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February 2026

Gonzaga Pulls Away from Oregon State Led by Ike

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Corvallis, OR –  Coming off a surprising loss at Portland, No. 7-rated Gonzaga came on in the second half and pulled away to an 81-61 victory at Oregon State. The Beavers had no answer for Gonzaga’s 6’9 center Graham Ike. The Bulldogs continually fed Ike inside as he  matched his career-high with 35 points and added seven rebounds to lead Gonzaga to the win before a season-high 7.865 fans in Gill Coliseum.

Ike was 13-for-18 from the field and got to the foul line nine times, converting eight. The Zags’ point guards Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supery combined for only seven points but had 11 assists against only one turnover. Gonzaga registered a total of 20 assists against only two turnovers for the game. That matched a record turnover low for any road game that Gonzaga has ever played.

Tyon Grant-Foster was active throughout the contest for the Zags, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes of action. Grant-Foster adds athleticism on the wing and helps inside in the absence of 6-10 Braden Huff who is out with a knee injury. Freshman Davis Fogle added eight second half points with five rebounds and showed athleticism and toughness. He’ll be someone to watch moving forward. Fogle’s dunk put the Zags up by ten points (60-50) midway through the second half and they pulled away from there. Isaiah Sy, from France, led the Beavers with 13 points, hitting 3-of-5 from deep. Dez White added 12 points and six assists against only one turnover.

The first half was close, with Gonzaga taking a four-point (38-34) halftime lead. The game was tight until midway through the second half when Gonzaga pulled away. The Zags dominated inside with Ike and Grant-Foster having their way against the Beavers’ bigs. Gonzaga finished the game with a 50-10 advantage in points in the paint and a 30-21 rebounding advantage.

Oregon State is now an even 13-13 on the season and 6-7 in West Coast Conference play. Gonzaga moves to 23-2 overall and 11-1 in the WCC.  Oregon State will now hit the road next week to take on San Francisco and Seattle. Gonzaga heads home to face Washington State on Tuesday night.

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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St. Peter’s Gets Past Siena in MAAC Play

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Jersey City, NJ – Jersey City played host to a hard-nosed MAAC showdown as two of the conference’s top teams, St. Peter’s and Siena, went head-to-head in a physical battle. The Peacocks successfully defended their home court, securing a 70–65 victory in a game they largely controlled from start to finish. While Siena kept things competitive late, St. Peter’s maintained its composure to close out a win that underscored its toughness and poise in conference play.

Sophomore Bryce Eaton led the way for the Peacocks with a game-high 22 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-14 from the floor and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. The point guard demonstrated strong command of the offense throughout the game, showing patience and composure as he navigated through ball screens and consistently made the right read. Eaton did an excellent job of keeping the defense off balance, whether that meant delivering the ball to open teammates or attacking gaps himself. When scoring opportunities arose, he used ball screens effectively to create separation in the midrange, knocking down those looks with impressive efficiency. His ability to both facilitate and score proved pivotal in setting the tone and pace for the Peacocks’ offensive attack.

Despite the loss, Siena freshman forward Francis Folefac was a consistent problem for the Peacocks’ frontcourt. The 6-foot-7 forward, built like a linebacker, used his strength to back down defenders and convert tough finishes around the rim. He finished the night with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting performance. The stat that truly jumped off the page, however, was Folefac’s seven assists. Operating from the high post against St. Peter’s zone defense, he repeatedly flashed to the free-throw line and made quick, decisive reads. When the zone collapsed on him, Folefac consistently found open teammates, creating high-percentage scoring opportunities that kept Siena within striking distance.

The win not only capped off a strong home performance for St. Peter’s but also carried added significance, as the Peacocks officially punched their ticket to the MAAC Tournament. By controlling the game’s physicality and executing when it mattered most, St. Peter’s continued to show why it remains a formidable force within the conference. As postseason play approaches, performances like this reinforce the Peacocks’ identity as a disciplined, tough-minded group capable of winning in multiple ways, while Siena can take positives from its competitive effort and the continued emergence of young contributors moving forward.

This article was written by William Murphy, 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.

St. John’s Gets Key Win Over UConn

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

New York, NY – Two of the Big East’s finest met for a battle in the mecca with #3 UConn coming down to face the surging #22 St. John’s Red Storm. The game was very back and forth with both teams playing with great energy and trying to execute their style of play. St. John’s would struggle to be efficient but UConn had issues of their own with taking care of the ball and continuing to send the Johnnies to the charity stripe. Both teams had an extremely balanced box score in the first half leading to a tie at 39 between two of the hottest teams in all of college basketball. 

