Notre Dame rebounds; High Point and Queens retain depth for March

The 2026-27 college basketball season began Sunday with a slate of games that offered immediate signals about team depth and coaching stability.

Notre Dame defeated Villanova to secure the first win of the season. The Irish trailed by six points in the final minutes but closed the game with a lead. Four Notre Dame players scored in double figures, and the team converted 38% of its three-point attempts. Coach Micah Shrewsberry enters the season on a hot seat after a 13-win campaign and three consecutive seasons without an NCAA tournament berth.

Shrewsberry noted at ACC media day in October that he had realized he was not enjoying the moments he should have at the school. He stated that his attitude is different this year. The team displayed more rhythm and cohesiveness than in previous seasons under his leadership. The victory marked a reversal from last season, when the Irish lost multiple games in similar late-game scenarios.

High Point University, which won 31 games last season, opened its schedule with a 72-57 victory over Liberty. The Panthers knocked out Wisconsin in the first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament before falling to Arkansas in the second round. Head coach Flynn Clayman lost key players, including guard Rob Martin, but reloaded the roster.

The team features South Florida transfer CJ Brown, Tulane transfer Curtis Williams Jr., freshman Trey Pearson, and returnee Conrad Martinez. Cam'Ron Fletcher, the 2026 Big South Preseason Player of the Year, recorded eight points and seven rebounds. The win came without Monmouth transfer Jason Rivera-Torres, a preseason All-Big South selection. The roster presents a depth level that can compete for a Big South championship and poses a threat to power-conference opponents in March.

Two other mid-major programs show strong retention and offensive capability. Ryan Miller's team won a 30-point game against Tennessee State. Star sophomore Roman Domon finished with 22 points and five rebounds. Miller also retains France native Talis Soulhac and Auburn transfer Kaden Magwood. The squad includes international additions Pavle Nikolic and Mark Padjen.

Queens University defeated Winthrop 103-98 in a high-scoring contest. The Royals brought back three double-figure scorers, providing uncommon continuity for a mid-major tournament team. Jordan Watford recorded 26 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Watford is a 6-foot-5 point guard who averaged 19 points and six assists in the 2026 Atlantic Sun championship game.

The Queens roster includes Nasir Mann and Avantae Parker as additional scoring threats. The team plays at a fast pace and shoots three-pointers at a high rate. The offensive style relies on attack mode and downhill penetration, making the roster difficult to defend against when the ball moves quickly.