The Big 12 didn’t open the 2026-27 season as it had hoped.
In an opening-day slate that could have left the conference undefeated, three teams lost, including the league’s heavy hitter: No. 5 Arizona fell to No. 22 UCLA. No. 18 Iowa State lost to Memphis. And while Kansas State slipped up against South Dakota State, it was picked to finish last in the Big 12. The conference has been praised for its notable depth. Ouch.
Outside of those three, UCF (vs. Florida Gulf Coast) and Utah (vs. Long Beach State) both had scares, winning by one possession each. The Knights went to overtime. Arizona State bested East Tennessee State by 10 points.
Everyone else did what they needed to. No. 25 BYU had the premier win, beating Ohio State 94-83. And the others, playing mid-major teams, won by over 20 points.
Individually, there was a 40-bomb and two 30-pieces. UCF’s Dior Johnson scored 41 points on an efficient 13-of-15 shooting, hitting four 3-pointers and 11 free throws. Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov’s 38-point double-double was nothing short of heroic, accounting for half of his team’s offense. BYU’s Rob Wright III picked up where he left off, scoring 35 points (10-16 FG, 4-5 3PT, 11-12 FT) and dishing five assists in the neutral-site win over Ohio State.
Alongside Kharchenkov, Iowa State’s Tre Singleton and Utah’s Malek Gomma also grabbed double-digit rebounds; both pulled down 11.
Seven players dished over five assists: WVU’s Miles Sadler (9), OSU’s Jacob Walker (8), UU’s Trey Campbell (8), KU’s Melvin Council Jr. (7), BU’s Dylan Mingo (6), UA’s JJ Mandaquit (6) and CU’s Alex Dickeson (6). Walker, Mandaquit and Dickeson had one turnover or none.
The Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, Motiejus Krivas, led the conference with six blocks. Several players had four or more steals, with TTU’s Cruz Davis leading with six.
The conference’s newcomer of the year, Arizona State’s Paulius Maurauskas, scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He struggled from the 3-point line and committed five turnovers (to three assists) in 40 minutes, but helped the Sun Devils win.
Two ranked teams fall, BYU prevails in premier games
Memphis defeats No. 19 Iowa State, 80-76 (neutral)
It was a sloppy showing in Sioux Falls. Both teams turned the ball over, especially early on. There were 24 combined turnovers. The contest was more physical than most, as both teams shot at least 32 free throws.
However, Memphis prevailed even without 6-foot-9 forward Nemanja Popovic.
Iowa State struggled offensively beyond new additions Ryan Prather Jr. (19 points) and Tre Singleton (11 points). Returners Tamin Lipsey (12 points, 4-13 FG), Jamarion Batemon (0-6 FG) and Blake Buchanan (6 points, 6 rebounds) didn’t produce the same without Milan Momcilovic’s spacing and Joshua Jefferson’s playmaking. Transfer guard Jaquan Johnson (0-5 FG) also had issues. As a team, it shot just 43.1% and 20% from deep.
ISU guard Killyan Toure (shoulder) was out.
Still, the Cyclones kept it close. Memphis’s Tylik Weeks was limited, committing six turnovers before fouling out. Despite a big game from Luke Almodovar (18 points, 8 rebounds), he fouled out late. Yet, guard Jayden Reid (26 points) was too much for ISU to handle. The Tigers also shot 9-of-20 from deep, with Rihards Vavers hitting three 3s.
Ultimately, Memphis controlled the whole game. It found holes in ISU’s signature trapping defense. And the Cyclones lacked offensive firepower. The Tigers won the rebound battle by two despite having a smaller lineup.
Who’s next: vs. Southern Mississippi (11/05 - 7 p.m. CT - ESPN+)
No. 22 UCLA defeats No. 5 Arizona, 84-75
In another physical contest, the taller Big 12 team got the short end of the stick.
UA’s Motiejus Krivas (8 points, 9 rebounds, 6 blocks) got into early foul trouble and sat most of the first half. Five-star guard Caleb Holt (7 points, 7 rebounds) also got into foul trouble.
Naturally, the Bruins built a big enough first-half lead to outlast the Wildcats, even without 6-8 Filip Jovic. It outrebounded UA by one and outscored it by 10 in second-chance points. The Wildcats are still without transfer RJ Godfrey (ineligible).
