6:30 pm: Wisconsin @ Michigan State: This is a big game for these two clubs, mostly because we get a chance to really gauge how good they are. The Spartans brought back a lot of talent from last year's club, but it seems that the two seniors that graduated (Travis Walton and Goran Suton) left Izzo's club devoid of leadership. Kalin Lucas has stepped up, averaging 18.5 ppg in the two games since he was benched/kicked out of practice/punished/whatever you want to call it. The Badgers weren't expected to do much this season, but they have beaten Duke and Ohio State (albeit without The Villain Evan Turner). The problem? Both of those wins came at the Kohl Center. Can Wisconsin win on the road (they lost at Wisconsin-Green Bay)? Can Michigan State beat a good team that executes well and plays fundamental defense?
7:00 pm: Memphis @ Syracuse: This may be the perfect bounce back game for Syracuse. Memphis is a team that doesn't have great size on the interior and struggles to shoot the three and run half court offense. They also play tough defensively. Wait, doesn't that sound like Pitt? Regardless, the Orange, and their fans, could use the confidence boost that comes from beating the Tigers, and as long as they are hitting open jumpers and getting to open shooters, that should happen.
7:00 pm: Charlotte @ Tennessee: The Vols will be taking the floor for the first time since losing four players to suspension earlier this week. How will they play without them? There is still a lot of weapons talent on this roster, but there is no way to argue that losing four rotation guys isn't going to hurt.
8:00 pm: Cornell @ Kansas: The Big Red are good this season. They have an excellent point guard in Louis Dale, a seven footer in the middle in Jeff Foote, and a stud scorer with Ryan Wittman. But this is Kansas, and if their game against Temple told us anything, Kansas is really good this year (well, we actually already knew that, but whatever). Cornell simply doesn't have the depth or the athletes to hang with the Jayhawks, but if Wittman and company get hot this team can put up points. Stranger things have happened.
8:00 pm: Georgetown @ Marquette: Marquette is the hard luck loser of the season early on. They have five losses by a combined 17 points, and the last two of those losses came via the late game heroics of Da'Sean Butler and Scottie Reynolds. I like Marquette to win this. Georgetown is not a great rebounding team, and neither Greg Monroe or Julian Vaughn are overpowering in the low post. That sort of neutralizes the Golden Eagles biggest flaw. If Marquette can create, and capitalize on, open looks by penetrating gaps in the Hoyas defense, they can win this game.
8:05 pm: Wichita State @ Missouri State: The Valley is very good this season, but they might be too balanced. Northern Iowa, in my opinion, is clearly the best team in the league, but after that there are about five or six teams capable of finishing in second place. Wichita State and Missouri State might be the best two teams out of that second group. As they both have fairly gaudy records at this stage of the season, if they can put together a nice run through conference play, an at-large bid is not out of the question.
8:30 pm: Indiana @ Ohio State: The Villain Evan Turner looks to be back for the Buckeyes! Just a month after fracturing two bones in his back, Turner has been cleared the OSU medical staff and pending approval from his mother, he should be in uniform. He may not start, but I expect to boost from having their star in uniform will be enough to carry the Buckeyes past Indiana.
9:00 pm: Duke vs. Iowa State: Duke has looked as good as anyone in the country, even the undefeated teams, early in the season. While Kyle Singler has not transitioned to the perimeter as well as many thought he would, the play of Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith in the back court has been nothing short of spectacular. Iowa State is good this season, as Marquis Gilstrap has teamed with Craig Brackins to form a nice 1-2 combo, but I'm not sure the Cyclones are going to have enough to handle a tough Duke team, even if this game is played in the United Center.
9:00 pm: Northern Iowa @ Southern Illinois: Northern Iowa was and has been the favorite in the Valley all season long, but Southern Illinois has adopted a faster style of play, and reaped the benefits. With Tony Freeman teaming up with Kevin Dillard, the Salukis may have enough to knock off the Panthers. If they do, all bets are off in this league.
10:30 pm: UNLV @ BYU: Once again, we get a sterling late-night matchup out in the MWC. BYU has been great this season, and Jimmer Fredette, he of the 49/7/9 game against Arizona, has been their best player. UNLV has a couple talented guards of their own, and a couple nice wins of their own. I think it is safe to say that both teams are largely unproved at this stage of the season, so it will be nice to get a gauge on how good they can be early in conference play. Expect a dandy in out in Provo.
Other notable games
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday's Pregame Beat |
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