Milan Momcilovic did not disappoint in his debut for No. 23 Kentucky, as the sharpshooter scored 24 points to lead the Wildcats to an 85-57 season-opening victory over Manhattan on Tuesday in Lexington, Ky.
The 6-foot-9 wing, who transferred from Iowa State in the spring after leading the nation last season in 3-point shooting, went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc on Tuesday. He shot 8-for-12 overall and added five rebounds for the Wildcats.
Kentucky’s Zoom Diallo added 12 points, and Alex Wilkins finished with 11 points, five assists and a career-high seven steals.
Kentucky struggled early against Manhattan, as the visitors led 13-9 with 12:24 left in the first half. However, the Wildcats quickly found their stroke and put the game away with a 25-3 run over a six-minute span. The Jaspers were led by Novak Manojlovic and Kevin Kearney, who both scored 11 points.
No. 8 Tennessee 90, Wofford 59
DeWayne Brown II had a massive double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds, Terrence Hill Jr. added 17 points and the Volunteers started their new campaign with a rout of the Terriers in Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee transformed a close game at halftime into a blowout early in the second half, turning their skill and physical advantage into a 28-7 run. Tyler Lundblade scored 12 points by knocking down 4 of 9 shots from long range. Troy Henderson tallied 10 as the Volunteers made 34 of 65 field-goal attempts (52.3%).
Cam Lowe recorded 14 points and four rebounds for the Terriers, who trailed just 34-31 at the half. Cutter Sisk and Chris Arias scored 10 points apiece.
No. 9 Virginia 89, Drexel 60
Thijs De Ridder scored 24 points and Sam Lewis added 20 to fuel the Cavaliers’ victory against the Dragons in the season opener for both teams at Charlottesville, Va.
De Ridder, the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason Player of the Year, sank 9 of 15 shots and grabbed nine rebounds. Lewis hit 4 of 6 from 3-point range, and teammate Johann Grunloh added 11 points and nine rebounds.
LaDricus Pittman scored 11 points off the bench, Latief Lorenzano-White chipped in 11 and Dillon Tingler added 10 for Drexel.
No. 12 Arkansas 106, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 61
Jeremiah Wilkinson had 23 points and four 3-pointers, freshman Jordan Smith Jr. scored 20 points and the Razorbacks used an early 25-0 run to set the tone for a blowout of the Golden Lions in Fayetteville, Ark., in both teams’ season opener.
Wilkinson, a Georgia transfer, made four of seven shots from 3-point distance and had six rebounds and three assists. Abdou Toure added 12 points for the Razorbacks.
Jalen Tatum scored 16 points while Creed Williamson had 13 points and three rebounds before fouling out for Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
No. 20 Alabama 96, Sam Houston 74
Drew Fielder and London Jemison scored 15 points apiece to help the Crimson Tide sail to a victory over the Bearkats in the season opener for both teams at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Tarris Bouie added 13 points and Amari Allen had 12 for the Crimson Tide, who scored 33 points off 23 Bearkats turnovers. Alabama played without standout guard Aden Holloway, who was serving the next-to-last contest of a five-game suspension for last March’s arrest on drug possession charges that were later dismissed.
Jacobe Coleman scored 16 points and Justin Begg tallied all 13 of his points in the second half for Sam Houston. Zion Pipkin added 11 points, six assists and four steals but committed eight turnovers.