Krivas was still a factor. His six blocks kept UCLA out of the paint when he was on the game; it shot 29 3s, making 10. However, the smaller Bruins constantly swarmed Krivas (even running some zone), leading to four turnovers and little offensive output.
Krivas’s gravity did open up Ivan Kharchenkov’s 38-point double-double. Little help was offered on his drives, and the strong 6-7 forward capitalized. He scored plenty at the rim and shot 16 free throws.
Yet UCLA packed it in so tight, the Wildcats shot 30 3-pointers, hitting just seven. North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon made four, Kharchenkov hit two and Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit rattled in another. But Dixon missed eight, Holt was 0-of-4 and the Wildcats’ lack of spacing ultimately doomed them.
Former Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty (13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) and junior Trent Perry (21 points, 5 assists) had impressive showings as the UCLA hit just enough shots to win.
Who’s next: vs. Cal Poly (11/05 - 9:30 p.m. CT - TruTV)
No. 25 BYU defeats Ohio State, 94-83
Ohio State got off to a hot start against BYU. But as the game wore on, the Cougars’ offense became too much to handle.
To the Buckeyes’ credit, Amare Bynum (20 points, 4 assists) and John Mobley Jr. (14 points, 7 assists) played solid games. Both were banged up, but knocked down five triples and got to the rim. Mobley hit two early 3s, which opened up the pick-and-roll. And OSU made six of its 12 3-point attempts in the first half.
The Buckeyes led at the half.
However, five-star freshman Anthony Thompson (0-5 FG) could not buy a bucket, so OSU had to play small ball. Rob Wright III (35 points, 5 assists) attacked the rim early. He led the charge and got Mobley and Ohio State’s guards into foul trouble. Transfer Colin Chandler (15 points, 4 rebounds) and five-star freshman Bruce Branch III (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) settled in and also attacked the cup.
Transfers Tyler Betsey (15 points, 7 rebounds) and Jaxon Kohler (11 points, 7 rebounds) also provided sparks and opened up things for the more ball-dominant players. Betsey hit four triples, helping space the floor. Kohler’s physical presence opened up drives and off-ball action for Betsey and Chandler. Plus, the big man put the ball on the deck for two nifty scores.
With foul trouble hurting Ohio State’s offensive input, it shot nearly 10% worse from the field in the second half. The Buckeyes made just 17.7% of their 17 second-half attempted 3s.
BYU shot 64.5% in the second half, hitting seven 3s. From Chandler and Betsey in set plays to Wright’s three step-back splashes, the Cougars couldn’t miss.
Who’s next: vs. Omaha (11/06 - 8 p.m. CT - ESPN+)
Bottom cellar struggles
South Dakota State defeats Kansas State, 68-66
From start to finish, Kansas State head coach Casey Alexander’s debut was disastrous. South Dakota State led most of the game before pulling off the upset.
The Jackrabbits’ offense was decent. 7-footer Kern Davis (24 points, 8 rebounds) laced five 3-pointers. Guard Kalen Garry (14 points, 8 rebounds) added two more, along with some tough takes. Jon Mekonnen (14 points) and Joe Sayler (10 points) were also big factors, as SDSU canned 10 3-pointers and scored five more second-chance points.
Yet the Jackrabbits’ defense finished the job. Kansas State shot 41.5% from the field, scored just 22 points in the paint and turned the ball over 12 times. Guard Brandon Rechsteiner (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and forward Isaiah Abraham (16 points) were forced to do the heavy lifting. But with little interior presence besides Abraham, South Dakota State keyed in on Rechsteiner, who finished 6-of-17 from the field despite four 3-pointers.
Bench big Pape N’Diaye (18 points, 8 rebounds) did what he could inside; starter Brock Vice only played 15 minutes. But the Jackrabbits ultimately made just enough plays on offense to beat the Wildcats, 68-66.
Who’s next: vs. Cal State Northridge (11/06 - 8 p.m. CT - ESPN+)
UCF defeats Florida Gulf Coast in OT, 96-95
It was an interesting night in Orlando. UCF’s Dior Johnson (13-15 FG, 4-4 3PT) lit the scoreboard up with 41 points on just two missed shots. Returner John Bol (8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks) did his thing. But they were the only starters to play over 30 minutes; Cayden Vasko, Isaiah Malone and fifth-year returner Riley Kugel played under 20 minutes.
