Know why they call it Feast Week on ESPN? Because it's Thanksgiving, that's why. But it's also because this week's chock full of great matchups. Let's check the slate:
Conference Tournaments:
Maui Invitational (Nov 24-26)
Teams to Watch: Texas, ND, UNC, Oregon, Alabama
Simply put, this tournament is loaded. 3 Top 10 teams, a bunch of team's looking for good wins to add to their tournament resumes, and Chaminade. Poor Chaminade... I really do feel bad for them. Anyway, there's all kinds of good potential matchups here
My pick: UNC. Can't really pick against the sure #1 team, with Hansbrough now back. Watch for Texas and ND to give them games though, especially Texas, who I think matches up fairly well against the Tar Heels and has athletic scorers to keep up with UNC's pace.
Old Spice Classic (Nov 27-30)
Teams to Watch: Tennessee, Georgetown, Michigan State, Gonzaga
And if you thought the Maui Invitational couldn't be topped, here's 2 more top 10 teams and a top 15 team in the Vols. And that's not even including power conference teams like Oklahoma St and Maryland who are looking for good out of conference wins and a very good small conference team, Siena.
My pick: Gonzaga. This tournament is more wide open than Maui, and I could go in a few directions on this one. Tennessee's looked very impressive thus far, even though they haven't really played anyone of note. Michigan State's a sexy pick, and Georgetown could give teams some issues if their young guys step up early and contribute. But my choice is the Zags. The experience, combined with Heytvelt and Daye in the post, will be sufficient to take down Michigan State in the semis and to slow down the Vols in the finals.
Anaheim Classic (Nov. 27-30)
Teams to Watch: St. Mary's, Wake Forest, Arizona St., Baylor If it wasn't for the Maui and Old Spice tournaments, this would be the highlight tournament of the week (geez, good thing I have nothing to do over Thanksgiving Break but watch college basketball!). This should be the most wide open of the three tournaments, with no clear cut favorite and plenty of small teams like UTEP and Providence that will be looking for upsets. Nobody's safe here
My pick: St. Mary's. Wake is athletically loaded but I don't think they'll win their first neutral site game vs. a good opponent (St. Mary's). If Arizona St. and Baylor advance that's going to be a very intriguing game... both teams returned plenty of starters from last year. I would say Arizona St.'s the favorite, but other than Harden, that team hasn't looked all that good this year. I'm going with Baylor and their set of guards in that game. In the final, look for Patrick Mills to take over and lead St. Mary's to the title.
Monday, Nov 24th
Paradise Jam Final:
UConn v. Wisconsin - A lot of people are saying this is a potential upset game for Wisconsin. And as much as I want to say that's silly, Wisconsin won both of their games in this tournament playing a slow, methodical pace and tough defense. That style could give UConn plenty of problems. However, I think there's too much size in the post for Wisconsin to handle with both Thabeet and Adrien, and I think UConn could easily dictate the tempo as well (and if this gets into a shootout, Wisconsin's done). I think it'll be close for a while but UConn will pull away late and win the tournament.
Consolation game:
Miami (Fl) v. San Diego - Okay, I'm going to keep pushing the Toreros for a tournament bid, but if they don't get some quality wins soon, I'm not going to have a choice. San Diego... back up my preseason hype... please
Maui Invitational First Round: St. Joseph's v. Texas - Trap game for the Longhorns. St. Joseph's isn't a great team, but they will be dangerous if Texas doesn't come to play. Oregon v. Alabama - A couple of potential bubble teams come March
CBE Classic Semifinals:
Kansas v. Washington - Much was expected of this Huskies team... then they fell on their face vs. Portland in their first game. Still plenty of time to make it up though... beating KU on a neutral court would certainly help
Syracuse v. Florida - Syracuse started out slow vs. Richmond but put them away in the end. Florida's won all three of their warm-up games. Both these teams are young and have something to prove this year. The hungrier team should win this one
Tuesday, Nov. 25th
CBE Classic Championship: Preview coming Monday night!
Maui Semifinals: Potential Matchups: Texas v. ND, UNC v. Alabama
Texas vs. Notre Dame should be very entertaining, as there will be all kinds of talent and hopefully lots of threes with McAlarney and Abrams on the court. Texas has more talent and depth, though, so I'm going with the Longhorns. Meanwhile, UNC gets another game against a mid-level SEC opponent
Wednesday, Nov. 26th
Maui Championship: Preview coming Tuesday night!
