Today’s Games To Watch 12/17/11
By Jamal Murphy
This has been a slow week, as many schools are in their Finals week. Today, however, things pick up a bit.
Many of the top teams are back in action and some will even be playing against formidable competition. Let’s take a look at Saturday’s games to watch.
#17 Mississippi State (10-1) at Detroit (3-7) – 12 PM EST, FS Detroit
We haven’t really paid attention to the Bulldogs since they easily handled West Virginia on December 3rd, but we will be watching this one, as they embark on their first true road game of the season.
Detroit, many people’s (me included) choice to win the Horizon, got off to a horrible 1-6 start. However, they have looked better over the past three games.
This should be a decent test for Mississippi State.
Prediction: Mississippi State 73, Detroit 65
#20 Purdue (9-2) vs. Butler (3-6) – 2 PM EST, CBS
The Indiana rivals meet at Conseco Fieldhouse in what should be a gritty defensive battle.
Yes, we know this is not last year’s Butler team, but despite the Bulldogs’ current four-game losing streak, they have been competitive in most games and we also know that Brad Stevens’ teams have a tendency to improve as the season progresses.
Purdue has been solid at worst this season and have been paced by Robbie Hummel’s 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.
Prediction: Purdue 68, Butler 61
#9 Baylor (8-0) at BYU (7-2) 2 PM EST
Baylor has looked impressive so far this season. The problem is they haven’t really played anybody. Not that that will change today, but a road game in Utah should provide the Bears with at least a mini-test.
BYU has been solid but not spectacular so far. They have handled the teams they should have, but were blown out by their stiffest competition, vs. Wisconsin.
Prediction: Baylor 84, BYU 72
Texas A&M (8-1) at #13 Florida (7-2) – 230 PM EST, CSN
In the Aggies’ only other game of significance, they were thoroughly handled by an SEC team (Mississippi State) in New York. They get a chance for redemption today when they face off versus the Gators in the Orange Bowl Classic in Florida.
Florida has the look of a second tier squad, as they struggled to compete in road games versus top 5 Syracuse and Ohio State.
Prediction: Florida 82, Texas A&M 71
Temple (6-2) at Texas (8-2) – 230 PM EST, ESPN2
The Owls have been better than you think, having lost only to Purdue in San Juan and a slip up at Bowling Green.
Texas is probably worse than you think, as they have leaned on a very light schedule and still have two losses.
Prediction: Temple 79, Texas 71
#32 Memphis (5-3) at #6 Louisville (9-0) – 4 PM EST, CBS
After a home loss to a good Murray State team, it’s hard to imagine the Tigers following that up with a road win over an even better squad. But, Memphis does have the talent to make anything happen.
Louisville has yet to put it all together, but has handled all comers, mostly at home.
Prediction: Louisville 80, Memphis 74
Arizona (7-3) at Gonzaga (6-2) – 4 PM, EST, CBS
This one is a nice west coast, which-one-of-these-teams-is-for-real match-up.
Zona hasn’t really beaten anybody. The same can be said of Gonzaga. Both teams have coaching and talent, though.
Prediction: Arizona 71, Gonzaga 69
Mississippi (9-1) at Southern Miss (6-2) – 430 PM EST, MSG+
This is an early barometer match-up for these two teams. We have no idea whether either is any good, but both have the potential to be. Both teams have performed reasonably well versus average-at-best schedules.
Prediction: Mississippi 75, Southern Miss 72
#20 Indiana (9-0) vs. Notre Dame (7-4) – 430 PM EST, ESPN2
In another all Indiana match-up at Conseco Fieldhouse, we have two teams seemingly moving in different directions.
Indiana is coming off a momentous victory over Kentucky, while Mike Brey and the Irish are just trying to steady the ship, after losing to every decent team on their schedule so far.
Prediction: Indiana 83, Notre Dame 75
UNLV (8-2) at #26 Illinois (10-0) – 5 PM EST, BTN
UNLV tested themselves at Wisconsin last Saturday and failed pretty miserably. Today, they visit another Big Ten opponent, this time in the United Center.
The undefeated Illini get the slight edge here in their home state, but this looks like an even match-up on paper.
Prediction: Illinois 80, UNLV 78
Old Dominion (5-4) at UCF (6-2) – 5 PM EST
This is really just a contender/pretender game for UCF. Are they a true NCAA Tournament at-large threat or will they belong squarely in the NIT? This game could be a major indicator.
ODU is no slouch, ask Kentucky, who worked hard for a victory over the Monarchs last month.
Prediction: UCF 66, ODU 64
Indiana State (6-2) at #19 Vanderbilt (6-3) – 530 PM EST, YES
Vandy just needs to beat a solid team at home in order to quiet their naysayers, now that Festus Ezili is back and their excuses are gone.
The Sycamores are indeed solid, having lost only to Minnesota and at underrated Boise State.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 84, Indiana State 77
#1 Syracuse (10-0) at NC State (6-3) – 630 PM EST, ESPN2
The Orangemen finally, finally, finally leave New York and will be in Raleigh tonight to face a decent NC State team.
Mark Gottfried has the Wolfpack much improved, especially defensively. The Cuse is great at keeping games with inferior competition close, but the Orange should still be too tough for NC State, no matter where they play.
Prediction: Syracuse 81, NC State 72
Villanova (6-4) at St. Joseph’s (7-3) – 8 PM EST, CBS Sports Net
Surprisingly, at this point in the season, I’m not sure who the better team is between these two. If I had to guess, I’d go with the Hawks, they have just shown me more.
It has been struggle city for Nova thus far. But, of course, we throw out the records when these two Big 5 schools get together.
Prediction: St. Joseph’s 78, Villanova 74
#22 Alabama (8-2) vs. Kansas State (6-1) – 10 PM EST, ESPNU
After two straight losses, Bama may have gotten back on track with a home win versus Detroit last Sunday. Now they travel to Kansas City to face a hard-nosed K State team in what is ostensibly a road game for the Crimson Tide.
K State has exceeded early expectations so far, but this will be their toughest test to date. The two head coaches are great friends, so this should be a love fest on the sideline and a bloodbath between the lines.
Prediction: Alabama 68, Kansas State 64
New Mexico (6-2) at Oklahoma State (5-3) – 1030 PM EST, ESPN2
Interesting match-up here, as the team that many thought would seriously challenge for the Mountain West title, but has struggled early, faces a popular sleeper pick coming out of the Big 12.
The Cowboys seem to be making small strides towards becoming a threat in their league. A win tonight for the Lobos would be a similar stride for New Mexico.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 71, New Mexico 67
What are your thoughts on today’s games?
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