9:30 pm: No. 6 Michigan State @ No. 1 Duke (ESPN): Clearly, this is the biggest game of the night. Why? Because Michigan State is the last ranked team on Duke's schedule. Sure, Duke can very easily get tripped up in ACC play. They play on the road against every ACC team with a shot at dancing with the exception of Clemson, and they still have Butler and Temple left on their non-conference slate. Remember how the 2009 UNC team started ACC play 1-2? Who knows what can happen in conference play. But if Duke wins tonight, expect the talk of an undefeated season for the Dukies to commence. You know we'll have a post ready to go.
The Rest of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
7:30 pm: No. 18 Purdue @ Virginia Tech (ESPN): Purdue has struggled a bit this season has they have searched for scoring outside of E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson. It came to a head on Saturday when the Boilermakers scored 14 first half points as the lost to Richmond. Now, Richmond may actually be a better team than Virginia Tech this season, but it terms of their roster makeup, the two are pretty similar -- they both rely heavily on the play of their star guard. In Tech's case, that is Malcolm Delaney. Anderson had 28 against Purdue. If Tech can find a way to match up with Johnson inside (like, for example, if Jeff Allen stays out of foul trouble) and Delaney has the kind of game we expect out of a player like Delaney, Purdue could be in trouble again.
7:15 pm: NC State @ Wisconsin (ESPN 2): Simply put, this game was a lot more intriguing before the Wolfpack lost Tracy Smith to injury. As good as CJ Leslie, Ryan Harrow, and Lorenzo Brown are, they are still just freshmen. And freshmen going up against a team like Wisconsin is less than ideal.
7:15 pm: Indiana @ Boston College (ESPNU): The issue plaguing the Eagles right now is the same one that any new head coach faces -- teaching a group of players he didn't recruit a new system while trying to win games. To their credit, it looks like the loss to Yale didn't put an end to BC's hopes this season. They've beaten Texas A&M and Cal since then. There is also some impressive talent in this game worth watching -- Reggie Jackson of BC and Indiana's trio of Verdell Jones, Christian Watford, and Mo Creek.
9:15 pm: Maryland @ Penn State (ESPN 2): The Terps seem to be flying a bit under the radar after losing two games in the Coaches vs. Cancer in New York, led by big man Jordan Williams. That said, the Nittany Lions have a star in Talor Battle. This game will come down to who can slow down the other team's star
Other Notable Games
10:30 pm: St. Mary's @ No. 19 San Diego State (The Mtn): The winner of this game might not just be the best team in California, but possibly on the West Coast. If you don't get the Mountain, you better hope a stream is available. (Ahem, that'd be me...)
No. 25 BYU @ Creighton: It is always tough to play at Creighton, which packs their house like its a high major program. This game will also be a good gauge for the Bluejays. Are they going to be able to compete for the MVC title?
7:00 pm: Richmond @ Old Dominion: One of the best mid-major games of the season, although I'm not sure the Spiders would appreciate being called mid-majors. Its an interesting contrast of styles, as the Spiders play a spread system, while ODU likes to bang inside and wins on their defense.
9:00 pm: Western Kentucky @ Vanderbilt: Vandy will get their first real test since an impressive performance out in Puerto Tico. The Hilltoppers aren't quite as impressive as they seemed in the first week or two of the season, but this is still a basketball team with high major talent.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday's Pregame Beat: And we wrap up the ACC/Big Ten Challenge |
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