This Saturday’s men’s basketball games showcased intense competition among ranked teams, launching the start of 2025 in thrilling fashion.
One of the day’s highlights was No. 4 Duke’s (14-2, 6-0 ACC) impressive 86-78 victory over Notre Dame (7-9, 1-4 ACC). Duke’s freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg, continued to impress with a record-breaking performance of 42 points, setting a new mark for both Duke and the ACC for a freshman. Flagg’s contributions were pivotal, helping to secure an eight-point lead at halftime as Duke shot 53.8% from the field.
The game saw Notre Dame attempt a comeback with a late 13-0 surge, cutting Duke’s lead to just five points in the closing minutes. Nevertheless, Duke’s poise and crucial free throws ultimately secured their victory, making Flagg’s debut 30-point game one for the history books, reminiscent of former Duke star Jon Scheyer’s performance in 2009.
No. 3 Iowa State maintained their winning streak with a nail-biting 85-84 overtime win against Texas Tech. Joshua Jefferson was the hero, scoring two clutch free throws with seconds remaining. Despite Texas Tech leading most of the game and a significant contributions from JT Toppin, Iowa State’s resilience shone through, tying the game with a buzzer-beater at the end of regulation. This victory keeps Iowa State at the top of the Big 12 standings at 14-1 (4-0 Big 12), as they pursue another conference title.
Southern California delivered a notable performance as well, defeating No. 13 Illinois 82-72 on the road. Desmond Claude’s stellar play propelled him to a game-high 31 points, showcasing USC’s improvement under new coach Eric Musselman. The victory added to USC’s momentum after prior strong showings.
A close encounter unfolded in the SEC as No. 2 Auburn narrowly beat South Carolina 66-63, aided by the Gamecocks’ missed free throws in the closing seconds. Despite the win, the Tigers faced uncertainty as key player Johni Broome left the game due to an ankle injury, raising concerns about his availability in upcoming games.
Meanwhile, Georgia (14-2, 2-1 SEC) achieved a remarkable upset by defeating No. 17 Oklahoma (13-3, 0-3 SEC) 72-62, marking their second consecutive ranked win. Georgia’s ability to capitalize on free throws played a significant role, as they drew 17 fouls in the second half, contrasting with Oklahoma’s struggles.
In another notable matchup, No. 6 Kentucky bounced back from its loss to Georgia, securing a 95-90 victory over No. 14 Mississippi State. Impressive individual performances, particularly from Jaxson Robinson’s 27 points, kept Kentucky among the top teams.
These results reflect a competitive landscape in college basketball, with each team vying to assert their dominance early in the new year. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate continued excitement and fierce rivalries on the court.