If anyone questions the bountiful harvest and splendor of December hoops, I challenge you to sit down and watch a handful of tomorrow's dozen-plus standout games.
Here is a quick rundown of the highlights. The fearless Maniac picks (22-13-1 ATS) will follow in a separate column.
NOON:
Michigan @ Kansas - The Wolverines have to rank among the nation's most disappointing teams so far in 2009. A win in Kansas would completely erase that disappointment. But they aren't getting it. John Beilein's squad will at least give Kansas a athletically competitive game, something they haven't had since the opener against Memphis.
2:00 PM:
North Carolina @ Texas - A matchup of two of the nation's elite teams in an intimate gathering of 80,000 of your closest friends. Cowboys Stadium hosts its inaugural basketball game in a tune-up for Final Fours to come. Both teams today could be visiting a Final Four much sooner; as in this year. This game is a great litmus test for the Longhorns and a fourth BIGtime game for the becoming-battle-tested Heels. Regardless of the score, it is an interesting way to gear up for a hopeful appearance in Indy this April playing in such a cavernous shooters backdrop.
Xavier @ Butler - Two of the best Non-BCS teams square off for the second year in a row at 2pm. Butler won last year at the Cintas Center. This year Xavier tries to return the favor in historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. A win would be big for both schools; avoiding a fourth pre-conference loss might mean even more.
UCLA @ Notre Dame - Um, this one ain't exactly Digger and Coach Wooden. UCLA is mired in one of the worst starts in school history, and certainly the worst start in the Ben Howland tenure. Notre Dame is 9-2, but their losses are to Northwestern (understandable) and Loyola Marymount (not understandable); both at home. Luke Harangody aimed to take the Irish back to the tourney in his senior campaign and can afford to give away few more games. UCLA however might struggle to win 10 games all year.
Stanford @ Northwestern - The Maniac's affinity for NW is long documented. This matchup means a ton to both teams, but the Wildcats have less room for error with a daunting Big Ten slate about to heat up. Regardless of the outcome, something tells me the kids on each team will turn out just fine...
Mississippi State @ Houston - This one is a really intriguing match-up. The Bulldogs have been playing well of late and are rounding into the team most polls had ranked Top 20 preseason. Houston gets a chance to earn some much needed respect for C-USA in their home gym. A really really good game most people will miss.
4:00 PM:
Gonzaga @ Duke - Another fantastic match-up, and a real treat for us true college hoops fans. Both of these programs represent everything that is right about college athletics, Duke the GIANT with even bigger academic requirements still remaining the model of consistency, and Gonzaga the out-of-nowhere school in the middle of nowhere emerging as a perennial power.
Say what you will about Coach K and The Dukies, but they duck no one on their schedule, even programs that have far more to gain from the experience than they do. Last year on this same weekend, Duke played host to another non-power conference power Xavier. This year, they welcome the Zags. Matt Boldin and Co. are hoping for a more favorable result than the drubbing the Muskies left with.
Portland State @ Washington St. - OK, not a classic great matchup, but an intersting game for Ken Bone's Cougars. Portland State has a history of upsetting bigger-name west coast foes. Last year they clipped Gonzaga, this year they nailed Portland fresh off their first Top 25 ranking in 40 years. Wazzou needs to bring their A-game.
6:30 PM:
Richmond @ Florida - Both teams grabbed some headlines with big wins early, both have settled back a bit with a loss. Richmond gets a huge opportunity to build a tourney at-large resume and increase the growing profile for the Atlantic-10. Florida isn't in a no-win situation; a win over the Spiders may not be sexy on Sportcenter, but could very well constitute an RPI Top 50 win in March.
7:00 PM:
Temple @ Seton Hall - Speaking of the A-10, how about the work the Owls have done so far. They get another shot tomorrow night at unbeaten Seton Hall. The Pirates have yet to lose, but haven't played anywhere near the competition that Temple has. Of course they'll get their chance when conference play starts, but something tells me they won't quite yet be ready for what Temple is bringing tomorrow night.
Old Dominion @ Georgetown - ODU has played a brutal schedule so far, and has suffered some losses. THey entered as a trendy pick to win the CAA, but it looks more like VCU is the team to beat (or William & Mary). Meanwhile the Hoyas have looked fantastic as Greg Monroe has continued to develop and their guards have played steady basketball. The Hoyas didn't look past Butler, and I doubt they'll overlook the Monarchs either.
8:45 PM:
Kansas State @ Alabama - Frank Martin's Wildcats have been one of the pleasant surprises of the young 2009 season. They were expected to be good, but they have exceeded even those expectations en route to a 9-1 start. Alabama is thought to be a second tier SEC team, but ask Purdue about the fight they'll give you on their home court. This shapes up to be one of the best games on a LOADED Saturday slate.
Creighton @ New Mexico - If KSU is one of the season's more pleasant surprises, than perhaps Steve Alford's Lobos are THE most pleasant. New Mexico hosts a struggling Creighton squad that is used to getting accolades that are beginning to go New Mexico's way this year. It will be interesting to see how the Jays hold up in The Pit.
10:00 PM:
Portland @ Washington - Will the PAC-10 please beat someone this preseason? Suffice it to say if the 3rd or 4th best team in the WCC takes down the Pac-10 favorite in their own gym things will have reached new conference lows. Not that a Huskie loss is out of the question. The Pilots decimated UCLA and took down a good Minnesota team before heightened expectations seemed to take a toll on them. Now that the Pilots are back playing the role of David it will interesting to see how they handle U-Dub's Golliath.
Today is a great day to have four tv's or at least some serious PiP or TiVo! Enjoy - and check back for some fearless pics against the number.
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