For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day between New Hampshire and Winthrop – CLICK HERE
While yesterday’s focus in college sports was mostly on the gridiron, there were still quite a few noteworthy games in college hoops. In Brooklyn, for example, there were 2 teams that came away with significant wins – South Carolina got a very nice win against Syracuse in what was a de facto home game for the Orange. With wins against Monmouth, Michigan and Syracuse now under their belts, the Gamecocks will also have chances against teams like Seton Hall and Clemson to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes even further. The nightcap between Maryland and Kansas State was also entertaining, and Maryland was able to get a game-winning shot from Melo Trimble in the closing seconds to survive a potential upset bid by Kansas State.
As far as other exempt tournaments coming to a close yesterday, Virginia finished off a nice weekend with wins over Iowa and Providence, Iona won the Great Alaska Shootout with a buzzer-beater over Nevada, and even TCU claimed a title in the Global Sports Classic with wins over UNLV and Washington.
Xavier, Duke and Creighton all looked very solid with home wins over Northern Iowa, Appalachian State and Loyola-Maryland, respectively. Grayson Allen did sustain another injury during Duke’s game yesterday, although all indications are that he should be able to play against Michigan State on Tuesday. Oregon State was not nearly as fortunate – Tres Tinkle is out of action for 6-8 weeks thanks to a broken wrist.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
INDIANA STATE vs. QUINNIPIAC (Advocare Invitational, 7th Place) – Both teams played better than their 0-2 records would suggest this weekend, although only one team will be able to salvage a single win today.
MONMOUTH at HOLY CROSS – This game is the 4th and final exempt game for both teams that is part of the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational (round robin but nonbracketed). Neither team is in serious contention for an at-large bid, although games like this can make the difference between a 14 and a 15 seed come March (if you’re Monmouth).
IOWA STATE vs. GONZAGA (Advocare Invitational, Championship) – The Big 12 already has 3 teams that have won exempt events during the past week (Kansas, Baylor and TCU), although Gonzaga may be the favorite to win what could be a record 3rd title in Orlando.
NEW MEXICO vs. DAYTON (Wooden Legacy, 5th Place) – Dayton is starting to rack up injuries at an alarming rate (neither Cunningham nor Pollard have played this past week) and beating New Mexico outside of the friendly confines of UD Arena is not a given.
BALL STATE at VALPARAISO – This will be the return game from last year where Ball State pulled off the upset against Valpo; the Crusaders need to avenge this loss if they want to retain any shot of an at-large bid this season.
VIRGINIA TECH vs. NEBRASKA (Wooden Legacy, 3rd Place) – Nebraska does have a nice young team that has a shot of getting their 2nd win away from home in 4 days, but it’s still going to be an uphill climb against a Virginia Tech team that’s still trying to learn how to win key games away from home under Buzz Williams.
MIAMI-FL vs. FLORIDA (Advocare Invitational, 3rd Place) – These teams were not initially scheduled to play each other this year, but the opportunity is now there for both the Hurricanes and Gators to add a feather to what could be solid at-large profiles for both teams.
UAB vs. SAINT MARY’S (played in Las Vegas – Orleans Arena) – This is not part of any exempt event, but nonetheless a nice out-of-conference matchup for both teams. It’s not a gimme game by any means for the Gaels, although UAB isn’t going to have the benefit of a fully healthy roster for this game.
SIENA at ALBANY – The battle for bragging rights at Albany. ‘Nuff said. (as our Albany native Chad Sherwood would say)
STANFORD vs. SETON HALL (Advocare Invitational, 5th Place) – Both teams will get one more crack at a neutral-court win over a power conference opponent in the Orlando nightcap.
TEXAS A&M vs. UCLA (Wooden Legacy, Championship) – Almost as good as a road game for the Aggies, and another chance for UCLA to continue their streak of 99+ point games to start their season.
CAL STATE-NORTHRIDGE vs. PORTLAND (Wooden Legacy, 7th place) – How many fans will be left in Anaheim to watch this titanic struggle between middling teams in the Big West and West Coast conferences?
BUY GAMES
Howard at Georgetown
Prairie View A&M at Wisconsin
Wofford at Colorado
Mississippi Valley State at Indiana (Indiana Classic, nonbracketed)
UC-Santa Barbara at USC