By R.L. Bynum
Seth Trimble spent four seasons finding ways to help North Carolina win. At Louisville, he is getting an early opportunity to help run the show.
The former Tar Heel guard has stepped into a starting backcourt alongside Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad for the No. 11 Cardinals, sharing responsibility for initiating the offense on a team picked to finish third in the ACC.
That arrangement gives Coach Pat Kelsey two experienced guards who can create opportunities for teammates, with Trimble’s ability to attack the basket complementing Shelstad’s perimeter shooting.
“If I’m on the ball, we fully believe something good is going to happen,” Trimble said after Louisville’s exhibition win over Mercyhurst, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
Trimble finished Wednesday’s 71–39 win with 10 points, seven rebounds and a team-high six assists. A week earlier, he collected 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in Louisville’s victory at Kansas, giving the Cardinals contributions well beyond scoring in both exhibitions.
His arrival came with uncertainty. Trimble needed a court ruling to pursue a fifth season after completing four at Carolina, and an Oct. 16 injunction restored his eligibility while the litigation continues. For now, he is preparing for Monday’s 9 p.m. opener against Chattanooga (ACCN) as an important piece of Louisville’s pursuit of an ACC championship.
“Seth Trimble is one of the steadying forces in college basketball,” Kelsey said when Louisville announced his signing.
Trimble’s new assignment is among the most prominent in a large group of former UNC men’s and women’s players scattered across college basketball. Some are established leaders on ranked teams, others are pursuing larger opportunities after limited minutes in Chapel Hill, and several still face questions about their impact.
Elliot Cadeau already has something the others are chasing: a national championship at his new school.
The Michigan senior returns after helping the Wolverines finish 37–3 and earning the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player award. Now he and fellow returning guard Trey McKenney provide continuity for first-year Coach Mike Boynton Jr., who was promoted after Dusty May’s departure for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
“I definitely feel like we’re ready to turn the page and move on,” Cadeau said at Big Ten media day.
For No. 16 Michigan, Cadeau’s responsibilities include creating shots and supplying more scoring as a new supporting cast develops. He demonstrated both against Oregon State, scoring 26 of his 27 points after halftime and handing out eight assists in a 98–93 exhibition victory.
Michigan’s subsequent 83–66 exhibition loss to Houston underscored that winning another title will require more than relying on last season’s accomplishments. Cadeau’s experience gives Boynton an established point guard to build around.
Ian Jackson has a similar leadership opportunity at No. 13 St. John’s, where he is Coach Rick Pitino’s lone returning starter.
Jackson is being asked to help connect a roster filled with newcomers while becoming a more complete player. His scoring remains important, but Pitino’s assessment of his exhibition finale emphasized his defense and decisions.
“He just looked like a complete player at every phase of the game,” Pitino said after Jackson produced 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in an 87–74 victory over No. 7 Texas.
With Quinn Ellis handling playmaking responsibilities and newcomers Keyshawn Hall and Tounde Yessoufou providing scoring, Jackson does not have to carry the offense. His ability to contribute without forcing shots will be important.
Derek Dixon has moved directly into an important backcourt role at No. 5 Arizona, joining a program coming off a Final Four appearance and picked to repeat as Big 12 champion.
The sophomore’s shooting gives Coach Tommy Lloyd another way to create room around center Motiejus Krivas, the league’s preseason player of the year. Playing alongside fellow transfer guard JJ Mandaquit, who was at Washington last season, also allows Dixon to work without the ball rather than initiating every possession.
“I’m lucky to play with a lot of really good players, so they make it easy for me,” Dixon said after Arizona’s exhibition win over San Francisco.
Arizona’s depth should give Dixon opportunities to play to his strengths, but the expectations are substantial. The Wildcats are pursuing another conference title and a return to the final weekend of the NCAA tournament.
Ven-Allen Lubin remains a central frontcourt piece at N.C. State, now under first-year coach Justin Gainey.
Lubin’s exhibition finale showed his interior finishing and ability to draw fouls. He scored 22 points (5-of-5 shooting, 12-of-13 free throws), grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots in a 130–66 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne.
The Wolfpack were picked eighth in the ACC, leaving room to climb if their new pieces come together. Lubin sees defensive improvement as the next important step.
“Once we fix a few things defensively, I think we’re going to be really good,” Lubin said, playing at the same school for consecutive seasons for the first time in his college career.
Jonathan Powell also remains in the ACC, moving to Pittsburgh after one season at Carolina. He started the Panthers’ exhibition at Providence and led them with 15 points in an 87–64 loss.
Powell supplies perimeter shooting to a rebuilt team with experienced conference transfers, including point guard Naithan George and forward Baye Ndongo, both from Georgia Tech.
