2011 Big East/SEC Challenge Predictions: Night One

There are four games tonight that will open up the 2011 edition of the Big East/SEC Challenge (or SEC/Big East Invitational), which features every SEC team for the first time ever.

Plenty of outstanding games are on the slate for the next three days, so sit back and enjoy two of the best basketball conferences in the country going at it for college basketball supremacy.

We just showed you the schedule. Now let’s make some predictions for opening night.

• Providence (4-2) at South Carolina (2-4) – 7 PM ET, ESPNU

There’s no easy way to put this, but um, South Carolina is a bad basketball team. They are 2-4 with losses to Elon, Tennessee State, and USC (hey, the Trojans aren’t very good either). And as I said a little over a week ago, Darrin Horn‘s job is in serious jeopardy. Providence might be a little underrated, as they get plenty of scoring balance and a ton of minutes from Vincent Council, Gerard Coleman, Bryce Cotton, and LeDontae Henton. The Gamecocks need an inspired effort here. However, I don’t think it’s close.

Prediction: Providence 76, South Carolina 63

• St. John’s (4-3) at #1 Kentucky (6-0) – 7:30 PM ET, ESPN 2

The top-ranked team in the land hosts a St. John’s team that is struggling mightily from three and the foul line . The good thing about that in this case is that they probably won’t be shooting too many free throws in Rupp Arena. That’s not their only problem right now though, as they’re coming off of a 14-point loss to Northeastern and head coach Steve Lavin is still trying to get his strength back after prostate cancer surgery. Kentucky might be looking ahead to the showdown with North Carolina on Saturday, but it won’t matter in this particular situation. They’ll overwhelm the Red Storm in a rout.

Prediction: Kentucky 85, St. John’s 66

• Ole Miss (5-1) at Depaul (4-1) – 9 PM ET, ESPNU

Both of these teams are trying to boost up some wins in the non-conference, because once the conference season rolls around, they might find it to be a bit of a struggle. Ole Miss does have a decent win against Miami so that’s something. The Rebels have been solid on the glass to this point, while Depaul hasn’t been all that great in that department. And with the way Ole Miss has been shooting (40% from the floor, 20% from three, 58% from the line), there will be plenty of rebounds to be had. I really like what Oliver Purnell is doing with this team though. They win a tight one.

Prediction: Depaul 65, Ole Miss 63

• Georgetown (5-1) at #12 Alabama (7-0) – 9:30 PM ET, ESPN 2

Now this, folks…..this will be a game. Alabama has just been fantastic this season defensively, and they’ll need to be tonight against a Georgetown team that’s finding a lot of different ways to score. With the way these two teams play, scoring might be at a premium. Both teams front a three-headed monster, with JaMychal Green, Tony Mitchell, and Trevor Releford being who we thought they could be early in the season, while the Jason Clark, Hollis Thompson, and Henry Sims trio for Georgetown has caught plenty of people off-guard. Again, this is going to be a fun game to watch. And although the Hoyas have looked very good, Alabama has looked great.

Prediction: Alabama 67, Georgetown 60

What are your thoughts on tonight’s games in the SEC/Big East Invitational?

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