College Basketball Startup

photo by Brian Rothmuller

On Monday, November 6th, 2023, the College Basketball world returned with a multitude of games happening all night, and all week.​
by Drew Caraway

On Monday, November 6th, 2023, the College Basketball world returned with a multitude of games happening all night, and all week. The season kicked off its first major game with the Georgia Bulldogs and Oregon Ducks playing in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, with the Ducks pulling out the victory, 82-71.

ESPN Top 25 (as of 11/6/23) 
*via ESPN

1. Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12)
2. Duke Blue Devils (ACC)
3. Purdue Boilermakers (Big 10)
4. Michigan State Spartans (Big 10)
5. Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East)
6. UConn Huskies (Big East)
7. Houston Cougars (Big 12)
8. Creighton Blue Jays (Big East)
9. Tennessee Volunteers (SEC –
10. Florida Atlantic Owls (C-USA)
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Coast)
12. Arizona Wildcats (Pac 12
13. Miami Hurricanes (ACC)
14. Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC)
15. Texas A&M Aggies (SEC)
16. Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)
17. San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West)
18. Texas Longhorns (Big 12)
19. North Carolina Tar Heels (ACC)
20. Baylor Bears (Big 12)
21. USC Trojans (Pac 12)
22. Villanova Wildcats (Big East
23. Saint Mary’s Gaels (West Coast)
24. Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC)
25. Illinois Fighting Illini (Big 10)

photo by Andrew Ferguson

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Bostyn’s Opinion
Although there are many opinions throughout the school, one student is to be highlighted, and he is known very well around the school. Bostyn Rounsaville is a Sophomore at Walnut Grove, and even though he isn’t the tallest basketball player, his shiftiness and shooting make up for it. Bostyn says, “I think Duke is gonna win [March Madness] with their new player, Jared McCain.” When asked about a team that can shock everyone, he thinks “probably Georgia, lowkey,” but he also said that “Georgia is underrated.” Bostyn unfortunately couldn’t try out for the High School team due to an ACL injury he suffered earlier in 2023.

photo by AP Photo/John Locher

Back-to-Back or Back to the Locker Room 
The Reigning March Madness Champion UConn Huskies have a huge task ahead of them. Defending the title as the “March Madness Champs.” No team has won back-to-back titles since the Florida Gators did in 2006 and 2007, which featured multiple future NBA talent, like Al Horford and Joakim Noah. The Huskies finished 25-8 in the 2022 regular season, via ESPN, and are at +2200 to win it all in 2024 from FoxSports. 

After an exciting first week, the season will only get more and more intriguing, as we have already had an upset, with #4 Michigan State falling to unranked James Madison to start their season.

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