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USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oregon Ducks crack early top 25 men's basketball rankings ahead of 2025 season
The Oregon Ducks men's basketball team is slated to return several top contributors mixed with multiple impact transfers ahead of the 2025-26 season -- a key reason why they were ranked No. 24 in USA Today's "College basketball too-early top 25 rankings after transfer portal, NBA Draft." "Another new addition to the rankings, Oregon is looking to maintain success after an up-and-down season," Paul Myerberg, Jordan Mendoza, Eddie Timings and Erick Smith wrote. "Back are the top two scorers in Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad, who are consistent scorers. But they can't be the only ones producing, and the Ducks have to replace TJ Bamba." "That appears to be answered in the transfer portal," they continued. "TK Simpkins led Elon in scoring last season and improved his 3-point shooting. Sean Stewart (Ohio State) also could be a breakout player as he finds a more elevated role." Included in the rankings were six other Big Ten teams, demonstrating another year of tremendous competition in the Ducks' second year in the conference. Oregon reached as high as No. 9 in the AP Poll a season ago after a blistering 12-1 start to the season. They cooled off once conference play began, but still put together a very respectable 12-8 record in Big Ten matchups and a 24-9 overall record prior to the NCAA Tournament. After being named the No. 5 seed in the East Region, the Ducks took care of the 12th-seeded Liberty Falcons, defeating them by 29 points. The second round presented a tough matchup with the fourth-seeded Arizona Wildcats led by fifth-year senior Caleb Love. Oregon was out-dueled by Love and the Wildcats, losing an 87-83 shootout. Shelstad and Bittle showed no fear however, with the former scoring a team-high 25 points on nine of 14 shooting from the field and three of six from 3-point range. Bittle connected on seven of 13 field goals, scoring 16 points and grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds. Both transfers in Simpkins (16.4 points per game last season) and Stewart (5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds per game) along with former Texas wing Devon Pryor, rated a four-star transfer per 247 Sports, should have a positive impact come the season. But it will all come down to the performances of Shelstad and Bittle, who each have the abilities to lead the Ducks to a successful season and are worthy of the No. 24 ranking. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2025-26 season
Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2025-26 season The 2025-26 Big Ten basketball season continues to draw closer. An important offseason milestone passed late last month, as early-entry NBA draft candidates had their deadline to either remain in the draft or return to college. The passing of that date, plus the conclusion of the recent transfer portal cycle, mostly finalizes each team's roster for the 2025-26 campaign. Notable players to initially declare for the draft before returning to Big Ten programs include Wisconsin's John Blackwell, Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg (via UAB) and Oregon's Nate Bittle. That trio guarantees to play into the 2025-26 Big Ten race, as each of their respective teams projects among the conference's top eight. Lendeborg may headline that list, joining a projected top-ranked Michigan team as the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal, but Blackwell and Bittle shouldn't be forgotten in that equation. The latter two each enter 2025-26 with first-team All-Conference expectations, Blackwell as a top scoring option and Bittle as arguably the Big Ten's most impactful defender. With that listed trio officially back in college, as well as several others, CBSSports' Jon Rothstein recently posted the Big Ten's updated returning scoring numbers for the 2025-26 season. As is also the case on the gridiron, returning production can be a strong indicator of future success. Therefore, it's no surprise that several basketball programs with more than 50% of their 2024-25 scoring back in the lineup have sky-high expectations entering 2025-26. While the prevalence of the transfer portal complicates the longstanding relationship between returning scoring and future success, the stat can't be denied in the larger picture of preseason projections. With that, here are Rothstein's returning scoring numbers for every Big Ten team entering 2025-26. T17. Maryland Terrapins Returning Scoring: 0% 2024-25 Record: 27-9 (14-6 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 10 Maryland is not alone in this bottom spot, with practically its entire roster having turned over in a matter of months. New coach Buzz Williams did well in the portal, landing Myles Rice (Indiana), Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M), Solomon Washington (Texas A&M), Isaiah Watts (Washington State) and others. Maryland had nearly its entire production come from its starting five last season (64.7 of its 81.1 points per game). All five of those players are now elsewhere, whether in college or preparing for the NBA draft. T17. Indiana Hoosiers Returning Scoring: 0% 2024-25 Record: 19-13 (10-10 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 12 Indiana saw a top-down turnover before and after Darian DeVries' hire. Tucker DeVries (West Virginia), Reed Bailey (Davidson) and Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston) highlight a transfer class that will carry a significant load next season. Anything more than a low-seed NCAA Tournament bid would be surprising. 