Quite the opener!

Good morning! There were 108 games yesterday between D-I teams, and another 61 against non D-I teams. So let’s dive in after a great opening day.

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1. A freshman steals the show vs. the Gators

Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa got most of the preseason hype for the 2025 freshmen class. Mikel Brown Jr and Nate Ament also got a fair share.

Guess Koa Peat should’ve been on that list.

The Arizona freshman was a one-man wrecking crew in Monday’s 93-87 win over No. 3 Florida. He erupted for 30 points on 18 shots, grabbed seven rebounds, added five assists and three steals, marking the first time since 2002-03 a freshman did that in their debut. He did not look like a guy playing his first college game.

“Koa kinda reminds me of Larry Johnson,” coach Tommy Lloyd said on After Dark. “He’s special. Now, Koa’s 18. Larry, when he was playing at UNLV was 22, 23, you know what I mean? So let’s give Koa some leash here. He’s a special player.” (He did look like LJ on this dunk.)

That it came against Florida is even more impressive. The Gators returned their entire frontcourt from last season, all of whom are listed as taller than the 6-8 Peat. Didn’t matter. Alex Condon had 11 points and 6 turnovers before fouling out, Rueben Chinyelu also fouled out with just two points, and 7-1 Micah Handlogten scooped up 12 rebounds, but had just two points.

Only Thomas Haugh (27 points, 4 rebounds) looked ready for the bright lights, but he also didn’t have to guard Peat very often.

More worrisome for the Gators was that their starting backcourt of Boogie Fland and Xavian Lee combined to shoot just 8-of-26 from the field, and 3-of-13 from deep. The Gators were an awful 26% from beyond the arc, and couldn’t hit several wide-open shots, including a handful of late looks that could’ve changed the game.

Instead, No. 13 Arizona was the poised, more impressive team. Guard Jaden Bradley consistently knifed through the Florida defense and finished with 27 points. European wing Ivan Kharchenkov hit a couple of big 3s and has 12 points, while Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas held up just fine against the Gators.

“I feel good about it,” Lloyd said. “But it’s one game. So let’s not overreact.”

2. Close calls, upsets and opening day thrillers

Perhaps when March rolls around and Bethune Cookman is not only in its first-ever NCAA Tournament but also a trendy upset pick, Monday will make sense. Because before tonight, the Wildcats were 0-28 all-time vs. ranked opponents.

And they almost had a big one, taking No. 20 Auburn to overtime in a 95-90 loss.

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