If Duke started his season well, for the last dance of Coach K, by beating the rival of Kentucky, it was Kansas who had indeed opened the ball by beating Michigan State, also on the boards of Madison Square Garden. Senior Ochai Agbaji (29 points) was monumental in the Jayhawks’ victory.
In addition, the freshmen stars also responded with Chet Holmgren (14 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks and 6 assists) who blacked out the stats sheet in a very easy victory for Gonzaga, while for Memphis, Emoni Bates ( 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) was also very good in a win over Tennessee Tech.
Kansas will be solid
Expected as one of the title favorites this season, Kansas did not miss its debut against Michigan State, raising the curtain of the Duke – Kentucky game. The Jayhawks made the difference in the second half, thanks to a huge game from Ochai Agbaji (29 points) and a solid performance from Remy Martin (15 points, 6 rebounds).
Without Jalen Wilson suspended for four games after his drunken arrest, Kansas logically dominated Michigan State with his power near the circle, even if the imposing pivot David McCormack (10 points at 4/11) was clumsy. In his senior season, Agbaji is a potential All American and Martin is still adjusting to his new team after his transfer from Arizona State. The proof ? The former Sun Devils scorer didn’t attempt a shot in the first half.
Side Spartan, only two holders reach the bar of 10 points (Marcus Bingham Jr. and Gabe Brown). It was the substitutes who brought the biggest offensive impact for MSU with AJ Hoggard (17 points, 4 assists) and Julius Marble II (13 points, 7 rebounds). With 16 stray balls and a small 9/16 throwing, Tom Izzo’s troop had enough to feed regrets …
Very easy Gonzaga and Chet Holmgren
Faced with the small college of Dixie State, the Bulldogs did not make in the lace by winning widely (97-63), behind 11 points and 4 rebounds of Drew Timme but especially 14 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks and 6 assists from freshman Chet Holmgren.
The new Zags star was quick to shine with a first basket while touching the board, then two quick blocks, and a new offensive rebound concluded at the dunk to instill a scathing 25-6 entry from game. At 4/6 on shots (including 0/2 on 3-pointers) and 6/9 on throws, Holmgren did not force his talent. But he already finished with a double double for his first game. Easy !
At his side, we note the double double of Julian Strawther (17 points, 10 rebounds) also very good to start his second season in Gonzaga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eDbm-SCKAc
Emoni Bates makes a successful debut
Memphis freshman Emoni Bates did not miss his first steps in an official match. With 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, the new protégé of Penny Hardaway (and also Ja Morant) was also very effective at 6/9 on shots including 4/7 at 3-points.
It is also behind the bow that he sent his first arrows before varying his game and finding his teammates unmarked, including Jalen Duren (15 points, 6 rebounds), also very good for his debut, and a another fortnight for Lester Quinones.
With 59% success overall and 50% at 3-points, the Tigers simply played their game against less adversity, despite the good game of Malian Mamadou Diarra, top scorer of Tennessee Tech with 11 points off the bench .
Ohio State et Wichita State au buzzer !
It is only the first night of college basketball, but we have already had a finish worthy of the final tournament, especially on the Ohio State side. Faced with the small college of Akron, the Buckeyes had to work to win (67-66).
After an improbable four-point action from Ali Ali (17 points), Akron took the lead with 6 seconds remaining. But Ohio State didn’t panic. Malachi Branham managed to serve Zed Key (14 points, career record) in the paint to save the furniture before the buzzer.
“It was crazy, I couldn’t breathe anymore. It was super exciting ”, commented Key, the hero of the match, after the victory.
At the same time, on the side of Wichita State, it was Tyson Etienne (16 points) who got his team out of a bad situation against Jacksonville State. The Shockers have lived up to their name by winning on the wire (60-57) thanks to a final shot from Etienne, from the midfielder’s logo, less than 2 seconds from the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97JNqjUrwcc
The major results of the evening
Duke – Kentucky (79-71)
Kansas – Michigan State (87-74)
Gonzaga – Dixie State (97-63)
UCLA – CSU Bakerfield (95-58)
Texas – Houston Baptist (92-48)
Purdue – Bellarmine (96-67)
Illinois – Jackson State (71-47)
Oregon – Texas Southern (83-66)
Alabama – Louisiana Tech (93-64)
Villanova – Mount St Mary’s (91-51)
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