NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest takeaways from opening day of 2020-21 season

5. Boogie Ellis had the best individual performance of the season

Memphis was able to take care of Saint Mary’s fairly easily, thanks in part to a career-high 24 points from Boogie Ellis off the bench. The former Duke commit struggled as a freshman last season and they brought in Virginia Tech transfer Landers Nolley this offseason to push him to the bench.

Yet I have a feeling that if Ellis continues to play at a high level, he’ll end up being the go-to player on offense. He has the potential so this result isn’t all too surprising. But if Memphis is to win the AAC title this year, they’ll need a consistent scoring threat on the perimeter. It’s early, but Ellis had entered the chat to be that guy.

6. Foster Loyer is the starting point guard for Michigan State

With Cassius Winston gone, there was a major question as to who should start at point. It was going to be either Loyer or Rocket Watts, with the junior ball-handler getting the nod in the team’s opener against Eastern Michigan. Loyer responded by leading all scorers with 20 points, making 6/10 (all of his shots) from three-point range. Watts scored two points on 1/6 shooting in 23 minutes off the bench.

We’ll certainly need more of a sample before anointing Loyer as the starting guard, particularly since he only had two assists. Aaron Henry had seven to lead the way, suggesting that it’ll be a group effort to pass the ball and not rely on one player to facilitate the offense. We’ll see soon if that’s a winning strategy for Michigan State.