That’s it, the NCAA season is officially on and some wasted no time in shining in the first batch of games tonight. Among them ? Chet Holmgren, favorite to be the first choice of the 2022 NBA Draft and already in good shape.
Gonzaga’s new nugget had a blast against the Trailblazers of Portland Dixie State, kicking off his college season on the right foot. Well, obviously, given the difference in level between the Bulldogs – ranked # 1 in the country and last NCAA finalist – and this small university located somewhere in Utah, we will avoid igniting but still: 14 points (4/6 shooting, 6/9 free throws), 13 rebounds, 6 assists (but 5 turnovers), 7 blocks (university record tied), that gives you a little glimpse of Chet’s potential Holmgren. Giant of 2m13 but very weak (88 kilos), Holmgren is one of those prospects who turn the heads of scouts, a kind of unicorn of the 2020s that many see in the number one costume of the next NBA Draft. For his first official outing, Chet simply became the first player in a quarter of a century to finish with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks on his big debut in Division I NCAA. We had a worse start. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs made short work of the Trailblazers by winning without shaking 97-63 in their hall.
No. 1 overall recruit Chet Holmgren is the first player over the last 25 seasons with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocked shots in his D-I debut. pic.twitter.com/4OHspVDSrW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 10, 2021
What to also remember from the start of the NCAA school year
- In the clash of the night between Duke (# 9) and Kentucky (# 10) at Madison Square Garden (it was one of two Champions Classic games), the Blue Devils got the job done by winning 79- 71. Paolo Banchero, Duke freshman and considered a potential first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, immediately impressed with 22 points and 7 rebounds, as did Trevor Keels – another new kid – who finished best scorer of the game. with 25 pawns. Mike Krzyzewski’s farewell tour got off to a good start, with Coach K even receiving six bottles of wine from the Garden staff.
Paolo Banchero is too smooth ???? pic.twitter.com/0VyB5X7J7b
– ESPN (@espn) November 10, 2021
While Paolo Banchero was spectacular, Trevor Keels was definitely the story of the night in the Champions Classic. Emerged as Duke’s primary creator and made great decisions operating out of ball screens all night. Will be in lottery conversations if this is the case all season. pic.twitter.com/tcPPvPmsAR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 10, 2021
Julius Randle and RJ Barrett are on opposite sides of MSG, cheering on Kentucky and Duke, respectively.
Hard to watch for @nyknicks fans. pic.twitter.com/1f8gzbu3wM
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) November 10, 2021
The Garden presents Coach K with special gifts in honor of his last MSG appearance. Thanks for the memories, Coach! ???? pic.twitter.com/3beudCky4o
– MSG (@TheGarden) November 10, 2021
- Emoni Bates made his official debut with Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers. And like Chet Holmgren, he did not miss it. The one we often compare to Kevin Durant and who is one of the top prospects for the NBA 2023 Draft (with Victor Wembanyama, who has just had his finger on the way) finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 interception, 6/9 shooting including 4/7 from the parking lot in 30 minutes. It’s true that it looks a lot like a KD stats line, doesn’t it? Possessing a big team on paper with also freshman Jalen Duren as well as Lester Quinones and DeAndre Williams, the Penny gang started their season with a big win over Tennessee Tech 89-65.
Emoni Bates lived up to the hype in his college debut ♨️
???? 17 PTS
???? 6-9 FG
???? 4-7 3-PT FG pic.twitter.com/cLXoroOcbR– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2021
- The favorites have almost all responded to this opening night. Of the Top 25 teams that faced unranked universities, only Virginia’s (ranked # 25) fell to Navy. Certainly, Houston (# 15) did not go far from the correctional against Hofstra (victory 83-75 in overtime), just like Ohio State (# 17) against Akron (victory 67-66), but overall there is no surprise. UCLA (# 2), Villanova (# 4) and Texas (# 5) won steadfastly, while Kansas (# 3) edged Michigan State 87-74 in the other Champions Classic game.
Rock Chalk in the Champions Classic❗️
No. 3 Kansas opens up the season with an 87-74 win over Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/kCxB06YwlP
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2021
- Logo shoots also exist in NCAA. And in addition, for a game-winner. November Madness!
GAME-WINNER FROM THE LOGO ???? #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/7q6ELFDiu6
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2021
A good dose of highlights to finish
College basketball, meet @ jddavison10‼️ @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/qyWGl3xTRi
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 10, 2021
Trey McGowens with AUTHORITY ????
(via @HuskerHoops)
pic.twitter.com/XJdQAqmEJV— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
Lance Ware said NOPE ❌
(via @espn)
pic.twitter.com/iOikRZYLuD— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
Wendell Moore Jr. got UP for the putback ????
(via @championclassic)
pic.twitter.com/uOup9ruYZf— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
Christian Braun finds Ochai Agbaji for the Jayhawk alley-oop ???? pic.twitter.com/NHu0Yn1xuB
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
Western Kentucky’s Josh Anderson just threw one DOWN ????
(via @WKUBasketball)
pic.twitter.com/jIsPmG3pai— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
The Buckeyes come up CLUTCH ????
Zed Key’s last-second bucket gives No. 17 @OhioStateHoops the win over Akron
(via @br_CBB)
pic.twitter.com/jdkX2Q2AVG— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
Trayce Jackson-Davis doing it all for the Hoosiers ????
(via @br_CBB)
pic.twitter.com/sFDpydDYle— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
A.J. Hoggard with the tough finish for Michigan State ???? pic.twitter.com/xBxUBa4y9G
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) November 10, 2021
An already dominant Chet Holmgren, a hot Emoni Bates, a first shock that has kept its promises at Madison Square Garden and highlights galore … no doubt, the 2021-22 university season is starting strong and something tells us that we are will not be bored this year!
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