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November 2025

UConn Tops Illinois at Madison Square Garden

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – It was a highly anticipated matinee matchup at Madison Square Garden in the Sentinel One Showdown between No.5 UConn and No.13 Illinois in a game where we expected fireworks on the offensive end from both teams. It would ultimately be a defensive beatdown that had UConn take a wire to wire 74-61 win on Friday afternoon. UConn had solid offensive showings from key contributors Alex Karaban, Malachi Smith, and Solo Ball who would combine for 41 of their 74 points. The Huskies would also hold the Fighting Illini to well below their season average at 94.6 PPG. as Illinois’ only provider of offense today was Kylan Boswell who had 25 points.

The first half of this game was a UConn domination led by  Ball who had 13 first half points and was red hot from the field to kick off the afternoon. A key point heading into this matchup was would Illinois be able to play at their high-level pace and score effectively while also being dominant on the glass as well. Unfortunately for the Fighting Illini nothing went right, as they struggled to get stops and get out on the run, allowing UConn to shoot 46% from the field and 41% from 3 in the 1st half. They would also go on to lose the glass 21-19 while getting nothing offensively from their leading scorer Andrej Stojakovic. He had just three points at the half on 1-of-6 shooting as the team shoot 38% from the field. These factors lead to a Huskies’ 43-32 lead heading into the locker room.

The game was more tightly contested in the second half but even though Illinois tightened up defensively they continued to underperform on the offensive end. Illinois would go 6-of-26 from the field and 2-of-16 from 3 as they finished the night shooting 20.7% from 3 and 31% overall. UConn started off the second  half going up as many as 17 points, as Malachi Smith was able to make his mark on the game scoring nine points in the half finishing the afternoon with 14 points and nine assists off the bench. For Illinois their only source of offense would continue to come strictly from Boswell but their defensive effort picked up and they had the deficit reduced to seven points late in the game. They would go on to continue to misfire from long range and UConn came down with some big rebounds and buckets to finish Illinois off for their sixth win of the season. 

UConn is obviously in the conversation for being the best team in the country, but the individual talent on this roster is something that deserves praise. Two of their potential NBA draft prospects who played well today were Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. Karaban excels off shooting off the catch, he moves efficiently off the ball whether that’s coming off pin-downs or reading his defender playing him aggressively and slipping backdoor for cutting opportunities. He may not be a high-level athlete or an elite on ball creator but he provides high level spacing which is valuable for any team at the next level. Ball is more of a willing tough shot taker and shot maker. He can also move off the ball especially getting looks off screens, he gets 3’s up at a high volume and has more of an in between game compared to Karaban. Ball also is comfortable getting his shot off the dribble as he’s a more versatile scorer. Where the similarities lie are they both aren’t consistent defenders and they aren’t high level playmakers but they both have the potential to be contributors on an NBA rotation. 

As for the Fighting Illini, they have a few draft prospects as well. The two that most effected today’s game were Boswell and 6’9 forward David Mirkovic. Boswell dominated as he was able to get into the paint showing off his strong frame at just 6 ‘2 and showcased his shooting and defensive tenacity. The only question for Boswell at the next level is that he’s undersized and what level of a shooter he is? Mirkovic, although he didn’t have the greatest game, is someone that can be a productive offensive big. He isn’t by any means an elite on ball creator but he’s a really good playmaking big that has potential to effectively space the floor as well. He also is a high-level rebounder despite not being a major vertical athlete. Mirkovic has great feel for the game and he still has room to grow even more as a player as he’s just a freshman.

This article was written by Jordan Amadeo, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Michigan Wins Title at Players Era Championship with Dominant Performance

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – Michigan completed an amazing performance, winning the title at the  Players Era Championship in Las Vegas with a 101-61 shellacking of previously undefeated Gonzaga. The Wolverines won their three games by a combined 110 points in the best performance at any major basketball event that I have witnessed. Yaxel Lendeborg led the winners with 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two highlight reel dunks.

Michigan notched dominant wins over San Diego State (94-54) and Auburn (102-72) before tonight’s performance. This game was never in doubt as the Wolverines raced out to a 20-5 lead and went into the half leading by 24 points. The second half was the same as Michigan kept increasing their lead to as much as 46 points. Michigan’s frontcourt of 7’3 Aday Mara, 6’9 Morez Johnson Jr. and the 6’9 Lendeborg bottled up the inside and took Gonzaga’s Graham Ike out of his game. Ike finished with one point missing on all of his nine field goal attempts. Michigan outscored Gonzaga 30-0 on layups. Besides Lendeborg’s efforts, Johnson Jr. finished with 11 points (5-6 FG), five rebounds and two blocks. Mara added 13 points, four rebounds and three blocks while Lendeborg added two blocked shots of his own.

