Indiana University basketball will host 4‑star, 6‑foot‑6 wing Isaac Smith, the No. 34 overall prospect in the 2028 class, on Nov. 13, according to 247Sports analyst Eric Bossi. Smith, a versatile small forward from Virginia who attends Monarch Academy in Kansas City, averages 12.8 points, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals on the Nike EYBL circuit, shooting 39.1% from three, and previously posted 17.8 points per game at Hargrave. He has offers from Kansas, Michigan, Virginia and several other Power‑5 schools, while Indiana currently has no early‑cycle commits.
Hey Testudo Times community! This is your open space to discuss all things Maryland women’s basketball. Keep things respectful as always. Be sure to keep up with all of our women’s basketball coverage here. All open threads will be restarted periodically as needed. Please direct any questions/comments/concerns to managing editor Nolan Rogalski and the rest of the staff at [email protected]. Enjoy!
Hey Testudo Times community! This is your open space to discuss all things Maryland men’s basketball. Keep things respectful as always. Be sure to keep up with all of our men’s basketball coverage here. All open threads will be restarted periodically as needed. Please direct any questions/comments/concerns to managing editor Nolan Rogalski and the rest of the staff at [email protected]. Enjoy!
After a 93-71 preseason loss to Virginia, Villanova coach Kevin Willard blasted the Philadelphia Inquirer and clarified that the Wildcats did not pull the plug on the Big 5. He insisted the decision was driven by the other five schools, calling the current format “stupid” and emphasizing his goal to keep the triple‑header at Xfinity Mobile Arena and its pre‑game banquet alive. Willard argued Villanova wants continuity, citing low attendance at La Salle (500) versus higher draws for Penn‑St. Joe’s (2,000), and accused the Inquirer of poor reporting. He also hinted at future series with Temple and a home‑and‑home with Fran McCaffery, while rejecting low‑attendance road games.
In 25 years at LSU, Dale Brown won 448 games and led the Tigers to two Final Fours.
USC women’s basketball climbs to No. 3 in the 2026‑27 AP preseason Top 25, bolstered by the return of guard JuJu Watkins after her ACL tear. The Trojans earned two first‑place votes, trailing only South Carolina (23 votes) and UConn (six). After an 18‑14 season and a second‑round NCAA exit without Watkins, voters anticipate a major impact from her comeback and a strong recruiting class that includes No. 1 guard Saniyah Hall and international forwards Sara Okeke and Sitaya Fagan. USC opens on Nov. 2 at UNLV and faces top‑seeded South Carolina on Nov. 15, a early test of the lofty ranking.
In the Halloween‑themed edition of "You’re Nuts," Ohio State men's basketball writers debate a seasonal "trick" and "treat" for the Buckeyes. Connor warns that despite adding six 6′9"+ players, Ohio State’s rebounding may remain a weakness—last season the team ranked mid‑pack in the Big Ten and was out‑rebounded in its exhibition vs. Cincinnati. Justin counters with a treat: five‑star freshman forward Anthony Thompson, a potential All‑Big Ten First Team selection, could propel the team to its upside. The article also notes the upcoming regular‑type scrimmage against Butler on Sunday, with free student tickets and coach Jake Diebler promising a game‑like atmosphere.
By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor Dale Brown, who dramatically turned around a dormant LSU basketball program in the 1970s and took it to its first Final Four since 1953 in 1981 with another one [...]
The post LSU Basketball Coaching Legend Dale Brown Has Passed Away At Age 90 appeared first on TigerRag.com .
An old Atlantic Coast Conference rivalry is renewed as North Carolina women's basketball wraps up preseason action with a visit to Maryland for an exhibition on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can stream the action against the Terrapins on B1G+.
Mike MacDonald returns to St. Bonaventure after going 61-3 over two seasons at Daemen. Can the veteran coach bring his remarkable success to the Atlantic 10?
Iowa State welcomes transfer guard/forward Alex‑Anne Bessette, a 6‑2, 9‑9 Loyola star, as a Day‑1 starter. Bessette led Loyola in scoring, posting double‑figures in 19 games and five 20‑point outings, while averaging nearly four three‑point attempts per game (26.4% shooting). Her size adds depth to a undersized Cyclone frontcourt, and she topped Loyola with 0.9 blocks per game. Expect her to run pick‑and‑rolls, drive to the basket and provide a reliable scoring option when shots falter. With four years of eligibility under the new 5‑for‑5 rule, she could become one of Iowa State’s most impactful transfers.
John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks return to the SEC spotlight with NBA‑ready talent. After a Sweet 16 run last season, the Hogs lost most of their roster but retain star freshman Billy "Goat" Richmond III while Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas have already turned pro (Acuff 7th overall, Thomas 34th). Calipari, now in his third year at Arkansas (50‑23 record), leans on fresh recruits to replace departing players. The team, projected 4th‑5th in the conference, aims to improve on its 18th‑rank KenPom efficiency and finally break through to a Final Four after five Sweet 16 appearances in six years.
