NCAA Basketball Recap

January 23, 2026 • Sports

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, your go-to source for all things NCAA basketball. I'm Dillon, and today we're diving into the action-packed Wednesday lineup from January 22, 2026. We have some thrilling games to talk about, so let’s jump right into it!

Starting off with the Big Ten, Wisconsin put on a show at Rec Hall, cruising to a 98-71 victory over Penn State. The Badgers unleashed a staggering 30-4 run in the first half, leading 50-22 at halftime. Braedan Carrington and John Blackwell each dropped 17 points. Meanwhile, Nolan Winter notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Penn State's freshman standout, Mason Blackwood, did what he could with 14 points and 6 rebounds, but the Nittany Lions struggled, shooting just 24% in the first.

Over in the SEC, Kentucky emerged victorious with an 85-80 win against Texas at Rupp Arena. This clash saw 11 lead changes, and it was tied 40-40 at the half. Kentucky's Denzel Aberdeen shone brightly with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Collin Chandler also set a career-high with 18 points, while Otega Oweh continued his double-digit streak. For Texas, Dailyn Swain was impressive, scoring 29 points but ultimately, the Wildcats closed on a decisive 7-2 run.

Moving to the ACC, North Carolina bounced back from a recent skid with a commanding 91-69 win over Notre Dame. Caleb Wilson was the star, scoring 22 points, and Henri Veesaar added a double-double. North Carolina's defense was ferocious, forcing 14 turnovers. Meanwhile, Notre Dame struggled with 17 turnovers of their own.

At the Carrier Dome, Virginia Tech edged Syracuse in a nail-biter, 76-74. Ben Hammond was clutch, sinking 12 of 13 free throws in the final minute. Hammond finished with 24 points, while Tobi Lawal added a double-double for the Hokies. Syracuse's J.J. Starling and the crew tried to keep pace but fell just short.

Let's talk about the American Athletic Conference. Florida Atlantic snagged a close win over Tulane, 79-74. C. Williams Jr. of Tulane was electric with 27 points, but FAU’s D. Vanterpool contributed with 20 points and 7 rebounds to seal the win.

Wichita State topped East Carolina 77-60, thanks largely to K. Giles, who put up 27 points and snagged 3 steals. G. Emejuru of East Carolina made his presence felt with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

North Texas triumphed over UTSA, 81-62, with J. Stevenson dazzling everyone with 27 points and 4 steals. Tulsa upset Memphis, 83-66, with T. Riley nearly achieving a triple-double. Finally, Temple edged Rice, 69-65, thanks to J. Mason’s 15 points and 6 assists.

Now, it’s time for our Player Spotlight. Today’s 'Big Dill' goes to Ben Hammond from Virginia Tech. His clutch free-throw shooting in the final moments secured the win against Syracuse, making him a key player to watch.

Looking ahead, we've got an exciting weekend lineup as Kentucky hosts Ole Miss, Wisconsin visits Michigan State, and Virginia Tech travels to face No. 23 Louisville. All eyes will also be on the American Athletic matchups, including FAU at Houston and Wichita State versus Tulane.

Thanks for tuning in to Big Dill Sports. Keep your hoops enthusiasm high and join us next time as we keep tracking the pulse of NCAA basketball. Stay sharp, everyone!

Below is a conference‐by‐conference breakdown of key Division I men’s games from Wednesday, January 22, 2026, including final scores, game highlights and the day’s top performers.

## Overview
Wednesday’s schedule, as listed by ESPN’s Men’s College Basketball six-day showcase, featured conference matchups across most major leagues, tipping off at 7 p.m. ET and running through late evening on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU ([espnpressroom.com](https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2026/01/espn-mens-college-basketball-schedule-showcases-six-days-of-conference-matchups-and-ranked-showdowns-jan-20-25/?utm_source=openai)). The slate included critical Big Ten, SEC, ACC and American Athletic Conference contests, as teams jockeyed for positioning ahead of February’s stretch run.

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## Big Ten: Wisconsin 98, Penn State 71
On January 22 at Rec Hall in University Park, No. 18 Wisconsin exploded for a 30-4 run in the first half en route to a dominant 98-71 victory over Penn State ([blackshoediaries.com](https://www.blackshoediaries.com/mens-basketball/84837/penn-state-71-wisconsin-98-recd-rec-hall-return-to-rec-white-out-mike-rhoades?utm_source=openai)). The Badgers (14-5 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) led 50-22 at intermission and never faced a serious challenge thereafter.

• Braedan Carrington – 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting
• John Blackwell – 17 points, 4 rebounds
• Nolan Winter – 13 points, 10 rebounds (double-double)
• Freshman Mason Blackwood (Penn State) – 14 points, 6 rebounds; named Penn State’s Player of the Game ([blackshoediaries.com](https://www.blackshoediaries.com/mens-basketball/84837/penn-state-71-wisconsin-98-recd-rec-hall-return-to-rec-white-out-mike-rhoades?utm_source=openai)).

