Are the Hoyas are sneaky good right now or playing above potential?
Light on the content today; day job duties were rather heavy. Do stop in tomorrow. There will be quite a few things going on. Same goes for Friday.
But tonight there’s quite a few tasty games. Some quick thoughts on what’s ahead. Remember, I cover what’s on television each night with each day’s “The Layup Line” post.
Bowl games are about done, the NFL playoffs will surely dominate your weekends for the next month, but it’s time to start keeping pace in the hoops scene.
Wisconsin @ Michigan State. Everything good between Lucas and Izzo now? I’m guessing it’s water under the bridge soon enough. This is my favorite game of the night. Badgers are really tough at home — but they ain’t at home. Breslin is just as tough to win in. Few bruises here, for sure. For as good as this game is, don’t you get the feeling, barring a blowout, you won’t have a better grasp on either team?
Memphis @ Syracuse.The back end of the home-and-home, I’m guessing this one plays out the same way it did last year: with a victory for the Orange. But, unlike last season, I think Syracuse wins it with much more ease. How is Memphis going to do anything inside tonight? Tigers have to hope they shoot close to 60 percent.
Cornell @ Kansas. A game a few think KU could get tripped up in. Why? Because Cornell resembles a somewhat competent team from the Ivy League? People get too high on Ivys because there’s a charm factor there. Cornell isn’t sniffing a 10-point loss tonight.
Seton Hall @ Connecticut. Pirates have to get a win like this on their resume if they want respect. I don’t think it’s coming tonight, BUT UConn, I guarantee you, will underwhelm you four or five more times before the season’s over. If SHU plays a five-man game (something Bobby Gonzalez has an issue controlling), it could win.
Iowa State vs. Duke (at the United Center).Iowa State’s Craig Brackins is an NBA prospect. Probably the best one between these two teams. If Brackins has a really big game, everybody will take a whack at Duke’s frontcourt. I don’t think former will happen, so we don’t have to worry about the latter. Think Duke is on a bit of an upset alert after UNC’s bed-shitting performance?
Georgetown @ Marquette. Man, Marquette really can’t afford to lose another close one in conference at home. Why do I get the sense that’s exactly what’s going to happen?
Charlotte @ Tennessee. More reason to keep an eye on this than Tennessee’s gun and drug issues; Charlotte’s a quality team that has ability to upset superior opponents on the road. If Vols fall here, it will be the biggest headline of the hoops night, barring a freak occurrence.
UNLV @ BYU. The carousel in the Mountain West has already begun. This is the second of about 12 games that should be on the college basketball fan’s radar this season. Much like Wisconsin-MSU, I’m not so sure we’ll be able to take too much from this one if it’s close. Know this: BYU is one of the toughest place to win in the country. BYU fans will gladly remind you of this, frequently (and there’s nothign wrong with that).
Wichita State @ Missouri State. Teams are a combined 25-4. Missouri Valley is back? Perhaps, but I’ve got the Bears by double digits here.
