February 9, 2026
College Basketball
UNC Shocks Duke
A day of major upsets and historic milestones has reshaped the college basketball landscape. In a stunning turn of events, the No. 14 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated their archrival, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils, with a final score of 71 - 68. The game-winning shot, a three-pointer by Seth Trimble with just 0.4 seconds remaining, gave North Carolina its first lead of the entire game. The dramatic conclusion led to a court-storming by jubilant fans at the Dean Dome. This victory is a significant one for the UNC coach Hubert Davis, as it marks a crucial win against a top-ranked opponent and a major boost to their tournament resume.
Upsets Invade Top 10
The upsets were not limited to the ACC. A wave of defeats among top-10 teams is expected to cause a significant shake-up in the upcoming AP Top 25 poll. No. 3 UConn fell to No. 22 St. John's, No. 5 Illinois was defeated by Michigan State in overtime, and No. 6 Gonzaga also suffered a loss in conference play. In another thrilling rivalry game, Alabama managed to outscore Auburn in a 96 - 92 victory.
Women's Basketball
Meanwhile, in NCAA Division III women's basketball, the New York University Violets made history by setting a new record for consecutive victories. Their 69 - 58 win against Carnegie Mellon marked their 82nd straight win, surpassing the previous record of 81 held by Washington University of St. Louis. Led by Caroline Peper's 27 points; the two-time defending national champions continue their dominant run as they aim for a third consecutive national title.
High School Basketball
High School News
The intensity of high school basketball was on full display, with one game marked by an unfortunate incident and another highlighted by an exceptional individual performance. In Pennsylvania, a girls' basketball game between rivals Penn Hills and Gateway was called off in the fourth quarter due to a large-scale brawl that erupted on the court. The game, which Penn Hills was leading 32 - 14, was a heated affair between two schools located less than 10 miles apart. The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) has launched an investigation into the incident, with potential disciplinary actions pending.
On a more positive note, Javi Lopez of Central Catholic delivered a memorable performance, scoring a career-high 39 points to lead his team to a 74 - 57 victory over St. John's Prep in a nonleague contest.
-Sources: Cobb, D., Salerno., & Trotter; I. (2026, February 8). College basketball scores, winners and losers: UNC, Alabama win big rivalry games. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-scores-winners-losers-north-carolina-duke-alabame-kentucky-auburn/
CBS Sports. (2026, February 8). College Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Standings and Rumors - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/
CBS/AP. (2026, February 8). NYU women's basketball breaks NCAA Division III record with 82nd straight wins. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyu-82nd-consecutive-win-division-iii-record/