NCAA Basketball Recap
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: I want the scores from yesterday’s mens NCAA college basketball games. Give me scores, highlights, and top performers.
Transcript
Welcome to Big Dill Sports, where I’m your host, Dillon, diving into the latest NCAA Basketball action with our segment, "NCAA Basketball Recap." Today, I've got thrilling matches and standout performances to discuss. So, let’s tip-off!
First up, let’s talk about the Michigan Wolverines’ powerful display against the Villanova Wildcats. Michigan, now 9-0 this season, delivered an impressive 89-61 win at the Crisler Center. By halftime, they left Villanova trailing 53-23. The standout freshman Elliott Cadeau led the charge with 18 points, four three-pointers, four assists, and three rebounds. Aday Mara dominated inside with 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, helping Michigan outscore Villanova 46-10 in the paint. This victory marks Michigan's sixth consecutive win by at least 25 points—a record we haven’t seen since the mid-'90s.
Now, let’s journey to New York for the Jimmy V Classic, where BYU faced Clemson in a nail-biter. The No. 10 BYU Cougars mounted a spectacular comeback from a 22-point deficit to edge out Clemson 67-64. Freshman AJ Dybantsa was phenomenal, scoring 28 points, with 22 coming in the second half. And how about Robert Wright III? His buzzer-beating three-pointer sealed this memorable win. A true testament to the team's resilience.
The Jimmy V Classic also featured another intense game, where No. 5 UConn took on No. 18 Florida. UConn emerged victorious, 77-73, riding a strong performance from Solo Ball, who put up 19 points. Despite Florida's best efforts, including 19 points from Xaivian Lee, they couldn’t overcome crucial turnovers. UConn’s efficient 50 percent shooting secured their status as early national contenders.
Moving over to the Big Ten opener, No. 13 Illinois claimed an 88-80 victory against Ohio State. Freshman Keaton Wagler led with 23 points, while David Mirkovic added 22. Bruce Thornton shone for the Buckeyes with 24 points, but the Illini found their rhythm in the second half, with crucial shots from Andrej Stojakovic and Zvonimir Ivisic.
Indiana Hoosiers snapped their losing streak with a whopping 113-72 win over Penn State. Lamar Wilkerson was unstoppable, scoring an incredible 44 points and hitting seven three-pointers. Freshman Reed Bailey provided a perfect performance off the bench. Indiana’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with 30 assists showcasing their teamwork.
Lastly, the No. 24 Virginia Cavaliers continue their home dominance, defeating Maryland Eastern Shore 84-60. Sam Lewis led with 15 points amidst a balanced team effort. Virginia forced 14 turnovers and never looked back after securing a comfortable lead by halftime.
Now, it’s time for our "Big Dill" Player of the Week. This time, the honor goes to Lamar Wilkerson of Indiana. His remarkable 44-point game not only snapped their losing streak but also showcased his incredible talent and leadership. Lamar, you are the big dill this week!
Thanks for tuning into Big Dill Sports. Join us next time for more thrilling recaps and deep dives into the exciting world of college basketball. Until then, keep enjoying the game!
## Michigan Wolverines 89, Villanova Wildcats 61
Michigan continued its dominating start to the 2025–26 season by overwhelming No. 21 Villanova 89-61 at the Crisler Center, improving to 9-0 overall. The Wolverines exploded for a 53-23 halftime lead, fueled by a stifling defense that forced 15 turnovers and held Villanova to a season-low 34 percent shooting. Freshman guard Elliot Cadeau paced Michigan with a season-high 18 points, connecting on four three-pointers and dishing out four assists, while also adding three rebounds. Forward Aday Mara contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, and Trey McKenney scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game. Michigan outscored Villanova 46-10 in the paint and outrebounded the Wildcats 53-33, marking its sixth straight victory by at least 25 points—a feat unmatched by any NCAA team since the 1995–96 season ([maizenbrew.com](https://www.maizenbrew.com/michigan-mens-basketball/100602/michigan-wolverines-basketball-villanova-recap-box-score-highlights-elliot-cadeau-yaxel-lendeborg-dusty-may?utm_source=openai)).
