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NCAA Basketball Roundtable: Champions Classic recap, upsets, and mid-majors

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 12, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to a call against the Tarleton State Texans during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts to a call against the Tarleton State Texans during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Virginia Tech Hokies Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Virginia Tech Hokies Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Which non-conference tournament/event are you most looking forward to?

Watson

The ESPN Events Invitational (Nov. 25-28). This tournament features two of the top 10 teams in the sport in my opinion in Kansas and Alabama but also had a deep core of dangerous mid-major teams with Belmont, Iona, Dayton, and even North Texas. We will either see elite teams flex their muscles or some mid-major upsets—preferably both.

Melton

It’s probably the popular choice, but the Maui Invitational. We will see many intriguing matchups, as well as a potential Houston/Oregon final.

Zacher

Battle 4 Atlantis, understandably, probably has the most headliners – all eight teams are household programs at this point, and I legitimately cannot point out one specific team and feel confident saying, “this team will win this tournament.”

But I’m actually going to go with the NIT Season Tip-Off, which isn’t until Nov. 24th and 26th and features a few intriguing power conference schools that could be potential March Madness sleepers.  Memphis is the obvious headliner, already nationally ranked and sporting two of the best freshmen in the country – but then there’s a Virginia Tech team who is right on the fringe of being ranked, a Xavier squad that was slotted third in the Big East preseason poll, and an Iowa State crew that fell through the cracks because of offseason issues – but is coming off a solid 10-point win over Oregon State.

Memphis most likely wins this one, but they have to get through Virginia Tech first – and then, most likely, Xavier.  Those are two critical games for Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren to showcase themselves against legitimate talent – as well as being legitimate opportunities for either Virginia Tech or Xavier (or even Iowa State) to snag significant victories.

Rosenberg

I may be a bit biased here but I’m most excited for the Jacksonville Classic. I’m looking forward to seeing how Mizzou, with their fresh faces, will be able to contend with really good competition like Florida State.

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