Penn State (9-10, 0-8) shot just 24% in the first half and struggled to convert from three-point range and at the free-throw line, leaving them searching for answers ahead of next week’s trip to Ohio State.

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## SEC: Kentucky 85, Texas 80
At Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky improved to 13-6 (4-2 SEC) with an 85-80 win over the visiting Texas Longhorns (11-8, 2-4) ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401808185?utm_source=openai)). The game featured 11 lead changes and a tied 40-40 halftime score, but Kentucky outscored Texas 45-40 in the second half to pull away.

• Denzel Aberdeen (Kentucky) – 19 points, 7 rebounds
• Collin Chandler (Kentucky) – 18 points (career-high), 7 rebounds, 5 assists
• Otega Oweh (Kentucky) – 18 points; 22nd straight game in double digits ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401808185?utm_source=openai))
• Dailyn Swain (Texas) – 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting
• Matas Vokietaitis (Texas) – 15 points, 11 rebounds (double-double)

The Wildcats closed the game on a decisive 7-2 run, buoyed by making 30 of 35 free throws compared to Texas’s 18 of 20.

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## ACC Highlights

### North Carolina 91, Notre Dame 69
In Chapel Hill, No. 22 North Carolina (15-4, 3-3 ACC) rebounded from a recent skid with a 91-69 routing of Notre Dame (10-9, 1-5) ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401820687&utm_source=openai)). The Tar Heels shot 55% from the field and forced 14 turnovers en route to their largest margin in conference play this season.

• Caleb Wilson (UNC) – 22 points
• Henri Veesaar (UNC) – 15 points, 12 rebounds (double-double)
• Notre Dame struggled offensively, shooting 38% and committing 17 turnovers ([espn.in](https://www.espn.in/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401820687&utm_source=openai)).

### Virginia Tech 76, Syracuse 74
At the Carrier Dome, Virginia Tech (15-5, 4-3 ACC) edged Syracuse (12-7, 3-3) in a tightly contested battle. Ben Hammond sank 12 of 13 free throws in the final minute to preserve the Hokies’ two-point win ([espn.com.au](https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401820688?utm_source=openai)).

• Ben Hammond (VT) – 24 points, 12-of-13 FT
• Tobi Lawal (VT) – 16 points, 11 rebounds (double-double)
• Neoklis Avdalis and Amani Hansberry (VT) – 10 points each
• J.J. Starling (Syracuse) – 12 points; Nate Kingz and Sadiq White Jr. chipped in 11 each ([espn.com.au](https://www.espn.com.au/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401820688?utm_source=openai)).

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## American Athletic Conference Roundup
Several midweek league games tipped off on ESPN2 and ESPNU as part of the American schedule:

• Florida Atlantic 79, Tulane 74 (Tulane 32-42-74; FAU 43-36-79)
– C. Williams Jr. (Tulane) – 27 points; D. Vanterpool (FAU) – 20 points, 7 rebounds ([editions-origin.espn.com](https://editions-origin.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/62?utm_source=openai)).

• Wichita State 77, East Carolina 60
– K. Giles (Wichita State) – 27 points, 3 steals; G. Emejuru (ECU) – 11 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks ([editions-origin.espn.com](https://editions-origin.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/62?utm_source=openai)).

• North Texas 81, UTSA 62
– J. Stevenson (North Texas) – 27 points, 4 steals; B. Moss (UTSA) – 12 points ([editions-origin.espn.com](https://editions-origin.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/62?utm_source=openai)).

• Tulsa 83, Memphis 66
– T. Riley (Tulsa) – 16 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists; A. Hardaway Jr. (Memphis) – 18 points ([editions-origin.espn.com](https://editions-origin.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/62?utm_source=openai)).

• Temple 69, Rice 65
– J. Mason (Temple) – 15 points, 6 assists; T. Broadnax (Rice) – 17 points ([editions-origin.espn.com](https://editions-origin.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/62?utm_source=openai)).

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## Looking Ahead
- Top teams in each conference now shift focus to weekend matchups – Kentucky hosts Ole Miss (SEC), Wisconsin travels to Michigan State (Big Ten), and Virginia Tech visits No. 23 Louisville (ACC).
- Several American Athletic teams remain in critical stretches: FAU plays at Houston, Wichita State faces Tulane, and Memphis visits Cincinnati.

Wednesday’s results reshuffled the standings and set the stage for a pivotal weekend in college basketball as teams vie for positioning before conference tournaments in March.

NCAA Basketball Recap