Opening night of the college basketball season delivered a mix of blowouts, close calls, and notable debuts from high-profile transfers and five-star freshmen. LSU rolled past New Orleans 100-57 behind a standout performance from transfer Saliou Niang, while North Carolina escaped Western Carolina 80-72 despite rebounding concerns. Elsewhere, Oklahoma and Kansas State suffered upset losses to lower-division opponents.
LSU Tigers Impress in Debut
Will Wade's LSU squad looked every bit a top-30 team in a 100-57 win over New Orleans. Junior wing Saliou Niang, a transfer from Virtus Bologna, posted 14 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and six steals, showcasing elite defensive instincts. French 7-footer Brice Dessert added 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Croatian 7-footer Michael Ruzic contributed 17 points and six rebounds. The Tigers' frontcourt depth and transition speed were evident, though half-court spacing remains a concern with limited three-point shooting from most starters. Grade: B+.
North Carolina Tar Heels Survive Scare
Michael Malone's Tar Heels needed a late push to beat Western Carolina 80-72, getting outrebounded by nine. The lack of a consistent alpha scorer persists; Matt Able appears the best all-around player but cannot handle the ball enough alongside Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas. UNC's offense generated good catch-and-shoot looks (27 of 30 three-pointers were catch-and-shoots), but Avdalas' decision-making and Brown's predictable drives limit the ceiling. Malone acknowledged the absence of a player like Caleb Wilson and emphasized trust. Grade: C-.
Top Transfer Debuts
Acaden Lewis (Miami) scored 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting against No. 1 Florida, earning an A grade. John Blackwell (Duke) had three points in 23 minutes in a 34-point win over Army (D). Tounde Yessoufou (St. John's) came off the bench for 12 points on eight shots against Monmouth (C). Milan Momcilovic (Kentucky) drilled six three-pointers in an 85-57 win over Manhattan (A, vs. Manhattan). Flory Bidunga (Louisville) posted 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals against Chattanooga (A, vs. Chattanooga).
Top Freshman Debuts
Tyran Stokes (Kansas) had 15 points and seven rebounds in a 95-65 win over Fordham (A, vs. Fordham). Jordan Smith Jr. (Arkansas) scored 20 points with three steals but missed four free throws and attempted no three-pointers in a 45-point win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (B). Caleb Holt (Arizona) managed seven points in a loss to UCLA (C). Cameron Williams (Duke) scored four points in 11 minutes of mop-up duty (C). Jason Crowe Jr. (Missouri) erupted for 23 points on 16 shots in a 111-point outburst against Cleveland State (A, vs. Cleveland State).
