January 26, 2026
College Basketball
College Basketball Highlights
An eventful day in basketball was marked by historic freshman performances, major upsets in the top 25, and a controversial brawl at the high school level. In college hoops, a trio of freshmen had standout scoring games, with Illinois's Keaton Wagler dropping 46 points to lead an upset victory over No. 4 Purdue.
The day of upsets continued with Texas Tech toppling Houston, and Auburn also securing a significant win, promising a shakeup in the national rankings.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga continued its steady climb, moving to No. 6 after a hard-fought victory, and Nebraska and Michigan State made significant jumps in the rankings after dominant performances.
Off the court, the eligibility of Alabama's Charles Bediako, who returned to the court after a brief stint in the G League, has sparked a debate on NCAA rules.
High School Basketball
High School News
In high school basketball, a game in Virginia between Craig County and Narrows was cut short after a brawl erupted involving players and spectators, leading to an investigation by school officials and law enforcement. On a more administrative note, New Jersey is moving closer to adopting a 35-second shot clock for high school basketball, with a vote scheduled for May that could align the state with the majority of the country.
-Sources: Parrish, G. (2026, January 26). Top 25 And 1: Full-circle moment at Gonzaga as Bulldogs rise with win. CBS Sports. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-gonzaga-college-basketball-rankings/
Sports Illustrated. (2026, January 26). College Basketball News, Scores & Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/college/college-basketball
Jacobsen, C. (2026, January 25). Men's NCAA Rankings: Nebraska, Michigan State Make Big Jumps. Fox Sports. Retrieved from https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/men-ncaa-rankings-nebraska-michigan-state-texas-tech-duke
Weir, G. (2026, January 25). Virginia High School Basketball Game Devolves into Bizarre Brawl. BroBible. Retrieved from https://brobible.com/sports/article/virginia-high-school-basketball-game-brawl-fight-craig-county-narrows-technical-foul/
Beisser, J. (2026, January 25). New Jersey High School Basketball Shot Clock Nears Reality with NJSIAA Vote set for May. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/high-school/new-jersey/new-jersey-high-school-basketball-shot-clock-nears-reality-with-njsiaa-vote-set-for-may-01kftwdnvg9d