College basketball's exhibition season delivered several eye-catching results, with Baylor stunning No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Illinois to open the year. While the Bears' early success raises questions about how much stock to place in preseason games, other matchups offered clearer signals about team strengths and weaknesses.
Kentucky 76, Texas Tech 65
Freshman guard Mason Williams emerged as a key contributor for No. 23 Kentucky, scoring 14 points and making crucial plays down the stretch. Texas Tech, missing frontcourt pieces JT Toppin and Jamichael Stillwell, relied on a small-ball lineup that left them vulnerable inside. The Red Raiders stayed competitive but lack the size to contend without Toppin. Kentucky's point guard play, split between transfers Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo, will determine their ceiling.
Arkansas 76, Gonzaga 72
No. 12 Arkansas showcased improved perimeter defense, with freshmen Jordan Smith Jr. and Abdou Toure holding Gonzaga's point guards to 3-of-25 shooting. The Bulldogs were without Davis Fogle and Chauncey Wiggins, which skewed the offensive output. Arkansas' deep freshman class, including Davion Thompson (12 points) and JJ Andrews (10 points, 9 rebounds), suggests high upside. Gonzaga's frontcourt depth, highlighted by Izan Almansa's 14 points and 6 rebounds, remains a strength.
Duke 90, Kansas 84
No. 2 Duke's starting five looked like the best in the country, led by Patrick Ngongba's 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Cayden Boozer, John Blackwell, Dame Sarr, and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje provide shooting, defense, and size. For Kansas, freshman Tyran Stokes impressed with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the Jayhawks struggle at center, with Christian Reeves and Paul Mbiya combining for just 10 minutes.
Quick hits
St. John's backcourt of Quinn Ellis, Ian Jackson, and Tounde Yessoufou combined for 47 points in an 87-74 win over Texas, with Ellis posting 22 assists and only 3 turnovers over three exhibitions. Michigan State lost to Marquette 86-79, exposing center questions. Michigan's defense appears weaker without Yaxel Lendeborg, as Houston's Dedan Thomas scored 25 points in an 83-66 win. Miami's Acaden Lewis continued his rise with 23 points and 10 assists against Vanderbilt.
