Plenty of basketball coverage this week. It’s the annual “Feast Week,” where you can feign interest in college hoops, trying to trick yourself into that tournament-ready mode! Here’s a quick guide. The Gus Johnson Excitability Factor is on a scale of 1-11. Because Gus clearly goes to 11. Maybe even 13.
Maui Invitational:
When: Yesterday-Wednesday
Where: Duh.
Who’s there: Alabama, Chaminade, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas, Notre Dame, Oregon, St. Joseph’s.
Who’s calling it: The best play-by-play combo in the business: McDonough, Bilas and Raftery.
The skinny: It’s North Carolina’s tournament to take, but like Maui is every year, at least three teams are capable of winning it. This is the best preseason tournament for the mere fact they play in a gym smaller than your average high school. Traditions can be fun.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 8.9.
CBE Classic:
When: Nov. 14-Tonight
Where: Kansas City.
Who’s there: It’s Syracuse vs. Kansas for the coveted CBE championship trophy.
Who’s calling it: Dan Shulman and Dick Vitale
The skinny: Syracuse vs. Kansas: Does that ring a bell? Expect at least 23 shots of Hakeem Warrick’s block in the 2003 title game tonight. Bob Knight has been calling this one too, but he’ll be on the Washington-Florida consolation game tonight.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 9.2
Preseason NIT:
When: Nov. 17-Nov. 28
Where: Multiple sites; finals at Madison Square Garden.
Who’s remaining: Boston College vs. Purdue; UAB vs. Oklahoma.
Who’s calling it: Dave O’Brien, Steve Lavin, Allen Hopkins
The skinny: UAB makes the trip to New York after Arizona blew it last week. It’s very possible all four teams playing will be in The Tournament come March.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 8.1
Great Alaska Shootout:
When: Nov. 26-Nov. 29
Where: Anchorage.
Who’s there: Hampton, Alaska-Anchorage, Portland State, Northern Illinois, Seattle, Louisiana Tech, San Diego State, Western Carolina.
Who’s calling it: I have no idea.
The skinny: This tournament has lost its luster. Premium D-I schools used to fancy this bad boy, but no longer.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 4.1
Cancun Challenge:
When: Nov. 16-Nov. 30
Where: Duh.
Who’s there: The semis have whittled down Drake vs. Vanderbilt and Virginia Commonwealth vs. New Mexico.
Who’s calling it: Again, no idea. It’s on CBS’ College Sports network.
The skinny: This one is the diamond in the rough. Drake and Vanderbilt is a game that certainly intrigues me. A win here for the Bulldogs could go a long way. VCU-New Mexico appears to be a pretty even matchup.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 7.4
76 Classic:
When: Nov. 27-Nov. 30.
Where: Anaheim.
Who’s there: St. Mary’s, UTEP, Wake Forest, Cal State Fullerton, Arizona State, Charlotte, Providence, Baylor
Who’s calling it: TBD.
The skinny: This could be quite a good tournament when all is said and done. You’ve got a decent chance of sending at least five from this group The Dance.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor:
Legends Classic:
When: Nov. 21-Nov. 29
Where: Newark, N.J.
Who’s there: Semis will be Washington State-Mississippi State and Texas Tech-Pittsburgh.
Who’s calling it: TBD.
The skinny: Tech put up 167 on its way to the semifinals here. Washington State is not who it was once. Pittsburgh needs to win this if it wants to be taken seriously. What I do know: DeJuan Blair is a beast of a player.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 7.3
Old Spice Classic:
When: Nov. 27-30
Where: Orlando.
Who’s there: Tennessee, Siena, Wichita State, Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Gonzaga.
Who’s calling it: Bob Wischusen, Len Elmore, Andy Katz (sideline).
The skinny: Probably the best tournament field of the bunch, you could argue for four teams having a legitimate shot to take this title. Throw in a Siena team with fresh memories of its Tournament upset over Vanderbilt; Oklahoma State and Maryland. Even Wichita State is groomed to play against big boys (remember when they lost in the Sweet 16 to George Mason in ’06? A big Thanksgiving treat, for sure.
Gus Johnson Excitability Factor: 9.8
Hap tip to Awful Announcing for who is calling which tournaments.
