Eye On College Basketball – November 9, 2025 Opening Weekend Reactions: Bama Beats St. John’s, Caleb Wilson Leads UNC Over Kansas, & Notable Weekend Results

EPISODE OVERVIEW

The episode dives into reactions from the opening weekend of college basketball, focusing on Alabama's upset over preseason No. 1 St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, North Carolina’s big win against Kansas led by five-star freshman Caleb Wilson, and a rapid-fire look at notable results and emerging storylines. Hosts Gary Parrish (GP) and Matt Norlander (KB) bring trademark wit and analysis, dissecting performances, roster fits, coach narratives, and the early identities of top teams and players.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

Alabama Upsets St. John’s at Madison Square Garden
[02:35–17:02]

• St. John’s Hype and Early Problems:

  • Gary Parrish reflects on naming St. John’s preseason No. 1: “After making them the preseason number one team in the top 25 and one back in April, I never budged. Even if there were reasons, perhaps that I should have.”
  • Matt Norlander notes the overhaul: “There are nine newcomers on this team... St. John's still trying to find its identity.”
  • Rick Pitino, postgame, cited one-on-one defense as a major need and that the team tried to match Alabama's up-tempo pace when not equipped for it.

• Roster Construction Questions:

  • GP highlights ongoing concerns: “Do the pieces fit well together and who is your actual point guard?”
  • Dylan Darling, the lone natural point, was injured and missed the game, compounding issues.

• Alabama’s Standouts and NBA Prospects:

  • LeBaron Phylon: 25 points, 10-17 FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. His return to college instead of entering the NBA draft is described as a season-changer:
    • “Instead of an NBA rookie, perhaps a college All-American.” — GP [10:25]
  • Norlander elaborates: “Phylon looks amazing ... we’re probably talking about Phylon here in a couple weeks as someone who’s a late lottery pick.” [11:05]
  • Norlander praises Alabama’s “run and fun” identity and the shrewd job by coach Nate Oats, stating, “He has gotten his program to a point where ... I don’t care who’s on the roster. As long as [he] is the coach, I’ll have them in the top 25.” — GP [13:08]

Alabama’s Brutal Schedule

• Next up: Purdue, Illinois, Gonzaga (“If they come out undefeated, they’ll probably rank number one in the country.” — GP [14:33])
• 2-2 would be “okay,” 3-1 “tech right now.” — [15:36]

Caleb Wilson and UNC’s Big Win Over Kansas
[17:02–29:36]

• Freshman Takes Center Stage:

  • Caleb Wilson: 24 points, 7 rebounds vs. Kansas.
  • Bold postgame comments: “He said he wanted to show the world ... that he belongs in the same class as Cameron Boozer, AJ DeBonsa, Darren Peterson ... In advance of the Kansas game he changed his wallpaper to a picture that represented his feeling after the McDonald's All American game when I ‘didn’t touch the ball and Darren Peterson was on my team. So that was my wallpaper. Lol.’” — GP [19:15]

• Embracing Petty Motivation:

  • Norlander: “We love a petty king ... He really came out on a big stage ... and just straight up outdueled Peterson.” [20:24]
  • The ongoing “Big 3 Freshman” narrative is critiqued:
    • GP observes the self-perpetuating hype around Peterson, Boozer, DeBonsa, adding that Coa Piet and now Wilson are eager to break into that club:
      • “The way we’ve been talking about it, we’ve just really focused on the top three, and it becomes like a rope at a club. ... And the guys who have been considered the other ones, they don’t like that they’re the other ones.” [22:50]
  • Norlander: “I think the depth of this freshman class is going to surprise people because I don’t think this Caleb Wilson performance was some anomaly.” [24:35]

• Implications for UNC & Hubert Davis:

  • “There’s this sort of anxiety attached to the season ... some really high highs, but some really like, what are we doing? Lows.” — GP [25:52]
  • “Your five-star freshman shows up in a big game and delivers, that starts to be something. Okay, maybe we can count on this.” [26:35]
  • Norlander highlights supporting cast: Arizona transfer Henry Vassar (20 pts, 4 ast) and Seth Trimble (17 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast).

• Kansas’ Roster Limitations:

  • GP: “Outside of Darren Peterson, the roster relative to their own lofty standards at KU seems to be lacking some.” [29:36]
  • Norlander on Kansas’ current ceiling: “Closer to 25 than 1 ... When you’re questioning the talent around him, I think that is a real concern.” [31:33–32:45]

Rapid Fire: Notable Results Around College Basketball
[35:13–57:39]

Veterans Classic (Annapolis)

• GP lauds the atmosphere: “It just feels like not 2025. I don’t know, maybe just the trees changing colors ... the history, I like it.”
• Tulsa beats Rhode Island 82-65: David Green plays against his old team; GP: “Last year he was Rhode Island’s captain, played against Rhode Island this season.”
• Yale crushes Navy; GP highlights Nick Townsend, “23 points on 12 shots ... probably headed for another tournament appearance.”
• Special shout to Yale freshman Jack Sullivan for introducing himself as a podcast listener.