Only five Mountain West alums remain on NBA rosters as the 2026-27 season begins. Caleb Martin (31) is a veteran role player for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.9 points last year. Kobe Sanders, a 2025 second‑round pick, earns a four‑year, $11.2 million deal with the LA Clippers after posting 7.3 points per game. UNLV’s Derrick Jones Jr. continues to excel as a defensive wing for the Clippers, scoring 10.1 points on 49.9% shooting, while Elijah Harkless signs a two‑way deal with the Detroit Pistons after strong G‑League numbers. Wyoming veteran Larry Nance Jr., now with the Indiana Pacers, provides veteran depth but is past his prime. The article reviews each player's stats and contract status ahead of the new NBA season.
After a 93-71 exhibition loss to Virginia, Villanova coach Kevin Willard blasted Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff Neiburg as a “bad writer” while inadvertently confirming the reporter’s story that Villanova will leave the historic Big 5. The piece details the Big 5’s declining attendance, a failed 2023‑2026 format revamp that added Drexel, and Villanova’s push for a new schedule and Hall of Fame banquet that the other schools rejected. Willard claims the exit wasn’t Villanova’s decision and blames Temple and the other members for blocking a proposal that would have given the Wildcats a bye and home advantage based on NET rankings. The fallout caps a 70‑year city rivalry now set to continue without the Wildcats.
The Duke Basketball Report podcast teaser previews Duke’s upcoming showdown at Kansas’ legendary Allen Fieldhouse, highlighting the clash between freshman phenom Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Kansas star Tyran Stokes. Hosts Jason and Donald also preview Duke football’s high‑stakes game against Virginia, noting its implications for ACC championship hopes. The episode wraps with a discussion on NIL budgets and the “Duke Discount” for fans. Listeners are encouraged to follow the show across social platforms and affiliate partners.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Jeff Walz Radio Show is back for the 2026-27 women's basketball season. The first show of the season is set for Thursday, October 29.
The article argues that Penn State should replace Villanova in Philadelphia’s historic “Big 5” basketball lineup now called the “Big 5 Classic.” After Drexel’s addition in 2023‑24 turned the six‑team event into a pod system, Villanova announced it will sit out, citing format frustrations and a conflict with Temple. The author notes that Penn State’s strong regional brand and fan base could fill Villanova’s void, even though the Nittany Lions aren’t a Philadelphia school. He suggests the move would boost interest and attendance at future Big 5 games.
Things got chippy as The Feud continued after Thursday night's exhibition game between Alabama and Auburn.
Connor Lemons of Land‑Grant Holy Land breaks down his SB Nation Big Ten men’s basketball preseason poll, revealing his projected standings and individual awards for 2026‑27. He crowns Illinois champion, citing Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic, and names Andrej Stojakovic as Preseason Player of the Year. Ohio State’s Anthony Thompson earns Freshman of the Year, while Indiana’s Markus Burton lands Transfer of the Year. Lemons picks Maryland as the sleeper team and lists his All‑Big Ten first and second teams, explaining why he voted Ohio State sixth and Nebraska eleventh. Full poll results are linked.
Roll ’Bama Roll previews Alabama’s showdown with Texas A&M on Oct. 23, 2026, projecting a 30‑21 Crimson Tide win. With quarterback Keelon Russell expected to revive the offense and tight end Ryan Coleman‑Williams potentially back, Alabama aims to snap a two‑game skid despite a grueling eight‑game stretch. The Aggies, led by Marcel Reed, have struggled on the road, scoring just six points in recent losses, and their pass rush is weak, giving Alabama a chance to dominate early. Experts forecast scores ranging from 28‑12 to 38‑24, but the consensus leans toward a modest victory for No. 13 Alabama.
The Indiana Hoosiers will conclude exhibition play against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Sunday, Oct. 25. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET at the Ford Center in Evansville. Jay Wilson (PxP) and Chloe Marotta (Analyst) will handle the B1G+ stream.
Syracuse’s final exhibition pits the Orange against Niagara on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in Buffalo. Coach Gerry McNamara and Greg Paulus focus on four key fixes: rebounding (the Orange are –14 on the glass and have allowed 26 second‑chance points), health (injuries have shuffled the rotation), paint defense (a 30‑20 loss to UConn and a 40‑26 setback to Siena highlight rim woes), and backcourt efficiency (guard shooting is 15‑68 overall). A strong showing could boost confidence before the regular season.
Highlights: #22 Purdue 5, Indiana 0
The preview breaks down Marquette women’s basketball’s five incoming transfers for 2026‑27, highlighting guard MacKenzie Givens from Xavier and forward Kayl Petersen from Virginia Tech. Givens, a 6‑foot junior who averaged 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and earned a top‑500 offensive rating last season, could compete for a starting guard spot and boost Marquette’s perimeter shooting. Petersen, a 6‑1 forward who saw limited minutes at VT but contributed 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds as a rookie, seeks a larger role with the Golden Eagles. Both players join coach Cara Consuegra’s roster alongside returning talent like Halle Vice.
Wake Forest lands local 4‑star power forward Jayon Connor for the 2027 class. The 6‑foot‑7 Forsyth Country Day junior, ranked No. 83 by 247Sports, chooses the Deacs over offers from Virginia Tech, Clemson, NC State, Georgia Tech, Houston, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, USC and West Virginia. Connor posted 20 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, praised for his motor, aggression and rim scoring. He shot 11% from three‑point range and 44% from the line last season, indicating development needs.