Buru battles Spartans, goes for 18 against No9 MSU

• ‍Anthony Dell’Orso’s Arizona role proves he’s NBA-ready as a shooting-driven rotation guard prospect‍
• David Patrick’s Aussie pipeline keeps delivering at LSU‍
• Every Australian in NCAAM basketball in 2025-26

Australian players featured across NCAA men’s basketball on December 21, 2025 (AEDT) led by Tuburu Naivalurua’s 18-point effort, Marshal Destremau’s double-double and strong contributions from Anthony Dell’Orso and Oscar Cluff.

🇦🇺 Arizona Wildcats 68, San Diego State Aztecs 45 (Final)

‍Senior guard Anthony Dell’Orso, from Melbourne, VIC, played a key perimeter role as Arizona delivered a convincing neutral-site win over San Diego State. Dell’Orso provided floor spacing and shot volume from deep, knocking down three triples and helping stretch the Aztecs’ defence as the Wildcats controlled the game through defensive pressure and disciplined execution. While his overall shooting was uneven, Dell’Orso’s willingness to fire from outside and stay engaged within Arizona’s offensive flow helped maintain momentum, particularly as the Wildcats built separation across the middle quarters.

Anthony Dell’Orso — Senior | Guard | 1.98 m | Melbourne, VIC

• Minutes: 20 │ Points: 10 │ Rebounds: 2 │ Assists: 2 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 3–11 (27.3%) │ 3PT: 3–8 (37.5%) │ FT: 1–2 (50.0%) │ Turnovers: 1 │ Fouls: 1

🇦🇺 Detroit Mercy Titans 91, Sacred Heart Pioneers 60 (Final)

‍Freshman center Xavier Istomin-Monroe, from Sydney, NSW, contributed solid interior minutes as Detroit Mercy cruised to a comfortable home win over Sacred Heart. The 7-foot-1 big man impacted the game on the glass, pulling down five rebounds in limited run, while providing size and physicality in the paint as the Titans built separation early and never looked back.

Xavier Istomin-Monroe — Freshman | Center | 2.16 m | Sydney, NSW

• Minutes: 13 │ Points: 3 │ Rebounds: 5 │ Assists: 1 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 1–4 (25.0%) │ 3PT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ FT: 1–2 (50.0%) │ Turnovers: 0 │ Fouls: 3

🇦🇺 Harvard Crimson 81, Holy Cross Crusaders 53 (Final)

‍Junior forward Luca Ace-Nasteski, from Manly, NSW, logged brief court time as Harvard secured a comfortable home win over Holy Cross. Ace-Nasteski appeared late as the Crimson rotated through the bench, gaining minutes in a game that was well in hand following a dominant team performance.

Luca Ace-Nasteski — Junior | Forward | 2.08 m | Manly, NSW

• Minutes: 4 │ Points: 0 │ Rebounds: 0 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 0–1 (0.0%) │ 3PT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ FT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ Turnovers: 0 │ Fouls: 0

🇦🇺 Mississippi State Bulldogs 71, Memphis Tigers 66 (Final)

‍Senior forward Achor Achor, from Melbourne, VIC, provided valuable bench production as Mississippi State edged Memphis in a tight home contest. In limited minutes, Achor was efficient around the rim and active on the glass, helping the Bulldogs steady key stretches with physical interior play as the game tightened late.

Achor Achor — Senior | Forward | 2.06 m | Melbourne, VIC

• Minutes: 10 │ Points: 8 │ Rebounds: 5 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 3–6 (50.0%) │ 3PT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ FT: 2–5 (40.0%) │ Turnovers: 0 │ Fouls: 3

🇦🇺 Ohio Bobcats 58, Bowling Green Falcons 68 (Final)

‍Freshman forward Kiir Kuany, from Melbourne, VIC, made a positive impact in limited minutes as Ohio fell at home to Bowling Green. Kuany was efficient when called upon, scoring on both of his attempts including a made three-pointer, while also contributing defensively with activity on the glass and a steal. His brief stint provided a spark despite the Bobcats being unable to close the gap late.

Kiir Kuany — Freshman | Forward | 2.06 m | Melbourne, VIC

• Minutes: 4 │ Points: 3 │ Rebounds: 2 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 1 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 1–1 (100.0%) │ 3PT: 1–1 (100.0%) │ FT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ Turnovers: 0 │ Fouls: 2

🇦🇺 Purdue Boilermakers 88, Auburn Tigers 60 (Final)

‍Senior centre Oscar Cluff, from the Sunshine Coast, QLD, played a steady interior role as Purdue delivered a commanding neutral-site win over 21st-ranked Auburn. Cluff anchored the paint defensively and controlled the glass in his minutes, helping the Boilermakers establish physical dominance and maintain control throughout a one-sided contest.

