Great games headline Weekend Primer (12/20)

Are you ready for a present from college hoops?  Well, the basketball gurus have put together quite an extravangana on the weekend before Christmas.  Muskies, Spartans, Longhorns, Huskies, Tigers, Bulldogs, and Wildcats all clash … so let’s get ready, set, go …

Best Game: Xavier vs. Duke – take your pick, but the unbeaten Muskies battling the once-beaten Blue Devils in New Jersey has all the earmarkes of titan-esk hoops.  Two teams with similar styles, similar players, and similar attitudes.

Cross Country: Connecticut vs. Gonzaga – at Seattle, the ‘Zags run into their toughest test of the season.  And, it’s coming off a not-so-great performance at Arizona (first loss).  Although more important for Gonzaga, this is the best test to date for UConn. 

Lansing Longhorns: Michigan State vs. Texas – at Houston, it’s time for the Spartans to play like an elite team.  They may or may not win, but MSU can’t afford another blowout loss.

Most Intriguing: Syracuse at Memphis – The jury is still deliberating (not just about Eric Devendorf) about the Orange and Tigers.  Are the ‘Cuse wins over Florida and Kansas as impressive as they once seemed?  The Tigers have lost both big games (Xaver and Georgetown).

Indy Insight: Davidson vs. Purdue – at Indianapolis, the Boilers could use a notable win (best is Boston College).  Stephen Curry and Co. also want to show the hometown Selection Committee they want a Top 7 seed.

Re-Gift Game: Temple @ Kansas – the visiting Owls pay a visit to Lawrence and hope to leave the Jayhawks another Atlantic-10 present (KU lost at home to UMass last weekend).  Yes, we steered clear of another Dionte Christmas reference – well, almost.

Un-Duel in the Desert: BYU @ Arizona State – the unbeaten (and untested) Cougars head to Tempe for a date with the once beaten (and unproven) Sun Devils.  A game for both teams to hang a lasso on.

Below the Radar: Illinois-Chicago @ Illinois State – the unbeaten Redbirds haven’t played (let alone beaten) anyone of consequence.  Not that the Flames are a great team, but they traveled to Vandy and spanked the Commodores.  So we might learn more about the only unbeaten team in the Missouri Valley.

That’s it.  Enjoy a great weekend of college hoops.  As always, have thoughts? send us a rebound  – Bracketguy.