VJ Edgecombe, expected to be a one-and-done lottery pick, had a tough start to the season, struggling with his shot and forcing difficult drives. He finished with four points on 2-of-11 shooting and three turnovers. Baylor also looked out of sync, with players trying to do too much individually. In contrast, Gonzaga played as a team, finishing with 25 assists on 40 field goals and five players in double figures.
Their strong ball movement and depth, bolstered by new addition Khalif Battle’s four three-pointers, made for an impressive start to the season. Those are just some key highlights on the opening day of NCAAB 24-25. Here’s what else you need to know from opening day.
This Freshman Class is Pretty Good
Duke’s highly anticipated freshman showed glimpses of his potential, but his classmate, Kon Knueppel, stole the spotlight in their season opener. Knueppel led the Blue Devils with 22 points in a dominant 96-62 win over Maine.
Flagg contributed across the board, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals, showcasing his all-around game. If opening night is any indication, this could be a standout class for Duke. Here are some other freshmen who impressed during the opening day:
Labaron Philon
The 2024-25 college basketball season opener brought standout performances and early surprises across the board. Alabama, preseason-ranked No. 1, delivered a commanding 110-54 victory over UNC Asheville, fueled by freshman Labaron Philon’s near double-double. While Alabama and Gonzaga showcased depth and strong team play, other teams, such as Baylor, struggled with chemistry, highlighted by VJ Edgecombe’s difficult debut.
Flory Bidunga
Five-star center Flory Bidunga made an impressive debut in FanDuel NCAAB, recording 13 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in just 17 minutes during top-ranked Kansas’ 87-57 win over Howard. Head coach Bill Self plans to reduce the minutes of veteran stars Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris Jr., and KJ Adams this season, and with Kansas having depth, that looks achievable.
Self went 10-deep in the first half and is still without Shakeel Moore, his team’s best defender, per Self. Bidunga will thrive with Harris, an excellent lob passer, as Bidunga can quickly move to the rim and easily finish.
Tre Johnson
Texas freshman Tre Johnson scored 29 points and four assists in the Longhorns’ 80-72 loss to Ohio State in Las Vegas. Despite several veteran scorers transferring this offseason, Johnson could emerge as the go-to guy for Texas. With transfer guard Tramon Mark (formerly of Houston and Arkansas) sidelined due to injury, it’s still too early to fully assess Rodney Terry’s team amidst all the roster changes.
Slow Start from Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s struggles in non conference play continued as they fell to UCF 64-61, with the Knights storming the court in Orlando. The Aggies were without transfer guard Zhuric Phelps, expected to be a starter, but UCF was also missing key players, including leading scorer Jaylin Sellers and Memphis transfer Mikey Williams. A big factor in the loss was the lack of production from guard Manny Obaseki, who had just two points off the bench.
Despite collecting 16 offensive rebounds—continuing their dominance from last season—the Aggies couldn’t get enough from their guards. While it’s commendable that head coach Buzz Williams scheduled a true road game to start the season, this was a game a seasoned, ranked team like Texas A&M should have won.
Best Game of the Day
The best game on Monday was Santa Clara’s 85-78 win over Saint Louis at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota. The Broncos have a talented roster with big wings, a skilled low-post scorer in 7-foot German Christoph Tilly, and solid depth. Adama-Alpha Bal, a former Arizona player, led the way with 24 points and looked like a pro.
With games against high majors like Arizona State, Stanford, and TCU, Santa Clara could be a contender for an at-large bid, possibly challenging Saint Mary’s as the second-best team in the WCC.
Saint Louis, led by Josh Schertz’s exciting offense with Robbie Avila at the center, remains a team to watch. Avila, who injured his right ankle late in the game, is a key player, along with Isaiah Swope, who had 24 points in his SLU debut. If Avila’s injury isn’t serious, this win for Santa Clara should age well, and it won’t be a bad loss for the Billikens. Both teams are worth keeping an eye on this season.
Final Words
The opening day of the 2024-25 college basketball season provided plenty of excitement and drama, with standout performances from both freshmen and established stars. While some teams, like Gonzaga and Alabama, showcased impressive team play and depth, others, like VJ Edgecombe and Baylor, struggled to find their rhythm.
While securing wins across the board, the Big East showed some vulnerability against mid-majors, with Marquette standing out as a potential powerhouse. As the season progresses, it’s clear that this will be a thrilling year, with plenty of teams looking to make a statement on the national stage.
