Cal’s surprise triumph sets the tone
When the California Golden Bears stepped onto the court against the 18th‑ranked UCLA Bruins, most pundits expected a routine win for the Bruins. Instead, the Bears turned the Empire Classic championship into a showcase of grit and sharpshooting, edging UCLA 80‑72. Senior guard Chris Bell poured in 22 points, drilling five of his seven three‑pointers, while freshman forward Dai Dai Ames added a solid 14. UCLA, meanwhile, sputtered at the free‑throw line, converting just 13 of 23 attempts (57%). The victory nudged Cal to a 6‑1 start and gave the program a much‑needed confidence boost heading into conference play.
Tar Heels ride a late surge to beat St. Bonaventure
North Carolina didn’t have a smooth start either, trailing St. Bonaventure 35‑33 at halftime. A second‑half burst saw the Tar Heels pull away, ultimately posting an 85‑70 victory. Caleb Wilson was the workhorse, hauling in a double‑double with 20 points and 12 rebounds despite being double‑teamed for much of the night. He shot 5‑13 from the field and added 12 free‑throw points. Henri Veesaar contributed a career‑high 24 points and 13 boards. The Heels forced 13 turnovers while committing nine of their own, and they assisted on 46.4% of their made field goals, a statistic that underscored their improved ball movement.
NC State finds rhythm in Maui, topples Boise State
The Maui Invitational delivered its own drama as the Wolfpack faced off against the Broncos. After a series of back‑and‑forth runs, NC State emerged 81‑70 winners. Dylan Andrews led the charge for Boise State with 26 points, but the Wolfpack’s balanced attack proved too much. Darrion Williams paced NC State with 16 points, while Ven‑Allen Lubin added a double‑double (11 points, 12 rebounds). Defensively, the Wolfpack limited Boise’s three‑point shooting to 33% and held them to just 34% overall, a testament to their disciplined perimeter defense.
Notre Dame withstands Rutgers’ late rally
In a gritty contest at the Players Era Festival, the Fighting Irish built a 19‑point cushion early against the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers clawed back, narrowing the gap to four points with under six minutes left. However, Notre Dame steadied the ship, extending the lead to 11 before the final buzzer. Senior guard Markus Burton was the star, tallying 21 points on efficient shooting (9‑13 from the field, 2‑4 from three). He was ably supported by Braeden Shewsberry’s 13 points and freshman Jalen Haralson’s 15, the latter continuing to show why he’s considered a rising prospect.
Kansas rolls past Syracuse, Syracuse’s shooting woes continue
In Las Vegas, the Kansas Jayhawks dispatched the Syracuse Orange 71‑60. Syracuse’s offense sputtered, shooting a dismal 23% from three‑point range and just 32% overall. Melvin Council, who has struggled with his shot all season, went 3‑15 from the field but was perfect from the line (7‑8), finishing with 14 points. His three‑point percentage sits at a bleak 15.8% heading into the season. The Orange also missed key contributions from senior guard Donnie Freeman, who remains sidelined with a lingering injury, leaving a noticeable void in their lineup.
Florida State’s defensive identity evolves under new leadership
Florida State turned the tables on Cal State Bakersfield, delivering an 89‑59 blowout. While the Seminoles still boast the stifling defense that Leonard Hamilton cultivated, the offense has found a clearer rhythm under new head coach Luke Loucks. Alex Steen, a transfer from Florida Southern, posted a double‑double (13 points, 10 rebounds) while shooting an impressive 60% from the floor. Chauncey Wiggins added 17 points, and Robert McCray contributed 14. The Seminoles’ ability to combine aggressive defense with more cohesive offensive sets suggests they could be a dark horse in the ACC this season.
Wake Forest dominates Campbell in a statement win
Wake Forest turned the Baptist Bowl into a showcase of offensive firepower, crushing Campbell 99‑51. The Deacs jumped to an early 8‑0 lead and never looked back. Juke Harris was on fire, pouring in 17 points while sinking five of his nine three‑point attempts (6‑12 from the field). Mekhi Mason added 16, and Myles Colvin, fresh off a heroics‑filled game against Memphis, contributed a modest eight points. Campbell’s shooting was abysmal, managing just four of 26 attempts from beyond the arc and 16‑59 overall. The win cements Wake’s reputation as a high‑scoring threat heading into the next round of ACC play.
Looking ahead: ACC matchups to watch
The ACC slate remains jam‑packed. Wednesday’s action features Syracuse traveling to face #15 Iowa State, while Notre Dame takes on #3 Houston in a marquee showdown. Harvard will visit Boston College, and Colorado State meets Virginia Tech on ESPNU. In Louisville, the Cardinals are slated to host NJIT, and NC State will clash with Texas in a primetime duel on ESPN2. Fans can expect more surprises as teams fine‑tune their rotations and look to solidify standings before March Madness.
Takeaways from an unforgettable night
From Cal’s upset over a top‑20 UCLA to Wake Forest’s offensive onslaught, Tuesday’s ACC action reminded everyone why college basketball is so unpredictable. Key storylines include: (1) Cal’s emerging backcourt chemistry, highlighted by Bell’s three‑point efficiency; (2) UNC’s improved ball distribution, evident in their assist rate; (3) NC State’s defensive discipline against high‑scoring opponents; (4) Notre Dame’s resilience under pressure; and (5) Florida State’s offensive rebirth under Loucks. If the rest of the season follows this script, the ACC could produce one of the most competitive conference races in recent memory.
