College basketball returned in thrilling fashion as opening night delivered massive blowouts, stunning upsets, and standout performances across the country. Fans experienced everything from record-setting offensive explosions to historic underdog victories as the new college basketball season tipped off on Monday.
Illinois Shines With Record-Breaking Offense
The Illinois Fighting Illini wasted no time demonstrating their new offensive approach, pivoting from a slow pick-and-roll style to a high-speed transition attack under coach Brad Underwood and offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood. The results were historic during a 120-45 romp over FDU.
The 75-point margin of victory stands as the largest for Illinois at the State Farm Center, which opened back in 1963. The Illini also drained a program-best 19 three-pointers while shooting 51 attempts from beyond the arc. Andrej Stojakovic notched 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Stefan Vaaks added 20 points with zero turnovers. The impressive performance came even without CBS Sports First Team All-American David Mirkovic, who is out indefinitely recovering from foot surgery and an appendectomy.
Memorable Upsets and Early Season Struggles
Not every powerhouse enjoyed a smooth start to the campaign. No. 18 Iowa State fell 80-76 to Memphis, driven by 26 points from Jayden Reid and 18 points from Luke Almodovar. Entering the season rated No. 6 on KenPom.com, the Cyclones showed they have considerable work to do after losing key players like Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, while dealing with injuries to Killyan Toure.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma suffered a historic defeat, falling 68-64 to East Texas A&M. The visiting Lions entered the matchup as 28.5-point underdogs with a 42-87 record over four seasons as a Division I member, securing their first-ever win against a power conference opponent in what stands as the second-largest point-spread DI upset of the past 30 years.
Key Takeaways From Opening Night
- Florida Gators: Thomas Haugh starred in a 19-point, 10-rebound outing against Miami, strengthening his early player of the year case.
- BYU Cougars: No. 25 BYU scored 60 second-half points in a 94-83 victory over Ohio State, led by Rob Wright III with 33 points.
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Sophomore wing Davis Fogle totaled 22 points in a 78-72 win against Purdue.
- Murray State Racers: Forced Tennessee State into 26 turnovers during a 94-64 blowout, paced by Roman Domon with 22 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score of the Illinois vs. FDU opening game?
Illinois defeated FDU with a final score of 120-45, setting a new venue record for margin of victory at the State Farm Center.
Who pulled off the biggest upset on opening night?
East Texas A&M pulled off a stunning 68-64 upset against Oklahoma as a 28.5-point underdog, marking their first-ever win against a power conference opponent.
How many points did Rob Wright III score for BYU?
Rob Wright III poured in 33 points to help lead No. 25 BYU to a 94-83 victory over Ohio State.