These are the College Basketball updates for the week of August 1st-August 8th. Any press releases, game updates, or player updates that we can find out. Please let us know if you have heard of any others.
Here’s what I will say after spending some time with Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. today. This kid is going to be special. Both on and off the court. He’s now 6-4 and nearly 185 pounds, has deep range from three, terrific passer, court vision, basketball IQ, lethal mid-range game, and can really get to the basket. As high character kid, intelligent and mature of a kid as I’ve been around in awhile.
“When you’re 20, you care what everybody thinks. When you’re 40, you stop caring what everyone thinks. When you’re 60, you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place.” —Winston Churchill
Top Ten: Purdue, Houston, St. John’s, Florida, Michigan, UConn, UCLA, BYU, Duke, and Texas Tech.
According to him on his podcast, Inside College Basketball Now, Virginia is the sleeper team in the ACC.
Duke’s ability to retain both Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans deserves significantly more attention.
The ACC needs to put at least six teams —1/3 of their conference — into the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Will Wade has put NC State in position to be a good team in 2025-2026.
UCLA and Arizona State will begin a home-and-home series this season in Westwood, per Coach Mick Cronin. The return game will be in 2026-2027 in Tempe, AZ.
UConn’s game with BYU on November 15th at TD Garden in Boston will be televised on the FOX Broadcast Network.
Coach Jon Scheyer tells Jon Rothstein that Cayden Boozer led Duke in assists this summer.
AJ Brown (shoulder) hopes to be fully cleared for all basketball-related activities by the start of practice in September, per Coach Todd Golden. He is a transfer from Ohio who averaged 13.2 points per game last season.
Boogie Fland (sports hernia) hopes to be fully cleared for all basketball-related activities when the school year officially begins this month, per Coach Todd Golden. He is a transfer from Arkansas who averaged 13.5 points per game and 5.1 assists per game last season.
Coach Todd Golden told Jon Rothstein that he plans to start Thomas Haugh at small forward with Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu up front during the 2025-2026.
Joseph Tugler (foot) is expected to be fully cleared for all basketball-related activities at some point this month, per Coach Kelvin Sampson. He averaged 5.5 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.
Michigan will host McNeese on December 29th in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Michigan will host McNeese on December 29th in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Michigan vs Villanova will be played on December 9th in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the start of a home-and-home series. The return game at Villanova in 2026-2027.
Four-star recruit Franck Belibi Jr. (2026) has committed to them, per Envision Sports Group.
Coach Rick Pitino on Bryce Hopkins: “He’s 100% healthy and has had an awesome summer.”
UConn’s game with BYU on November 15th at TD Garden in Boston will be televised on the FOX Broadcast Network.
UCLA and Arizona State will begin a home-and-home series this season in Westwood, per Coach Mick Cronin. The return game will be in 2026-2027 in Tempe, AZ.
Michigan vs Villanova will be played on December 9th in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the start of a home-and-home series. The return game at Villanova in 2026-2027.
NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt has released a statement regarding the NCAA Tournament staying at 68 teams for the 2026-2027 season. “Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships. However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships.”
Media Day will be on October 22nd at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, per their release.
The twelve teams that CAN WIN it all in 2026 in no order
Purdue, Houston, Florida, UConn, Louisville, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Duke, St. John’s, Michigan, BYU, and Arkansas.
International prospect Gvidas Gicevicius has committed to them.
Gytis Nemeiksa has received an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA and is eligible for the 2025-2026 season. He averaged 12.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game last season.
Coach Ben Jacobson has received a new five-year rolling contract that runs through 2029-2030. He has been their head coach since 2006 and is the second-winningest head coach in the Missouri Valley Conference history.
It’s the year of the lead guard in the Big Ten Conference.
Braden Smith, Purdue
Donovan Dent, UCLA
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Desmond Claude, Washington
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Jeremy Fears, Michigan State
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
In speaking to Coach Bill Self on Jon Rothstein’s podcast, Inside College Basketball Now, the Big 12 has always been great, but Coach Bill Self knows that the recent additions of Arizona, BYU, and Houston have made the league exponentially better.
Texas Tech Coach Grant McCasland has hired Arizona’s Rem Bakamus as an assistant coach, per their release.
Rob Dauster on Mark Few doing what Mark Few does. “They’re a top 20 team in America, like they always are. It’s a B+ offseason with an upside.”
Rob Dauster on Indiana’s offseason reload. “It’s not a perfect roster, but it’s good enough to compete for a top four spot in the Big Ten.”
Coach Grant McCasland has hired Arizona’s Rem Bakamus as an assistant coach, per their release.
