The ACC had an improved nonconference showing. That could help its cause for more March Madness bids

It wasn't long after sixth-ranked Duke finally fought off a pesky Georgia Tech team that coach Jon Scheyer pointed to the lesson emerging from the Blue Devils' Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Notably, the ACC had a stronger showing in marquee nonconference matchups and has shown more depth of quality teams compared to last year with Duke operating as a one-team show on the way to the Final Four. “I just feel like the league as a whole, it's so much better,” said Terrence Oglesby, a college basketball and NBA TV analyst who played at Clemson.

Madison Booker has 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 2 Texas past Missouri 89-71

Madison Booker matched her season high with 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Jordan Lee scored a career-best 23 points to help No. 2 Texas overcome a slow start to beat Missouri 89-71 on Thursday night. Ashton Judd added 12 points for Texas (16-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) in her first game in Columbia since playing for Missouri from 2022-25. Grace Slaughter scored 20 points, and Abbey Schreacke added 15 for Missouri (12-4, 0-1), which was playing without second-leading scorer Shannon Dowell for the third straight game as she nurses a lower body injury.

Edwards leads way with 25 as No. 3 South Carolina wins 24th straight game over Alabama 83-57

Joyce Edwards scored 25 points and No. 3 South Carolina won its 24th straight game over previously undefeated Alabama 83-57 on Thursday to start Southeastern Conference play. Raven Johnson added 17 points for the Gamecocks (14-1, 1-0 SEC), who played without injured Ta'Niya LSatson, who is second on the team with a 16.9-point average. It was another outing in which the Gamecocks were less than full strength.