[providencefriars1Participant]

Iowa St vs Colorado- Hopefully Iowa St will continue their entertaining play with new coach Steve Prohm. Prohm has developed Cameron Payne and Isaiah Canaan into NBA players and Monte Morris could be his next PG protégé. Morris is not as heralded as Georges Niang, but is rock solid with the ball and is a better scorer than people realize. Jameel McKay gives Iowa St a legitimate rim protector and is the key to Iowa St being elite. Colorado was a sleeper of mine until the Xavier Johnson injury. Now I see them as a fringe NIT team, but they have two really good players in center Josh Scott and SG Josh Fortune. Colorado needs Dom Collier to take big step as a sophomore PG.

Pitt vs Gonzaga- Gonzaga has one of the best frontcourts in the NCAA with Sabonis, Wiltjer, and Karnowski and get Josh Perkins back from injury to man the PG position. Sophomore Silas Melson is the X factor, if he can average double figures Gonzaga could be a Final Four contender. Pitt needs to improve their defense from last year and to do that they will try to move Mike Young and Jamel Artis back to their natural positions, PF and SF respectively. Alonzo Nelson Ododa will be one of the most underrated transfers in the country and could be Pitt’s starting center. Right now Pitt looks like a bubble team, but an improved defense along with the steady play of James Robinson could bring them back to the dance.

UNC vs Temple- This will probably be the closest of the quality games on opening night. UNC recently lost Marcus Paige for a month and will now need to find a starting PG which previously was their most reliable position. It will be interesting who can claim the starting SG spot. Theo Pinson was a top ten recruit who struggled with injuries last year, Joel Berry may have to play big PG mins, and Kenny Williams is an unproven freshman. This is a very underrated frontcourt matchup as it is a strength for both teams. Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, and Justin Jackson vs Daniel Dingle, Jaylen Bond, and Obi Enechionya. Temple has more backcourt questions than UNC as Josh Brown has to develop from defender to full time PG. Levan Alston and Trey Lowe need to be able to contribute as freshman for Temple to make NCAA tournament.

SF Austin vs Baylor- SF Austin is a top mid major program who dominates the Southland every year and returns most of their team from last year. SFA supposedly beat Texas in a secret scrimmage last week so Baylor cannot afford to take this opponent lightly. Baylor will have their characteristic length with Jon Motley, Rico Gathers, and potential first round pick Taurean Prince. Baylor needs Lester Medford to take the reigns as full time PG but injury plagued sophomore Al Freeman should be able to help in that area as well.

Texas vs Washington- I originally had Texas pegged as a bubble team, but supposedly their freshman have exceeded expectations early. Kerwin Roach, Eric Davis, and Tevin Mack should challenge the starters and allow Shaka to play his characteristic smaller lineups at times. Isaiah Taylor’s injury never allowed Texas to jell last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it to top 25. Washington is a total wildcard since they only return two significant players, Andrew Andrews and Donaven Dorsey. If numerous freshman do not step up Washington could fall to last place in the conference. It will be interesting to see if guys like DeJounte Murray, Noah Dickerson, and David Crisp can perform right away.

Other games to keep an eye on
Chattanooga at Georgia
NC Central at Clemson
NWST at Ole Miss
Belmont at Marquette
UAB at Auburn
Pepperdine at Fresno St
Illinois St at SDSU

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Its the most wonderful time of the year!!! College Basketball is Back!!

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Its the most wonderful time of the year!!! College Basketball is Back!!

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I’ll be at the Carolina-Temple game tonight at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  I’m excited to see Joel Berry step in for Marcus.  He came on strong last year and I think he’ll be very good this year.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I’ll be at the Carolina-Temple game tonight at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  I’m excited to see Joel Berry step in for Marcus.  He came on strong last year and I think he’ll be very good this year.

[Winning_TimeParticipant]

 Go Pack! Abu has some surprises for you guys this year.

[ncballer]

 I sympathize with you all this year…

[ncballer]

 I sympathize with you all this year…

[Winning_TimeParticipant]

 Go Pack! Abu has some surprises for you guys this year.

[Author]

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