December 22, 2025
College Basketball
NCAA News
A major upset in college basketball saw No. 3 Duke lose its first game of the season to No. 19 Texas Tech, 82 - 81, in a thrilling contest at Madison Square Garden. The loss is expected to cause a significant shakeup in the upcoming AP Top 25 poll, with Duke projected to fall to No. 5. Iowa State and UConn are anticipated to move up to the third and fourth spots, respectively, while Texas Tech is predicted to be one of the biggest risers in the new rankings.
In other notable college basketball news, North Carolina secured a dramatic 71 - 70 victory over Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic, improving their record to 11 - 1. This win is likely to propel the Tar Heels into the top 10 of the national rankings. Meanwhile, Kentucky also had a strong showing at a CBS Sports Classic, dominating St. John's, which will likely earn them a spot in the Top 25.
Scholastic
Scholastic News
In a surprising move, former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy has been dismissed as the head boys' basketball coach at Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington. Roy, a Garfield alumnus, led the team to three state championships in his eight-year tenure. The school has also dismissed the girls' head coach, signaling a complete reset of its basketball programs.
Basketball Rankings
In Southern California, the latest Los Angeles Times high school basketball rankings have been released, with Sierra Canyon, Santa Margarita, and Redondo Union holding the top three spots. The rankings reflect the results of the recent Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, a major tournament that saw several of the top teams in action.
-Sources: Boone, K. (2025, December 22). Tomorrow's Top 25 predicts college basketball rankings: UNC, Texas Tech among risers. CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-rankings-projection-top-25-duke-north-carolina-texas-tech/
Adornato, G. (2025, December 20). Brandon Roy Dismissed as Garfield High Basketball Coach After Championship Run in Washington. Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/high-school/washington/brandon-roy-dismissed-as-garfield-high-basketball-coach-after-championship-run-in-washington-01kcyxmmbkmk
Sondheimer, E. (2025, December 21). The Times' top 25 high school basketball rankings. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2025-12-21/los-angeles-times-top-25-boys-basketball-rankings-week-5