Quick Takes: Opening week Bracket Games
No reason to wait for the Maui Invitational; the opening week of college hoops provides some terrific pre-holiday feasts. Yes, college hoops fans, there are Bracket Games in early November – with results that could impact resumes in March.
Here are a few of the more notable matchups in Week 1 …
Friday, November 10
- Texas AM vs. West Virginia (Germany) – The Aggies have high expectations, so this is a good early test against a Mountaineer squad many believe to be the top Big 12 challenger to Kansas. TAMU will be without Robert Williams, who is suspended for the Aggies’ first two games.
- Iowa State at Missouri – Speaking of expectations, how about those for Michael Porter, Jr. & Co. at Mizzou? Making this is a good opening test. The same goes for ISU; not sure what to make of the Cyclones right now.
Monday, November 13
- Minnesota at Providence – Two anticipated tourney teams with a lot of pieces back. Should be fun.
- Charleston at Wichita State – With a host of starters returning, Charleston is my pick to win the Colonial. And if there’s a good time to play the Shockers, it’s early; they won’t be at full strength until December or January.
- Rhode Island at Nevada – Projected winners of the Atlantic 10 and Mountain West. First of three (or four) notable non-conference opponents for the Wolfpack should they need at-large consideration down the road.
Tuesday, November 14
The highlight night of opening week. Chicago hosts the Champions Classic, featuring Duke vs. Michigan State and Kansas vs. Kentucky. Barring a truly stunning development, all four should be in play for high seeds. Elsewhere:
- Purdue at Marquette – The Golden Eagles are among a handful of potential bubble teams in the Big East. Nice opportunity at home.
- San Diego State at Arizona State – These two teams open up four spots apart on our preseason Seed List; both a little on the outside looking in. Keep that in mind if either (or both) end up near the cutline a few months from now.
Wednesday, November 15
- Butler at Maryland – A new coach and some new faces for the Bulldogs. Expectations vary widely for the Terrapins who bring back some intriguing talent, but lack Melo Trimble.
- Indiana at Seton Hall – The new-look, new-coached Hoosiers head to New Jersey to take on a preseason Top 25 group of Pirates.
Thursday, November 16
- Missouri at Utah – Quite an opening week for the Tigers. The Utes are generally a tough-out at home and could be in the at-large mix out of the Pac 12.
- Xavier at Wisconsin – Who steps up for the Badgers to help Ethan Happ? For the first time in a while, Wisconsin opens a season with perhaps more questions than answers. Meanwhile, XU should be one of the top Big East contenders.
Friday, November 17
- Virginia at VCU – Rivalry game for two teams with question marks. VCU begins the season among our First Four out.
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Categories: Bracketology, Current Updates, S-Curve
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