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Hard to believe we're a week and a half away from opening night. There are some really great games and other intriguing games when you dive deep into the schedule. I ranked the top 10 games on opening night:
1. #4 Duke vs. #2 Kentucky(Indianapolis, IN) – 9:30 – ESPN – It’s Duke/Kentucky no explanation needed.
2. #10 Michigan State vs. #1 Kansas(Indianapolis, IN) – 7:00 – ESPN – It’s Michigan State/KU again no explanation needed.
3. Florida at #17 Florida State – 9:00 – ESPN2 – Nice way to kick off the season with an in state rivalry game. FSU returns a lot from last years team that was a game away from making the Final Four. IF FSU gets good PG play, they could be right there knocking on the door of another FF. Florida might take a little bit of a step back this year with some of the personnel losses with Koulechov, Egbunu and Chiozza all graduating. They still have enough to make the tournament, but with the strength of the SEC, I think Florida is a bubble team most of the season, heading into selection Sunday.
4. Western Kentucky at #25 Washington – 10:30 – ESPNU – I have Western Kentucky pegged as the favorite in the C-USA. Washington returns a lot from a team last year that made the NIT. This is a good barometer for both teams. Western Kentucky is young, but extremely talented for a CUSA team. Washington has a lot of experience returning. This will be a really nice resume building win for whoever wins this game.
5. BYU at #7 Nevada – 11:00 – This should be somewhat of a test for a Nevada team that will be a team in transition with all the new pieces coming into the fold to join the Martin twins and Caroline. I said it early, but I really like this Nevada team to be a top 10 team all season long. They are really talented across the board. BYU will as usual be at worst a top 3 team in the WCC and potentially contend for 2nd place and a bid to the tournament. A win here would go a long way towards securing an at large.
5. #8 UNC at Wofford – 7:00 – ESPN2 – We all remember what happened last year when Wofford knocked off UNC in Chapel Hill. Wofford returns most of that team from last year, and this time UNC comes to town. Credit to UNC for scheduling a good mid major opponent on the road. Needless to say it doesn’t happen very often. This could also potentially be a trip up spot for UNC as they lose both Berry and Pinson, and will need to lean on some guys who are inexperienced.
7. UMBC at Marquette – 9:00 – This is on the list mostly due to what happened in the tournament last year with UMBC knocking off UVA. UMBC does have to replace their backcourt, so I’m not expecting to close of a game, but it will still be interesting to see the atmosphere/reception UMBC gets in this road game. Another reason I’m not expecting much of a game is because I think Marquette takes a big step up this season. I think by the end of the season Marquette will be a top 20 team if not better.
8. Rider at UCF – 7:00 – I have Rider pegged as my favorite in the MAAC heading into the season. They return their top 6 scorers and have Ahmad Gilbert, a transfer from Minnesota eligible this season to provide even more depth. UCF could be a potential champion in the AAC given what the Wichita State and Cincinnati have lost off of last years teams, respectively. It will be interesting to see how Rider will try and stop Tacko Fall, as they are extremely small.
9. FGCU at Illinois State – 9:00 – This is a match up of two teams that will be at the top of their respective leagues, if not win them. FGCU will be right there with Lipscomb as the favorites in the A-Sun. They have been the best program in the A-Sun going on the last 6 years. Illinois State has been an upper half MVC team for the last couple years and have some good returning talent in Yarbrough, Evans and Fayne. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Illinois State take the MVC from Loyola(Ch)
10. Grand Canyon at South Dakota State – 8:00 – This game rounds out the top 10. Not only does it feature one of the best players in the country in South Dakota State’s Mike Daum, it also features two teams that could potentially find themselves in the tournament at the end of the year. South Dakota State is the overwhelming favorite to win the Summit League this year, remains to be seen if they manage to avoid an upset in the league tournament. Grand Canyon will be right there with New Mexico State in the WAC. I’d lean slightly towards Grand Canyon winning the league with some of the losses New Mexico State will have to overcome, but they should be 1a and 1b in the WAC.
