By R.L. Bynum
Elliot Cadeau did a little of everything for Michigan, Ven-Allen Lubin dominated inside for N.C. State and Ian Jackson powered a decisive stretch for St. John’s as former Carolina players helped their teams win Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cadeau came three rebounds short of a triple-double in No. 20 Michigan’s 84–70 home victory over Marquette on Wednesday, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
The senior guard went 6-for-10 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from 3-point range, and added a steal and a block in 35 minutes. He scored 13 points after halftime as the Wolverines improved to 2–1.
Cadeau credited Michigan’s preparation after its loss to UConn.
“I think it’s just like the way we practiced and prepared this past week,” Cadeau said (get his complete postgame press conference transcript here).
Cadeau’s rebounding also helped Michigan control the glass. Coach Mike Boynton Jr. pointed to contributions from the perimeter as opponents devote more attention to keeping the Wolverines’ big men away from the boards.
Cadeau is averaging 10.7 points and 6.3 assists through three games, although his four turnovers Wednesday left his season average at 4.7 per game.
Cadeau’s 18.4 game score was the third-highest in his career behind two home games at Carolina 11 days apart early in the 2024–25 season: a 22.0 (18 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 4 steals) on Nov. 15, 2024, in a 107–55 win over American and a 21.1 (17 points, 3 3-pointers, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks) on Nov. 4, 2024, in a 90–76 victory over Elon.
Lubin produced his second double-double of the season and the 20th of his career Tuesday, collecting 21 points and 10 rebounds in N.C. State’s 94–60 home victory over Presbyterian.
The graduate forward started and played 26 minutes, made 10 of 17 shots and added two blocks. He scored the Wolfpack’s first 10 points as N.C. State made a deliberate effort to establish its inside game.
Wolfpack coach Justin Gainey had emphasized getting the post players involved during practice, Lubin said.
“Because we know that we’re great playmakers, great scorers in the post, and so he just wants the guards to kind of get us a look,” Lubin said, according to a Pack Pride transcript.
Lubin is averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 69% for the unbeaten Wolfpack (3–0), which hosts Troy at 7 p.m. Friday on ACC Network.
Jackson scored 17 points in only 20 minutes Wednesday as No. 13 St. John’s improved to 3–0 with a 90–59 victory over Colgate at Carnesecca Arena.
The junior guard made 6 of 10 shots, including three of five 3-point attempts. When Colgate cut the deficit to six late in the first half, Jackson supplied nine points and assisted on the other basket during an 11–0 run that sent the Red Storm into halftime ahead 49–32.
Jackson’s work with point guard Quinn Ellis has drawn praise from Coach Rick Pitino. Asked about Pitino calling them the country’s best backcourt, Ellis welcomed the endorsement.
“It’s a big compliment for me and Ian. We just try to use it as motivation,” Ellis said.
Jackson is averaging 16.3 points on 55.9% shooting overall and 50% from 3. St. John’s faces Syracuse at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m. Sunday on Peacock.
Derek Dixon scored 12 points without a turnover Tuesday in No. 12 Arizona’s 90–59 home victory over Northern Arizona. The sophomore guard started, played 27 minutes and made 5 of 9 shots, including 2 of 5 from outside the arc. He added two assists.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized Dixon’s importance after his strong start to the game.
“I think Derek is an important player of this team, and he knows that. The better he plays, the better we are,” Lloyd said, according to the Arizona Desert Swarm’s transcript.
Dixon is averaging 13 points for the Wildcats (2–1), who visit Auburn at 9 p.m. Friday on ESPN2.
Zayden High had 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists Wednesday in South Florida’s 83–80 loss to Saint Joseph’s in Annapolis, Md.
High went 5-for-8 from the field and made all three free throws, but committed six turnovers in 25 minutes. The junior forward is averaging 14.7 points and seven rebounds while shooting 64.3% for the Bulls (1–2).
On the women’s side, Lanie Grant contributed seven points, three assists and a steal Tuesday as No. 15 TCU improved to 4–0 with a 78–53 home victory over Iona.
Grant struggled from outside, making one of eight 3-point attempts, but committed no turnovers in 31 minutes. Her lone 3-pointer was TCU’s first of the game, coming with 1:29 left in the second quarter.
The junior guard is averaging 11 points and 3.3 assists. Her 6.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks second in the Big 12 entering Thursday’s home game against Southeastern Louisiana.
Liza Astakhova didn’t play in BYU’s 82–56 home victory over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday.
Ivan Matlekovic didn’t play Wednesday as Pacific lost 62–59 at Long Beach State; he hasn’t appeared this season.
Get a rundown of Monday’s games in this story, including Kyan Evans’ 26-point, 10-rebound performance for Minnesota.
Subscribe to read Tar Heel Tribune ad-free
Subscribe for a cleaner, smoother reading experience without the flashing banners, slow-loading elements, or those especially annoying pop‑up ads that interrupt the flow of the story. You’ll also get the first version of each story emailed to you. The only ads you’ll see are static, non-intrusive ads for UNC‑related books, and there are none currently on the site.
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 — 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 — 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 — 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
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
Last 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 — 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
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
