NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 matchups for 2021 Gavitt Tip-off Games
6. Illinois at Marquette
Both teams had a ton of turnover this offseason, both on the roster and the coaching staff. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood not only had to replace all three main assistants but stars Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn are gone, which can’t be replaced. Rising sophomore point guard Andre Curbelo and Utah transfer Alfonso Plummer leads a talented backcourt, while Florida transfer Omar Payne will have an opportunity to take the reins of the frontcourt.
Marquette has a new head coach in Shaka Smart and a completely revamped backcourt, with DJ Carton and Kobe McEwen gone and replaced by Tyler Kolek and top-100 freshamn Stevie Mitchell. But the frontcourt has few questions, with leading scorer and rebounder Dawson Garcia coming back, joined by Oklahoma shot-blocking transfer Kur Kuath.
This will be a game of opposite strengths, as Illinois has the better backcourt and Marquette has the better frontcourt. But between the two potential weaknesses, the Golden Eagles guards have a lot more to prove right now.
Prediction: Illinois
5. Creighton at Nebraska
Both teams have quality recruiting classes coming in, with five-star Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens leading the way. He and starting guard Trey McGowens and Dalano Banton (if he returns from the NBA Draft) forms a better backcourt compared to last year, while top-100 freshman big man Wilhelm Breidenbach will look to have a big impact inside.
Creighton won’t have a single returning starter from last season’s Sweet 16 team but does have a top-5 overall class, led by forward Arthur Kaluma and point guard Ryan Nembhard. Former D-II star Ryan Hawkins and McNeese State transfer KeyShawn Feazell adds to the frontcourt but the overall lack of experience at the power conference level may be an issue.
The rivalry aspect of this game wil make it automatically interesting, depsite neither team being projected as an NCAA Tournament team. Both are young overall but the Cornhuskers have more proven talent on paper. And with the game being at home, I would give them a slight edge.