Busting Brackets

If you were to survey Georgetown fans, the majority would likely tell you that Ed Cooley should have been fired after last season. There would be good reason for that too. In his three years at the helm, the Hoyas have gone a combined 16-44 in Big East play. The first year was excusable because of the complete ruin that the program had been left in. In year 2, the team improved greatly. Then things looked promising last fall, especially as the team started 5-0 with wins over Maryland and Clemson.

Las Vegas could eventually become home to an NBA expansion franchise, but Josh Pastner believes there is a much cheaper basketball investment already available in the city. The UNLV coach wants someone to put $10 million to $12 million into the Runnin’ Rebels and effectively become the program’s unofficial “owner.” Pastner is not suggesting UNLV can legally sell its basketball program.

Duke basketball fans will not get the blockbuster matchup against Michigan they were promised. What they are getting instead might be nearly as compelling. The Dec. 21 game between Duke and Michigan has been called off after the schools were unable to finalize an agreement, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. Duke is now expected to face Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden on the same date. NEWS: The Dec. 21 game between Duke and Michigan is OFF, sources told ESPN.

International players are no longer being recruited merely as developmental projects or late additions used to complete a roster. The sport’s changing financial landscape has allowed major programs to pursue players who were already earning minutes in the EuroLeague, Australian NBL and other respected professional competitions. That has created a fascinating incoming group featuring everything from 24-year-old veterans to 17-year-old prospects with legitimate NBA upside.

Minnesota did not need to give Niko Medved a contract extension after a 15-18 season. That is exactly what makes the move so interesting. The university’s Board of Regents approved a one-year extension that will keep Medved under contract through the 2031-32 season. His compensation will climb to $3.2 million for 2026-27, representing a $200,000 increase from last season. On the surface, rewarding a coach after finishing three games below .500 might seem premature.

Virginia did not need Chance Mallory to carry its offense during his first college basketball season. It needed the freshman point guard to protect the basketball, defend and avoid looking overwhelmed by the moment. Mallory accomplished all three. Now comes the challenging part. The 5-foot-10 Charlottesville native is preparing for an increased workload as a sophomore after averaging 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals across 36 games last season.

Tom Izzo has spent decades proving that Michigan State can thrive without chasing every new trend in college basketball. While the transfer portal has become an essential part of roster construction, Izzo continues to place considerable value on recruiting and developing high school prospects. That approach may be helping the Spartans gain ground with one of the top point guards in the 2027 class. Four-star prospect Jaxson Davis has scheduled an official visit to Michigan State beginning Oct. 1.

Houston basketball has officially started building its 2027 recruiting class, and Kelvin Sampson opened it with the type of player who seems perfectly suited for the Cougars. Four-star guard Oneal Delancy announced his commitment to Houston after also considering Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Ohio State and South Florida. Ranked No. 40 in the SC Next 100, Delancy becomes the Cougars’ first commitment in the 2027 cycle.

Will Wade is feeling good about the roster he has assembled at LSU. He simply is not ready to tell everyone exactly who is on it. Speaking with WBRZ’s Brianna Andras at the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Convention, Wade remained tight-lipped about the specific players expected to suit up for the Tigers. However, he did provide one significant update about where LSU stands late in the offseason. Caught up with #LSU Basketball head coach Will Wade at the LHSCA Convention.

John Calipari already had the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. Now, the Arkansas head coach has added something that may be even more valuable than another lofty ranking. He has added muscle. Four-star center Caleb Ourigou has reclassified from 2027 to 2026 and will join the Razorbacks for the upcoming season, according to Rivals’ Joe Tipton. The 6-foot-10 big man originally committed to Arkansas earlier in July after also receiving offers from UConn, Kentucky, BYU and others.