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NCAA Basketball: 2019 Legends Classic preview and predictions

By Austin Walther

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Anfernee McLemore #24 and Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers react in the first half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Anfernee McLemore #24 and Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers react in the first half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Nate Reuvers #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers takes a shot against Paul White #13 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Nate Reuvers #35 of the Wisconsin Badgers takes a shot against Paul White #13 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Team Previews

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers had a rich tradition of making the NCAA Tournament dating back to the turn of the century. They got hit with reality when they missed it two seasons ago. But Greg Gard and company got the Badgers back last season. Ethan Happ was the real reason for that. He’s gone and Wisconsin is looking for their next big man to make that leap. Nate Reuvers has the game to be a big influence at the five. He can play inside and out. Which is nice when both starting guards, Brad Davison and D’Mitrik Trice can hit from anywhere on the court.

The first seven guys in the Badgers rotation can all hit from distance. Wisconsin went to overtime with what we thought at the time was a good Saint Mary’s team. It looked a little ugly against the mid-majors, but all the pieces came together vs. Marquette. The icing on the cake came against Green Bay right before the Legends Classic.

Richmond

Jacob Gilyard and Nick Sherod are the big reasons why I can see the Spiders being sneaky good in the Atlantic 10 this season. Gilyard has averaged double-figures since he arrived at Richmond. He was an All-Atlantic 10 selection a year ago when he averaged over 16 points, five assists and knocked down 74 triples. His points and assists have increased through three games in 2019. Sherod only played six games last year after having a very nice sophomore season. He’s back and healthy, averaging 22 points per game with 15 three-pointers.

The Spiders beat the favorite in the NEC St. Francis (PA) and a power-conference team. Even though Vanderbilt is one of the worst power-conference teams, it’s still nice to see for Richmond. They score a lot of points, but their defense needs to improve a bit if they want to win a game in the Legends Classic.

Auburn

Auburn lost its top-three leading scorers from last season’s Final Four team. But Bruce Pearl sure had a plan in place. Samir Doughty was ready to emerge as the Tigers’ next great knockdown shooter. Guys like Austin Wiley and Anfernee McLemore have played many different roles throughout their years with Auburn. Danjel Purifoy and J’Von McCormick both played under 15 minutes per game in the regular season but got great experience in the NCAA Tournament when Chuma Okeke got hurt.

Isaac Okoro is a top-50 recruit they brought in and once again the Tigers have a deep team. Davidson has been their toughest opponent this season. The Wildcats have the talent but are struggling early. Auburn hasn’t seen a power-conference opponent and will not unless they get matched up with Wisconsin in the Championship or consolation. But this team should be poised to win a pair at the Legends Classic.

New Mexico

New Mexico is an interesting team. Craig Neal could not sustain the success that Steve Alford had. Paul Weir is in his third season and has a talented bunch around him. The Lobos remember going to the NCAA Tournament in four out of five years under Alford so expectations are always a little higher than you would think. Weir has worked the quote on quote free agency of college basketball.

The Lobos have collected four former top-100 players. Carlton Bragg came over last season from Kansas. Vance Jackson was in New Mexico last season as well and he was originally a high recruit for UConn. JJ Caldwell is eligible now and was recruited by Texas A&M in 2017. JaQuan Lyle has had an interesting college career, originally played at Ohio State, but is now the leading scorer for New Mexico.

The talent is obviously there, but whether or not they can win games is another question. The Lobos beat three lower mid-majors but were held under 90 points for the first time in its loss to UTEP 66-63. New Mexico just squeaked by in-state rival New Mexico State, putting up 78, but giving up 77 with Lyle and Bragg leading the way.

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