Around the Country

So here it is folks, the college basketball season is finally upon us. This year is set to be exciting, especially with many marquee matchups coming up in the next week in the Big Ten and all around the country. I look forward to an exciting basketball season, not just in Bloomington, but all around the nation. There are so many teams this year that could win the title which is why I love college basketball. Even though the parity may not be as widespread as normal, there is a good chunk of what I’d call “elite” teams. Kentucky is obviously the favorite, but it is difficult to get that many good players to play together at all times. Inexperience could come into play as well, whereas Michigan State and Louisville, numbers two and three respectively, have plenty of experienced veterans on their rosters. Other teams in the “elite” category include Duke and Kansas, with highly ranked freshmen, and Oklahoma State with the return of Marcus Smart. This time of the year is great, but it only gets better as the year goes on. Once March rolls around, we are hoping for good results and hoping that the Big Ten is still regarded as the nation’s most elite conference. This year’s Indiana Hoosiers prepare for battle tonight as they go into a season where no one knows what the expectations should be. They are young, but they are talented. Just like a lot of other teams around the country.

Around the Country:

There are certain teams that we need to look out for, specifically in the states of Michigan and Kentucky. The Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals are two of the top three teams in the nation and Kentucky will face a tough test early on. Michigan State is their foe in that contest (see below), returning many key players, just like the Michigan Wolverines. There is quality basketball coming up in the Hoosier state, but also in the states surrounding. It’s a really good week for some televised college basketball, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Here are the games to look out for in the upcoming week (all times Eastern):

(18) University of Connecticut vs. University of Maryland

Date and Time: November 8 @ 6:30 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN2

Preview: The Connecticut Huskies come into this season hoping to go back to the NCAA tournament after a couple of years off due to NCAA sanctions for poor APR. Coach Kevin Ollie enters his second season after taking over after the retirement of legend Jim Calhoun. With a backcourt of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatwright, they shouldn’t have any trouble competing with Louisville in the new American Athletic Conference (AAC). The University of Maryland is entering its last season as a part of the ACC before it moves over to the Big Ten in the 2014-2015 season. Although they had a lottery pick in Alex Len depart, they are still returning star point guard Dez Wells, who transferred from Xavier two years ago. He could give the backcourt of UConn some troubles, but I see the Huskies as way too much to handle for the Maryland Terrapins. This will be one of the best games on opening night featuring two AQ-conference squads.

Georgetown University vs. (19) University of Oregon

Date and Time: November 8 @ 8 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN

Preview: This game is in South Korea; that should be enough to make you watch it. The Oregon Ducks had a magical run last year, winning the PAC 12 as a longshot. They are returning most of their key players. A problem they might run into is the suspensions of Dominic Artis and Ben Carter, two players that were expected to be in the starting lineup. They have been suspended for nine games each, which means that they won’t be playing in the opener. The Georgetown Hoyas have added UCLA transfer Josh Smith, along with returning multiple starters from last year’s team. They had a letdown last year in the tourney, losing to Florida Gulf Coast, but could come back stronger this time around. I’m expecting a Georgetown win, mainly because Oregon just lost two-fifths of their starting lineup and it’ll be hard to adjust to the changes. I’m sure it will still be a close game, but expect a Hoya victory.

North Carolina State University vs. University of Cincinnati

Date and Time: November 12 @ 5 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN

Preview: This is another classic matchup between a team that lost some really good players against a team that is returning most of its starters. The NC State Wolfpack lost C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell, their top two big men and rebounders, and also lost Lorenzo Brown who was their driving force at the point. Cincinnati is returning members such as Sean Kilpatrick, Justin Jackson, and Titus Rubles. This is a tough team that won’t give up, especially coming off of a second round loss to Creighton in last year’s tournament. For a matchup of two unranked teams, this is going to be an awesome game.

(14) Virginia Commonwealth University vs. (24) University of Virginia

Date and Time: November 12 @ 7 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN2

Preview: Virginia Commonwealth University has retained head coach Shaka Smart for another year and their team is expected to only get better. The Rams lost a couple of key players from last year’s team, but they are still returning some really good shooters and especially big man Juvonte Reddic. Their biggest threat to any team is their “Havoc” defense, a full court press that allows them to rack up steals and get out on the break. The Virginia Cavaliers beat Duke last year, which was one of the biggest upsets of the season, led by now Senior Joe Harris. This team is another year older and another year better, looking to make a push for the top in the new look ACC. This game could go either way, but VCU’s defense will allow the Rams to get out in transition. This game just happens to be on at the same time as Kentucky and Michigan State, but catch the beginning of it if at all possible, it’ll be a good one.

(5) Kansas University vs. (4) Duke University

Date and Time: November 12 @ 9:30 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN

Preview: Here. We. Go. The national stage is set for Jabari Parker to face off against Andrew Wiggins. These are the consensus number one and two freshmen in the nation. These teams are expected to hang around in the top five all season and possibly make it to Dallas. I can’t wait for this game. There isn’t much to say about it, both teams are blue bloods and national powerhouses. This game could be one of the best games all season. Don’t miss this one.

