With all the American Thanksgiving Week Tournaments going on in the US, we are posting this set of games early so you can see who's game you're likely missing due to school or work. Our big game will be tonight though which has Syracuse and Kris Joseph taking on their first real competition this season ...
Marquee Match Up
9:30pm Virginia Tech @ Syracuse
This will be the first game that Syracuse plays against a BCS school. The first four games the Orange played were cakewalks so this is the first real test of the season, even if Virginia Tech isn’t the most talented team from the ACC. Like the ‘Cuse, the Hokies have been blowing out teams also through three games making this their first real test against quality competition this season also. Kris Joseph has been cruising through the last few games really so this will be a good one to watch. He’s only been playing about 22 minutes a game, and he’s been very efficient in those minutes (13 points, 4 boards, .500 from the floor and .over .670 from the three) , but I have a feeling that this contest will have him playing at least 30, unless it’s another blowout for either team.
And here are the rest of the men’s games today …
4:30pm Niagara vs. Sacred Heart
5:00pm Austin Peay vs. Detroit – Jason Calliste had a near double-double last night in the close loss against Bowling Green going for 16 points and 9 rebounds. Let’s see what he has left in his third game in as many days.
7:00pm Rutgers vs. Richmond
7:00pm Stanford vs. Oklahoma State – Dwight Powell has returned to the lineup after an ankle sprain just before the first game of the season for the Cardinal but has been playing sparingly. He did play 17 minutes in the Stanford win over UC Davis last Friday so with a week of healing under his belt let’s see if he’s back to starting form.
7:00pm Saint Joseph’s @ Iona
7:00pm Radford @ Kentucky – this game should be a blowout so expect Kyle Wiltjer to play a lot of minutes. The rule of thumb in the first four games for Coach Cal’s rotation has seemed to be play Kyle in blowouts but limit his minutes in tight games. That’s odd considering Wiltjer’s the Wildcats most efficient scorer putting in 9 points in 25 minutes of game time. But then again, that’s only in blowout situations.
7:00pm South Dakota State @ Mercer
7:30pm George Washington @ Bowling Green
8:00pm Texas-Arlington @ Baylor – I want to watch this game to see Brady Heslip put on a shooting display. He’s shooting better from behind the arc (.440) than from inside (.429) right now and he’s only made one two pointer so far.
8:00pm Montana @ North Dakota
9:00pm Oregon @ Nebraska – We’re all still waiting for the Olu Ashaolu breakout game. He’s had an issue with foul trouble to start his season (he’s averaging 4.3 through the first three games) so I think if he can limit his fouls, he could have a good game tonight.
9:05pm Lewis & Clark @ Idaho
And now for the ladies …
1:00pm Mississippi Valley State @ Mississippi State
7:00pm Wisconsin @ BYU
8:00pm Alcorn State @ Rice
8:35pm Utah Valley @ Northern Arizona
9:00pm Boise State @ Utah State – Sophomore Diana Lee is a key contributor to a team that is 3-1 right now and looking for its fourth win at home.