Three takeaways from opening day in men’s college basketball

Men’s college basketball is officially back after an eventful offseason of transfer acquisitions and new head coaches.

After an action-packed opening day on Monday that featured a top 10 beatdown, blue bloods with new faces and two Texas teams suffering upsets, here are three takeaways from the start of the men’s college basketball season.

No. 6 Gonzaga demolishes No. 8 Baylor in top 10 clash

In what looked like an even matchup on paper, the sixth-ranked Bulldogs completely took over. Making 57.1% of their shots and 41.9% from three, Gonzaga never looked back after leading by 19 at the half. The 101-63 victory over Baylor is the largest top 10 win ever for the Bulldogs and the biggest margin of victory by any team in a season-opener against a top 10 opponent in the history of the AP Top 25 poll, per CBS Sports.

Although it is only one game, Gonzaga looks like a national title contender. With an experienced group and five different players scoring in double figures, the depth on this team is obvious. The Bulldogs still have challenging nonconference games against No. 23 Kentucky, No. 3 UConn and 22nd-ranked UCLA, but they appear to be a tough out for anyone who plays them. 

Cooper Flagg, Mark Pope victorious in much-anticipated debuts with Duke, Kentucky

Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, debuted for No. 7 Duke on Monday and left his mark in multiple ways. Flagg had 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in his debut as the Blue Devils routed his home state team Maine, 96-62. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel led the team with 22 points as Duke shot 55.6% from the field. 

The schedule only gets more difficult for Duke with games against No. 23 Kentucky, No. 10 Arizona, top-ranked Kansas and No. 11 Auburn. They have some star-studded freshman, but this schedule should present some challenges early in the season for the Blue Devils.

The hype was just as big around No. 23 Kentucky and their new head coach. Pope, the captain of the 1995-96 championship team under Rick Pitino, coached his first game at Rupp Arena after former head coach John Calipari departed for Arkansas. In a game that was never a contest, the Wildcats handled Wright State, 103-62, behind Otega Oweh’s team-high 21 points. Koby Brea added 18 points while Amari Williams posted a double-double.

This team clearly has chemistry and talent. Kentucky shot 60% from the field and 45.8% from three. They were also phenomenal defensively with 11 steals and assisted on 30 of their 39 made shots. The team’s first real test will come against No. 7 Duke on Nov. 12 before facing No. 6 Gonzaga on Dec. 7. If Kentucky can keep sharing the ball, making shots at a high rate and forcing turnovers, this team could impress in Pope’s first season. 

Two Texas teams suffer upsets to start season

If you are fan of the SEC schools from the state of Texas, opening night was not kind to you at all. No. 13 Texas A&M played a true road game at UCF and fell 64-61. The game turned out to be a defensive battle as both teams struggled to consistently make plays. Foul trouble was a big factor for the Aggies as the team committed 17 fouls in the second half. 

On a night where finding the bottom of the net became a challenge, Texas A&M could not overcome UCF’s 22 made free throws. If the Aggies want to be contenders this season, they will need to shoot the ball more efficiently and stay out of foul trouble.

It was not a great start for the No. 19 Texas Longhorns in Las Vegas as they fell victim to Ohio State, 80-72. The Longhorns could not overcome the hot start from the Buckeyes, who came out of the gates making nine of their first 12 three-point attempts.

Despite freshman Tre Johnson putting up 29 points, Texas only shot 36.8% for the game. With a showdown against No. 3 UConn on Dec. 8 and their first SEC slate later this season, Texas will need to defend better and find more offensive production.