College basketball exhibition games across the country offered early glimpses of team strengths and weaknesses ahead of the regular season, with several ranked matchups delivering notable performances and revealing roster concerns.
Baylor's statement wins
Baylor, picked seventh in the Big 12 preview and 10th in the preseason poll, knocked off No. 1 Florida in Jacksonville and No. 3 Illinois on the road in its first two exhibitions. Penn State transfer Kayden Mingo impressed at point guard, though the Bears' frontcourt remains thin. Illinois played without All-American forward David Mirkovic. The true test for Baylor will come in December at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
Kentucky edges Texas Tech
No. 23 Kentucky defeated No. 19 Texas Tech 76-65. Freshman guard Mason Williams, not a top-100 recruit, contributed 14 points and a crucial offensive rebound that led to a Milan Momcilovic dagger late. Williams played five more minutes than Washington transfer Zoom Diallo and was on the floor during winning time. Texas Tech played without injured forward JT Toppin and Jamichael Stillwell, who is awaiting legal clearance, forcing coach Grant McCasland to use a small-ball lineup with 6-8 forward Josiah Moseley at center. The game was tied at 54 with under eight minutes remaining. Kentucky's point guard play, split between Furman transfer Alex Wilkins and Diallo, will determine the team's ceiling.
Arkansas outlasts Gonzaga
No. 12 Arkansas beat No. 15 Gonzaga 76-72 behind improved point-of-attack defense from freshmen Jordan Smith Jr. and Abdou Toure. Gonzaga's starting point guards Nathan De Sousa and Javon Bennett combined to shoot 3-for-25. The Zags were without sophomore Davis Fogle (leg injury) and Chauncey Wiggins (eligibility clearance). Arkansas' freshman bench provided 31 points: Toure (9), Davion Thompson (12), and JJ Andrews (10 points, 9 rebounds). Gonzaga's frontcourt remains strong with Braden Huff, Massamba Diop, and Spanish big man Izan Almansa (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 three-pointer), while Houston transfer Isiah Harwell showed progress.
Duke's starting five shines against Kansas
No. 2 Duke topped No. 17 Kansas 90-84, showcasing what may be the nation's best starting lineup. Point guard Cayden Boozer facilitated, John Blackwell scored 23 points (4-of-7 from three), Dame Sarr added defensive versatility, 7-1 Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje spaced the floor, and center Patrick Ngongba dominated with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. For Kansas, Tyran Stokes posted 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, drawing 15 free-throw attempts. The Jayhawks struggled at center, with Christian Reeves and Paul Mbiya combining for just 10 minutes, prompting coach Bill Self to consider playing Purdue transfer Trey Kaufman-Renn at the five.
Quick hits
St. John's backcourt trio of Quinn Ellis (22 assists, three turnovers in three exhibitions), Ian Jackson, and Tounde Yessoufou (combined 47 points) powered an 87-74 win over Texas at Madison Square Garden. Michigan State lost to Marquette 86-79 as center options Anton Bonke and Ethan Taylor failed to score. Michigan's defense regressed in an 83-66 loss to Houston, where Cougars guard Dedan Thomas tallied 25 points and seven assists. Miami sophomore point guard Acaden Lewis recorded 23 points and 10 assists in a win over Vanderbilt.
