Is UNC back?! Judging 6 overreactions from opening week of men’s hoops

The inaugural week of men’s college basketball was exhilarating, highlighted by surprises and outstanding performances — particularly from newcomers?

No. 13 Arizona swiftly defied preseason predictions with a triumph over No. 3-ranked and defending champion Florida on the first night. Subsequently, No. 25 North Carolina kicked off the weekend with a powerful win against No. 19 Kansas on Friday, followed by a fast-paced clash between No. 5 St. John’s and No. 15 Alabama on Saturday, where the Johnnies experienced a rare defeat at Madison Square Garden.

Should Arizona be viewed as a potential Final Four contender? Is North Carolina truly «back»? What can we infer from Alabama’s victory? And how impressive is this incoming freshman class?

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf assess six overreactions from the opening week of the 2025-26 season, including whether No. 1 Purdue’s sluggish start raises concerns.

Purdue is failing to meet its preseason No. 1 expectations

With Braden Smith (the preseason favorite for national player of the year), Trey Kaufman-Renn (All-Big Ten last season) and Fletcher Loyer (44.4% from three last season), coach Matt Painter commenced the season with the necessary players to secure his inaugural national title. This is why, amidst frequent roster changes, AP voters designated Purdue as the preseason No. 1 — yet the Boilermakers have not hit their stride yet.

Evansville posed little challenge in the season opener, but Oakland, which conceded 121 points in a loss to Michigan last Monday, held a lead over Purdue in the second half. That’s when apprehensions began to surface.

KenPom. Although the absence of Kaufman-Renn (hip) has noticeably disrupted the team’s flow on both sides of the court, he is anticipated to return, with Painter describing the big man’s injury as «short term.»

If the Boilermakers had been defeated by Oakland, the discussion might have taken a different direction. They certainly have some rust to shake off, yet they remain the finest offensive team in America. — Medcalf

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This is the most impressive freshman class in recent times

NBA scouts have had their sights set on the 2025 recruiting class for years. It has long been anticipated to yield numerous valuable NBA draft picks. So far, it has delivered on those expectations — and beyond. Just observe the opening performances of the Big Three: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds versus Villanova. Kansas’ Darryn Peterson contributed an efficient 21 points in 22 minutes against Green Bay. And Duke’s Cameron Boozer recorded 15 points and 13 boards against Texas.

It’s not just the stars; the overall talent and depth exhibited in the first week of the season suggest a historically outstanding group.

Verdict: Not an overreaction

It’s an exceptionally talented class, both in terms of immediate impact this season and prospects for the 2026 NBA draft.

Arizona’s Koa Peat and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson were arguably the standout freshmen in the country during the opening week (more details below). Houston has deployed two freshmen, and both — Chris Cenac Jr. and Kingston Flemings — delivered remarkable performances. Arkansas boasts two exceptional freshman guards. Darius Acuff Jr. is averaging 19 points and 5.0 assists, while Meleek Thomas is contributing 18.5 points and 4.5 assists over two games. Tennessee’s Nate Ament recorded 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists throughout two games.

The list continues. Georgia Tech’s Mouhamed Sylla is averaging a double-double (12.0 points and 13.0 rebounds). Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou scored 24 in his first game. And Cam Ward tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds during Michigan State’s triumph over Arkansas on Saturday.

A notable surprise: Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie has amassed 55 points across two games.

There are also international newcomers to highlight. Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas produced one of the most outstanding performances regardless of class, scoring 33 points and dishing out six assists against Providence. Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder is posting an average of 20.5 points across two games. Hannes Steinbach has showcased dominance in various aspects for Washington. Another surprise: Providence’s Stefan Vaaks averaged 18.0 points off the bench in two outings.

This will undoubtedly be one of the defining narratives of the season. — Borzello

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Koa Peat and Caleb Wilson are elevating the Big 3 freshmen to a Big 5

As the season commenced, there was a distinguished top tier of freshmen: Peterson, Boozer, and Dybantsa. The ranking fluctuated depending on whether discussions centered on high school recruiting evaluations, college impact, or predicted NBA draft selections, but those three were acknowledged. Merely one week into the season, however, Peat and Wilson are making strides to be included in that elite group.

Peat delivered one of the most outstanding freshman debuts in recent times, scoring 30 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and making 3 steals against reigning champion Florida, which boasts arguably the finest frontcourt in the nation, on the opening night. He continued with an efficient 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting versus Utah Tech.

