College Basketball Opening Day Recap
Follow along here for updates on a busy opening day in men’s and women’s college basketball. The day was filled with intense back-and-forth play and surprising upsets. Several games are still in progress, and live stats and scores can be accessed below.
Top Highlight: BYU vs. Villanova in the Hall of Fame Series
BYU defeated Villanova 71-66 in Las Vegas after a strong late-game push stopped Villanova's comeback effort. The Cougars led 42-32 at halftime, but Villanova gradually closed the gap in the second half, taking a 56-55 lead with just over eight minutes remaining. BYU responded with a decisive 16-10 run to reclaim control and secure the victory.
Standout Performances
Freshman forward AJ Dybantsa made an impressive BYU debut, leading the team with 21 points and grabbing six rebounds.
“AJ Dybantsa impressed me in his official BYU debut. The potential No. 1 overall pick finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds in the win.”
BYU center Keba Keita also delivered an outstanding defensive effort, contributing eight points, seven rebounds (four defensive), and three blocks.
“Keba Keita had an incredible defensive showing, racking up eight points, seven rebounds (four DREB) and three blocks for BYU.”
These strong performances helped BYU secure a key victory to start their season on a high note.
Author's summary: BYU's impressive late surge and standout performances from AJ Dybantsa and Keba Keita defined an exciting opening day in college basketball, marked by intense competition and surprising results.