Beside completely dominating the game inside, the Wolverines receive excellent performances from their guards. Starting point guard Elliot Cadeau dished out 13 assists against only two turnovers. Nimari Burnett (14 points) connected on all four of his three-point attempts and added six boards. Freshman Trey McKinney came off the bench to score 17 points over 21 minutes and made 3-of-5 from deep. Roddy Gayle Jr. connected on all his three shots and scored nine points.  The thought on Michigan prior to the season was that if they could get good play and decent three-point shooting from their guards they could be one of the best teams in the nation. That has been happening, as tonight their rotation guards combined to shoot 8-of-14 on 3’s and contributed 23 assists against only 10 turnovers.

The Wolverines shot 13-of-27 from deep in total while shooting 60% from the field overall. They held the Zags to 3-of-22 shooting on 3’s and only 33.8% overall.  For Gonzaga, Tyon Grant-Foster played hard throughout, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Braden Huff had some success inside, finishing with 14 points and six boards before fouling out. All in all, it was a performance to remember from Michigan this week in Las Vegas.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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San Diego State Tops Oregon with Hot Shooting 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – Oregon faced San Diego State in the nightcap of Day two of the Players Era Championship at Mandalay Bay. Both teams were coming off losses last night, Oregon by 11 points to Auburn while Michigan rolled the Aztecs by 40 points. The Ducks ran into a buzzsaw as San Diego State couldn’t miss the entire game and rolled to a 97-80 win. Reese Dixon-Waters scored 22 points, connecting on 4-of-7 3’s, to lead the winners. Jackson Shelstad came back from a poor shooting game on Monday to lead the Ducks with 21 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep.

Oregon couldn’t stop San Diego State at all. The Aztecs only missed 20 total shots the entire game. They shot 67% from the field (39-of-58) including 48% on 3’s (11-of-23). Oregon had one of their more efficient offensive games, shooting 40% overall and 43% (12-of-28) from deep bur couldn’t match the efficiency of the Aztecs. Waters’ backcourt mate BJ Davis added 21 points and hit 3-of-4 of his 3’s. NBA prospect Magoon Gwath recovered from a subpar performance against Michigan to score 13 points, grab six rebounds, block four shots and bring the house down with an impressive dunk.

Oregon had issues finding scoring help for Shelstad. Center Nate Bittle seemed to be bothered by a lower body issue and had some problems getting up and down the court quickly. Bittle finished with 13 points but grabbed only one rebound and sat for much of the later part of the game. KJ Evans Jr. continued his improved play, scoring 16 points, connecting on two late 3’s and adding five rebounds and five assists.

A 9-0 run early in the second half expanded San Diego State’s lead to 14 points and basically sealed the game. The lead expanded to 24 points (94-70) late in the game on a Davis dunk. The Aztecs had a 36-22 edge in points in the paint and 47-18 in scoring off the bench.

The beginning of the game showed some promise for the Ducks. After shooting 1-of-11 on 3’s on Monday, Shelstad came out hot, connecting on his first three 3’s. However, he was met by a hot shooting Aztec squad. After the teams were tied at 15, San Diego State reeled off 12 straight points, highlighted by two three-pointers from Davis to take a 27-15 lead. The margin stayed around 10 points and the Aztecs took a 51-41 lead into the break. Davis led San Diego State with 13 points while Shelstad had 16 for the Ducks. Oregon’s center  Bittle added 11 points. The Aztecs shot 69% overall, including 6-of-12 from deep. On two-point shots they were 14-of-17. Oregon also shot over 50% overall but were outrebounded 16-8 at the half. The Aztecs missed only nine total shots.

Oregon will have the day off on Wednesday and will face Creighton in a consolation game at 11am (TruTv) on Thanksgiving.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Iowa State, St. John’s Cruise to Wins at Players Era Championship 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – The Iowa State Cyclones and Creighton Bluejays tipped off Day two of the  Players Era Championship at Mandalay Bay. Playing without their star point guard Tamin Lipsey, who was out with a lower body injury, Iowa State was impressive and took care of Creighton 78-60. The Cyclones led 40-26 at the half and Creighton never made a serious run in the second half.

