November Art 3 cover

November 13, 2025

Men's Hoops

College Upsets

In a thrilling rivalry showdown, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 96 - 88.  The victory was largely thanks to a spectacular performance by freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., who scored 29 points, dished out 5 assists, and grabbed 2 rebounds.  This win, Louisville's first against their rivals since 2020, has propelled them into the top 10 of the national rankings, while Kentucky has fallen to 16th.  The game highlighted the exceptional talent of the 2025 freshman class, with several other first-year players across the nation also delivering standout performances.

 

Women's Hoops

In women's basketball, Grace College made history by shattering the all-time scoring record in a single game.  The Lady Lancers scored an astounding 172 points in an 81-point victory over Ohio Christian.  This offensive explosion surpassed the previous record set by Grambling State in 2024.  Sophomore guard Maddy Poynter led the charge with 34 points, including a perfect 17-for-17 from the free-throw line, with seven other teammates also scoring in double figures.

 

A Towering Debut

Meanwhile, the University of Florida introduced a new player of historic proportions.  At 7-foot-9, Olivier Rioux, a 19-year old redshirt freshman from Canada, officially became the tallest player in college basketball history when he made his debut against North Florida.  Rioux, who already holds the Guinness World Record for the world's tallest teenager, entered the game to a massive ovation from the home crowd.  While his on-court time was brief, his presence marks a significant and intriguing storyline for the season.

 

High School Basketball:

The Future Takes Shape

The future of college basketball is being decided now, as the early signing period for the high school class of 2026 began on November 12th and will run through the 19th.  This period is especially significant this year, as 14 of the top 25 prospects in the nation remain uncommitted.  The nation's tip recruit, Tyran Stokes, is still weighing his options between Kansas, Kentucky, and Oregon, with his decision delayed by a recent school transfer.  Currently, the Kansas Jayhawks hold the top-ranked recruiting class, a first in the program's history, but with many top players yet to announce their commitments, the landscape could shift dramatically in the coming days.

 

 

 

-Source: Parrish, G. (2025, November 12). College basketball rankings: Louisville finds its own freshman star as Mikel Brown leads Cards over Kentucky. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-louisville-finds-its-own-freshman-star-as-mikel-brown-leads-cards-over-kentucky/

Knuppel, R. (2025, November 12). Grace College women rewrite history with record-breaking win over Ohio Christian Busting Brackets. https://bustingbrackets.com/grace-college-women-rewrite-history-with-record-breaking-win-over-ohio-christian-basketball

God's World News. (2025, November 12). UPDATE: Tallest teen takes the floor. https://gwnews.com/news-bytes/update-tallest-teen-takes-the-floor

Branham, T. (2025, November 12). 2026 College Basketball Early Signing Period Primer: What to expect during a big week of top 25 commitments. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/2026-college-basketball-early-signing-period-primer-what-to-expect-during-a-big-week-of-top-25-commitments/