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| 24-HOUR MARATHON HIGHLIGHTS HOOPS WEEK
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November 15, 2010
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Daniel, SCS.com Staff Writer
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Contact Daniel
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 If a college basketball season begins and nobody’s around to see it, did it still happen?
This is a deeply philosophical question that I don’t expect an answer to. It’s also a question that every single college basketball writer and blogger has asked this weekend, so much that it’s gotten to the point where I’m sick of reading about it. We get it: the beginning of the college basketball season isn’t very exciting for most people. I’m the kind of guy that gets angry when I can’t find a stream for Weber State/Utah State and Detroit/New Mexico on channelsurfing.net, but I realize most sports fans have actual lives and don’t watch crappy internet feeds of basketball games during their spare time.
So I don’t mind that most people barely glanced at the scores from this weekend. That’s my job — to tell you which games you need to pay attention to. My job will be much easier this week, because college hoops will momentarily take center stage. On Tuesday, skip all your classes or take off work: it’s ESPN’s 24-hour college basketball marathon. And by the end of the week, a few pre-season tournaments will kick off, including the Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
24-HOUR MARATHON PREVIEW
It’s only fitting to begin with this special event on ESPN. Here’s a preview of every single game on the ESPN family of networks this Tuesday. Keep in mind, however, that Tuesday actually features several other enticing match-ups outside of the scheduled marathon. We’ll cover those later.
Miami at Memphis
Monday 11 p.m. ESPN
Poor Frank Haith. Nobody cares about watching his Miami team’s attempt to rebound from a disappointing 2009-10 campaign. We’re all watching this game—which technically begins Monday night if you’re outside of the Eastern time zone—to see Josh Pastner’s young studs at Memphis. McDonald’s All-American freshman Jelan Kendrick was dismissed this weekend, but he wasn’t the only big-time recruit for Pastner. Guards Joe Jackson and Will Barton are a part of this highly-touted class, along with forward Tarik Black and several others. There’s so many I can’t even name them all. Don’t forget Wesley Witherspoon and Angel Garcia return to provide some veteran balance.
Prediction: Memphis 78, Miami 62
St. John’s at St. Mary’s
Tuesday 1 a.m.
We’ll get our first look at Steve Lavin at St. John’s after the former ESPN broadcaster decided to return to coaching last spring. He’s got a senior-laden team led by D.J. Kennedy that will compete for an NCAA Tournament bid, but the Red Storm will be the underdog out West. St. Mary’s rarely gets on national television except for home games against Gonzaga, so it will be geared up for the spotlight—even if the game airs at 2 a.m. EST. Without Omar Samhan, the Gaels are shifting to a more guard-oriented approach with Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova.
Prediction: St. Mary’s 69, St. John’s 60
Central Michigan at Hawaii
Tuesday 3 a.m. ESPN
It’ll be the middle of the night everywhere else, but not in Hawaii, where freshman phenom Trey Zeigler will be on display. I think I’ll try to catch some sleep during this game, but if you’ve got sleep problems, stay tuned to ESPN for Zeigler. He spurned several high-major schools to play for his father, Ernie, at CMU.
Prediction: Central Michigan 70, Hawaii 62
Stony Brook at Monmouth
Tuesday 5 a.m. ESPN
Stony Brook is an America East contender, but I’m not sure they’ll be awake to play at 6 a.m. EST at Monmouth. Then again, I doubt Monmouth will be awake either. So we’ll just have to hope they serve bottomless coffee in the locker room.
Prediction: Stony Brook 62, Monmouth 60
Robert Morris at Kent State
Tuesday 7 a.m.
Robert Morris is adjusting to life without coach Mike Rice, who left for Rutgers. Kent State lost six players from last year’s divisional championship team and won two of three games at a tournament in Cleveland this weekend. The Golden Flashes beat Iona with two free throws in the final second on Friday, destroyed Bryant on Saturday and fell to host Cleveland State yesterday after leading early.
Prediction: Kent State 78, Robert Morris 69
Northeastern at Southern Illinois
Tuesday 9 a.m. ESPN
Chris Lowery’s program has fallen apart after he lost Kevin Dillard, Trevor Booker and others to transfers, but the coach is confident his new-look team will get back to the basics of Southern Illinois basketball: ferocious defense. That wasn’t apparent in a shellacking against Illinois this weekend, but there’s still time to turn it around.