Oscar Cluff — Senior | Center | 2.11 m | Sunshine Coast, QLD

• Minutes: 22 │ Points: 6 │ Rebounds: 7 │ Assists: 1 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 3–6 (50.0%) │ 3PT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ FT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ Turnovers: 1 │ Fouls: 3

🇦🇺 Richmond Spiders 80, The Citadel Bulldogs 56 (Final)‍

Senior guard Will Johnston, from Sydney, NSW, logged solid rotation minutes as Richmond cruised to a comfortable home win over The Citadel. Johnston contributed as a secondary ball-handler and rebounder, helping maintain structure and tempo as the Spiders built separation and controlled the contest despite not recording a field-goal attempt.

Will Johnston — Senior | Guard | 1.91 m | Sydney, NSW

• Minutes: 20 │ Points: 0 │ Rebounds: 3 │ Assists: 3 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 0–0 (0.0%) │ 3PT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ FT: 0–0 (0.0%) │ Turnovers: 0 │ Fouls: 2

🇦🇺 Oakland Golden Grizzlies 70, Michigan State Spartans 79 (Final)‍

Senior forward Tuburu Naivalurua, from Sydney, NSW, delivered a standout performance despite Oakland falling to ninth-ranked Michigan State. Naivalurua was the Grizzlies’ offensive focal point, scoring efficiently at all three levels and carrying a heavy minutes load against high-major opposition. His shot-making, physical drives, and composure at the free-throw line kept Oakland competitive deep into the second half, while his defensive activity added resistance inside.

Tuburu Naivalurua — Senior | Forward | 2.03 m | Sydney, NSW

• Minutes: 32 │ Points: 18 │ Rebounds: 5 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 1 │ Blocks: 1 │ FG: 6–11 (54.5%) │ 3PT: 2–2 (100.0%) │ FT: 4–4 (100.0%) │ Turnovers: 1 │ Fouls: 4

Australian senior Nate Deer didn't play for Oakland today.

🇦🇺 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros 109, Cal Baptist Lancers 51 (Final)

‍Junior forward Marshal Destremau, from Perth, WA, delivered a strong all-around performance as UT Rio Grande Valley blew out Cal Baptist at home. Destremau was active on both ends, scoring efficiently, stepping out to hit a three, and dominating the glass. His physicality and energy helped the Vaqueros overwhelm the Lancers early and sustain pressure throughout a lopsided contest.

Marshal Destremau — Junior | Forward | 2.06 m | Perth, WA

• Minutes: 17 │ Points: 10 │ Rebounds: 10 │ Assists: 0 │ Steals: 0 │ Blocks: 0 │ FG: 3–7 (42.9%) │ 3PT: 1–3 (33.3%) │ FT: 3–4 (75.0%) │ Turnovers: 1 │ Fouls: 1

Monday, December 22, 2025

• Chattanooga vs 🇦🇺 Alabama A&M (Dec 22 – 9:00 AM) — Angok Anyang (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 Cal State Fullerton @ Oklahoma State (6:00 AM) — Bailey Nunn (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 Central Arkansas @ SMU (6:00 AM) — Harry Beauchamp (Fr), Truman Byrne (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Charleston @ Northern Kentucky (4:00 AM) — Will Mortimore (So)
• 🇦🇺 Charlotte vs UIC (6:00 AM) — Frank Oguche (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Colgate @ Florida (4:00 AM) — Ben Tweedy (So)
• 🇦🇺 Columbia @ California (9:00 AM) — Nicolo Romanelli (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 UConn @ DePaul (8:30 AM) — Jacob Furphy (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 East Texas A&M @ Texas A&M (8:00 AM) — Noah Pagotto (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 Evansville vs Drake (Dec 22 – 8:00 AM) — Riley Parker (Sr), Joshua Hughes (Jr), James O'Donnell (So), James Dyson Merwe (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Florida vs Colgate (4:00 AM) — Alex Condon (Jr), Alex Kovatchev (So)
• 🇦🇺 Incarnate Word vs Northern Arizona (7:00 AM) — Lewis Rowe (Sr)
• 🇦🇺 Idaho State vs UC Davis (10:00 AM)– Caleb Van De Griend (Sr), Lachlan Brewer (So)
• 🇦🇺 Loyola Maryland @ George Mason (6:00 AM) — Emmett Adair (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Manhattan vs Presbyterian (6:00 AM) — Fraser Roxburgh (So)
• 🇦🇺 Milwaukee @ Cleveland State (9:00 AM) — Ned Renfree (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 New Mexico State vs Sam Houston (8:00 AM) — Amarco Doyle (So)
• Charleston vs 🇦🇺 Northern Kentucky (Dec 22 – 4:00 AM) — Ethan Elliott (Fr)
• 🇦🇺 Oregon State @ Arizona State (7:00 AM) — Stephen Olowoniyi (Jr), Yaak Yaak (Jr)
• 🇦🇺 Pittsburgh vs Penn State (4:00 AM, BTN) — Roman Siulepa (Fr), Henry Lau (Fr)