Jan 22 Art cover

January 22, 2026

College Basketball

College Basketball Highlights

A major upset in college basketball saw UCLA defeat No. 4 Purdue in a close 69 - 67 game.  The victory was secured by a game-winning shot from Tyler Bilodeau, and Donovan Dent was also a key contributor for the Bruins.  This surprising outcome has sent ripples through the NCAA rankings and discussions.

Off the court, the NCAA is facing continued scrutiny over its eligibility rules.  A judge has granted a temporary restraining order allowing former Alabama player Charles Bediako, who previously played in the NBA G League, to return to college basketball.  The NCAA has publicly criticized the lawsuit, highlighting the ongoing debate about the role of professional experience in amateur athletics.

In other significant news, the sports world is reacting to a gambling indictment involving the DePaul University basketball program.  Twenty individuals have been indicted in an alleged point-shaving scheme, raising serious concerns about the integrity of college sports.

On a more positive note, several teams are making headlines for their impressive performances.  Miami (Ohio) has extended its undefeated streak to 20 - 0, a historic achievement for the MAC conference.  Meanwhile, the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences are proving to be the most dominant in the nation, with ten of the top thirteen teams in the country coming from these two conferences.

 

High School Basketball

Hoophall Classic Results

The high school basketball scene was dominated by the Hoophall Classic, which featured a record-breaking performance from Inglewood High's Jason Crowe Jr.  The 5-star Missouri commit scored an incredible 48 points in an 81 - 80 victory, setting a new single-game scoring record for the prestigious tournament.

The Hoophall Classic also made history by hosting its first-ever all-girls day, showcasing some of the nation's top female talent.  The event drew the attention of top college coaches like Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley, and featured standout players like Kaleena Smith, the No. 1 recruit in the 2027 class.

Another player who made a strong impression at the Hoophall Classic was Sierra Canyon's Maximo Adams.  The North Carolina commit is hoping his 24-point performance will be enough to earn him a spot in the prestigious McDonald's All-American game.

 

 

-Sources: Mendoza, J. (2026, January 21). College basketball top storylines to watch with college football over.  USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2026/01/21/college-basketball-top-storylines-ncaa-2025-26-season-top-teams-players-freshmen/88254305007/

Yahoo Sports. (2026, January 22). NCAAB News, Video, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Standings. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved from https://wports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/

Fattal, T. (2026, January 21). CIF-SS Basketball Wrap-Up: From Inglewood to Record Books at Hoophall Classic.  Sports Illustrated.  Retrieved from https://www.si.com/high-school/california/cif-ss-basketball-wrap-up-from-inglewood-to-record-books-at-hoophall-classic-01kfhbgbpa4w