We’re still a month away from March, but there’s been plenty of madness already.
Twenty-one of the AP Top 25 teams played Saturday in a loaded slate and the nightcap might have delivered the biggest surprise on a day full of stunners. Arkansas’ John Calipari returned to Kentucky as the visiting coach and the Razorbacks delivered an upset win for him at Rupp Arena.
In what was supposed to be the marquee game of the day, Cooper Flagg delivered big-time in his first Tobacco Road rivalry matchup as No. 2 Duke blew out North Carolina. But that game was quickly upstaged when a thriller played out in Lubbock between No. 22 Texas Tech and No. 6 Houston moments later. The Red Raiders hit a game-tying 3 in regulation and then came up with a narrow win in overtime. Then Cal’s new team wrapped up the night with a win while Big Blue Nation booed him at every turn.
Saturday’s biggest college basketball games
No. 8 Tennessee 64, No. 5 Florida 44
No. 20 Missouri 88, No. 14 Mississippi State 61
No. 1 Auburn 92, No. 23 Ole Miss 82
No. 4 Alabama 90, Georgia 69
Kansas State 80, No. 3 Iowa State 61
Baylor 81, No. 11 Kansas 70
USC 70, No. 7 Michigan State 64
No. 22 Texas Tech 82, No. 6 Houston 81
No. 2 Duke 87, UNC 70
No. 25 UConn 77, No. 9 Marquette 69
Arkansas 89, No. 12 Kentucky 79
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Final: Arkansas 89, Kentucky 79
Arkansas storms back to beat No. 12 Kentucky in Rupp Arena and John Calipari leaves town with a huge win over his former team.
Kentucky fans head for the exits
Who saw this coming? Arkansas leads 87-75 with a little more than a minute to play and fans in Rupp Arena are headed home.
A fire alarm could not have dispersed this crowd faster.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 2, 2025
Kentucky running out of time
This 3-pointer by Jaxson Robinson helps, but the Wildcats are still trailing Arkansas 75-68 with under 8 minutes to play.
Arkansas maintains the edge
After the quick burst put the Hogs in front early in the 2nd half, they’ve maintained it, leading Kentucky 69-60 at the under-12 timeout.
Can John Calipari get a win against his old team?
Final: UConn 77, Marquette 69
The late rally comes up short for the No. 9 Golden Eagles as No. 25 UConn picks up a big road win.
Arkansas comes out of the break on fire
A fast start out of the locker room has the Razorbacks up 55-47 at the first timeout of the 2nd half.
Marquette trying to rally on UConn
UConn has been in control the whole game but Marquette is trying to make this interesting in the final minutes.
Halftime: Arkansas 46, Kentucky 45
A really fun first half, tons of shot-making on both sides. Arkansas goes into the locker room with a slight edge.
Arkansas takes the lead
As Kentucky has cooled off a bit, the Razorbacks have taken advantage.
John Calipari’s Arkansas team leads UK 40-39 late in the first half.
Fast pace continues in UK-Arkansas
Kentucky leads 27-23 thanks to a red-hot start from 3-point land.
Arkansas has had its highlights as well.
Kentucky scorching out of the gate
The Wildcats have hit 7 of 10 shots overall and 4 of 4 from deep.
Wild and fast start as UK takes a quick 18-12 lead over Arkansas.
Kentucky fans boo Calipari
John Calipari is making his return to Rupp Arena as his Arkansas team is in town.
Naturally, fans let him hear it.
UConn in control vs. Marquette
Marquette can’t get anything to go so far, shooting under 30% from the field and already missing nine free throws.
Final: Texas Tech 82, Houston 81
Red Raiders pull off the road upset despite missing leading scorer JT Toppin for almost the entire game!
Texas Tech leads with 1.5 seconds to go!
Chance McMillian hit a pair of free throws to put the Red Raiders in front 82-81 and then Houston turns it over on the other end as J’Wan Roberts travels beneath the basket
Houston-TTU back and forth in OT
It’s remained tight throughout.
And with under a minute to go, we’re tied 80-80.
Final: Duke 87, UNC 70
No. 2 Duke blows out its rival to win its 15th straight and improve to 11-0 in ACC play.
Kon Knueppel leads Duke with 22 points. Cooper Flagg adds 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.
UNC goes on a run, but likely too late
North Carolina actually cut the Duke lead to 79-63 after going on an 18-2 run.
But with under 3 minutes to play it doesn’t look like it’ll matter.
Overtime in Houston!
Houston’s J’Wan Roberts can’t connect on a highly contested layup in the final seconds of regulation.
We’re getting a fresh 5 minutes of action.
Tie game in Houston!
Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams knocks down a 3 to knot it at 72-72 with 26 seconds to play!