Michigan State-Arkansas

• Spartans win 69-66.
• KB: “Pretty sick team [Arkansas]. Love their talent ... Arkansas is a pretty talented team. I’d be pretty thrilled about the prospects.” [41:48]
• GP praises Arkansas’ high ceiling despite the loss and freshman-heavy lineup: “How many freshman point guards ever go into the Breslin and win? ... We have a higher ceiling than them.” [43:03]
• Both agree Arkansas’ roster fits well and the team will be dangerous as they mature.

Gonzaga-Oklahoma

• Zags win convincingly, 83-68.
• Graham Ike: 19 pts, 11 reb.
• KB: “Gonzaga does a really good job of forcing you into mistakes ... Dominant win for a Gonzaga team with a lot of experience.” [46:47–48:17]

Freshman Sensation Watch

• Virginia Tech’s Nicholas Abdallas: 33 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast in OT win vs. Providence.
• GP: “Another incredible freshman ... 6'9 guard from Greece, can play lead guard, very tall.”
• KB: “He was not on my radar at all ... seriously, you talk about the strength of the freshmen in this class — just another newcomer who has already put a stamp on this young season.” [50:11–51:51]

Other Notable Outcomes

• Georgetown 70–Maryland 60, Indiana 100–Marquette 77
  • KB: “Tucker Devries fantastic ... just the upgrade they’ve got as a head coach, the direction of that program is encouraging.” [52:55–54:19]
  • GP: “It's not a thing anymore, the whole ‘take a big job, need four years’ ... Not every coach has done it, but it is possible now in ways it didn’t used to be ... Ed Cooley gets a big win that can give your fan base something to believe in.” [54:32]
  • Also praises Indiana’s instant success with Devries hire and what it means for the program’s reputation.

LOOKING AHEAD: Early Week Games to Watch
[57:41–63:37]

• Monday’s Top Matchup:

  • Iowa State vs. Mississippi State in Sioux Falls.
  • Josh Hubbard watch: “When somebody asked ... who's not on your team that could end up All-American, my answer was Josh Hubbard.” — GP [57:41]
  • KB: “He is exactly who you want running your offense ... will be a fun game to watch.”

• Tuesday Night Blockbuster Slate:

  • Michigan vs. Wake Forest (Detroit)
  • Duke at Army (Veterans Day, CBS Sports Network)
  • Florida State at Florida
  • Kentucky at Louisville (“First real big test for both Kentucky and Louisville ... Should be a high scoring affair. Two revamped, rejuvenated offensive units.” — KB [61:47])
  • Texas Tech at Illinois
  • Creighton at Gonzaga

• Late Night Plans:

  • GP and Norlander will host a live podcast “late Tuesday night after all the action’s over” in place of a Wednesday morning drop. [63:37]

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “We love a petty king.” — Matt Norlander on Caleb Wilson [20:24]
• “The Big Three — it becomes like a rope at a club. You’re either on this side or that side.” — Gary Parrish [22:50]
• “How many freshman point guards ever go into the Breslin Center and win?” — Gary Parrish [43:03]
• “Convincing those types of prospects [to stay] ... we’re seeing the result here early from Alabama.” — Matt Norlander [11:05]
• “No scenario where [St. John’s] isn’t good. The question is if they can be the best with a roster that doesn’t seem to fit well together.” — GP [43:03]

EPISODE TONE & STYLE

Fast-paced, humorous, and candid; the hosts mix statistical analysis with storytelling and playful trash talk. They celebrate pettiness and personality (see the Caleb Wilson segment) while keeping the focus on basketball substance — roster composition, coaching impact, and early-season trends.

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• 02:35 – 17:02: Alabama upsets St. John’s – roster analysis, Pitino’s postgame, transfer/NBA impact
• 17:02 – 29:36: UNC-Kansas, Caleb Wilson’s emergence, freshman class depth
• 35:13 – 42:17: Veterans Classic, Michigan State–Arkansas, roster growth
• 46:00 – 48:17: Gonzaga routs Oklahoma, nonconference schedule chat
• 50:11 – 51:51: Virginia Tech’s Abdallas, ACC landscape
• 52:55 – 57:39: Georgetown and Indiana resurgence
• 57:41 – 63:37: Looming games – Iowa State vs. Mississippi State, Tuesday slate
• 63:37 – close: Plans for next podcast, postgame banter

LISTENERS’ TAKEAWAYS

• Don’t panic about St. John’s, but red flags are real.
• Alabama is for real; Nate Oats’ system is humming with NBA-level talent.
• This freshman class is exceptionally deep; ignore preseason “Big Three” labels.
• Caleb Wilson is both an on-court and media star.
• Both Indiana and Georgetown may be back on track after statement wins.
• Upcoming early week games are must-watch, especially for those tracking the next wave of impact freshmen and high-profile coaches.

For an in-depth, stats-laden, and personality-driven breakdown of college hoops’ opening week, this episode hits all the high notes. If you missed the games, you now know whom, and what, to keep your eye on as the season ramps up.