Establishing a dependable rotation and improving on its exhibition performance are immediate priorities for Pitt, picked 12th in the ACC.
Kyan Evans has taken a different route, reuniting at Minnesota with Niko Medved, his coach for two seasons at Colorado State.
The senior is positioned to direct the offense alongside returning guard Isaac Asuma. His first exhibition provided an encouraging example: eight points, seven assists, four steals and four rebounds in a 72–52 victory over Omaha.
“Kyan is such a competitor with a high basketball IQ and a great playmaker,” Medved said when Minnesota announced his signing.
Evans is trying to regain the confidence and production he had before a difficult season at UNC. His familiarity with Medved’s expectations should help Minnesota build around returners Asuma, Bobby Durkin and Jaylen Crocker-Johnson.
“Last year gave me more motivation than I’ve ever had before,” Evans told the Pioneer Press in September.
A right-hip injury limited Evans to 13 minutes in Minnesota’s 89–86 double-overtime exhibition loss on Oct. 23 at Creighton.
Luka Bogavac’s immediate role at Oklahoma State is less settled after he missed the Cowboys’ final two exhibitions.
The senior guard scored 13 points and made three 3-pointers in 24 minutes off the bench in an 88–89 home loss Oct. 11 to New Mexico.
His size and perimeter shooting offer useful options for Coach Steve Lutz, but his absence against Tulsa and Wisconsin interrupted that early opportunity to establish himself. The reason for those absences has not been reported.
“Luka has grown up in high-level basketball and has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages,” Lutz said when announcing his signing.
Oklahoma State was picked 11th in the Big 12 coaches poll.
For Zayden High, South Florida offers an opportunity to establish a larger frontcourt role under first-year Coach Chris Mack, who was at Charleston the past two seasons and coached at Louisville from 2018 to 2022.
High scored 12 points in the Bulls’ 104–72 exhibition victory over Saint Leo. South Florida welcomed 15 new players and was picked third in the American Conference.
Will Shaver is pursuing a larger role at Samford and started all three exhibitions after appearing in 30 games off the bench last season. His exhibition production included 12 points against Alabama A&M, followed by a competitive team showing in an 80–68 loss at Auburn.
The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the Southern Conference. Shaver’s size and experience give Coach Lennie Acuff an option inside.
James Brown and Ivan Matlekovic are seeking opportunities after limited playing time at UNC, though their exact rotation roles aren’t clear since their teams didn’t play public exhibition games.
Brown joins Howard’s frontcourt on a team picked to repeat as MEAC champion. The Bison return established leaders Cedric Taylor III and Ose Okojie Gillus, while Brown adds a 6–10, 240-pound option for Coach Kenneth Blakeney, a former Duke player.
Matlekovic joins a Pacific roster with 13 newcomers after a broken thumb limited his only season at Carolina. The 7–0 junior provides another interior option for Coach Dave Smart, whose Tigers were picked fifth in the West Coast Conference after finishing 18–15.
Among the former UNC women’s players, Elina Aarnisalo has returned to familiar surroundings with a considerably different opportunity.
After spending her freshman season at UCLA and her sophomore year at Carolina, Aarnisalo is back in Westwood as an important guard for the reining national champions. The Bruins lost the starters from their championship team, opening opportunities for a player whose scoring and shooting improved during her season at UNC.
“There’s going to be a lot of spots on the team open now after a big draft class,” Aarnisalo told the Los Angeles Times during the offseason.
Aarnisalo led No. 11 UCLA with 13 points (4-of-7 shooting) and eight rebounds in its 81–64 exhibition loss to No. 6 Texas. With sophomore forward Sienna Betts among the Bruins’ key players, Aarnisalo’s scoring, distribution and experience will help determine how quickly the new lineup develops.
Lanie Grant gives No. 15 TCU a proven perimeter shooter as Coach Mark Campbell assembles another contender.
Grant averaged 10.8 points and shot 41.9% from 3-point range last season at Carolina. Her ability to punish defenses from the perimeter fits a backcourt that also includes Oklahoma State transfer Jadyn Wooten, giving TCU complementary shooting and playmaking options.
“His vision for the program and what they’ve already achieved was in complete alignment with my goals,” Grant told TCU on SI.
The Horned Frogs were picked second in the Big 12 media poll, while Liza Astakhova’s BYU team was picked seventh.
Astakhova offers the Cougars size and versatility on the wing after playing only 57 minutes during her season at UNC.
“Liza is an extremely dynamic player who will help us raise the level of our program now and into the future,” BYU coach Lee Cummard said when announcing her signing.
Astakhova had 13 points and two steals in the Cougars’ 120–36 victory over Western Colorado.
Taliyah Henderson remains in the ACC at Clemson, where Coach Shawn Poppie sees her size and speed as perimeter assets.