16. Iowa Hawkeyes Returning Scoring: 1.7% 2024-25 Record: 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 11 Unsurprisingly, all of the programs that underwent offseason coaching changes are at the bottom of this list. Iowa saw nearly its entire team depart after Fran McCaffery's firing. New coach Ben McCollum brings immediate expectations of success, much of which is driven by five-star transfer and All-Conference candidate Bennett Stirtz (Drake). Still, an entirely new-look lineup would do well to enter the conference's top half. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 15. USC Trojans Returning Scoring: 2.9% 2024-25 Record: 17-18 (7-13 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 9 There is a train of thought that sometimes, a small amount of returning production is a good thing. That thought resonates after USC went just 17-18 in 2024-25 in Eric Musselman's first year at the helm. Rodney Rice (transfer, Maryland), Chad Baker-Mazara (transfer, Auburn), Alijah Arenas (high school), Ezra Ausar (transfer, Utah) and Jacob Cofie (transfer, Virginia) headline an impressive offseason of recruiting. None should be surprised if USC starts to turn it around next season. Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire 14. Minnesota Golden Gophers Returning Scoring: 8.2% 2024-25 Record: 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 15 Minnesota is the fourth team on this list that made a coaching change after last season. New coach Niko Medved will have his hands full in year one. Not only does Minnesota return under 10% of its scoring from last season, but the program has proven to be one of the toughest places in the conference to consistently win. 13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Returning Scoring: 14.4% 2024-25 Record: 15-17 (8-12 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 17 Rutgers' low returning scoring total of 14.4% is better viewed with the context that two of its top departing players -- Dylan Harper (19.4 points per game) and Ace Bailey (17.6 points per game) -- are set to be the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the NBA draft, respectively. Their combined 37 points per game last season made up 48% of Rutgers' scoring. The team is likely to finish in the bottom tier of the conference with those two gone from the lineup. 12. Penn State Nittany Lions Returning Scoring: 14.6% 2024-25 Record: 16-15 (6-14 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 18 Penn State was one of the biggest losers of the early-entry decision deadline, as rising star center Yanic Konan Niederhauser elected to remain in the draft. The 7-foot center averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks (best in the Big Ten) last year. He would've been a top candidate for conference Defensive Player of the Year had he returned. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 11. Washington Huskies Returning Scoring: 19.8% 2024-25 Record: 13-18 (4-16 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 16 Washington fans will expect a big step forward in Year 2 under Danny Sprinkle after the team went just 13-18 overall and 4-6 in Big Ten play last season, finishing dead last in the conference standings. The departure of senior forward Great Osobor (14.8 points, eight rebounds and 3.4 assists per game) doesn't help that projection. Late-cycle addition, former USC guard Desmond Claude (15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game), will play a major role in the team's success. Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire 10. Wisconsin Badgers Returning Scoring: 35.9% 2024-25 Record: 27-10 (13-7 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 4 John Blackwell (15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game) and Nolan Winter (9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds per game) are Wisconsin's top returning contributors. Both will be critical to the team's success. However, the program did lose a loaded senior class after the 2024-25 season, including All-American wing John Tonje, starting guard Max Klesmit, standout center Steven Crowl and top bench contributors Kamari McGee and Carter Gilmore. The program's impressive transfer class of Andrew Rohde (Virginia), Austin Rapp (Portland), Nick Boyd (San Diego State) and Braeden Carrington (Tulsa), as well as likely progression from Blackwell and Winter, are primary reasons the team is projected to finish within the Big Ten's top four, 9. Michigan Wolverines Returning Scoring: 40.1% 2024-25 Record: 27-10 (14-6 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 2 Michigan lost its top two players in Vlad Goldin (16.6 points, seven rebounds per game) and Danny Wolf (13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game). It then landed a top transfer class of Lendeborg, center Aday Mara (UCLA), forward Morez Johnson (Illinois) and Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina). That group, plus returning contributors Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game) and Nimari Burnett (9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game), has the Wolverines projected as a top-five team in the sport next season. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire 8. Michigan State Spartans Returning Scoring: 40.4% 2024-25 Record: 30-7 (17-3 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 5 Michigan State loses notable players Jase Richardson (NBA draft), Jaden Akins (graduation), Frankie Fidler (graduation), Szymon Zapala (graduation) and Tre Holloman (portal) after winning the Big Ten last season. Their departures shouldn't raise much concern, as Tom Izzo has a proven ability to reload his roster year-to-year. The Spartans always seem to enter the mix atop the conference standings. