 points, 15–37 FG, 5–17 3FG, 3–5 FT, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 1.3 steals
Monday — Minnesota 63, Cincinnati 61 (road) | started: 39 minutes, 26 points, 11–19 FG, 3–8 3FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 fouls, 7 turnovers, 1 steal, 18.0 game score (second-highest of his career behind 21.9 for Colorado State against Memphis on March 21, 2025: 23 points, 6 3-pointers, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals)
Thursday — 8 p.m. vs. Southern, B1G+
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 — 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
Season statistics — 2 games, 2 starts, 16.0 points, 54.2 FG%, 46.2 3P%, 2.5 rebounds
Record — 2–0
Sunday — St. John’s 104, Iona 65 (Madison Square Garden) | started: 20:10, 17 points, 7–12 FG, 3–8 3FG, 3 rebounds, +20
Wednesday — 7 p.m. vs. Colgate at Carnesecca Arena, 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 — 2–0
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
Tuesday — 7 p.m. vs. Presbyterian, 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 | Junior | 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, 16.4 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
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, 26.8 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 — 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
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 (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
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
Top photo via @PackMensBball; Cadeau photo via mgoblue.com
