Previewing The First Week Of Games

We are only four days away from opening night. I know that you're all as excited as I am, so I'm here with a preview of games to watch next week:


Monday, November 10th:
#5 Duke vs Presbyterian (ESPNU, 7PM ET): I know what you're thinking: It's going to be a blowout, so why should I care? The answer is: It's opening night! The only other game on Monday is Georgia Southern vs Houston, which will also be a blowout, but which does not include the intrigue that the Duke game has. Personally, there are two things that I need to see out of Duke if they're going to be a National Championship contender. First of all, they need a post presence. I've seen some people talking about Olek Czyz, a freshman who has the size to be a banger in the post, but he is still very raw. I don't expect him to get much time. And forget about Miles Plumlee - he might get a lot of time, but he's too skinny to be a strong post player - he's going to be more like a poor man's Kyle Singler. To me, the real question is Brian Zoubek. The guy was a big time blue chipper when he came out of high school, but has been basically invisible in ACC play up to this point. But I've heard good things about his performances during exhibitions. If he can average 10 points and 8 rebounds per game, they might be a real contender. We'll see how limber he looks against Presbyterian. The other thing I want to see, of course, is a more natural creator. Duke will have a ton of great shooters, but they have lacked a player who can get to the basket at will. Unfortunately, we won't know an answer to this question for a while. Just because Duke's guards will be able to drive on Presbyterian doesn't mean they'll be able to drive on Wake Forest or North Carolina. So the player to watch will be Zoubek - see how he moves, and see how long he plays.


Tuesday, November 11th:
#5 Duke vs Houston/Georgia Southern (ESPNU, 9PM ET): The winners of Monday's Coaches vs Cancer games will meet on Tuesday evening. Houston has legitimate NCAA Tournament talent, so we'll get an even better sense of the Blue Devils than we will on Monday. If Zoubek can show up big in this one, then Duke may just be able to challenge UNC in the ACC.


Wednesday, November 12th:
UMass vs Southern Illinois (8PM ET): As far as I know, this game isn't going to be on national television. Also, this is assuming that UMass takes cares of Arkansas-Monticello and that Southern Illinois takes care of California (Pa)... pretty safe bet. Assuming this game happens, we'll get a good look at two teams that are looking to make a run at an at-large bid, as well as a conference title. Southern Illinois is experiencing a changing of the guard, as they lose Randal Falker, who was the real face of SIU basketball. But Bryan Mullins is still back, as are most of their other top players from last year's team. And the SIU success is recent years has paid off in really good recruiting classes. No McDonald's All-Americans, of course, but a number of good players who fit well into their system. The Salukis will not get out-hustled, they'll be great defensively, and they'll be a tough team for anybody to beat. UMass meanwhile moves on to their first regular season game since Travis Ford left. They also have to move on after the graduation of their best player, Gary Forbes. Etienne Brower and Dante Milligan will be lower profile losses, but tough losses nonetheless. The cupboard is not bare, but it's hard to see how UMass can be as good as they were last year. SIU, on the other hand, should actually be better than they were last year, despite the loss of Falker. This should be a close game, but I'd put my money on the Salukis.

#4UCLA vs Prairie View A&M (ESPNU, 10PM ET): Like the Duke/Presbyterian game on Monday, this isn't so much about the game itself, but about scouting out a potential National Championship contender. And like with Duke, I have two questions about UCLA. The first is Jrue Holiday, and whether he'll be as good as everybody is saying. I saw him play at the McDonald's All-American game, but you can never tell in exhibitions like that. The other question mark is James Keefe, who will try to fill the role left by Kevin Love. He was a capable backup last season, but that doesn't mean he'll be a star with extended time. I want to see if that 18 point and 12 rebound performance against Western Kentucky in the Sweet 16 was a fluke, or a sign of things to come. If Holiday and Keefe become stars, and you throw in Darren Collison and Josh Shipp, that's a definite National Championship contender. Don't miss your chance to see these guys in action on Wednesday night.


Thursday, November 13th:
#4 UCLA vs Miami (OH) (ESPNU, 11PM ET): This match-up actually might not happen, as Miami has to get past Weber State. Obviously the RedHawks will be heavy favorites, but an upset is possible (unlike Prairie View A&M, which has zero chance against UCLA). Clearly this will be another game to check out the likes of Jrue Holiday and James Keefe, but this will also be a chance to take a look at Miami of Ohio. Tim Pollitz is a tough loss, but everybody else returns from a team that lost a 49-47 batttle with Kent State for the MAC's automatic bid last season, including leading scorer Michael Bramos. They will be real contenders in the MAC this year, and have a great chance to be an at-large contender. Even a close loss here could be the confidence boost that they need to get a big win for their resume later in their out-of-conference schedule. And make no mistake, the RedHawks have quite a few of them. Pittsburgh, Xavier, Temple, West Virginia and Dayton all welcome Miami before the MAC season begins.


Friday, November 14th:
A lot of good games here. This is the official start date for the NCAA basketball season. All of the previously listed games are part of Coaches vs Cancer, which was allowed a special exemption by the NCAA to start earlier in the week. I'll have some previews for these games, but it will have to wait for another post. I'll try to get it done by the end of the weekend.

I think we're headed for a great season of college basketball. Everybody has UNC as their #1, but #2-through-25 is anybody's guess at this point. There is just a ton of parity. I look forward to discussing this great sport with all of my readers as well. See you soon.