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire 7. Northwestern Wildcats Returning Scoring: 47.2% 2024-25 Record: 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 13 Northwestern returns a bulk of its scoring in the form of All-Big Ten forward Nick Martinelli, whose 20.5 points per game accounted for nearly 30% of the team's 72.4 points per game last season. Standout guards Brooks Barnhizer, Ty Berry and Jalen Leach, plus forward Matthew Nicholson, are all gone to graduation. It wouldn't be surprising if Martinelli scored 35% of the team's points next year. 6. Oregon Ducks Returning Scoring: 48% 2024-25 Record: 25-10 (12-8 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 8 Bittle's return is major news for an Oregon team that was night-and-day better with him in the lineup last season. The Ducks also return starting point guard Jackson Shelstad (13.7 points per game), who, with Bittle, forms one of the conference's better leading duos. They would do extremely well to lead Oregon to another 25-win season. The team doesn't project to have the requisite depth to contend for a conference title. Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire 5. Nebraska Cornhuskers Returning Scoring: 48.1% 2024-25 Record: 21-14 (7-13 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 14 Nebraska lost leading scorers Brice Williams (20.4 points per game) and Juwan Gary (14.6 points per game) after the 2024-25 season. It returns third-leading scorer Connor Essegian (10.7 points per game), plus 2023-24 standout center Rienk Mask (12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, three assists per game in 2023-24). The team still has major question marks after its collapse to close the 2024-25 campaign. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 4. Illinois Fighting Illini Returning Scoring: 52.1% 2024-25 Record: 22-13 (12-8 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 6 Illinois lost top-end freshman contributors Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley to the NBA draft and Morez Johnson Jr. to the transfer portal. However, it still returns more than 50% of its scoring from last season, plus welcomes in Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic (17.9 points per game) and Arkansas transfer Zvonimir Ivisic (8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds per game), among others. Brad Underwood has cemented his team's position near the top of the Big Ten standings, regardless of its year-to-year continuity. 3. UCLA Bruins Returning Scoring: 55.5% 2024-25 Record: 23-11 (13-7 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 3 UCLA will have legitimate Final Four aspirations entering 2025-26. The team returns more than 55% of its scoring, plus welcomes in top transfer point guard Donovan Dent (20.4 points per game at New Mexico in 2024-25). The team's question may come in the frontcourt, where Mara transferred to conference rival Michigan. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire 2. Ohio State Buckeyes Returning Scoring: 59% 2024-25 Record: 17-15 (9-11 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 7 All-Conference guard Bruce Thornton (17.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game) headlines the Buckeyes' strong returning cast. The 2024-25 team appeared much better than its final 17-15 record shows. Fans will enter 2025-26 hoping for further development from Thornton and, more importantly, better results in close games. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire 1. Purdue Boilermakers Returning Scoring: 86% 2024-25 Record: 24-12 (13-7 Big Ten) Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 1 Purdue's returning production is staggering. It's a primary reason the team is likely to enter the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll. All-American guard Braden Smith (15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game) and All-Conference forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game) lead the Boilermakers' returning group. They'll enter the year as the Big Ten's clear top two players. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
NBC Sports
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Which players opted out of 2025 NBA Draft? Alex Condon, Milos Uzan headline list
NIL has changed the dynamic for players declaring for the NBA Draft. Nothing changed for the guys projected to go in the lottery. Players such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and V.J. Edgecombe are going to keep their names in the draft and move on to their NBA careers. However, for underclassmen expected to be taken late in the first round or early in the second, the calculus changes: Players taken 20th or below make less than $3 million in their rookie season, and second-round picks do not automatically receive guaranteed NBA contracts. For those players, staying in college for another year may be the most sensible option. That is why there are fewer sophomores and juniors in recent drafts than years past. Which name players withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft? Here are some of the biggest names. Alex Condon, Florida A big win for the national champions, they get back the 6'11' playmaking big who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds a game last season. More than the counting stats, it was his passing that made him critical to the Gators' offense. How many 6'11 guys in college basketball can be a playmaker & pass the way Alex Condon can 🐊🦄 Nate Bittle, Oregon Bittle's decision