Holy Cross vs Manhattan, 11:30 AM Eastern, CBS Sports Network
Towson vs La Salle, 2:00 PM Eastern, CBS Sports Network
We have seen NCAA Division I basketball games played around the world, from China to Germany, from Mexico to Japan, and we even have the potential of a game in Greece coming soon (Mark Hollis wants the Michigan State Spartans to battle the USC Trojans there). One place we have never had American college basketball go yet has been Northern Ireland . . . until today. The Hall of Fame Belfast Classic tournament starts this afternoon (this evening for those actually in Belfast) as Holy Cross take on Manhattan in the first semifinal, followed by Towson and La Salle in the second game. The losers will meet in a consolation game tipping at 9:30 AM Eastern tomorrow, while the title game is scheduled for Noon.
Holy Cross enters today’s game at at 2-3 overall, with a road win at Sacred Heart and a home win over Harvard. The Crusaders have lost 3 straight, however, including a 78-62 loss at home to Albany last time out. Caleb Green, who had been in double-digits every game before this last one, was held to only 2 points and needs to contribute more if the Crusaders want to advance to the championship game. Their opponent, Manhattan, also started the season 2-0 and defeated Harvard at home. The Jaspers are -0-4 since then including a 13 point loss at Fordham last time out. Calvin Crawford did have a double-double in the losing effort.
In the second semifinal, Towson is one of the teams we have been watching closely during the early season, entering the game at 6-1, with only an opening loss at Old Dominion. Brian Starr was one of three Tigers in double figures in scoring in their Gulf Coast Showcase championship victory over Georgia Southern. La Salle enters today’s game at 4-3, but does have a huge home win over a very solid Temple team. Pookie Powell scored 29 points while BJ Johnson added 25 in that victory. This second semifinal has a chance to be a great game, and the winner of it should be favored to claim the title, which for Towson would already be their second championship this season!
OTHER HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-PURDUE AT MARYLAND (Big Ten). Purdue is coming off of a nice, feel good win against Louisville earlier in the week, but this is their first true road game. It’s also their conference opener. Both teams are probable tournament teams so it’s a resume building conference game.
-NORTH CAROLINA VS DAVIDSON (Charlotte). Davidson has looked good at times, but not on the defensive end. UNC clearly looks to be the superior team. This is a semi-home game for Daivdson, but the crowd will be, at best, split, and at most pro-UNC.
-ILLINOIS AT NORTHWESTERN (Big Ten). Illinois has beaten up on cupcakes, but not won any big games. Northwestern has been somewhat disappointing so far, but beating a rival at home in a conference opener could give them some much needed momentum.
-BOISE STATE AT OREGON. This is a really good game today between a Boise State team that only has one loss and that’s looked as good as anyone else in the Mountain West so far. If they pick this one up on the road their profile will be resume pretty good. Oregon has some work to do as well, so it’s a big game for both teams.
-CREIGHTON AT GONZAGA. Two ranked teams going at it in a resume buliding game. Both teams have some nice wins already and are looking to add to that. It’s a real road test for Creighton, and it should be fun.
Grambling @ Georgia Tech – buy game