The Cyclones extended their lead in the second half helped by the play of 6’9 Joshua Jefferson. The senior finished the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He made a nice pass to Killyan Toure for a layup that extended the lead to 18 points. Toure, a 6’3 freshman from France by way of Brewster Academy, was active throughout and highlighted his athleticism as he led Iowa State with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting and added four rebounds. 6’8 shooter Milan Moncilovic battled foul trouble but finished with ten points on 2-of-4 from deep. Josh Dix tried to keep Creighton in the game, connecting on three second half 3’s as he scored 15 points and added six assists.

In the second game St. John’s got off to a hot start in their game against Baylor thanks to Oziyah Sellers.  The 6’5 Stanford transfer scored 13 early points as the Red Storm raced off to a 21-6 lead. The Bears reduced their deficit for five points on several instances helped from 6’5 Cameron Carr’s 14 points. Carr continued his excellent play at the event, hitting all three of his 3’s and converting 5-of-6 shots overall. The Red Storm’s Bryce Hopkins was active throughout the half. He scored 11 points, hitting his only three-point attempt and making 4-of-6 from the field.  Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou had problems converting, especially inside, making only 1-of-9 shots in scoring three points. Baylor had a 25-14 rebounding advantage, including 17-3 on the offensive bords but didn’t really take advantage of that, with only a 12-7 edge in second chance points.

St. John’s came out strong and scored the first eight points of the second half, expanding their lead to 17 points. Yessoufou (15 points, 5-17 FG) tried to get the Bears going with two driving layups and a three-pointer but it was too little, too late. The Red Storm maintained a double-digit lead and cruised to a 96-81 win. Carr led the Bears with 25 points on 5-of-7 from deep.

Bryce Hopkins has been injured much of the past few seasons and seems to be hitting his stride. He finished with 26 points, hitting 3-of-6 3’s and added five rebounds and five assists. Sellers had 22 points on 5-of-7 from deep while Dillon Mitchell added 18 points, shooting 8-of-10 along with a team-high six assists. The Red Storm had an extremely efficient offensive game, shooting 57.4% from the field including 11-of-22 on three-pointers.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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Oregon Falls to Auburn at Players Era Festival 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – The Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers opened the evening session of the  Players Era Festival at Mandalay Bay. Auburn pulled away late in the game to top Oregon 84-73. Tahaad Pettiford led the winners with 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting and added four assists and four rebounds. Takai Simpkins led the Ducks with 22 points, connecting on 5-of-8 3’s and making all seven of his free throws.

Auburn scored eight straight points late in the game, expanding a 60-59 lead to 68-59 and coasted to the win from there. Oregon couldn’t overcome off nights from their two top players, Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle. The two combined to shoot 6-of-28 from the field, including 2-of-15 from deep. Oregon was very loose with the ball (18 turnovers) and their spacing was poor on offense as in multiple sets there were four players on one end of the court. Simpkins made five poor passes and finished with seven turnovers. The team is still searching for a reliable secondary initiator on offense.

Bittle’s ineffectiveness inside helped Auburn gain a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint. The Tigers also held a 26-8 edge on layup points as the Ducks only had one blocked shot in the game. Pettiford has his way on offense, using his tight handle to continually create space from Oregon’s defenders and get off his shots. Neither team shot particularly well. Auburn was 5-of-23 on 3’s (21.7%) while Oregon connected on only 9-of-33 (27.3%). The difference was in Auburn’s effectiveness inside and on two-point shots where they converted 25-of-42 (59.5%) compared to Oregon’s 14-of-28. Because of their turnovers and general poor shooting the Ducks’ +12 edge in rebounding did not amount to much.

The teams battled to a 37-37 tie at the close of the first half. The Ducks had problems containing Auburn’s  Pettiford, The 6’1 Pettiford used his handle to get past Oregon’s defenders repeatedly. He finished the half as the leading scorer with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Oregon’s 7’0 center, Nate Bittle led his team with 10 points and seven rebounds, banking in a three-pointer to even the game before the halftime break. Takai Simpkins added nine points on 3-of-4 from deep but was sloppy on his passing with five turnovers, The Ducks committed ten turnovers in the half compared to only three by Auburn with the Tigers having an 8-3 edge in points off turnovers.