Prediction: Northeastern 60, Southern Illinois 52
Oral Roberts at Tulsa
Tuesday 11 a.m.
Here’s a very underrated rivalry in the city of Tulsa. Both teams lost their openers, but Tulsa’s was worse. It lost at home to Appalachian State, while ORU fell on the road to MVC contender Missouri State after leading by nine at the half.
Prediction: Oral Roberts 73, Tulsa 72
La Salle at Baylor
Tuesday 1 p.m.
Lacedarius Dunn won’t be playing, but that doesn’t matter. The rest of the Baylor Bears will handle La Salle just fine at home. I’m eager to see Perry Jones, the freshman forward who’s got everyone in the Big 12 talking. But I also want to see the Bears’ point guard situation. Is A.J. Walton the answer, or will this team have issues at the point like Texas did last season?
Prediction: Baylor 83, La Salle 70
Virginia Tech at Kansas State
Tuesday 3 p.m.
Finally we get to the good stuff: a game that pits a team vying for ACC supremacy against the Big 12 favorite. Virginia Tech has been on the wrong side of the bubble lately, but it’ll have a chance to prove it belongs with Malcolm Delaney back to lead the way. Kansas State was picked to win the Big 12 by the coaches for the first time ever, mostly because of Jacob Pullen’s return. The All-American candidate will be forced to handle the ball more with Dennis Clemente gone, but the addition of Freddy Asprilla up front and the possible development of sophomore Wally Judge will make these Wildcats even better in 2010-11. Before you say VT can’t win in the “Octagon of Doom,” though, think back to last season. Iowa State won in Manhattan. So did Oklahoma State and Kansas. It’s a very intense environment and the students are outstanding—but for some reason, KSU isn’t invincible at Bramlage.
Prediction: Kansas State 78, Virginia Tech 72
Marist at Villanova
Tuesday 4:30 p.m. ESPNU
If you’re watching this game instead of Virginia Tech/KSU or Ohio State/Florida (which begins at 5), you’re an idiot. That is all.
Prediction: Villanova 86, Marist 62
Ohio State at Florida
Tuesday 5 p.m. ESPN
It’s the 2007 NCAA Championship all over again, except the two squads look completely different sans Greg Oden, Joakim Noah and the rest of the crews. Billy Donovan and Thad Matta are still there, though, and they’ve got their teams in position to make a run at a Final Four. Freshman center Jared Sullinger will face a stiff test against Florida, which is trying to prove that it’s worth the hype, despite the fact it lost in the first-round of the NCAAs last year after making two straight trips to the NIT.
Prediction: Ohio State 71, Florida 69
Butler at Louisville
Tuesday 7 p.m. ESPN
The KFC Yum! Center opens its glorious name in fashion Tuesday night, as Louisville will host national title runner-up Butler. When’s the last time a Big East school with two championships to its name was an underdog at home against a Horizon League team? Louisville’s an unknown this year, but it’s got some nice pieces, including developing big man Terrance Jennings. He’ll match-up against Butler’s Matt Howard, who’s embarking on his senior season.
Prediction: Butler 68, Louisville 62
South Carolina at Michigan State
Tuesday 9 p.m. ESPN
Michigan State won’t have any issues with Darrin Horn’s young team, still adjusting from the graduation of heart-and-soul guard Devan Downey. The Breslin Center will, as usual, be rocking for this national TV appearance.
Prediction: Michigan State 79, South Carolina 60
San Diego State at Gonzaga
Tuesday 10 p.m. ESPN2
This is the game of the day on ESPN’s marathon. Hands down, no question about it. It’s a top-25 battle that features as many as four NBA prospects, most notably Kahwi Leonard for the Aztecs and Elias Harris for the Zags. There aren’t many environments as hostile as Gonzaga’s, and this contest is the perfect cap to a perfect day of basketball.
Prediction: Gonzaga 71, San Diego State 70
TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS
2K Sports Classic: Maryland vs. Pittsburgh, Illinois vs. Texas
Maryland needed a game-winning shot by freshman Pe’Shon Howard to cap a comeback against Charleston at home. Charleston’s not a total pushover, but the competition stiffens dramatically with Pittsburgh, of course. I wouldn’t worry about Gary Williams’ team, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them upset Pitt. Considering the Panthers’ thin frontline due to injury, Jordan Williams may do some serious damage in the paint. In the second game on Thursday, two top-25 teams meet in a semi-final match-up. Illinois has a mix of young and old with senior Demetri McCamey showing the way for several freshmen and sophomore contributors, while Texas is initiating guard Cory Joseph and forward Tristan Thompson alongside a slew of veteran returners. Neither team had much trouble in the opening rounds of this tournament.
