USC men's basketball is generating a lot of buzz this season, and it's not hard to see why. With the addition of top-ranked recruit Isaiah Collier and four-star guard Bronny James, the Trojans have one of the best rosters they've had in recent years. Collier, in particular, has been making waves as the Pac-12 Preseason Freshman of the Year.

The 6'5" point guard is being hailed as the missing piece for USC's offense. With his elite passing vision and ability to put pressure on the rim, Collier is expected to improve the team's offensive spacing and create more scoring opportunities for his teammates. His scoring threat, coupled with his playmaking abilities, should alleviate the Trojans' past struggles with ball-stopping isolation basketball.

While Collier's shooting still needs some work, being named the Preseason Freshman of the Year speaks to his overall talent and potential impact on the team. USC fans can expect to see him shine when the Trojans open their season against Kansas State.

With Collier and Ellis forming a dynamic backcourt duo, the Trojans are poised for a successful season. USC head coach Andy Enfield believes this team could rival their 2021 team that reached the Elite Eight. Will Isaiah Collier be the key to their success? Only time will tell, but Trojan fans have every reason to be excited.

Sources:

- Bleacher Report

- CBS Sports

- FanNation All Trojans

The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team begins their 2023-24 season without starting freshmen Berke Buyuktuncel and Aday Mara. Instead, junior transfer Lazar Stefanovic will start in place of Buyuktuncel at small forward, while redshirt fifth-year Bruin Kenneth Nwuba will start at center. Mara, a highly-touted 7'3" NBA prospect, will come off the bench for his Bruins debut. It is unclear whether Buyuktuncel has been cleared by the NCAA to play at this time. The Bruins will face off against the Saint Francis University Red Flash in their season opener. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network at 8:30 p.m. PT. UCLA's regular-season schedule includes 16 home contests and a trip to the Maui Invitational in November. This will be the second meeting between UCLA and Saint Francis, with the Bruins winning their previous matchup 95-58. The Bruins will look to start their season on a strong note, despite missing key freshmen starters.

UCLA basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2023-24 season, and part of that excitement comes from the challenging non-conference schedule the Bruins will face. As they prepare for their first home games, let's take a closer look at the matchups that await them.

The first game on the schedule is against Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) on Monday, November 6th. The last time these teams met was in 2018 at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational, where UCLA dominated with a final score of 95-58. The Bruins will look to replicate that success as they face the Red Flash once again.

Saint Francis is a member of the Northeast Conference and finished in fourth place last season. While they may not be the strongest opponent, UCLA cannot afford to underestimate them. The Bruins will need to bring their A-game to secure a victory.

In terms of predictions, it is expected that UCLA will come out on top with a score of 85-61. However, as with any game, anything can happen on the court, and the Bruins must stay focused and execute their game plan.

With their eyes set on the Maui Invitational, these early non-conference games will set the tone for UCLA's season. Can they overcome the St. Francis challenge and start their season with a win? Bruins fans will find out on November 6th.

UCLA basketball is gearing up for the 2023-24 season with a supersized, freshman-heavy roster that has fans and opponents alike buzzing. With players like 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara and 6-foot-10 center Adem Bona, the Bruins are poised to dominate the post. But their size advantage doesn't stop there. UCLA also boasts towering players on the wings and at point guard, making them a force to be reckoned with.

Coach Mick Cronin is excited about the potential of this team. He believes that having both Mara and Bona on the floor will cause trouble for opposing teams. The Bruins also have depth in their rotation, with players like 6-foot-9 forward Berke Buyuktuncel and 6-foot-7 forward Brandon Williams ready to contribute.

In addition to their impressive roster, UCLA is also set to face a challenging non-conference schedule. The Bruins have 11 games lined up, including matchups in the Maui Invitational that could have an impact on their NCAA Tournament seedings. Fans are particularly excited about the possibility of facing Kansas in the semifinals of the tournament.

The Bruins will kick off their season with home games against Saint Francis (Pennsylvania) and Lafayette. UCLA has a history of success against Saint Francis, defeating them by a large margin in a previous tournament. As for Lafayette, this will be the first meeting between the two teams.

Overall, UCLA's supersized roster and tough non-conference schedule have fans eager for the upcoming season. Can this team live up to the hype and dominate the competition? Only time will tell.

James Madison University's women's basketball team started off their 2023-24 season with an impressive victory over Eastern Mennonite, winning 104-31. The Dukes, who are the reigning Sun Belt Conference champions, showed no signs of slowing down as they dominated their Division III opponent. Jamia Hazell led the way for JMU with 17 points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes of play. Ksyusha Kozlova and Jeriyah Osborne also contributed double-digit points for the Dukes.

It was a complete team effort for James Madison, as they outrebounded Eastern Mennonite 71-23 and held them to a mere 19 percent shooting from the field. Head coach Sean O'Regan praised his team's rebounding effort and defensive intensity, crediting their dominating performance to their hard work and teamwork.