Oregon will play San Diego State in the final game tomorrow night while Auburn goes on to face Michigan.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Baylor and Iowa State Notch Wins at Players Era Festival 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Las Vegas, NV. – The Players Era Festival kicked off today at the arenas at Mandalay Bay and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This year 18 teams are participating, up from eight last year. In the opener at Mandalay Bay Baylor topped Creighton 81-74 in an entertaining game. Cameron Carr led the Bears with 21 points and nine rebounds. Baylor controlled the boards, out rebounding the Bluejays 45-27.

Carr showed high-level athleticism and a nice mid-range shot. He didn’t attempt any three-pointers but had a nice high release on his jumpers. He converted 7-of-8 free throws and is 9-of-17 from deep so far this season so there can be some optimism on his shooting. Tounde Yessoufou, a likely lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft, did not have his best game. Yessoufou scored 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting and added five rebounds. He did connect on 2-of-4 on threes today. Yessoufou is 6’5 with a strong body and will need to improve his shooting to rise up the draft boards.

Hudson Greer, a 6’7 guard led Creighton with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Shooting guard Josh Dix added 15 points by shot only 1-of-5 from deep. He led Creighton with six assists.

Iowa State outlasted St. John’s 83-82 in the second game. Milan Momcilovic led the winners with 23 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep. Oziyah Sellers had a nice game for the Red Storm, finishing with 20 points on 5-of-6 three-pointers. Center Zuby Ejiofor added 16 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists for St. John’s. The Red Storm had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Ejiofor could not connect on a three-pointer.

Joshua Jefferson, a 6’9 forward, played well for the Cyclones ending the contest with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists. He came up with some big rebounds and good defensive stops near the end of the game. Bryce Hopkins had 16 points and seven rebounds for St. John’s and connected on all ten of his free throws. St, John’s only made 7-of-20 threes with players other than Sellers shooting only 2-of-14.

Tomorrow, St. John’s will face Baylor while Iowa State plays Creighton.

This article was written by Carl Berman, Managing Partner of NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Miami Takes Care of Elon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Miami, FL ~ The University of Miami handled business against Elon, 99–72, in a game that turned into an offensive showcase for both teams early before Miami’s pressure, discipline, and superior talent completely took over after halftime. Miami didn’t even have their starting center, but it didn’t really matter. They kept the full-court press on and off all night and switched everything in the half court, which immediately bothered Elon’s guards. Elon spent the entire game confused on the defensive end, opening in man-to-man for one possession, then suddenly switching to a 3–2 zone, then drifting back into man mid-possession like they forgot what they were running. That lack of structure gifted Miami open threes, driving lanes, skip passes and basically everything.

To Elon’s credit, they came out making tough shots. Chandler Cuthrell looked dominant early, scoring seven quick points and matching Miami physically better than expected. Both teams went small early, Reneau at the five for Miami, Cuthrell at the five for Elon, and it created a fast, up-tempo game. Miami shot 50% from the field in the first half, Elon shot 60%. It wasn’t great defense, it was just shot making and quick offense on both ends.

But the difference was the pressure. Miami forced nine turnovers before halftime and turned those into 13 points. They had seven steals by the break, compared to Elon’s one. That’s where the gap really started to form. Even with Elon hitting shots, Miami’s defense caused enough chaos to create separation. Miami led 47–41 at the half because they were simply the more active and physical group.

The second half is when the game blew open. Miami hit Elon with an 11–3 run in the first two minutes, and Elon immediately called timeout down 58–44. Nothing changed. Elon got completely lost defensively the entire second half. Their zone left massive gaps in the paint, and every rotation looked late or confused. Their offense was fine, they made shots all night, but you can’t win games giving up open three after open three and straight-line drives every other possession. Miami pulled away effortlessly and never looked back.

Shelton Henderson had the best offensive half of his young college career. He finished with 16 points on 7–11 shooting, but all of his damage was done in the first half. In his first minutes, he looked like the version of himself I’ve pointed out as a weakness. He missed two easy finishes at the rim and looked unsure of himself on drives. But once he settled in, he flipped the switch. He started finishing through contact, hit shots from the paint and from three, and physically he looked like a man among boys. What matters most for Henderson is mindset. He needs to stay aggressive, teams can’t handle his strength downhill. And he was easily Miami’s best perimeter defender tonight. He wasn’t getting scored on. His trajectory is clearly trending upward, and performances like this speed it up.