Wilson generated excitement during preseason and exhibition games, and he carried that momentum into the regular season with 22 points in the opener against Central Arkansas. He then had a breakout performance against Peterson and Kansas on Friday, finishing with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.

Henri Veesaar, North Carolina appeared more impressive in its 87-74 victory over Kansas on Friday than it has in years.

Seth Trimble’s indefinite absence due to a broken bone in his left forearm sustained during a team workout following Friday’s win presents a significant challenge.

It’s evident that Wilson — who surpassed ESPN’s projected No. 1 pick Peterson (on Friday) and projected No. 2 pick Dybantsa (in an exhibition game) — deserves a seat at the table regarding the top prospects for next summer’s NBA draft. Wilson possesses the charisma and raw talent that the Tar Heels have been lacking in recent seasons. Davis mentioned having to be the vocal leader last year due to the absence of that presence, but Wilson has already embraced that role. This team appears to offer more depth and versatility than last year’s lineup too.

Considering Trimble’s injury, it’s premature to make a definitive assessment either way. However, it is noteworthy that this program aspires to contend for the national title each season. Friday’s victory served as a solid initial step toward achieving that goal. Yet, we will require additional time and evidence. — Medcalf

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Arizona made waves with arguably the most significant statement win of the opening week — Alabama’s triumph over St. John’s can make a strong claim as well — traveling to Las Vegas on the inaugural day of the season and defeating reigning national champions Florida. The Wildcats endured an early challenge but responded admirably, led by Peat’s performance. During the critical moments, veteran point guard Jaden Bradley stepped up, scoring 10 consecutive Arizona points down the stretch to finish with 27 points and five assists.

The Wildcats commenced the season ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP poll, but the promising performances from their incoming freshmen, coupled with Bradley’s emergence, have notably increased the expectations for Tommy Lloyd’s squad.

Verdict: Not an overreaction

Arizona is firmly positioned within the Final Four discussions. With Lloyd having returned three starters from a squad that won 24 games and made it to the Sweet 16 before incorporating a top-five recruiting class featuring a pair of top-12 recruits, we should have taken the Wildcats’ potential more seriously heading into the season.

Peat appears capable of leading the offensive charge with his blend of size and skill. Bradley has always been a reliable distributor and defender but has added a newfound offensive aggressiveness. Freshman guard Brayden Burries is a notable scorer. Anthony Dell’Orso and Dwayne Aristode contribute significant shooting. Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas form a formidable big man duo that many teams find challenging to compete against. Furthermore, German forward Ivan Kharchenkov, who previously played professionally for Bayern Munich, adds toughness and a versatile skill set on offense.

This squad possesses an inside-outside balance, the appropriate combination of gifted youth and battle-hardened veterans, and abundant depth. The Wildcats seem ready to achieve success in a myriad of ways. — Borzello

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Alabama’s Nate Oats stands out as the top offensive strategist in college basketball

The leading offensive minds in college basketball have historically had an advantage over their contemporaries. Lute Olson powered Arizona’s journey to a national title in 1997 with a formidable offensive strategy. Billy Donovan’s squads posted a double-digit margin of victory throughout their back-to-back national championship campaigns in 2006 and 2007. Moreover, John Calipari’s Kentucky team scored 87 or more points during its run to the 2012 national title.

Currently, Oats is asserting his claim as the premier offensive coach in the nation. In Saturday’s 103-96 victory over St. John’s, a team under Rick Pitino’s guidance that had not conceded over 100 points in more than two decades. Despite the absence of All-American guard Mark Sears, Alabama’s offense overwhelmed a Red Storm team with aspirations for the Big East title at Madison Square Garden, ending St. John’s 12-game winning streak at the famed New York venue.

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Verdict: Not an overreaction

Oats has demonstrated his ability to assemble a high-caliber offensive unit at multiple institutions. His Alabama teams have ranked among the top 25 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency in four of the five seasons he has completed in Tuscaloosa. In addition, during his last two years at Buffalo, the Bulls finished 34th and 21st.

If there were any uncertainties regarding whether personnel outweighed his system, they were dispelled when Alabama triumphed in a shootout with St. John’s, even with Aden Holloway fouling out late in the contest. There is no rival to Oats as the finest offensive strategist in college basketball. — Medcalf