was probably made the second he didn't get an invite to the NBA Draft Combine. There are few better stretch fives in the college game than Bittle, who averaged 14.2 points and 7.6 rebounds a game for the Ducks, shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc. Milos Uzan, Houston He was projected as a second-round pick before the NBA Draft Combine, but guards who shot 44% on 3-pointers tend to get drafted. However, Uzan struggled in the Cougars' final games leading up to the national title game, and then struggled at the combine. After all that, he decided to return to Houston, which should be in title contention again next season. WE 👏WANT👏 MORE👏 MILOS Milos Uzan Highlights vs. #13 Arizona🎥👀#Big12MBB | @UHCougarMBK Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan A huge win for the Wolverines that Lendenborg withdrew his name from the draft, he played well at the combine but apparently could not get a guarantee to be taken in the top 20. Last season at UAB, he averaged 17.7 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn The sixth man on a Final Four team who averaged 11.6 points a game last season is returning to coach Bruce Pearl. While there is NBA interest in him, the fact that he is 6'1' (in shoes) and has struggled defensively has teams thinking of Pettiford more as a second-round pick at this point. So he is returning to Auburn. Labaron Philon, Alabama Philon is another perfect example of a quality freshman who was a bubble first/early second-round pick who likely would have come out a few years ago, but thanks to NIL, will choose to stay in Tuscaloosa another year. He averaged 10.6 points a game last year and showed real creativity in getting to the rim and finishing in the paint, showed he could work on or off the ball, and had an excellent feel for the game. Big win for Alabama to get him back. Labaron Philon at #8 Kentucky 15 PTS 4 AST 4 REB 3 OREB 1 STL 3FG: 3-5 (60%) FT: 4-4 (100%) 31 Boogie Fland, Florida Fland averaged 13.5 points and 5.1 assists a game for Arkansas last season, but projected as a second-round pick he has decided to return to college. Just not to Arkansas. He has committed to Florida, teaming up with Condon to chase back-to-back titles. Karter Knox, Arkansas The brother of another Jon Calipari player, Kevin Knox II (at Kentucky), he averaged 8.3 points a game last season but is expected to have a larger role this season. That likely helps his draft stock in the future. PJ Haggerty, Kansas State It's not a huge surprise that he's returning to college, and what will be his fourth team in four years. Last season in Memphis, the guard averaged 21.7 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, but questions about his turnovers and ability to finish at the rim have NBA teams hesitant. Otega Oweh, Kentucky The 6'5' guard who averaged 16.2 points a game last season shooting 35.5% from 3 has chosen to return to the Wildcats for what will be his senior season. His quote about that to ESPN sums up the situation for a lot of players: 'I got great feedback from NBA teams, but the consensus was to come back to school and have a great year.' Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M New A&M coach Bucky McMillan thought he was going to lose his first splashy new transfer after Mgbako had a stellar workout at the NBA Draft Combine, but instead he is returning to college for his junior year. He played for Indiana last season and averaged 12.2 points a game.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oregon basketball center Nate Bittle not invited to NBA Combine
Oregon basketball center Nate Bittle not invited to NBA Combine Although Oregon Ducks center Nate Bittle was assumed to return to the program for the 2025-26 season, the 7-footer from Central Point, Ore. wanted to test out the NBA draft waters. On Friday, he received some news on that front. Bittle did not receive an invitation to the NBA Combine later this month, which could diminish his chances of being drafted in June. This might be disappointing news for Bittle, but it's potentially good news for the Ducks, who will have one of the best centers in the country next season if he chooses to return for one more year in Eugene. Bittle asked for and got an extra year of eligibility for the time he spent most of the 2023-24 season injured and sick. In this past season, he stayed healthy and as a result, had a career year for the Ducks, averaging 14 points and nearly eight rebounds a game. Bittle also shot 51 percent from the field and almost 34 percent from the three-point line. Overall, not going to the combine and not being drafted this year could very well be a blessing in disguise for Bittle. Assuming his stats stay on an upward trajectory, he should be a first-round draft pick next June and be a contributor for an NBA team somewhere. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Global News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Canada election 2025: St. Catharines
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook St. Catharines is a federal riding located in Ontario. This riding is currently represented by Liberal MP Chris Bittle who first took office in 2015. Bittle collected 22,069 votes, winning 37.83 per cent of the vote in the 2021 federal election. Voters will decide who will represent St. Catharines in Ontario during the upcoming Canadian election on April 28, 2025. Visit this page on election night for a complete breakdown of up to the minute results. Candidates Liberal: Chris Bittle (Incumbent) Conservative: Bas Sluijmers NDP: Karen Orlandi Centrist Party: Taha Alexander Haj-Ahmad Independent: Christopher Reilly People's Party: Dennis Wilson
