As college basketball enters a busy tournament season, standout performances and emerging trends are capturing attention across the nation.

Northwestern's Nick Martinelli is making waves as a prolific scorer, averaging an impressive 24.6 points per game and leading the nation in shooting percentage on runners.

In a recent matchup, St. John's RJ Luis showcased his physical style of play, contributing significantly with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in an 85-71 victory over New Mexico.

Alabama's LaBaron Philon also made headlines despite a loss to Purdue, scoring 18 points and drawing comparisons to running back Jahmyr Gibbs for his agility and scoring prowess.

Purdue's Myles Colvin played a pivotal defensive role in that game, effectively limiting Alabama's Mark Sears and helping secure the win.

Meanwhile, Pitt's Damian Dunn has quickly established himself as a key player, averaging 15.2 points and delivering strong performances, including against West Virginia.

On the defensive end, Louisiana Tech's Kaden Cooper is emerging as a notable talent, showcasing impressive skills with multiple steals and blocks in early games this season.

Arizona State's 17-year-old freshman Jayden Quaintance is also making an impact defensively, averaging 3.4 blocks per game and significantly enhancing his team's defensive capabilities.

UNC's Drake Powell, while not putting up big offensive numbers, has drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan for his defensive prowess, highlighted by a standout block in a recent game.

Several college teams are excelling in both taking and defending against 3-point shots, with Illinois, DePaul, and UConn standing out in this aspect.

However, not all teams have had smooth sailing; a significant late-game clock error during the USC vs. California matchup affected USC's chances, resulting in their first loss of the season.