Malik Reneau continues being Miami’s most reliable interior scorer. He had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and did most of his work inside the paint. He’s athletic, in great shape, is physical, but he plays like an old-school big at 6’8”. That’s the concern long-term. Everything he does offensively is inside. He attempted three threes and missed all of them, and the bigger issue is his confidence. He passed up a wide-open three with two seconds left on the shot clock, then got blocked because he hesitated. That tells you exactly where his mindset is with perimeter shooting. If he ever becomes a confident and consistent outside shooter, he has an NBA shot. Right now, he’s a dominant college post player who needs one major skill unlock.

Tru Washington gave Miami 18 points on 7–of-9 shooting with 10 boards. He is aggressive, tough, and fearless. He’s listed at 6’4 but looks shorter, he relies on athleticism, quickness, and touch around the basket. He’s a very good athlete and a productive college guard, but the NBA margin is thin for guards his size. Unless he becomes an elite scorer, it’s hard to see him getting real NBA buzz. But he helps Miami win, and that matters.

Dante Allen, the Miami freshman, continues to stand out in flashes. He had 14 points with 5 rebounds, and hit 3-of-5 from deep. He’s built like a senior, is freaky athletic, and physically one of the more gifted guys on the floor. His jumper doesn’t look great mechanically, but he shoots it with confidence, and his defensive ceiling is legitimately high. He’s a hard player to project long-term right now because the role is inconsistent, but his impact is real every time he plays.

For Elon, Cuthrell had 15 points and showed early dominance before being completely removed from the game. And Bryson Cokley was easily their most impressive player, 14 points on 6–of-7 shooting, confident, skilled, and playing like someone who should not be coming off the bench. His defense needs work, but he flashed real talent.

Miami was simply the deeper, faster, stronger, more organized team, which is why this game ended in a blowout.

This article was written by Matias Deya, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Duke Outlasts Kansas at Champions Classic

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY — The opening minutes of the Duke – Kansas game at the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden delivered the intensity expected from two blue-blood teams on the national stage. Both teams emerged competing on every possession, hustling for loose balls, pressuring the rim, and exchanging tough interior plays. The shooting numbers mirrored the early defensive tone for both sides, with Duke shooting 28% from three and Kansas averaging 30%, while still being efficient from the inside, with Duke hitting 41% overall and Kansas converting 52% of its field goals.

Kansas started the game in control despite star freshman Darryn Peterson’s absence due to a hamstring injury. Tre White anchored with physical drives and confident midrange scoring and pushed the Jayhawks to a 15–10 lead at the opening media timeout. Duke survived that opening stretch via the consistent scoring of sophomore Isaiah Evans, who demonstrated comfort in creating off movement and attacking gaps. Kansas gained a 24–18 advantage midway through the half, with Flory Bidunga’s hustle putting them up eight early rebounds and putting Duke on a lurch from the inside.

In the minutes before halftime, the game turned. Duke brought its defense into sharper focus, forced Kansas into tougher looks, and began to control the tempo. Evans buried a buzzer-beating three at the horn to complete a 21–7 Duke run that left the team leading with a 41–33 lead entering the break. Evans had 11 at the half; White 15 at the break, the highest of all scorers.

Kansas also answered with grit in the second half. The Jayhawks consistently attacked the paint on a night when perimeter shots wouldn’t fall, eventually cutting a double-digit deficit to 62–57 following a Bryson Tiller left-handed finish with 7:47 remaining. Both frontcourts fought foul trouble — Bidunga and Tiller with four for Kansas and Patrick Ngongba with four for Duke — and added pressure to every possession.

Evans held his own on a strong night, earning 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists, including 3-of-7 from deep. At 6-7, his length and versatility lets him score from multiple levels and also helps establish key passes on pick-and-roll. His poise was crucial whenever Kansas put together a run.

With a standout display — 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals — White kept Kansas in reach using his strength and balance to generate offense inside the arc. Kansas also looked to   who, after halftime netted nine of his 12, and to the hard work of Tiller and Bidunga. Still, the lack of Peterson and a 4-of-21 (19%) team performance from three limited Kansas’ firepower.

Duke’s depth ultimately separated the teams. Much of the anticipation going into the night centered on freshman Cam Boozer (18 points, 9 rebounds), but his twin brother Cayden provided a timely spark with seven consecutive points in an important second-half stretch. He had four rebounds and three assists and stabilized Duke when Kansas threatened to close inside by shooting.