1. #4 Duke vs. #2 Kentucky(Indianapolis, IN) – 9:30 – ESPN – It’s Duke/Kentucky no explanation needed.
2. #10 Michigan State vs. #1 Kansas(Indianapolis, IN) – 7:00 – ESPN – It’s Michigan State/KU again no explanation needed.
3. Florida at #17 Florida State – 9:00 – ESPN2 – Nice way to kick off the season with an in state rivalry game. FSU returns a lot from last years team that was a game away from making the Final Four. IF FSU gets good PG play, they could be right there knocking on the door of another FF. Florida might take a little bit of a step back this year with some of the personnel losses with Koulechov, Egbunu and Chiozza all graduating. They still have enough to make the tournament, but with the strength of the SEC, I think Florida is a bubble team most of the season, heading into selection Sunday.
4. Western Kentucky at #25 Washington – 10:30 – ESPNU – I have Western Kentucky pegged as the favorite in the C-USA. Washington returns a lot from a team last year that made the NIT. This is a good barometer for both teams. Western Kentucky is young, but extremely talented for a CUSA team. Washington has a lot of experience returning. This will be a really nice resume building win for whoever wins this game.
5. BYU at #7 Nevada – 11:00 – This should be somewhat of a test for a Nevada team that will be a team in transition with all the new pieces coming into the fold to join the Martin twins and Caroline. I said it early, but I really like this Nevada team to be a top 10 team all season long. They are really talented across the board. BYU will as usual be at worst a top 3 team in the WCC and potentially contend for 2nd place and a bid to the tournament. A win here would go a long way towards securing an at large.
5. #8 UNC at Wofford – 7:00 – ESPN2 – We all remember what happened last year when Wofford knocked off UNC in Chapel Hill. Wofford returns most of that team from last year, and this time UNC comes to town. Credit to UNC for scheduling a good mid major opponent on the road. Needless to say it doesn’t happen very often. This could also potentially be a trip up spot for UNC as they lose both Berry and Pinson, and will need to lean on some guys who are inexperienced.
7. UMBC at Marquette – 9:00 – This is on the list mostly due to what happened in the tournament last year with UMBC knocking off UVA. UMBC does have to replace their backcourt, so I’m not expecting to close of a game, but it will still be interesting to see the atmosphere/reception UMBC gets in this road game. Another reason I’m not expecting much of a game is because I think Marquette takes a big step up this season. I think by the end of the season Marquette will be a top 20 team if not better.
8. Rider at UCF – 7:00 – I have Rider pegged as my favorite in the MAAC heading into the season. They return their top 6 scorers and have Ahmad Gilbert, a transfer from Minnesota eligible this season to provide even more depth. UCF could be a potential champion in the AAC given what the Wichita State and Cincinnati have lost off of last years teams, respectively. It will be interesting to see how Rider will try and stop Tacko Fall, as they are extremely small.
9. FGCU at Illinois State – 9:00 – This is a match up of two teams that will be at the top of their respective leagues, if not win them. FGCU will be right there with Lipscomb as the favorites in the A-Sun. They have been the best program in the A-Sun going on the last 6 years. Illinois State has been an upper half MVC team for the last couple years and have some good returning talent in Yarbrough, Evans and Fayne. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Illinois State take the MVC from Loyola(Ch)
10. Grand Canyon at South Dakota State – 8:00 – This game rounds out the top 10. Not only does it feature one of the best players in the country in South Dakota State’s Mike Daum, it also features two teams that could potentially find themselves in the tournament at the end of the year. South Dakota State is the overwhelming favorite to win the Summit League this year, remains to be seen if they manage to avoid an upset in the league tournament. Grand Canyon will be right there with New Mexico State in the WAC. I’d lean slightly towards Grand Canyon winning the league with some of the losses New Mexico State will have to overcome, but they should be 1a and 1b in the WAC.