Around the Big Ten:

The Big Ten should be the one of the top conferences this season, if not the best conference in college basketball once again. They’ve got returning talents that will be first-round draft picks in Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, Adrien Payne, Gary Harris, among others. Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State are predicted to finish as the top three this year, but will there be a surprise? Wisconsin is once again looking to finish in the top four as they always seem to under head coach, Bo Ryan. Purdue is looking to take back the state of Indiana, but the Indiana Hoosiers may have something to say about that. Nine of the twelve teams in the conference will make their season debuts on Friday night, while three more are slated to start off their seasons on Saturday.

Here are the games to look out for in the upcoming week (all times Eastern):

St. John’s University vs. (20) University of Wisconsin

Date and Time: November 8 @ 7 PM

Television Coverage: Big Ten Network

Preview: The Wisconsin Badgers are coming into the season as the twentieth ranked team in the nation, looking to finish in the top four of the Big Ten as is normal. This is one of the more difficult non-conference games that they will face all season. St. John’s may not be the St. John’s of old, but they are still a major conference team. The Red Storm will need to win this game to help out their résumé come Selection Sunday. This could be a tough game, but Bo Ryan’s defense is sure to hold the Red Storm back.

Florida Gulf Coast University vs. University of Nebraska

Date and Time: November 8 @ 9 PM

Television Coverage: Big Ten Network

Preview: The Nebraska Cornhuskers haven’t had much success since they entered the Big Ten, but they are looking to turn that around this season. Florida Gulf Coast is coming off of one of the most historic tournament runs in recent history. The Eagles lost their top scorer, Sherwood Brown, to graduation, but return most of their key players from the run. Some key suspensions in this game are Eric McKnight from Florida Gulf Coast and Senior Ray Gallegos for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska’s Tim Miles is starting his second season at the school and looking for a turnaround season. This is going to be a barnburner, so make sure to watch it. This game could go either way.

(2) Michigan State University vs. (1) University of Kentucky

Date and Time: November 12 @ 7:30 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN

Preview: This game is the earliest in college basketball history to feature the number one and two ranked teams. Michigan State is a team full of returning players looking for a Big Ten title, whereas Kentucky is a roster full of one of the most highly-touted freshmen classes ever. This is the classic matchup of experience vs. inexperience. If Kentucky is as good as everyone says they are, this could be a blowout. Michigan State has a couple first round draft picks on their roster, but Kentucky is likely to have seven or eight. Michigan State is sure to have something in their bag of tricks to stay with the Wildcats in this game. I will be watching this one for sure. This matchup is history in the making; don’t miss it.

(10) University of Florida vs. (20) University of Wisconsin

Date and Time: November 12 @ 9 PM

Television Coverage: ESPN2

Preview: The Wisconsin Badgers have yet another tough matchup slated on their nonconference schedule within the first week of the season. Florida has a couple of key players that are suspended indefinitely at this point, which could play a role in the outcome of this game. This is another game that could go either way, but is well worth the watch. Again, this is on during a huge game between Duke and Kansas. Florida’s offense may have some struggles against that defense of Wisconsin, but if the Badgers want to win, they’d better find some offense of their own.

Northwestern University vs. Stanford University

Date and Time: November 14 @ 11 PM

Television Coverage: ESPNU

Preview: Northwestern is still searching for their first ever NCAA Tournament bid after coming extremely close a few times during Bill Carmody’s tenure. Now they start the Chris Collins era with a nonconference matchup against Stanford, a team expected to finish in the middle of the pack in the PAC 12. Both of these teams are searching for an identity this year, hoping to make it to the “big dance.” This game could be exciting, although it is on late for people in the Eastern time zone. If you can’t catch this one, DVR it. Northwestern is looking for a win over a “BCS conference” team early on to improve its chances at a tourney bid.

If you’re interested, ESPN is holding their annual Tip-Off Marathon starting on Monday, November 11. Here is the lineup (all times Eastern):

Brigham Young University vs. Stanford University (11/11 @ 11 PM on ESPN2)

Western Kentucky University vs. Wichita State University (11/12 @ 1 AM on ESPN2)

Akron University vs. Saint Mary’s College (11/12 @ 3 AM on ESPN2)

New Mexico State University vs. University of Hawai’i (11/12 @ 5 AM on ESPN2)

University of Hartford vs. Florida Gulf Coast University (11/12 @ 7 AM on ESPN2)

Quinnipiac University vs. La Salle University (11/12 @ 9 AM on ESPN2)

Louisiana State University vs. University of Massachusetts (11/12 @ 11 AM on ESPN2)

West Virginia University vs. Virginia Tech University (11/12 @ 1 PM on ESPN)

University of South Carolina vs. (25) Baylor University (11/12 @ 3 PM on ESPN)

North Carolina State University vs. University of Cincinnati (11/12 @ 5 PM on ESPN)

(14) Virginia Commonwealth University vs. (24) University of Virginia (11/12 @ 7 PM on ESPN2)

(2) Michigan State University vs. (1) University of Kentucky (11/12 @ 7:30 PM on ESPN)

(10) University of Florida vs. (20) University of Wisconsin (11/12 @ 9 PM on ESPN2)

(5) Kansas University vs. (4) Duke University (11/12 @ 9:30 PM on ESPN)