Ngongba scored 13 points and seven rebounds on perfect 4-of-4 shooting, thriving as a roller, lob finisher, and short-roll passer. His inside presence made Kansas rotate hard, leaving some pockets open for Duke’s wings to strike in. He has since collected multiple assists in each of Duke’s first five games, becoming a more playmaking big.

The defining moment came when Duke was on top 69–64 and only two seconds left on the shot clock from an inbounds situation. Evans curled off a Ngongba screen into the left corner, Cayden Boozer threw an accurate pass, and Evans rose over Kohl Rosario to drill a dagger three just before the shot-clock buzzer. Converting the lead eight points was an important piece of the game. Thereafter, it was sealed for good.

Kansas fought to the finish, cutting the deficit to three with less than four minutes on the clock, but Duke’s poise, as well as depth and execution, sent them home. The Blue Devils’ defensive rotations kept a tight grip, late-clock play-calling lit up all game, and their scorers made sure things went on as planned.

The final tally showed the difference: Kansas 19% from three, Duke’s balanced scoring, and a 78–66 win that proved Duke’s maturity and also that Kansas was capable even without its star guard.

Leaving the Garden, the contrast was clear: Duke played the way that their identity has been established. Kansas fought but still must find answers without Peterson.

This article was written by Courtney Chappelle, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Michigan State Overwhelms Kentucky at Champions Classic

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Michigan State Overwhelms Kentucky at Champions Classic

New York, NY – In front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden Kentucky and Michigan State opened the Champions Classic. The first five minutes were the only time the game looked competitive — both teams put down threes and it was close for a while. Yet once Michigan State stabilized, the night changed decisively as they rolled to an 83-66 win.

The Spartans’ defensive pressure was on display from the get-go. Possession by possession, Michigan State tightened all corners, pressuring Kentucky into drive after drive, contested jumpers and off-balance attempts. The Wildcats soon lost their offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, Michigan State kept balance and poise and spacing across the floor — converting stops into clean looks and always grabbing the loose balls. As the Wildcats became more and more ineffective, the Spartans became more and more confident.

And the defining blow of the first half arrived in the final seconds. As the shot clock began to come to an end, Kur Teng came into rhythm and shot a deep jumper that put the Spartans ahead 44–27. It capped a career-best performance for Teng, who led with 15 points, ball-pointing with the assurance of a featured scorer instead of a role player. That shot, at that time, put the Spartans in control — control Kentucky just couldn’t wrestle back.

The Wildcats emerged from halftime more energetic, attempting to create momentum through transition and physical drives. But every push had stalled due to the same problems: bad shooting and the inability to get stops. With 9:37 left, Kentucky was shooting 35% from the field and 23% from three, and Michigan State was about 50% overall and more than 50% from deep. The gap reflected what played out on the floor.

Central to Michigan State’s calm, though, was point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who played his most complete collegiate game. His pace, vision and method steered the Spartans all night. Fears ended with a career-high 13 assists, 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals as he controlled Michigan State’s offense. Every move — pick-and-rolls, secondary reads, early offense — flowed from his ability to keep things steady and to set the tempo.

Inside, Jaxon Kohler penalized Kentucky’s interior. He scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, through contact, sealing, and providing a consistent release valve when the Wildcats stepped in too big. Kohler’s mix of patience and strength established himself as a dependable anchor in the interior for which Kentucky never replied within their defense.

The Spartans also got some solid minutes from Cam Ward (8 points, 4 rebounds) whose athleticism, effort and energy paid off right away. Ward fought defensively, attacked the rim with confidence that jolted off the floor — one of the small but weighty traits that enabled Michigan State to keep its edge throughout the game.

Kentucky relied heavily on Otega Oweh, a 6’4″, 220-pound Newark native with a commanding frame and unblemished shooting technique. Oweh led the Wildcats with 12 points, attacking forcefully even as his perimeter touch shifted constantly and moved all over the place. Leaning behind him were Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, and New York product Mouhamed Dioubate — all three scored 10 points, but none could make the game turn around. Kentucky simply didn’t have enough of effective offense to keep up.

Still, the Wildcats were never able to exert actual pressure despite closing the gap to 10 late in the second half. Michigan State’s defensive rotations remained sharp, there was collective rebounding, and their execution never wavered. Each Kentucky push was met with a timely bucket, a clean read or a disciplined stop.