Puerto Rico Tip-Off (notable teams: North Carolina, Minnesota, Western Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, West Virginia)
The only interesting opening round game is Western Kentucky vs. Minnesota on Thursday night. WKU demolished St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia with an impressive 28-point win, and thanks to a strong freshman class it has more than enough talent to knock off Minnesota. Gun to my head, I’d pick UNC to win this tournament. But we haven’t seen enough of Harrison Barnes yet to truly evaluate North Carolina. We’ll see how he fares this weekend against some real competition.
Paradise Jam (notable teams: Xavier, Seton Hall, Iowa, Alabama, Saint Peters, Clemson, Long Beach State, Old Dominion)
How about this for an underrated tournament? Xavier is playing without injured Jamel McClean and lost Brad Redford for the entire season, but it’s still got a roster that can compete with Temple in the A-10. Seton Hall and Clemson are both breaking in new coaches and have NCAA tourney potential, and Old Dominion could certainly return to the NCAAs after making the second round last year. Alabama and Iowa aren’t strong, but Saint Peters and Long Beach State are at least contenders in their respective conferences.
Puerto Rico Tip-Off (notable teams: North Carolina, Minnesota, Western Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Nebraska, West Virginia)
The only interesting opening round game is Western Kentucky vs. Minnesota on Thursday night. WKU demolished St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia with an impressive 28-point win, and thanks to a strong freshman class it has more than enough talent to knock off Minnesota. Gun to my head, I’d pick UNC to win this tournament. But we haven’t seen enough of Harrison Barnes yet to truly evaluate North Carolina. We’ll see how he fares this weekend against some real competition.
Charleston Classic (notable teams: Georgetown, Wofford, N.C. State, George Mason, Charlotte)
This isn’t the most intriguing tournament, but it may produce an intriguing game if Georgetown and N.C. State meet. The Hoyas have the experience at the guard position to win this tournament, but Sidney Lowe has a three-man freshman class that’s making waves around the nation. We’ll see how good those freshmen are alongside senior leader Tracy Smith.
OTHER GAMES OF NOTE
Colorado at Georgia
Tuesday 6 p.m.
It’s everyone’s favorite sleeper picks on the same court! Both Colorado and Georgia are expected to make serious strides this year thanks to the return of star players with NBA aspirations. I’m not sure who’ll win this game, but all I know is that Colorado stormed the field after beating Georgia in football. Will the Bulldogs return the favor in basketball?
Prediction: Colorado 73, Georgia 69
Arizona State at New Mexico
Tuesday 8 p.m.
ASU thinks it’s a contender in the Pac-10 this year, so why not prove it by beating New Mexico at the Pit? This isn’t the same team for Steve Alford as 09-10, but the arrival of Emmanuel Negedu should help the Lobos get back to the NCAAs.
Prediction: New Mexico 80, Arizona State 77
Utah State at BYU
Wednesday 8 p.m.
Utah State rarely loses at home, so it was a surprise to see a feisty Weber State team up by seven points at the half this weekend. USU stormed back, of course, and grabbed the victory, but now it’ll hit the road for the basketball version of the Holy War.
Prediction: BYU 72, Utah State 71
North Texas at Kansas
Friday 7 p.m.
This game likely won’t be close at Allen Fieldhouse. But take a look at North Texas’ squad. It’s a team that returns four starters after making the NCAA Tournament as a 15-seed, including three seniors that could potentially win Sun Belt Player of the Year. Cornell had a very similar makeup last year and nearly knocked off KU in Lawrence. North Texas has a very, very, very slim chance… but this game at least is one to keep an eye on.
Prediction: Kansas 80, North Texas 70
Creighton at Iowa State
Sunday 2 p.m.
It’s interesting that Creighton coach Greg McDermott is heading to Ames to face the team he coached for the last four years. And it’s even more interesting that McDermott’s new team in the Missouri Valley is significantly better than the team he left in the Big 12.
Prediction: Creighton 76, Iowa State 70
Last week’s prediction record: 12-1
What can I say—I’m on fire to start the year. I whiffed on my Old Dominion pick over Georgetown, but nailed the Princeton win over Rutgers, of course.
Overall prediction record: 12-1
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