On Monday, the college basketball season officially tips off. Just take a minute to let those words sink in.
Throughout the season, my goal is to highlight notable games so you can plan your weeknights and weekends accordingly. This week is fairly light until we get to Friday…when there are over 120 games to choose from, including the much anticipated Carrier Classic between Michigan State and North Carolina.
As you might expect, there aren’t a ton of big-name matchups since most major conference teams would rather get a win or two under their belts before actually challenging themselves.
Monday
William & Mary at St. John’s – 7:00 on ESPNU
I could tell you that this is part of the 2K Sports Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic or that it’s your first chance to get a look at the totally revamped Red Storm roster.
But this game marks the official start of the season.
Hell. Yes.
Wednesday
Akron at Mississippi State – 7:00 ESTÂ on ESPNU
The Bulldogs are a potential sleeper in the SEC if they can make headlines on the court instead of off. They boast a formidable frontline with the enigmatic Renardo Sidney and UTEP transfer Arnett Moultrie to go with terrific point guard Dee Bost.
The Zips won’t be a pushover though after tallying at least 23 wins in each of the past six seasons. They have a tough frontcourt of their own with Nikola Cvetinovic and Zeke Marshall, and Brett McClanahan can shoot it from deep. The newcomers to watch in this one are freshman Rodney Hood for MSU and UMBC transfer Chauncey Gilliam for Akron.
If the Bulldogs want to be taken seriously this season, they can’t slip up at home early on.
Friday
#1 North Carolina vs. Michigan State – 7:00 EST on ESPN
I’m not sure Sparty can actually hang with UNC in this one, but who cares because it’s being played on a freaking aircraft carrier?!
Image source: SBNation
Above and beyond that, it will be our first look at the top-ranked Tar Heels who have virtually everyone back from last season’s team.
I’m more intrigued to see Michigan State though, because they have so many changes in their rotation. I want to see how Keith Appling looks at the point and how Valpo transfer Brandon Wood fits into the offense, and I want to hear my first rendition of the Derrick Nix weight loss story.
In case playing UNC wasn’t enough, Michigan State plays Duke in their second game next week.
Stony Brook at Indiana – 7:00 EST on BTN
The Cody Zeller era begins at IU in what is a pivotal season for Tom Crean. While this may look like a cakewalk, Stony Brook was one of the nation’s top field goal percentage defenses last year.
Keep an eye on point guard Bryan Dougher who can knock down open threes if IU’s perimeter defense hasn’t improved.
Obviously this is a game the Hoosiers simply can’t lose, but it may not be as easy as most fans think.
Belmont at Duke – 9:00 EST on ESPNU
This is part of the new stateside portion of the Maui Invitational, and Belmont has two great opportunities to get a signature victory with games against Duke and Memphis.
The Bruins return nine players from last year’s 11-man rotation and won’t be a pushover. They have a solid backcourt with Ian Clark and Drew Hanlen to go with the inside duo of Mick Hedgepeth and Scott Saunders.
It will be our first chance to see how Seth Curry looks as Duke’s point guard, and it’s also the debut of highly touted Austin Rivers. Perimeter defense is a potential concern for Duke, so it will be interesting to see how the efficient Belmont offense attacks them.
BYU at Utah State – 9:05 EST on ESPN3
The post-Jimmer era begins for BYU at one of the nation’s toughest venues, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. While the Aggies are rebuilding after the loss of six seniors, you can be sure the crowd will have a few special chants ready for Brandon Davies.
Oregon at #7 Vanderbilt – 10:00 on ESPN3
The Ducks are a sleeper in the Pac-12 while the Commodores have become a trendy Final Four pick thanks to the fact that nearly their entire roster is back.
They will be playing without big man Festus Ezeli who is both suspended and sidelined with a knee injury. There is still plenty of offensive firepower with John Jenkins and Jeffrey Taylor, but Oregon has the potential to be explosive offensively in their own right. It will be the first look at the team with transfers Olu Ashaolu and Tony Woods up front as well as highly touted freshman Jabari Brown in the backcourt.
If the Ducks can keep it close, it will be a chance for Vandy to show they have what it takes to win close games this year.
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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.