## No. 10 BYU Cougars 67, Clemson Tigers 64
In one of the night’s most dramatic finishes at the Jimmy V Classic in New York, No. 10 BYU overcame a 22-point second-half deficit to edge Clemson 67-64. After trailing by as many as 22 in the first half, BYU mounted a furious comeback behind a career-high 28 points from freshman forward AJ Dybantsa, who poured in 22 of his points after intermission. Guard Robert Wright III provided the late heroics, burying a buzzer-beating three-pointer to seal the win and finish with 17 points. Forward Keba Keita added a double-double with 10 points and seven rebounds. The comeback ranks among the largest in BYU history and highlighted the Cougars’ resilience under head coach Mark Pope ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/top-25-roundup-no-10-byu-escapes-22-point-hole-tops-clemson-buzzer--flm-2025-12-10/?utm_source=openai)).
## No. 5 UConn Huskies 77, No. 18 Florida Gators 73
At the Jimmy V Classic, No. 5 UConn fended off No. 18 Florida in a closely contested affair, improving to 9-1 on the season. The Huskies, seeking redemption after a March tournament upset by Florida, shot an efficient 50 percent from the field. Guard Solo Ball led UConn with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while forward Alex Karaban chipped in 13 points and big man Tarris Reed Jr. added 12 in his return from injury. Florida’s Xaivian Lee countered with 19 points, and Thomas Haugh tacked on 18, but the Gators could not overcome costly turnovers and a critical five-second violation in the closing seconds. The win cemented UConn’s status as an early national contender ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/no-5-uconns-hot-shooting-keeps-no-18-florida-reeling--flm-2025-12-10/?utm_source=openai)).
## No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini 88, Ohio State Buckeyes 80
In their Big Ten opener at Value City Arena, No. 13 Illinois recorded an 88-80 victory over Ohio State, moving to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler exploded for a team-high 23 points, while sophomore David Mirkovic added 22 and Andrej Stojakovic chipped in 17. Zvonimir Ivisic also reached double figures with 13 points. Illinois weathered a blistering first-half performance from Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton, who poured in 24 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting, but slowed him down in the second half as the Illini built a lead. A crucial three-pointer by Ivisic and free throws from Wagler in the final minute sealed the win ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/basketball/no-13-illinois-fends-off-ohio-state-big-ten-opener--flm-2025-12-10/?utm_source=openai)).
## Indiana Hoosiers 113, Penn State Nittany Lions 72
After dropping two straight, Indiana snapped its skid emphatically with a 113-72 home rout of Penn State, improving to 8-2 and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Senior Lamar Wilkerson delivered a record-setting performance, tallying 44 points—almost matching Penn State’s total by halftime—and drilling seven three-pointers. Freshman Reed Bailey provided a spark off the bench, scoring 18 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and free-throw line. Guards Tayton Conerway (17 points) and Tucker DeVries (12) also reached double figures, and the Hoosiers dished 30 assists on 42 made baskets. Indiana’s blistering offense, highlighted by a 32-point halftime lead, underlined head coach Darian DeVries’s ability to rally his team after tough losses ([crimsonquarry.com](https://www.crimsonquarry.com/indiana-basketball/23726/quick-reaction-indiana-mens-basketball-beats-penn-state-113-72?utm_source=openai)).
## No. 24 Virginia Cavaliers 84, Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks 60
In a nonconference home matchup, No. 24 Virginia extended its unbeaten home record with an 84-60 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. Guard Sam Lewis led the Cavaliers with 15 points, spearheading a balanced attack that saw six players finish in double figures. Virginia’s defense forced 14 turnovers and held the Hawks to 38 percent shooting, building a 20-point cushion by halftime and never looking back. The victory improved Virginia to 7-1 on the season and set the stage for a challenging Big Ten Clash at Purdue on December 10 ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/top-25-roundup-no-10-byu-escapes-22-point-hole-tops-clemson-buzzer--flm-2025-12-10/?utm_source=openai)).
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