Michigan State’s shooting edge was substantial. Kentucky went 20-for-57 (35%) and 23% from three, while the Spartans closed at 50% from the field and 50% from deep in their 17-point victory with total control.  Michigan State looked very much like a team primed for success in this moment — efficient, disciplined, poised, and running with a clear line of vision. On the other hand, Kentucky showcased individual talent but not cohesion and defensive regularity. The contrast was clear leaving the Garden: Michigan State knows what it is. That’s still an answer Kentucky is looking for.

This article was written by Courtney Chappelle, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.

Seton Hall Romps Over New Haven 

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, N.J. – Seton Hall was looking to head into the Maui Invitational with a dominant, confidence-boosting win over New Haven — and they delivered exactly that. From the opening tip, Coach Shaheen Holloway orchestrated a sharp, disciplined game plan, featuring well-timed sets and cohesive ball movement that kept New Haven on its heels. Stephon Payne and TJ Simpkins played pivotal roles, providing steady production and energy that sparked runs on both ends of the floor. Their impact, combined with the team’s overall defensive intensity, allowed Seton Hall to control the pace and dictate the flow throughout the night. In the end, the Pirates’ complete team effort paved the way for a convincing 68–45 victory, sending them to Maui with momentum and a clearer sense of identity.

Stephon Payne delivered his best performance yet in a Seton Hall uniform, recording his first double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting. He was heavily featured early in the Pirates’ game plan, consistently high-pointing entry passes and finishing above the defense for easy baskets. Payne completely controlled the glass, pulling down nearly everything in his area and preventing New Haven from generating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he anchored Seton Hall’s pick-and-roll coverage, stepping up to contain ball handlers, allowing teammates to recover, and rotating back in time to deny clean passes to the roller. From start to finish, Payne played a pivotal role in the Pirates’ dominance and was a driving force behind their convincing win.

Another major difference-maker in the Pirates’ dominant win was Elon transfer TJ Simpkins, who delivered his best performance yet in a Seton Hall uniform. In 27 highly impactful minutes, Simpkins poured in 18 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-8 from the field, including a scorching 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. From the moment he stepped on the floor, he played with complete command, taking whatever the defense gave him and punishing every lapse. He knocked down both open and heavily contested threes, attacked downhill with purpose, and showed the ability to finish through contact at the rim. On the defensive end, Simpkins continued to make his presence felt. He added a steal and a block, but his impact extended far beyond the box score. His closeouts were disciplined and disruptive, and he consistently slid his feet to stay in front of ball handlers, preventing penetration and forcing tougher shots. His energy, poise, and two-way production gave Seton Hall a significant boost whenever he was on the floor. Simpkins’ 18-point outburst was one of the clearest signs yet of how valuable he can be to this Pirates team moving forward—and fans are hopeful that this level of play becomes a staple of his impact throughout the season.

Before heading to Maui to face NC State in their first game on Monday, one area that clearly needs tightening is Seton Hall’s perimeter defense. The Pirates currently rank 326th out of 365 Division I teams in opponent three-point percentage, allowing opponents to shoot a concerning 38.1% from deep. And while New Haven finished just 29% from beyond the arc tonight, many of those attempts were uncontested or lightly challenged.

Against a high-level offensive team like NC State, those types of lapses will be punished. The Wolfpack have multiple shooters who thrive on rhythm looks and giving them clean catch-and-shoot opportunities will make coming away with a win significantly more difficult. Even on contested attempts, Seton Hall’s closeouts lacked urgency — defenders often raised a hand without elevating or fully committing to disrupting the shot. The good news for the Pirates is that this is a correctable issue, and given Shaheen Holloway’s emphasis on defensive toughness, there’s every reason to believe the staff will address it before the trip. But if Seton Hall wants to compete in Maui, cleaning up their perimeter contests will be a must.

Overall, Seton Hall’s performance against New Haven was exactly the kind of complete showing they needed before heading into one of the nation’s toughest early-season tournaments. With standout performances from Payne and Simpkins, improved ball movement, and strong interior defense, the Pirates showcased the potential of a team that is beginning to find its rhythm. Still, the upcoming matchup against NC State will demand sharper discipline on the perimeter and a full 40-minute effort. If Holloway’s group can build on the momentum from tonight while addressing their defensive lapses, Seton Hall will head into the Maui Invitational not just confident, but fully capable of making some noise on the national stage.

This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.

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