While the Dallas Mavericks were in the middle of being handed their seventh consecutive loss, the best day of college basketball to date this season was unfolding. The rivalry that is Duke and Carolina delivered once again. Illinois and Michigan State went to overtime. Kentucky overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Tennessee. And potential top picks AJ Dybantsa and Kingston Flemings battled in the nightcap. It was a fantastic day, and as a wise Jon Rothstein says: This is only February.
Prospect of the week: Seth Trimble (Guard, North Carolina)
Stat of the week: Became a Tar Heel legend
In last week’s preview, I wrote the following about Duke visiting UNC:
“Performances in this game go down in the school’s lore forever. Who’s going to step up?”
Seth Trimble, welcome to your moment! In a game that featured two freshmen who likely will be top five picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, it was the senior who had stuck it out for four years at UNC that became an icon in this rivalry. Now, that’s not to say that Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson were bad. Boozer had a rough first half but was excellent in the final 20 minutes, while Caleb Wilson started hot before a quieter second half. But when the game was on the line, it was Trimble to deliver the heroics. As Caleb Wilson said after the game, he knew when the shot was released “that sh*t’s cash,”.
Trimble is likely to be a second-round pick in the draft, but there’s a place for guys like him in the NBA. He’s not a point guard, but he’s able to handle it well enough to get the job done. Trimble’s best qualities are that he’s fantastic in transition, a must to play at North Carolina, and being a good rebounder for his size. Plus, over the course of four years, he’s worked himself into being a pretty good shooter, as evidenced by the game winner. In that range of the draft, you’re just looking for traits or being good at specific things. Because of that, I believe that Trimble is worth a flier.
Games of the week
Monday, February 9th
NC State at Louisville – 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Arizona at Kansas – 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Is Mikel Brown Jr. going to snap out of the funk he’s been in? Ever since returning from his back injury, Brown Jr. has struggled with turnovers and has been very inefficient from the floor. The talent is in there, but it’s time to see it again.
The “Big Monday” nightcap is a dandy, as Darryn Peterson and the Jayhawks will host the number one team in the country for the first time in program history. Arizona is undefeated for a reason, they’re very good and maybe the most sound team in the country. However, they’re about to embark on maybe the toughest seven game stretch you’ll see in the country, starting off with this trip to Allen Fieldhouse. If Kansas can get some threes knocked down at home, Arizona could be upset here. Brayden Burries is your x-factor here. If he knocks down shots for Arizona, they’ll be in good shape.
Tuesday, February 10th
North Carolina at Miami – 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Wisconsin at Illinois – 7:00 p.m. CT (Peacock)
Can Keaton Wagler bounce back from a rough Saturday in East Lansing? Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Can Keaton Wagler bounce back from a rough Saturday in East Lansing? Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images
Dale Young-Imagn Images
The theme for Tuesday is “following up”. Is North Carolina mature enough to validate the Duke win on the road against a pesky Miami team? It’s a very traditional let down spot. For Keaton Wagler, Saturday at Michigan State was easily the worst game of his college career, going just two for sixteen from the floor. How does he respond?
Saturday, February 14th
Kansas at Iowa State – Noon CT (ABC)
Louisville vs Baylor (in Fort Worth) – 3:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Texas Tech at Arizona – 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Brayden Burries is often the X-Factor for the Cats. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Brayden Burries is often the X-Factor for the Cats. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Nothing says, “happy Valentine’s Day!” quite like sitting on the couch for eight hours to watch hoops. So instead, take the love of your life out to watch Mikel Brown Jr. against Baylor in Fort Worth on Saturday! It’s situated perfectly between the two best games of the day in the Big 12. First, Kansas goes to Iowa State in a rematch, after Kansas beat the snot out of ISU earlier this year in Lawrence. Lastly, the Red Raiders of Texas Tech head to the desert to take on Arizona. This will be a big test for Christian Anderson, as the Cats will provide a stiff test both offensively and defensively. Should be a fun day!
Sunday, February 15th
Indiana at Illinois – Noon CT (CBS)
This should be an up and down game that features a ton of points. If Keaton Wagler isn’t able to get off the mat against Wisconsin, the Indiana defense should offer ample opportunity for a bounce back.