It has released its non-conference schedule for the 2025-2026 season. October 25th: Duquesne (Home), November 3rd: Charleston Southern (Home), November 8th: Providence (Uncasville, CT), November 12th: Saint Joseph’s (Home), November 16th: Charlotte (Home), November 19th: Bryant (Home), November 26-28: Battle 4 Atlantis in Bahamas, December 2nd: South Carolina (Away), December 6th: George Mason (Home), December 11th: Western Carolina (Home), December 14th: Maryland-Eastern Shore (Home), and December 20th: Elon (Home).
He stated that “I think they’re a Sweet 16 caliber team” about Kansas.
College Basketball Interview with Coach Bill Self: He knows that a significant jump is coming for Flory Bidunga in 2025-2026. He views Elmarko as a starting-caliber player for Kansas after he missed last season due to injury. Coach hasn’t watched much of the last two NCAA tournaments after Kansas was eliminated before the second weekend. He firmly believes that Darryn Peterson is the best freshman that he’s ever recruited.
Green Bay will host Bradley and former Green Bay Head Coach Brian Wardle for an Exhibition game on October 11th. Green Bay is set to retire the jersey of Keifer Sykes at halftime of the game.
Davidson and Washington State will start a home-and-home series on November 7th at Davidson.
Green Bay will host Bradley and former Green Bay Head Coach Brian Wardle for an Exhibition game on October 11th. Green Bay is set to retire the jersey of Keifer Sykes at halftime of the game.
Jeff Goodman stated that “I think they’re a Sweet 16 caliber team” about Kansas.
Jon Rothstein interviewed Coach Bill Self. He knows that a significant jump is coming for Flory Bidunga in 2025-2026. He views Elmarko as a starting-caliber player after he missed last season due to injury. Coach hasn’t watched much of the last two NCAA tournaments after Kansas was eliminated before the second weekend. He firmly believes that Darryn Peterson is the best freshman that he’s ever recruited.
Pittsburgh and Penn State will play a neutral-site game on December 21st in Hershey, PA, per their press release.
Pittsburgh and Penn State will play a neutral-site game on December 21st in Hershey, PA, per their press release.
Robbie Hummel dropped an unofficial Purdue alumni game record 34 points in a 91-79 win.
It has released its non-conference schedule for the 2025-2026 season. October 19th: UNLV (Home), November 3rd: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Home), November 6th: Denver (Home), November 9th: Baylor (Away), November 14th: Washington State (Away), November 18th: (Home), November 27th: Nevada (Neutral), November 28th: San Francisco or Colorado (Neutral), December 13th: Southern Utah (Home), December 19th: Seattle U (Away), December 22nd: San Diego (Home), and December 29th Utah (Home)
Davidson and Washington State will start a home-and-home series on November 7th at Davidson.
Wildcat Legend Damian Lillard is officially joining Weber State Men’s Basketball as the new General Manager. Damian is stepping into a leadership role that will help shape the future of Wildcat Hoops.
His thoughts on North Carolina’s offseason? “I actually love it. I think they’re bigger, they’re more athletic, and their roster makes more sense.”
Arkansas will host Queens at Bud Walton Arena on December 16th.
This season’s game between George Mason and James Madison will be played on November 29th in Fairfax, VA.
This season’s game between George Mason and James Madison will be played on November 29th in Fairfax, VA
Missouri will host Kansas State on October 24th in an exhibition game, per their press release.
Missouri will host Kansas State on October 24th in an exhibition game, per their press release.
Randolph Childress’ thoughts on North Carolina’s offseason? “I actually love it. I think they’re bigger, they’re more athletic, and their roster makes more sense.”
Arkansas will host Queens at Bud Walton Arena on December 16th.
UC-Davis’ Coach Jim Les will hire San Diego State’s Mike Kosich as an assistant coach.
Coach Jim Les will hire San Diego State’s Mike Kosich as an assistant coach.
Early prediction on UC Santa Barbara’s 2025-2026 starting five: Aidan Mahaney, Miro Little, Jason Fontenet, Colin Smith, and Hosana Kitenge.
Virginia will host Villanova in an exhibition game on October 24th, per their press release.
Virginia will host Villanova in an exhibition game on October 24th, per their press release.
The Field of 68 Opening Day November 3rd
8:00 am: Winthrop vs Queens, 11:00 am: St. Bonaventure vs Bradley, 1:30 pm: Murray State vs Omaha, 4:00 pm: Drake vs Northern Arizona, 6:30 pm: High Point vs Furman, and 9:00 pm South Dakota State vs Merrimack
NC State vs Seton Hall, USC vs Boise State, Washington State vs Chaminade, Texas vs Arizona State
Donovan Dent, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey, Tyler Bilodeau, and Xavier Booker.
Aidan Mahaney, Miro Little, Jason Fontenet, Colin Smith, and Hosana Kitenge.
Jordan Marsh, Rodney Rice, Chad Baker-Mazara, Ezra Ausar, and Jacob Cofie.
Acaden Lewis, Devin Askew, Tyler Perkins, Matthew Hodge, and Duke Brennen.
