Admittedly, some of these games are nothing more than my personal favorites picked from the vast expanse of mid-week mid-major college basketball games. There’s nothing wrong with that — college basketball is still college basketball.
Below are five college basketball games throughout the week of Nov 10-17 bound to have an influence come March. Each game is complete with a date, time and network.
Villanova (2-1) @ Saint Joseph’s (1-1) – 11/12, 5:00 CBSSN
Both teams enter the annual Big 5 Classic with a disheartening early season loss – Villanova to Columbia and SJU to Central Connecticut – but can readjust early season blunders with a win against a city rival.
Saint Joseph’s is championed by its backcourt which includes Erik Reynolds II and Derek Simpson, as well as youngster Xzayvier Brown who splits time with Simpson at the point. Coach Billy Lange prefers playing all three guards at the same time, which creates a natural small-ball-quick-pace mindset on Hawk Hill. The addition of Harvard big Justice Ajogbor has been huge – literally – down low.
Inversely, the Wildcats center its, at times, sluggish offensive attack around forward Eric Dixon, who has scored 33 and 22 points in the two games he has played. Wing Wooga Poplar has been a solid second option but needs to find consistency in order for the Wildcats to sustain success offensively.
A Big East team looking to re-prove itself and an Atlantic-10 team looking to take the next step under a veteran head coach in an inner-city, annual rivalry grudge match – what else can a college basketball fan ask for?
No. 7 Duke (2-0) vs. No. 23 Kentucky (2-0) – 11/12, 9:00 ESPN
Both programs are newly rebuilt and feature budding stars that contribute on both ends of the court. The Blue Devils have disposed of both of their two opponents thus far and UK has scored 100 points in each of their first two contests.
The Blue Devils’ chippy offensive attack is honed in on the frontcourt, which features potential lottery picks at each position in Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach. The shooting of fellow freshman Kon Knueppel has been a pleasant surprise early, and the veteran leadership in a backcourt featuring Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor completes Duke’s star-studded roster.
Mark Pope opted to build his first roster in Lexington through the transfer portal, nabbing notable names such as Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea and Amari Williams to complete one of the more potent offensive attacks in the SEC.
Both teams will be tested on their ability to match-up with higher-tiered competition, especially a Duke team starting three freshmen.
No. 2 Alabama (2-0) @ No. 14 Purdue (2-0) – 11/15, 7:00 PEAC
The two Final Four squads that did not meet last March will face off in West Lafayette in an early season clash between two of the best offenses in high-major college basketball.
Alabama is led by All-American guard Mark Sears who is averaging 19.5 points per game, as well as feisty forward Grant Baker and towering big Cliff Omoruyi in the frontcourt. The Tide bolster one of the most explosive offenses in all of basketball and have – thus far – improved on the defensive end.
Purdue returns a chunk of backcourt experience but looks to replace the void opened by Zach Edey’s departure. Two seven-footers will help. The Boilermakers have the same makeup of last season’s team and will contend among the goliaths in the Big 10.
Grand Canyon (1-0) vs. Arizona State (2-0) – 11/14, 9:00 ESPN2
Tyon Grant-Foster’s return aids the Lopes’ hopes at returning – and winning another game – in the NCAA Tournament. The Sun Devils rebuilt a large portion of its roster this offseason but have looked efficient in games one and two.
Grand Canyon barnstormed the country after plowing through Saint Mary’s last March. The return of most key pieces and the addition of JaKobe Coles from TCU pits the Antelopes among the top mid-major contenders and in prime position for a regular season upset.
The Sun Devils won each of its first two games by seven points, which warrants concern from a box score point of view, but peeling away the statistical face reveals that ASU is an extremely efficient squad that is suspectable to runs due to poor transitional defense.
An upset – no matter who is favored – is likely. Both teams are almost equal talent-wise, but execution will be key in Tempe.
Arkansas Little Rock (1-1) @ Arkansas State (1-1) – 11/12, 8:00 ESPN+
This was the game that spurred my introduction. Both teams have already suffered losses, and the game will only be available through ESPN+. Yet, this game holds immense impact on the power rankings of mid-major college basketball.
The Trojans enter Tuesday’s game with a split record after a loss to Winthrop crushed their preseason momentum. Little Rock’s roster is chock full of high-turned-mid major transfers, including former LSU forward Mwani Wilkinson, which gives Little Rock potency on the offensive end and toughness on defense.
The Red Wolves hung around with No. 2 Alabama until midway through the second half before slipping away and falling to 1-1. A strong backcourt duo of Taryn Todd and Derrian Ford spearheads the Red Wolves’ scoring, as Arkansas State looks to rebound better so they can stick around with the bigger teams in the Sun Belt.
