NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 matchups for 2022 Gavitt Tipoff Games
2. Indiana at Xavier
New head coach Sean Miller takes over an interesting roster that has NCAA Tournament, led by the frontcourt duo of Zach Freemantle and Jack Nunge. If transfer Souley Boum and Colby Jones have big years in the backcourt, then Xavier could out-perform expectations.
Indiana doesn’t have much new going on with its program, bringing back star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis and several other key players like Xavier Johnson and Race Thompson. They’re the current projected preseason favorite in the Big Ten, which presents a massive opportunity for the Musketeers to get a resume-building win. The frontcourt battles alone will make this an exciting matchup.
1. Villanova at Michigan State
The Gavitt Games may have missed out on a few potential good matchups for next season but having two big names such as Villanova and Michigan State automatically makes it the headlining event. With Hall of Fame head coach Jay Wright around, new head coach Kyle Neptune taking over is a massive storyline and the team itself has top-10 potential, especially if incoming five-star freshman Cam Whitmore has a major early impact.
Next. Ranking the ACC/Big Ten matchups. dark
The Spartans lost its top three scorers but returns most of its rotation, including guards Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. They’re good enough to make the NCAA Tournament but they also have a brutal non-conference schedule and will need a big win or two. Will it be against the Wildcats in this event? The stakes will be there for this matchup.