We have a pair of gems for you tonight that feature some mighty talent from the east coast and the west coast (so to speak) plus a whole heep of other great games right here ...
Marquee Match Ups
7:00pm Eastern Michigan @ Syracuse
In the days after the allegations that have led to Syracuse firing long time assistant coach Bernie Fine, the Orange had actually played some very inspired basketball. After four blowout wins against some less than spectacular competition, Syracuse went into Madison Square Garden and played two tough games against Virginia Tech and Stanford to come away with the NIT Season Tip-Off title to end their Thanksgiving week. Now they take on Eastern Michigan at home which should be a win. Kris Joseph, after having his minutes and touches limited in the first four contests due to the routes, was all in against the Hokies and Cardinal and he showed that he can be a complete player. He averaged 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in 37.5 minutes over those two games and was looking every bit the star he is. If this is a laugher, which I think it will be, expect him to get his rest early.
9:00pm Arizona @ New Mexico State
This is a rejuvenated New Mexico State team that is taking on a limping Arizona squad. The Aggies are coming off some tough wins early in the season and the Canadian quartet of Hernst Laroche, Christian Kabongo, Tyrone Watson and Daniel Mullings are seeing some serious minutes and production. Together they are averaging 37 points, 12 rebounds, 11.5 assists and 5 steals which equals out to about half the scoring, a quarter of the boards, over 75% of the dimes and over 60% over the thefts. That’s major production right there and the Aggies are going to need all of it against these Wildcats. Arizona had had some controversy already this season with a player being suspended and now they are riding a two game losing streak. These ‘Cats will not role over and die just yet so expect this to be a very exciting game, especially since Arizona is coming to Las Cruces.
And here are where the rest of the men are playing …
7:00pm Eastern Kentucky @ Delaware State
7:30pm Illinois @ Maryland
8:00pm North Texas @ Texas – Myck Kabongo had another tough outing against Sam Houston State this Saturday going for 4 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in 33 minutes. Let’s see if he can shake that off against North Texas tonight.
8:00pm Prairie View A&M @ Baylor
8:00pm Arkansas-Little Rock @ Northwestern State
10:00pm UTEP @ Oregon – Olu Ashaolu has been moved to coming off the bench and in his last game he’s seemed to finally get comfortable enough to show flashes of the Olu we all know and love. Against Nebraska, he posted a season high 12 points in 23 minutes to go with 3 rebounds and his first assists as a Duck. The only blemish was that he fouled out of the game which makes it back-to-back games he’s done this. If he can stay out of foul trouble, this could be his breakout game.
10:00pm Saint Louis @ Loyola Marymount
10:30pm Lewis & Clark @ Portland – Against Kentucky this past weekend, Nem Mitrovic had his best game of the young season hanging 20 points which included 6 threes on the Wildcats’ defense. I would think that he’d still be on this high and against Lewis & Clark he should be set loose.
And here is where the ladies are playing …
7:00pm St. Peter’s @ Fairleigh Dickinson
7:00pm Mount St. Mary’s @ Pitt
7:00pm Massachusetts @ Quinnipiac
8:00pm Alcorn State @ Oklahoma State
8:00pm New Orleans @ Marquette – Katherine Plouffe is looking like the female Larry Bird averaging 13.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals. She’s second on the team in every category except points where he’s the top dawg.
8:00pm BYU @ BYU Hawaii
8:00pm Eastern Washington @ Portland
9:00pm Syracuse @ Boise State – Syracuse’s Kayla Alexander is coming off a career high 33-point game against Binghamton last week where she went 12-of-14 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the line. I would think that there could be another big game here for her if Boise State is anything like the Bearcats. Canadian Diana Lee will be looking to capitalize on her good start to the season for the Cowgirls against a tough Orange backcourt.