NCAAAMB Games of the Weekend: February 7-8

By Elias Meredith 2/7/26 Sportz Nation

14 NORTH CAROLINA VS 4 DUKE

Photo by Chris Seward/AP Photo

Saturday night, it was a Top 25 battle in Chapel Hill. The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils traveled 10 miles south to face No. 14 North Carolina Tarheels. Senior guard Seth Trimble drilled his only three point attempt of the game to cap a 13-point comeback as time expired to defeat Duke 71-68.

The first half was dominated by Duke. They opened the game on a 20-9 run. The Tarheels would respond, going on a 11-2 run of to cut the Duke lead to 2.

Duke would close the first half on a 11-2 run, taking a 41-29 lead into halftime.

Duke was led by freshman wing Dame Sarr, who had 10 first half points. North Carolina had a huge first half performance from their star freshman forward Caleb Wilson. The Atlanta native had 17 points.

The second half consisted of a constant North Carolina effort to chip away at their deficit. With 2:51 left, North Carolina went on their game-winning run. A 9-0 Tarheel run fueled by the three pointer, sealed by a Seth Trimble corner three.

Key to Victory: The Tarheel closing run

North Carolina closed the game on a 9-0 run. Three Tarheel threes helped them overcome a 6-point deficit.

Next for the Tarheels: Tuesday, February 10, at Miami Hurricanes 7:00 PM EST

Next for the Blue Devils: Tuesday, February 10, at Pittsburgh Panthers 9:00 PM EST

PENN STATE VS USC

Photo Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images

Sunday night, the USC Trojans traveled across the nation to face the Penn State Nittany Lions in State College. USC freshman guard Alijah Arenas scored the last 7 points for the Trojans, including the game-winning layup to defeat Penn State 77-75. Arenas finished with 24 points, and notched his first consecutive 20+ point game streak in his college career.

The first half was filled with ties and lead changes. No lead was greater than 4 until the 1:14 mark in the second half. Penn State finally got some breathing room in the last two minutes of the first half. They would go on an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 6, but USC graduate student Kam Woods would cut the Nittany Lion led back to 4 to close the half.

Penn State would take their 40-36 lead into halftime. In the first half, Penn State junior guard Freddie Dilione V led the Nittany Lions with 12 points. USC were led by Alijah Arenas and senior forward Ezra Ausar, who each had 9 points in the first half.

Penn State would come out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. They would start the second half, making five of their first six field goal attempts. A 13-6 run would give the Nittany Lions their biggest lead of the game at 11.

USC would respond to Penn State’s opening run with a run of their own. The Trojans would go on a 22-5 run, grabbing their largest lead of the game at 6.

The last two minutes were filled with offensive firepower from both teams. 6 of the last 7 field goals were made to close the game. Arenas capped off his 15-point second half with a crafty finish in the lane over the outstretched arms of two Penn State defenders.

Key to Victory: USC’s 22-5 run

The Trojans 22-5 gave them that momentum to close the game. The Trojans leaned heavy on the hot hand of Alijah Arenas to seal the 11-point comeback.

Next for the Trojans: Wednesday, February 11, at Ohio State Buckeyes at 6:30 PM EST

Next for the Nittany Lions: Wednesday, February 11, at Washington Huskies at 10:30 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)