Continuing coverage of College Basketball

December 5, 2025 College Hoops Player of the Day

Behind senior forward Graham Ike’s game-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, #11 Gonzaga absolutely spanked #18 Kentucky, 94-59, Friday night in Nashville at the Music City Madness showcase.

Gonzaga led the entire game, racing off to a 7-0 lead and expanding it to 19-2 early in the opening half. Nearing the game’s end, the Bulldogs expanded their sizable advantage to as many as 37 points.

Ike’s double-double was his fifth of the season, as the Bulldogs improved to 8-1 and dropped Kentucky down to 5-4 and probably out of next week’s Top 25 rankings. The 6’9” native of Aurora, Colorado finished 11-for-18 and 5-for-6 from the foul line. Half of his rebounds were on the offensive end.

Gonzaga held the Wildcats to 27% shooting, out-rebounded them 43 to 31 and doubled their assists, 24 to 12. Kentucky shot 21% from 3-point range (7-for-34).

Gonzaga returns home to host South Florida on Sunday, December 7.

December 4, 2025 College Hoops Player of the Day

In an opening tip of the Big West conference, Cal Poly’s Peter Bandelj made nine of 10 shots from 3-point range and was 11-for-13 overall as the Mustangs downed Cal State Fullerton, 94-91, Thursday night in Fullerton, California.

Bendelj’s game-high and career-high 37 points also included a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line, five boards, and three assists. Teammate Hamad Mousa, who leads the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game, threw down 27, helping to even the Mustangs’ record at 5-5.

A 6’4” sophomore from Ljubljana, Slovenia, Bendelj has scored in double figures in 9 of 10 games this season and is averaging 17.9 points per game. His nine 3-pointers set a school record.

The Mustangs will seek to improve above .500 when they host UC Riverside on Saturday, December 6.

December 3, 2025 College Hoops Player of the Day

The score tied at six-all, Tyler Tanner fed Tyler Nickel for a 3-pointer and after the made basket, #17 Vanderbilt led the rest of the game for an 88-69 win over SMU, Wednesday night in Nashville.

Tanner’s assist to Nickel was one of the six he dished on the night, leading all scorers with a career-high 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting, with five rebounds and two steals. He’s scored in double figures in each of the nine Commodores games, all wins.

Tanner, a 6’0” sophomore from nearby Brentwood, Tennessee, has elevated his game from last season, improving his scoring average from 5.7 points per game to 15.0.

Having handed SMU its first loss of the season, the Commodores will take a break until December 13, when they host Central Arkansas. On Wednesday, December 17, they travel to Memphis for an in-state rivalry game with the Tigers.

December 2, 2025 College Hoops Player of the Day

Duke’s freshman sensation, Cameron Boozer had another big game against a ranked opponent, as the Blue Devils edged #15 Florida, 67-66, Tuesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC.

Boozer scored 16 in the first half and 13 in the second half, going 10-for-21 from the field, making 3 of nine 3-pointers with six rebounds and two assists. Isaiah Evans made the game-winning 3-pointer with 21 seconds left to play.

Boozer is averaging 23.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game and is shooting at a 56.2% clip. In his last three games, Boozer has scored 90 points, including his career-high of 35 in an 80-71 win over #22 Arkansas last week.

Dropping the Gators to 6-3 on the year, #4 Duke improved to 9-0. Next up for the Blue Devils is a Saturday afternoon date at Michigan State to face the #7 Wolverines on December 6.