By R.L. Bynum
While Elliot Cadeau continues to pile up assists and No. 3 Michigan keeps stacking wins, and Ven-Allen Lubin is putting up consistent games for streaking N.C. State, other former North Carolina players had unproductive, up-and-down or frustrating weeks.
Cadeau only combined for nine points as the Wolverines (21–1, 11–1 Big Ten) rolled to a 110–69 home win over Penn State on Thursday and an 82–61 victory Sunday at Ohio State, but he had eight assists against the Nittany Lions and six against the Buckeyes.
Cadeau, averaging 9.9 points per game, has at least six assists in 12 of 22 games this season after doing that in 20 of 37 games for the Tar Heels last season, both around 54% of his games.
Teonni Key, a 6–5 senior, made an impressive return to the Kentucky lineup after missing six games with a dislocated right elbow. She produced career highs of 27 points and 11 field goals with 12 rebounds, but in an 84–83 home loss on Thursday to No. 5 Vanderbilt.
She drew praise from Commodores coach Shea Ralph.
“I told [UK coach] Kenny [Brooks] before the game how happy I am that he got her back because that was a pretty tough injury that kid had,” Ralph said. “To be able to come back the way that she did and play the kind of basketball that she’s playing right now says a lot about her.
“I love her length,” Ralph said. “I felt like there were three of her on the floor at times. She’s bringing the ball up, then she got the rebound, how’s she over there getting a drive to the basket. It felt like she was all over the place,” the Vanderbilt coach said.
It was the fifth double-double of the season and 17th of her career for Key, who is averaging 11.3 points and 7.1 rebounds.
The Wildcats (18–6, 5–4 SEC), now No. 18, face another significant challenge on Monday when they play at No. 4 Texas.
No. 17 St. John’s (18–5, 11–1 Big East) got a huge 82–72 home win Friday over No. 6 UConn (22–2, 12–1), to pull within a half-game of the Huskies for the Big East lead. But Ian Jackson was on the bench for the final 8:56 of the game, as Coach Rick Pitino instead went with Dylan Darling down the stretch.
Jackson has started the last 15 games, but has played 15 or fewer minutes in four of those, including 15 minutes against UConn, scoring eight points against the Huskies.
On Wednesday, Cade Tyson poured in 17 points and three 3-pointers as host Minnesota (11–13, 4–9 Big Ten) upset No. 7 Michigan State 76–73. On Sunday, though, Tyson had 12 points and two 3-pointers in the Gophers’ 67–62 loss to unranked Maryland.
The frustrating stretch continues for Tyler Nickel, Jalen Washington and No. 19 Vanderbilt (19–4, 6–5 SEC).
After the Commodores won their first 16 games, they’ve lost four of their last seven, including a 91–90 home loss to unranked Oklahoma on Saturday.
Nickel had 18 points and five 3-pointers while Washington got this fourth start, collecting four points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Washington’s career high is 12 rebounds last season in UNC’s 63–61 win at N.C. State, when he recorded his only career double-double with 11 points.
Lubin scored 11 points in both wins for N.C. State (18–6, 9–2 ACC) last week, an 84–83 win at SMU and an 82–73 home win over Virginia Tech, and has scored in double figures in the last eight games. The Wolfpack takes a six-game win streak into Monday’s 7 p.m. game at No. 24 Louisville (ESPN).
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Lubin, averaging 13.3 points per game, leads the ACC in field goal percentage (67.9%) in all games and in league games (66.7%). He’s fourth in the country.
Puff Johnson, who has played three games for Ohio State (15–8, 7–6 Big Ten) since joining the team, missed both of the Buckeyes’ games last week with an injury that the program is describing as not long-term.
Ahead of her homecoming game Thursday at UNC, Paulina Paris didn’t play for SMU (8–16, 1–11 ACC) in its fifth consecutive loss Sunday, a 95–36 setback at Duke, with an undisclosed injury. Paris started and scored 10 points and two 3-pointers in the Mustangs’ 70–65 home loss Thursday to Wake Forest.
In other games for former UNC players last week:
— Trayanna Crisp had three points on 1 of 7 shooting Thursday as Mississippi State (16–8, 3–7 SEC) lost 88–45 at No. 3 South Carolina.
— Will Shaver combined for five points and three rebounds in two home wins last week for Samford (13–12, 6–6 Southern Conference): 78–64 over The Citadel and 69–49 over Mercer.
— RyLee Grays combined for five points and six rebounds for Tulsa (16–7, 8–3 American) as the Golden Hurricane won 75–65 at Wichita State on Tuesday and lost 66–47 at home Saturday to UTSA
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 — 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 — 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 — 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) | [confirm start/minutes]: 21 points, 10–17 FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 4 turnovers, 2 blocks (double-double), 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 — 2–0 (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
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
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 — 4 games, 4 starts, 11.0 points, 45.5 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 5–6 FT, 1.0 rebound, 3.3 assists
Record — 4–0
Tuesday — No. 15 TCU 78, Iona 53 (home) | started: 31 minutes, 7 points, 3–10 FG, 1–8 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, season-low 4.6 game score
Thursday — 7:30 p.m. vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 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
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
Photo via mgoblue.com
