Today’s Games To Watch 12/10/11
By Jamal Murphy
We have reached the 5th weekend of the college basketball season and, earlier than ever, we have a sense of who the contenders and pretenders are. While David Stern and the BCS threaten to make mockeries of their respective sports, NCAA men’s basketball has had quite an impressive opening month.
Ohio State, Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina and Connecticut have separated themselves as the most talented teams in the country. However, twenty-plus others have shown that, while not as talented, they have what it takes to play with any of the aforementioned squads and thus make a run when the best tournament in sports begins again in March.
This season’s schedule has given us more quality pre conference games than any season in recent memory. The fun continues Saturday. Let’s take a look at some games of note…
#19 Creighton (7-0) at St. Joseph’s (6-3) – 12 PM EST
Whatever happens here, I’m sure it will be exciting. Both teams are capable of filling it up. Undefeated Creighton, from the MVC, looks for another solid road victory on the strength of sophomore Doug McDermott (23.7ppg, 9rpg, 63%fg, 58%3pfg). If there’s a player having a better season than McDermott, I haven’t seen him.
St. Joe’s is a solid, if inconsistent squad, led by explosive junior Carl “Tay” Jones (18.3ppg). They will be looking to make up for an embarrassing loss to American last Sunday.
Prediction: Creighton 86, St. Joseph’s 80
Washington (4-3) vs. #10 Duke (8-1) – 12 PM EST, CBS
Washington plays their second straight game at Madison Square Garden and for the second straight time it will be a tough task for them to come out with a victory. However, the Huskies did look the best they have all season in Tuesday’s 2-point loss to #11 Marquette.
Duke is coming off an easy home victory over Colorado State and will look to continue the positive momentum against the young but talented Washington squad. Duke’s frontline should be too much for the Huskies, but the backcourt talent on both teams should keep things entertaining.
Prediction: Duke 82, Washington 70
Cincinnati (5-2) at #7 Xavier (7-0) – 1230 PM EST, ESPN2
It’s Crosstown Shootout time, as these two hated rivals get together at Xavier this year. I know the cliché is “you can throw out all the numbers and records when these two schools go at it,” but I just can’t get myself to do that.
Xavier has been impressive in many ways early this season, particularly in the way of toughness and finding a way to win versus good competition. They’ve taken care of business at Vanderbilt, against Purdue and at Butler in their last three games, of course led by one of the best backcourts in the nation.
Cincinnati has not been so impressive. They have not played the schedule Xavier has, but has two losses to show for it. It will be a brawl, but the better team will likely prevail.
Prediction: Xavier 73, Cincinnati 64
#29 UNLV (7-1) at #20 Wisconsin (7-2) – 2 PM EST, BTN
There’s a bit of a difference between Vegas and Madison, Wisconsin and that difference should play out on the court today. The high scoring Rebels face the rough and rugged Badgers and it will be a solid test for both teams.
An athletic UNLV squad will attempt to push the pace against the plodding Badgers. Wisconsin still has to show that they have enough athletes to deal with a team such as UNLV. But it’s hard to believe that Bo Ryan’s guys won’t be able to dictate tempo and make this their kind of game.
UNLV is coming off a blowout loss at Wichita State and it looks as if they are headed for a two-game losing streak.
Prediction: Wisconsin 67, UNLV62
Oklahoma State (5-2) vs. #15 Pittsburgh (8-1) – 230 PM EST, ESPN2
The Cowboys showed some nice signs of life Wednesday, with a win at Missouri State. Le’Bryan Nash was impressive. But, it will be a different sort of test for Ok St. vs. Pittsburgh today.
The Panthers are playing their third game without starting point guard Tray Woodall, but something tells me they will be able to hold things together in his absence.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 71, Oklahoma State 66
#1 Ohio State (8-0) at #13 Kansas (6-2) – 315 PM EST, ESPN
Bill Self has gotten the most out of this Kansas squad so far this season. You would figure a #13 ranking is pretty close to their ceiling. The Buckeyes, however, may not have a ceiling.
This will be Ohio State’s first road test and Allen Fieldhouse is not the most ideal setting to take a big test. Thad Motta & co. should be up to it, though. Whether or not Jared Sullinger plays, the Buckeyes should have enough to leave Lawrence with a win. But, it sure would be nice to see Thomas Robinson and Sullinger go head to head.
Prediction: Ohio State 79, Kansas 74
Villanova (5-3) at Temple (5-2) – 5 PM EST, ESPN2
This is an interesting game between the in-state rivals. Nova is in search of a quality win and so is Temple for that matter. Whether the winner of this game will be credited with a quality win is a question that we may have to wait to answer.
Villanova is coming off a loss to Missouri at Madison Square Garden. Point guard Maalik Wayns has so far failed to be the leader the Wildcats need.
Temple has looked solid, but they remain an unknown commodity at this point. This game will likely be won in the backcourt.
Prediction: Temple 73, Villanova 67
#2 Kentucky (8-0) at Indiana (8-0) – 515 PM EST, ESPN
The team many consider to be the nation’s best will be tested tonight in what will be the Wildcats’ first true road game.
Tom Crean and Indiana have looked impressive this year, all be it against nowhere near the competition Kentucky will provide. But, with the home court advantage and against (yes I’ll say it again) a very young team, I sense that an upset is in the air.
Look for Indiana to stay close throughout and lean on their devoted home crowd for the strength to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Indiana 81, Kentucky 80
Long Beach State (3-4) at #4 North Carolina (7-2) – 7 PM EST
Don’t be fooled by the record, LBSU is a formidable opponent. Their excuse is that they have played one of the toughest schedules in the country. They have been in the game in all of their losses and their signature win was at Pittsburgh.
However, North Carolina is capable of destroying formidable opponents, especially at home. The Tar Heels are likely still smarting from their narrow defeat at Kentucky and could care less who they take it out on.
Look for the 49ers’ Casper Ware to get his. Unfortunately, about four or five Tar Heels will get theirs too.
Prediction: North Carolina 87, Long Beach State 73
Miami (5-3) at West Virginia (5-2) – 7 PM EST, ESPN2
Huggy Bear seems to be rounding the Mountaineers into form. West Virginia got an impressive road win at Kansas State on Thursday, in their typical grind-it-out fashion.
Miami, on the other hand, has yet to put it together. It’s doubtful they will be able to do so in the unfriendly confines of Morgantown.
Prediction: West Virginia 68, Miami 60
#23 Michigan State (6-2) at #28 Gonzaga (5-1) – 9 PM EST, ESPN2
Michigan State has not lost since they visited Duke in mid November.
Gonzaga will seek revenge versus the Big 10 after their loss at Illinois last Saturday. It will be tough to get.
Prediction: Michigan State 70, Gonzaga 67
What are your thoughts on today’s games?
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