College Hoops

Men’s college basketball 2022-23 – Overreactions from Day 1

Men's college basketball 2022-23 - Overreactions from Day 1

With the Champions Classic a week later than usual this year, the 2022-23 men’s college basketball season began Monday without the headline matchups of past campaigns. According to ESPN Stats & Information, however, it was the first time every single AP top 25 team was in action on the same day. As a result, there was the unique opportunity to get an early feel for nearly every single relevant team in the sport on day one of the season.

Which newcomers are going to make a bigger impact than expected? Which returnees are ready to take a big jump? Which top-25 team looks like it could go through some growing pains?

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Myron Medcalf and John Gasaway received early indications on each of those questions — and more.


Who didn’t play earns the biggest headlines

We’ll have to wait for the college debuts of at least five potential NBA draft lottery picks: freshmen ArkansasNick Smith Jr., Duke‘s Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead, Villanova‘s Cam Whitmore and UCLA‘s Adem Bona. Four of the five missed Monday’s games due to injury, while Bona was held out due to an NCAA issue. (What’s more, three of the above teams are in the midst of a transition, with Duke and Arkansas bringing in a ton of newcomers and the Blue Devils and Villanova both replacing legendary coaches.)

That quintet of players was joined on the injury list by reigning consensus national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe (right leg) and his Kentucky teammate, All-SEC point guard Sahvir Wheeler (right leg). The Wildcats still cruised past Howard, of course. But it might be a few weeks before we see some of the sport’s biggest programs at full strength. — Borzello

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2:25

Baylor has no issues in its season opener, scoring over 100 in a huge win over Mississippi Valley State.

Baylor sets the pace for offense

Sure, it was against Mississippi Valley State, but it’s still time to overreact. In a 117-53 victory, Baylor recorded what is likely to be its most efficient game of offense in 2022-23. This was actually a 16-10 contest (in favor of the Bears) 10 minutes into the game. Then Scott Drew’s group woke up and went into halftime up 61-21. Adam Flagler paced the Bears with 21 points and four 3s in 25 minutes. (Good thing I picked him for Big 12 POY. He has this in the bag!) When the final horn sounded, Baylor had rung up 1.48 points per possession. That qualifies officially as an Extreme Scoring Event (1.45-plus.) Well done, Bears! — Gasaway

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3:02

Following a 95-63…

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