With their season off to a strong start, the Dukes will look to build on their success and defend their Sun Belt Conference title. James Madison was picked to finish first in the conference's preseason coaches poll, receiving nine first-place votes. The team will rely on their experienced players, such as Hazell and Kozlova, as well as new additions like Ashanti Barnes, to continue their dominance in the Sun Belt Conference and make another run in the NCAA Tournament.

In a dominant performance, McKenna Hofschild led the Colorado State University women's basketball team to a resounding 69-49 victory against Le Moyne College. Hofschild wasted no time setting the tempo for the Rams, sinking a pull-up jumper just 45 seconds into the game. From that point on, she showcased her skills, finishing with 24 points, five assists, and one steal in 37 minutes on the court.

Cali Clark also played a crucial role for the Rams, demonstrating tenacity on both sides of the ball with her 12 rebounds and aggressive play. Clark's presence on the interior provided the toughness needed for success, according to Coach Ryun Williams. Meghan Boyd contributed to the Rams' offensive firepower with 15 points and four 3-pointers.

The Rams' defense held Le Moyne to just 19 of 65 shooting, showcasing their ability to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities. Although the Rams shot 25 of 60 from the field and nine of 30 from beyond the arc, Williams believes the team can improve its consistency.

Overall, Colorado State delivered an impressive performance, dominating the game from the beginning and never relinquishing their lead. With Hofschild leading the charge and players like Clark and Boyd stepping up, the Rams are poised for a successful season.

The Utah women's basketball team is gearing up for what could be a historic season. With a preseason ranking of No. 5 in the Associated Press poll, the Utes have high expectations and a talented roster. Led by Alissa Pili, the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, the team is focused on surpassing their previous accomplishments and aims to make it further in the NCAA tournament. Their goal is to reach the Elite Eight or further.

Head coach Lynne Roberts has set the bar high for her team, using visual reminders like an empty circle on an Elite Eight banner to motivate and inspire the players. The Utes have already made their mark in the past, reaching the Sweet Sixteen and winning a share of the Pac-12 regular-season championship last season.

The team returns five starters, providing continuity and experience. With the combination of talent, experience, and a determined mindset, the Utes are prepared to face the challenges ahead.

Utah's women's basketball team has a strong foundation and is ready to take the next step towards their ultimate goal. Can they exceed expectations and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament? Only time will tell, but all signs point to a promising season for the Utes.

The UCLA women's basketball team has welcomed a significant addition to its roster with the arrival of Stanford transfer Lauren Betts. Betts, who was the top recruit in the 2022 class, made the decision to transfer in search of a change of scenery. She reunites with her coach on Team USA's under-19 team, Cori Close, whom she credits for building her up on and off the court. Betts' arrival brings a much-needed boost to UCLA's frontcourt, which struggled to contain post powers like Stanford's Cameron Brink and South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso. The 6-foot-7 center's presence, along with the healthy returns of forwards Angela Dugalic and Izzy Ansty, gives UCLA a formidable inside-out game.

The addition of Betts contributes to the growth of UCLA's overall talent, particularly in their frontcourt, with five available players standing at 6-foot-4 or taller, a distinct advantage for the team. In addition to Betts, the team boasts a strong recruiting class from the previous year, which was already considered one of the best in the country. The Bruins are now poised to live up to their lofty expectations as a top-five team in the nation, according to the initial AP poll, and compete for a national championship.

With a focused, healthy, and tall roster, including standout graduate students Charisma Osborne and Cam Brown, the Bruins are determined to prove themselves as top contenders. As the Bruins head into the season, they are ready to showcase their potential and exceed expectations.

In a college basketball matchup, the Washington Huskies dominated the Bellarmine Knights with a final score of 91-57. The Huskies' sophomore, Koren Johnson, had a career-high 25 points, leading his team to victory. Keion Brooks Jr. added 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half, helping the Huskies outscore the Knights 56-30. Nate Calmese also made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 13 points for Washington.

On the other side, Bellarmine's leading scorer, Garrett Tipton, was held scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting. Peter Suder, who led the Knights with seven points in the first half, suffered an ankle injury and did not return to the game.

The Huskies showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 62.1 percent from the field, including 10 of 20 from beyond the arc. They also displayed a solid defense, limiting Bellarmine to just 34.4 percent shooting and forcing 20 turnovers. Washington's dominance extended to the boards, where they had a 36-28 rebounding advantage.

Washington's victory is a promising start to their season, showcasing the potential of their talented roster, which includes both high school recruits and transfer players. Coach Mike Hopkins' decision to switch to a man-to-man defense proved effective in this matchup.

Overall, the Huskies' commanding performance raises the question of whether they will continue to dominate in their upcoming games.