SPOTLIGHT GAME
-DAVIDSON VS NORTH CAROLINA. Out of all the games today, Im looking forward to this one the most. Davidson is a Top 25 caliber team, and well likely see them in the rankings before the season is over. Today, theyre facing North Carolina, which is a Final Four caliber team. UNC looks to be more talented and has the advantage in that regard, but with all of their starters back Davidson has the edge in experience. Its possible that Davidson could pull the upset and add what would probably turn out to the statement win of all wins to their NCAA Tourney resume. More realistically, though, as good as Davidson is, they arent as good as UNC. This will be one of many opportunities UNC has at a quality win, and if they want to end up as a #1 seed theyll need all they can get. As for Davidson, its not only a chance to prove that theyre worthy of a bid, but a chance to prove that theyre worthy of a good seed.
HIGHLIGHTED MATCH-UPS
-IOWA STATE AT BRADLEY. Bradley lost their season opener to Illinois Chicago, which was sort of a surprise, and really needs to win tonight because starting off 0-2 is never good for a team that wants to dance in March. Iowa State is 2-0 on the year, but this is their first real test. They are a program thats trying to rebuild, and a road win against a quality Bradley team would be a big step forward.
-INDIANA STATE AT BUTLER. Indiana State upset the Bulldogs last season, and you can assure that Butler has not forgotten about it. This probably wouldnt be a huge win for them, but it is a chance to stay undefeated and continue to climb up the rankings. Butlers next game is against Evansville, and then theyll travel to Alaska to play in the Great Alaska Shootout, which will give them the opportunity to make a statement against strong teams.
-SOUTHERN MISS AT CALIFORNIA. Southern Miss looks to be a much improved team this year, but I dont think theyre to the level of being an NCAA Tournament caliber team. Winning this game would go a long way in making a statement that they are, though. This is the season opener for Cal, and if they can stay healthy they should have a pretty good year.
-BOSTON UNIVERSITY AT GEORGE WASHINGTON. The jury is still out on GW, but they always seem to exceed expectations. Theyve been to three straight NCAA Tournaments and would love to get back to a fourth. This game is also a big opportunity for Boston U. They look to be among the best in the America East, and this win would look great on their profile and could potentially make a difference. There is a big difference between a #13 seed and a #15 seed. Both teams managed to win their openers and are looking to improve to 2-0.
EXEMPT TOURNAMENTS
CBE CLASSIC
-MISSOURI blew out FORDHAM 79-55 to advance to the semifinals. I dont think anyone is surprised that Mizzou won, but some (including myself) are a bit surprised by the margin. FORDHAM appeared to have an experienced team, but they were blown into next week by mizzou last night.
-MICHIGAN STATE had no problems with CHICAGO STATE, and probably wont have any problems with LOUISIANA MONROE tonight.
-UCLA won in a blowout to advance to the semifinals. Theyll join MISSOURI, MARYLAND and most likely MICHIGAN STATE in the semifinals.
PRESEASON NIT
-For the second night in a row SYRACUSE got a big scare. SAINT JOSEPHS is a team that is hoping to make the NCAA Tournament. A win tonight would have been a big time statement, especially since they were on the road. It would have also given them the opportunity to win and advance in order to pick up more quality wins. Butler made a name for themselves in this same tournament last year. SJU missed a late lay-up which would have given them control of the game, and that allowed SYRACUSE to hang on, win, and advance to the semifinals next week.
-OHIO STATE got a fight from Columbia, but got control in the latter part of the second half. Theyll face SYRACUSE in the semifinals.
-UTAH got a fight from HIGH POINT, who is one of the better teams in the Big South, but still ended up winning fairly convincingly in a 77-64 decision. The Utes led most of the way. Theyll face WASHINGTON, who blew out NJIT.
-The other quarterfinal game is between TEXAS A&M, who manhandled ORAL ROBERTS, and UTEP, who outlasted TAMUCC.
BUY GAMES
-WESTERN STATE (nondiv1) AT AIR FORCE. Air Force can stay unbeaten and improve to 3-0 on the year with a win tonight.
-RHODE ISLAND AT BROWN. I guess this would be called a reverse Buy Game. Rhode Island should be able to make some noise in the Atlantic Ten this year, and can improve to 2-0 with a win tonight.
-IDAHO STATE AT BYU. A win will get the Cougars to 2-0.
-NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT FLORIDA. The only way the Gators dont win tonight is if they miss the bus. They should improve to 3-0.
-GRAMBLING AT GEORGIA. A win gets Georgia to 2-0.
-MCNEESE STATE AT LSU. LSU was untested in their first game and wont be tested tonight. They should improve to 2-0.
-DETROIT AT SAINT LOUIS. SLU hung in with Pitt, but couldnt quite get it done. Still, they look like an improved team and should improve to 2-1 tonight.
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