As the second half began, UConn would continue to have struggles against St. John’s intensity on the defensive end and their physicality on the offensive end. The Huskies had 15 turnovers on the night, Silas Demary Jr. had nine of those turnovers. St. John’s scored 20 points off those UConn turnovers and they did a great job of just pressuring ball handlers all night long. No one was more emblematic of this than Dylan Darling who was just a pest and completely shifted the game in St. John’s favor as soon as he checked in. Although we can’t overlook the usual dominance from the Red Storm frontcourt trio of Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell, and Bryce Hopkins combining for 50 of the 81 total team points.

Ejiofor continues to impress and show versatility as he had a near triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Huskies would make small pushes throughout the half even cutting the St. John’s lead down to one. However, they would not be able to finish the job as St. John’s would take down UConn 81-72 ending the Huskies 18-game winning streak and extending their own winning streak to 9. 

St. John’s had a bunch of standout performances but it’s hard to dismiss Ejiofor’s two way impact and how he continues to impress every single game. Obviously everyone knows he has the motor, the physicality, and lives in the paint but his ability to read defenses is something to behold. He’s very good at seeing the back line of the defense when he gets the ball at the free throw line extended. Especially since opposing defenses are so keyed in on him as a finisher at the rim this leads to him showing off his playmaking, finding guys like Mitchell and Hopkins for easy points. Ejiofor’s performances are becoming inevitable night in and night out. At this trajectory he’s on his way to being recognized as one of the best players to ever put on a St. John’s uniform and having that #24 in the rafters one day. 

Though the Huskies didn’t get the result they wanted as a team several of their players had some solid individual performances. Alex Karaban is a true veteran for this UConn team and he showed it last night in a big game vs. a conference rival. Karaban finished the night with 17 points and is just so good as an off ball offensive threat. He leverages his shooting ability at such a high level and isn’t afraid to take the big shots when the team needs it. The range he has is also something you want to see if you are looking at him as an NBA prospect, he can let it fly from distance and on the move as well. Karaban may not be a high level athlete but he is capable of beating his defender on closeouts and getting to the rim for some nice finishes also. Defensively there can be some question marks due to his lack of overall athleticism and foot speed but he has the body to be serviceable on that end of the floor. It will definitely be interesting watching how the rest of his senior year plays out to determine if he will be able to get his third national title in four years.

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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Iowa’s Stirtz Drops Career-High 32 Points to Take Down Oregon

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Eugene, OR — The Oregon Ducks squared off against the visiting Iowa Hawkeyes in a Big Ten clash Sunday evening, with the two teams heading in opposite directions in the race for an NCAA Tournament bid. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game- and career-high 32 points on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting night to lead the Hawkeyes past the Ducks, 84–66, at Matthew Knight Arena in front of 5,807 fans.

The opening half featured consistent shooting from both sides, as the team’s traded baskets and saw several lead changes. Oregon guard Takai Simpkins returned to action after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, and the injury appeared to be a non-factor. Simpkins led the Ducks with 10 first-half points and finished with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds and four assists. A Simpkins lay-in gave Oregon a 17–15 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half — the Ducks’ final lead of the game.

Iowa responded with a decisive 13–2 run, fueled by interior scoring from 6-foot-10 junior Alvaro Folgueiras, to build its largest first-half lead at 11 points with just under four minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes dominated the paint early, holding an 18–8 advantage in the first half and finishing with a commanding 44–26 edge for the game. Folgueiras scored eight points before the break on 4-of-6 shooting and ended the night with 15 points (6-of-9 FG) and eight rebounds.

Oregon opened the second half with renewed aggression, as Kwame Evans Jr. attacked the basket for a quick layup and followed it up by drawing a foul on the next possession. The Ducks cut the deficit to five in the opening minutes behind Evans Jr.’s effort. The 6-foot-10 junior, coming off a 24-point performance in his previous outing, posted 18 points (6-of-14 FG), with most coming in the second half. While he struggled from beyond the arc (1-of-7 from three), Evans Jr. added three rebounds and three assists. Dezdrick Lindsay chipped in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting night, but Oregon received limited production elsewhere.