NIT Tip-Off Semifinals:
Purdue v. Boston College - This is a game my Boilers should win. Tyrese Rice will be difficult to stop but Purdue's never been one to let one guy beat them offensively, especially a guard. This is a young Boston College team that can be slowed down offensively, as St. Louis showed (BC lost to them 53-50) and I have no doubt Purdue's defense and variety of options offensively should get us the win.
UAB v. Oklahoma. A lot of people I've talked to are giving this game to Oklahoma. My thoughts? Hold up a second... UAB has a trio of guys averaging over 15 points a game: Robert Vaden, one of the best guards last year in the C-USA (and yes, I understand CDR and Rose were in that conference last year), Paul Delaney III, and Lawrence Kinnard, who has given the Blazers a much needed presence in the frontcourt. If OU's perimeter is unable to stop UAB's guard attack, Blake Griffin may not be able to win this one on their own. This is a real test for Oklahoma's perimeter.
Thursday Nov. 27th - Happy Thanksgiving!!
Old Spice Classic:
Tennessee v. Siena - Wait, isn't that the team that won the MAAC last year? The one that went to the Sweet 16? Oh... this may not be a lock game for the Vols after all...
Wichita State v. Georgetown - If G-Town seriously misses Wallace, Hibbert, and Ewing III, this tournament is the place they'll feel that the most.
Maryland v. Michigan State - Once again, no guarantees with this Michigan State team, and Maryland will be hungry to prove they belong in the ACC.
Oklahoma St. v. Gonzaga - Oklahoma State has a real shot at an at-large bid this season. A neutral site win over the Zags would look really, really good on that tournament resume.
Anaheim Classic:
Providence v. Baylor - If Providence is going to have any hope at getting an at-large bid, they need wins, and they need them now... mainly because they're going to be few and far between in the Big East schedule.
St. Mary's v. UTEP - Not going to be an easy game for the Gaels, but it shouldn't give them too many problems
Friday, Nov. 28th
NIT Tip-Off Final: Preview coming Thursday night!!
Old Spice Classic Semifinals
Projected Matchups: Tennessee v. Georgetown, Michigan St. v. Gonzaga
All likely ranked matchups if this is the semi-finals. It'll be interesting to see how the young Hoyas deal with the pressing, up-tempo Vols, while Michigan St. and Gonzaga is just oozing with talent and athleticism.
Anaheim Classic semifinals
Projected Matchups: St. Mary's v. Wake Forest, Arizona St. v. Baylor
Really, either of these matchups could go either way. Wake's got all the talent in the world but they haven't been tested yet. And I think the Pac-10 is wide open right now, but nobody on Arizona St. other than Harden wants to step up. They won't be able to slide past Baylor though.
Legends Classic Semifinals:
Washington State v. Mississippi State - a couple of teams that lost a lot of talent from last year but are well coached, disciplined, and will surprise some teams in conference games this year.
Texas Tech v. Pitt - I haven't heard a lot about Tech nationally (in basketball I mean) except for the 167 point performance they had earlier this season. They're 4-0 but haven't really been challenged yet this year. Neither has Pitt, but then again, Pitt's the better team. I expect Tech to give Pitt a fight but the more talented team should prevail... that and DeJuan Blair will probably have another beastly performance.
Saturday, Nov. 29th
Legends Classic final: Preview coming Friday night!!
Dayton v. Marquette - Easily the most intriguing game of the Top 25 matchups (except for the Legends Classic final). Marquette is good but still lacks an inside presence defensively. Enter 6-8 forward Chris Wright for Dayton, who probably would have led the Flyers to a tournament berth last year had he been healthy all season. With hin and guard Chris Johnson returning this year, expect a very competitive Dayton team that I think will give Marquette all they can handle.
Sunday, Nov. 30th
Cancun Challenge, Anaheim Classic, and Old Spice Classic Finals: Previews will be coming througout the week!!
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1 comment:
I continue to be impressed by your break downs. Very well done. This is one of my favorite weeks as well. the gonzaga-msu game might be a lot like the year they were both in maui, just a wonderful back and forth exciting game. I like both teams, so this early, I don't really care who wins it, as long as they both make it, which I think they will. ND-Texas, should be a good one. I know UAB is good, and they are a team that will be reckoned with in that conference this year, but I think OK can pull it out, I really like Blake Giffen, he is the best player in the nation, so far, and I just love to watch him play. any way.. next job, and enjoy this great week
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