By David Dorman, Senior Staff Writer
The college basketball season is right around the corner. There are many great early season tournaments across the country but I have picked 5 that you do not want to miss.
#5 The Empire Classic
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
When: November 19 & 20
This should be a great doubleheader in NYC as the defending champ UConn Huskies battle with the Indiana Hoosiers in game 1. Look for UConn to have the Garden rocking with supporters as the Husky faithful always pack MSG when UConn comes to the Big Apple. Last year Louisville had as bad a year as the program has been through possibly ever. This will be a tough test against a loaded Longhorns roster under now permanent head coach Rodney Terry.
1st Round Matchups:
UConn vs Indiana
Texas vs Louisville
My pick for the championship game: UConn vs Texas
My pick to win it: UConn
#4 Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
When: November 16,17,19
This year’s edition of the Charleston Classic might be the best yet. Rick Pitino is the head man at St. John’s and his roster is ready to win now. Houston again this year is a national title contender under Coach Kelvin Sampson and the Wake Forest program is headed in the right direction under Steve Forbes. North Texas in the American Conference and Dayton in the Atlantic 10 both believe they have the rosters to win conference crowns.
1st Round Matchups:
St. John’s vs North Texas
Dayton vs LSU
Houston vs Towson
Utah vs Wake Forest
My pick for the championship game: St. John’s vs Houston
My pick to win it: St. John’s
#3 ESPN Invitational
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
When: November 23,24,26
Last year’s March darling and Final 4 participant Florida Atlantic heads this talented field. This year’s tournament includes my favorite to win the SEC in Texas A&M, a talented and well coached Iowa State squad and another one of my preseason conference picks in Boise State. Virginia Tech and VCU will not be easy to beat and have the talent to win 3 games in a row in Disney World.
1st Round Matchups:
Penn St. vs Texas A&M
Florida Atlantic vs Butler
Iowa State vs VCU
Boise St. vs Virginia Tech
My pick for the championship game: Texas A&M vs Boise St.
My pick to win it: Texas A&M
#2 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis
Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas
When: November 22,23,24
Every game of this tournament should be fantastic basketball. If you’re a fan of one of these teams and you happen to lose a game don’t worry because your next game will be just as important. Remember every game is a data point for the NCAA Selection Committee come March and they don’t care if you win a game in the consultation side or the championship side of these early season tournaments. Teams in this tournament will have 3 opportunities to pick up quality wins. Arkansas, North Carolina and Villanova all have visions of the Final 4 and every team in the Bahamas have their sights on a bid to the NCAA Tournament come March.
1st Round Matchups:
North Carolina vs Northern Iowa
Villanova vs Texas Tech
Michigan vs Memphis
Arkansas vs Stanford
My pick for the championship game: Villanova vs Arkansas
My pick to win it: Arkansas
#1 Maui Jim Maui Invitational
Location:
This year’s Maui Invite will be played at the Stan Sheriff Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Maui Invitational is usually played at the Lahaina Civic Center but this year is being moved because the Civic Center is serving as a critical hub for Maui wildfire recovery efforts. This year’s Maui field includes 5 teams that will start the season in my top 12. Those teams are Kansas, Gonzaga, Tennessee, Purdue and Marquette. Many of the matchups that this tournament will provide could be Final 4 previews. Two other teams heading to the Islands will be Syracuse and UCLA, two very proud and championship programs that could win some games over Thanksgiving week in Maui. Rounding out the field will be the tournament host, the Silverswords of Chaminade. While we will love the action on the court, our thoughts will be with all the beautiful people of Hawaii. Maui is going through a horrible disaster with these fires and the tournament committee has done a wonderful job raising money through tournament activities to help with the destruction.
When: November 20,21,22
Every year I say “this is a loaded Maui field” but this year is RIDICULOUS. We could very well be seeing 7 teams in Maui headed to the NCAA Tournament.
1st Round Matchups:
Tennessee vs Syracuse
Purdue vs Gonzaga
Kansas vs Chaminade
UCLA vs Marquette
My pick for the championship game: Purdue vs Marquette
My pick to win it: Purdue
When the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Committee gathers to put the bracket together in March remember that we are told every game is considered for selection. Games in November are just as important as games in February and March. These early season tournaments provide teams with incredible opportunities to pick up neutral site victories over high quality opponents. Neutral site wins and road wins give a team a huge boost on their team sheets come March.
Enjoy these great tournaments as college basketball gets rolling!
The off season is almost over and the games are right around the corner.