Full Breakdown
Exhibition Basketball Highlights: Creighton, NC State, Syracuse, Minnesota, and Providence
10/26/2025, 1:40:25 PM
Creighton Defeats Colorado State in Final Exhibition
The No. 23 Creighton men's basketball team concluded its exhibition schedule with a 76-64 victory over Colorado State at CHI Health Center Omaha. After trailing early, Creighton utilized a 15-5 run to take control of the game, led by 15 points from Ryan Nembhard and 14 from Arthur Kaluma. The Bluejays shot 49.1% from the field and dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Rams 38-31. Colorado State's Brandon Rechsteiner led his team with 14 points, but the Rams struggled offensively in the second half, shooting just 34.4%.
NC State Prepares for Season with Exhibition Against South Carolina
The NC State men's basketball team is set to face South Carolina in its only exhibition game before the regular season. Under new head coach Will Wade, who previously led McNeese State to significant success, NC State has undergone a major roster overhaul, returning only one scholarship player from last season. The game will not count in the official standings but marks a historical rivalry, with NC State leading the all-time series 49-28.
Syracuse Tops Buffalo in Strong Exhibition Performance
Syracuse's men's basketball team achieved a convincing 76-66 win over Buffalo in their exhibition match at KeyBank Center. Tyler Betsey led the Orange with 14 points, while nine players contributed to the scoring. Syracuse maintained control throughout the game, never trailing and shooting 48.1% from the field. The Orange's defense was effective, limiting Buffalo to 42% shooting and forcing 11 turnovers.
Minnesota Overcomes North Dakota in Final Exhibition
The Minnesota Golden Gophers secured an 82-62 victory against North Dakota in their last exhibition game. Leading scorer Dawson Garcia netted 26 points, supported by strong performances from Jamison Battle and Ta'Lon Cooper, who added 17 and 12 points, respectively. Minnesota shot 59.2% from the field and dominated in the paint, scoring 46 points compared to North Dakota's 20. Despite a competitive first half, North Dakota struggled to keep pace in the second half, ultimately falling short.
Providence Edges Harvard in Exhibition Finale
Providence College defeated Harvard 85-77 in their final exhibition game at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Jason Edwards led the Friars with 16 points, while Oswin Erhunmwunse contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Providence established a strong first-half lead, going into halftime ahead 45-27. Although Harvard mounted a comeback in the second half, Providence's defense and timely scoring secured the win. Head coach Kim English emphasized the need for continued improvement as the team prepares for the regular season opener against Holy Cross.
Conclusion
As the exhibition season wraps up, teams like Creighton, NC State, Syracuse, Minnesota, and Providence are gearing up for their respective regular-season debuts. Each team showcased their strengths and areas for improvement, setting the stage for an exciting 2025-26 college basketball season.
