Columbia Lions (1-0) at Villanova Wildcats (1-0) Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Villanova faces Columbia after Wooga Poplar scored 20 points in Villanova's 75-63 victory against the Lafayette Leopards. Villanova finished 10-6 at home a season ago while going 18-16 overall.
Stojakovic scores 16 to help Cal beat Cal State Bakersfield 86-73
Andrej Stojakovic scored 16 points, Jovan Blacksher Jr. added 15 for California on Monday night and the new-look Golden Bears beat Cal State Bakersfield 86-73 in the season opener for both teams. BJ Omot had 13 points, DJ Campbell scored 12 and Mady Sissoko 10 for Cal. Jemel Jones led Cal State Bakersfield with 22 points, Corey Stephenson scored 17 and Marvin McGhee III 13.
Cherry scores 24 as UNLV takes down Alabama State 93-79
Jeremiah Cherry scored 24 points as UNLV beat Alabama State 93-79 on Monday. Cherry also added 11 rebounds for the Rebels. Dedan Thomas Jr. added 17 points while shooting 3 for 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 10 of 11 from the free-throw line while they also had seven assists.
Men’s college basketball opening night winners and losers: Gonzaga makes early statement
While Gonzaga and UCF shined and Cooper Flagg got off to a strong start, the SEC stumbled out of the starting blocks.
Sixth-ranked Gonzaga opens with 101-63 victory over No. 8 Baylor
Nolan Hickman scored 17 points, Graham Ike had 15 points and eight rebounds, and No. 6 Gonzaga beat No. 8 Baylor 101-63 at Spokane Arena on Monday night in the teams' season-opener. Braden Huff added 14 points for the Bulldogs, who got their 19th consecutive season-opening victory. It was Gonzaga's biggest margin of victory over a top-10 opponent in school history, over a team it lost to in the 2021 National Championship game in Indianapolis and the 2022 Peacock Classic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Langston Reynolds scores 21 in Northern Colorado’s 75-55 win over Colorado College in season opener
Langston Reynolds' 21 points helped Northern Colorado defeat Colorado College 75-55 on Monday night in a season opener. Reynolds added seven rebounds and four steals for the Bears (1-0). Brock Wisne added 15 points while going 7 of 9 from the field while they also had nine rebounds.
Cedric Coward, Isaiah Watts guide Washington State over Portland State 100-92 in David Riley’s debut
Cedric Coward scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Isaiah Watts came off the bench to score 20, and Washington State beat Portland State 100-92 on Monday night, earning David Riley a victory in his debut as the Cougars' head coach. Coward made 7 of 12 shots from the floor with three 3-pointers and 6 of 7 free throws for Washington State to lead six players in double figures. Watts, one of just two returnees for a Cougars squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, hit 5 of 8 shots with four 3-pointers and all six of his foul shots.
Sanders scores 27 as Nevada knocks off Sam Houston 91-75
Kobe Sanders scored 27 points as Nevada beat Sam Houston 91-75 on Monday. Sanders added six rebounds for the Wolf Pack. Nick Davidson scored 26 points while going 8 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and 7 for 9 from the line and added 10 rebounds.
Evans scores 23, Bittle adds 16 points and 11 rebounds; Oregon beats UC Riverside 91-76
Kwame Evans Jr. scored 23 points and Nate Bittle added 16 points and 11 rebounds Monday night to help Oregon beat UC Riverside 91-76 in the season opener for both teams. Stanford transfer Brandon Angel had 17 points and TJ Bamba, who started at Washington State before playing last season at Villanova, scored 12 and grabbed seven rebounds for Oregon.
Minor’s 23 points pace Oregon St. past Utah Tech 80-57, win 11th straight opener under Wayne Tinkle
Damarco Minor scored 23 points and Oregon State pulled away in the second half to post an 80-57 win over Utah Tech in the season opener Monday night. The Beavers have won each of their 11 season openers under coach Wayne Tinkle, who is now one win shy of 300. Michael Rataj, from Augsburg, Germany, scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Parsa Fallah, a transfer from Southern Utah from Amon, Iran, had 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists in his debut.
Maletic’s 13 lead Western Illinois over San Jose State 59-55
Marko Maletic scored 13 points as Western Illinois beat San Jose State 59-55 on Monday. Maletic added five rebounds for the Leathernecks (1-0). Sean Smith added 11 points while shooting 5 for 10, including 1 for 5 from beyond the arc while they also had seven rebounds and seven assists.
UCLA showcases the depth of its talent in season-opening victory over Rider
Kobe Johnson is a two-way force and Tyler Bilodeau shows off his offensive skill set as new-look UCLA opens the season with an 85-50 victory over Rider.
No. 22 UCLA routs Rider 85-50 in season opener behind Bilodeau’s 18 points in Bruins debut
Tyler Bilodeau scored 18 points in his UCLA debut after transferring from Oregon State, and the 22nd-ranked Bruins routed Rider 85-50 on Monday night in their season opener. Dylan Andrews added 14 points and six assists. Kobe Johnson, who transferred from crosstown-rival USC, had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Clifford’s 20 lead Colorado State over North Dakota 82-56
Nique Clifford's 20 points helped Colorado State defeat North Dakota 82-56 on Monday night in a season opener. Clifford added 14 rebounds for the Rams. Keshawn Williams shot 6 of 9 from the field and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line to add 14 points.
Tabbs’ 24 lead Morgan State over Frostburg State 89-76
Wynston Tabbs scored 24 points as Morgan State beat Frostburg State 89-76 on Monday night in a season opener. Tabbs shot 8 of 12 from the field, including 3 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line for the Bears. Ahmarie Simpkins scored 19 points and added five rebounds.