While Malone was in foul trouble and eventually fouled out, the other two were nonexistent. Instead, transfers Lewis Walker (16 points), Arturo Dean (15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Carmelo Pacheco played over 20 minutes off the bench.
Naturally, Florida Gulf Coast capitalized.
Guard Darren Williams (15 points) hit five 3s, forward Bryson Lucas (25 points) hit three triples and attacked the rim and big man Justin Houser (20 points) tossed in three deep balls. FGCU shot 12-of-33 from the 3-point line. The Eagles also out-rebounded UCF by six on the offensive glass.
While UCF led late, a wild play turned into a game-tying layup by Chase Konieczny (15 points) to end regulation.
Luckily for the Knights, it forced turnovers and 25 total points off 13 FGCU giveaways. They kept the pressure up in extra time, and Johnson continued his stellar night, ultimately putting the Eagles away despite a big showing from Lucas.
The Knights won 96-95 in overtime.
Who’s next: vs. Yale (11/06 - 6 p.m. CT - ESPN+)
Utah defeats Long Beach State, 66-63
Utah didn’t look great for most of its win over Long Beach State. It trailed by 17 points at one point.
What almost sank the Utes were turnovers and 3-point shooting. The Beach forced 15 turnovers and turned them into 20 points. While Utah only made 5-of-17 3-point attempts, LBSU went 10-of-25, with McCaden Adams (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) hitting four 3-pointers. Yohann Sissoko (15 points, 5 rebounds) attacked the rim and added two 3-pointers.
However, with very little inside scoring (18 points in the paint), the Beach offense washed up. They shot just 31.8% in the second half, and UU limited second chances. Malek Gamma grabbed 11 rebounds as the Utes held LBSU to just three second-chance points.
Utah shot over 50% from the field in both halves despite trouble with ball security and outside shooting. Guard Trey Campbell (20 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) stuffed the stat sheet and scored at all three levels. While forward Jackson Holcombe (14 points, 8 rebounds) was cold from deep, he and big man Alec Anigbata (10 points, 3 rebounds) were productive in the pick-and-roll and off the ball.
Naturally, the game turned into a slow-burn for Utah. With offensive struggles but an inside edge, it had to rely on defense and rebounding. And it ultimately erased a 17-point deficit and won by three.
Who’s next: vs. Towson (11/05 - 8 p.m. CT - ESPN+)
Five-star freshmen debuts
- WVU, Miles Sadler: 16 points (6-14 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-4 FT), 2 rebounds, 9 assists (3 turnovers), 3 steals, 28 min.
- KU, Tyran Stokes: 22 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-7 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist (4 turnovers), 1 steal, 24 min.
- KU, Taylen Kinney: 5 points (1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 1 assist (2 turnovers), 24 min.
- UA, Caleb Holt: 7 points (2-7 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), 7 rebounds, (0 turnovers), 27 min.
- BYU, Bruce Branch III: 10 points (4-10 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists (1 turnover), 27 min.
- BU, Dylan Mingo: 14 points (5-11 FG, 0-2 3PT, 4-8 FT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists (3 turnovers), 4 steals, 23 min.
- UH, Arafan Diane: 10 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 FT), 4 rebounds, (3 turnovers), 2 steals, 21 min.
All results
- Cincinnati vs. American: W, 79-53
- UCF vs. FGCU: W, 96-95 in OT
- No. 18 Iowa State vs. Memphis (neutral): L, 80-76
- West Virginia vs. Niagara: W, 91-46
- No. 19 Texas Tech vs. Jackson State: W, 76-42
- No. 17 Kansas vs. Fordham: W, 95-65
- TCU vs. Lindenwood: W, 98-59
- Colorado vs. Abilene Christian: W, 94-59
- Oklahoma State vs. Incarnate Word: W, 91-60
- Utah vs. Long Beach State: W, 66-63
- No. 10 Houston vs. La Salle: W, 94-55
- No. 25 BYU vs. Ohio State (neutral): W, 94-83
- Baylor vs. Northwestern State: W, 87-65
- Arizona State vs. East Tennessee State: W, 75-65
- No. 5 Arizona vs. No. 22 UCLA (neutral): L, 84-75
- Kansas State vs. South Dakota State: L, 68-66