Henderson played in 33 games without a start as a UNC freshman. Her new coach expects her athleticism to help Clemson create transition opportunities and mismatches.
“Taliyah is a playmaking scorer who adds great size on the perimeter,” Poppie said in her Clemson biography.
The Tigers were picked ninth in the ACC, giving Henderson an opportunity to help a team trying to climb into the conference’s upper half.
RyLee Grays returns to Tulsa after appearing in 30 games off the bench last season. The 6–4 senior supplies reserve frontcourt size and rebounding for a team picked fourth in the American Conference.
For Cade Tyson and Jalen Washington, the immediate question remains eligibility.
Tyson has enrolled and practiced at Minnesota while seeking clearance to return after leading the Gophers in scoring last season. Washington, who played at Vanderbilt after leaving UNC, still cannot compete for Tennessee. He is part of the same case that includes UNC center Cameron Fens.
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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
Oct. 14 exhibition — No. 11 UCLA 87, Cal 53 (road) | 27 minutes, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 4–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, +20
Sunday exhibition — No. 6 Texas 81, No. 11 UCLA 64 (in Cedar Park, Texas) | started: 31:15, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–6 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -7
Season opener — 2 p.m. Monday 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
Tuesday exhibition — BYU 120, Western Colorado 36 (home) | didn’t start: 16 minutes, 13 points, 5–8 FG, 0–2 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, +47
Season opener — 9 p.m. Tuesday 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 FT%, 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
Oct. 23 exhibition — Oklahoma State 93, Tulsa 84 (home) | didn’t play
Tuesday exhibition — Wisconsin 82, Oklahoma State 65 (road) | didn’t play
Season opener — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Incarnate Word, 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
Season opener — 7 p.m. Monday at Yale, ESPN+
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 — No. 16 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)
Oct. 16 exhibition — No. 16 Michigan 98, Oregon State 93 (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
Sunday exhibition — No. 10 Houston 83, No. 16 Michigan 66 (in Grand Rapids, Mich.) | started: 22:20, 9 points, 3–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 2–5 FT, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal, 5 fouls, team-low -16
Season opener — 6 p.m. Monday vs. Oakland, Big Ten Network
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
Oct. 13 exhibition — No. 5 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
Oct. 16 exhibition — No. 5 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
Oct. 23 exhibition — Arizona 85, Eastern Washington 54 (home) | started: 22:48, 6 points, 2–7 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 foul, +18
Season opener — 10 p.m. Monday vs. No. 22 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
Oct. 15 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
Oct. 23 exhibition — Creighton 89, Minnesota 86, 2 OTs (road) | started; 13 minutes, 6 points, 3–4 FG, 0–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 foul
Season opener — 9 p.m. Monday 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
Preseason rank: No. 15
Season opener — 7:30 Tuesday 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 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 vs. Radford
Plays UNC — 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Clemson, The CW
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
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 p.m. Monday vs. Charleston Southern, 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
Team record: 30–7; Final rank: No. 10
Oct. 14 exhibition — No. 13 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
Oct. 18 exhibition — No. 13 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 blocks, 1 steal, 4 fouls
Sunday exhibition — No. 13 St. John’s 87, No. 7 Texas 74 (at Madison Square Garden) | started: 32 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 3–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals
Season opener — 6:30 Monday 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
Oct. 18 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
Saturday exhibition — N.C. State 130, Lenoir-Rhyne 66 (home) | started: 23 minutes, 22 points, 5–5 FG, 12–13 FT, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks, 1 foul
Season opener — 7:30 Monday 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 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
Oct. 17 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 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
Monday exhibition — Samford 80, Jacksonville State 75 (home) | started: 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–1 3FG, 7 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 2 blocks, team-low -17
Thursday exhibition — Auburn 80, Samford 68 (road) | started: 21:26, 5 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 4 fouls, team-high +4
Season opener — 7:30 Monday vs. Berry
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
Oct. 21 exhibition — No. 11 Louisville 89, No. 17 Kansas 83 (road) | started: 34 minutes, 12 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6–10 FT, 7 rebounds (tied for team-high), 4 assists (tied for team-high), team-high 3 turnovers, 1 steal, +8
Wednesday exhibition — No. 11 Louisville 71, Mercyhurst 39 (home) | started: 24 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 7 rebounds, team-high 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 block
Season opener — 9 p.m. Monday vs. Chattanooga, ACCN
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
Top photo via gocards.com; Cadeau photo via @umichbball; Jackson photo via redstormsports.com; Dixon photo via arizonawildcats.com; Lubin photo via gopack.com; Powell photo via pittsburghpanthers.com; Evans photo via gophersports.com; Bogavac photo via @OSUMBB; High photo via @USFMBB; Aarnisalo photo via uclabruins.com; Grant photo via @tcuwbb