Stirtz took full control after halftime, orchestrating the offense as Iowa’s primary ball handler and scorer. The 6-foot-4 senior was surgical offensively, finishing with 32 points on just 15 shot attempts. Iowa committed only five turnovers all game, with Stirtz recording seven assists and zero turnovers. Beyond the box score, he consistently made smart backdoor cuts and simplified the game for his teammates, showcasing his high basketball IQ.  Stirtz is currently projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with the potential to climb into the lottery with a strong finish to the season.

Iowa also received double-digit scoring from Cooper Koch and Brendan Hausen, giving the Hawkeyes four players in double figures. Koch finished with 10 points (4-of-7 FG), three rebounds, two steals, and two assists, while Hausen added 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. As a team, Iowa shot an impressive 59 percent from the field (33-of-56 FG) and clamped down defensively, holding Oregon to just 20 percent shooting from three-point range (5-of-25). The loss marks Oregon’s eighth straight defeat.

Oregon (8–14, 1–10 Big Ten) travels east to face preseason No. 1 Purdue (18–4, 8–3) on Saturday, February 7. Iowa (16–5, 6–4) continues its road trip against Washington (12–10, 4–7) on February 4.

This article was written by Chad Mart, 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.

Strong Second Half Propels Seton Hall Past Marquette

by Carl Berman
written by Carl Berman

Newark, NJ – Coming off an impressive come-from-behind win against Xavier, Seton Hall looked to carry that momentum into their matchup with Marquette. However, they once again stumbled out of the gate, facing an eight-point deficit at halftime. The Pirates responded with a dominant defensive effort in the second half, holding Marquette to just 23 points. That surge fueled a 69–64 victory, led by strong point guard play from Budd Clark.

Over the past two games, Clark has fully embraced the role of the “IT factor” for this Pirates team, and he delivered once again. He finished with 19 points and six assists while committing just one turnover, numbers that only begin to capture how impressive his ball-handling was throughout the game. Coach Holloway ran a variety of actions designed to get Clark to his preferred spots, and he capitalized, shooting an efficient 50 percent from the floor. Beyond scoring, Clark effectively facilitated the offense, consistently creating high-quality looks for his teammates. His ball security stood out as well. For the Pirates to remain in NCAA Tournament bubble contention, Clark will need to continue providing steady production on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis.

Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles showcased a special talent at point guard in Nigel James Jr. The freshman from New York has fully embraced his role and continues to impress. James finished with 16 points, consistently getting into the paint and finishing through traffic. He showed no hesitation rising up over the Pirates’ bigs and converting at the rim. From beyond the arc, James was a perfect 2-for-2, knocking down the limited open looks that Seton Hall allowed. The lone blemish on his performance came in the turnover department, as the Pirates forced him into six turnovers. Once James penetrated, Seton Hall’s bigs collapsed effectively, leading to errant passes—several of which sailed out of bounds.

Playing from behind once again defined this Pirates squad, but it was their defensive intensity in the second half that ultimately turned the game in their favor. After a sluggish opening half, Seton Hall locked in defensively, forcing a total of 16 turnovers and denying Marquette any easy scoring opportunities. The Golden Eagles struggled mightily to find rhythm after the break, as Seton Hall’s pressure disrupted passing lanes and sped up their decision-making. Poor ball security and a series of poor passes proved costly for Marquette, especially once the Pirates’ defense began collapsing into the paint and rotating with purpose. Clark, Elijah Fisher, and T.J. Simpkins each recorded two steals, consistently jumping passing lanes and creating transition opportunities. The interior defense was just as impactful, with Stephon Payne and Najai Hines combining for six blocks, effectively deterring drives and altering shots at the rim. That collective defensive effort not only fueled the Pirates’ comeback but also set the tone for the remainder of the game, showcasing a team that thrives on grit, physicality, and defensive execution when it matters most.

This performance highlighted Seton Hall’s growing comfort in close, grind-it-out games, particularly when defensive stops become the priority. The Pirates’ ability to flip the script after halftime continues to define their recent stretch and underscores the importance of sustaining that edge against quality opponents. Seton Hall will have little time to celebrate as it heads to Villanova on Wednesday for another pivotal conference matchup. Marquette will look to recalibrate and address its ball security issues before returning home next Saturday to face Butler, a game that presents an opportunity for the Golden Eagles to respond and regain momentum.

This article was written by William Murphy, 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.

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