Evansville did it! I mean number twenty-third ranked Northern Iowa bascially gave the game away but nonetheless, the Purple Aces will start 1-0 in "The Valley." What about today? Will number ten ranked Utah be upset by USC in Salt Lake City or what about number twenty-one ranked Washington, will they drop their second straight after thier stunning defeat at the hands of Stony Brook tonight against California? So sit back, relax, and do not worried about being bored today with the College Football Playoff in an off week because their are some really good matchups in the PAC-12 and the MAAC.
3:00 PM EST-PAC 12
6-6 Washington State
at 8-3 Stanford
Team Resumés
6-6 Washington State
Solid Wins:
None.
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-UC Santa Barabara 71-43 in Quarterfinal of Great Alaska Shootout.
-Idaho 77-71 (Home)
-Santa Clara 76-67 (Road)
Key Players:
---#25 DeVonte Lacy (SR)
-17.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 2.4 APG.
-Four-year starter and three-year double-digit scorer including this season.
-1,000 point scorer at Washington State and arguably the Cougars best player.
-His PPG & RPG are down this season from last (19.4 PPG & 4.2 RPG) but his facilitation numbers are up.
-The majority of his shots come from three point land where he shoots (37.2%) but he does have the capability to drive the ball to the rim or hit a mid-range jumper.
-Best free throw shooter for WSU as he shoots 82.9%.
---#24 Josh Hawkinson (SO)
-15.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.
-One of only a few players in Division One Men's Basketball to average a double-double.
-He is receiving six times as much playing time as last year when he averaged 1.2 PPG in 6.4 MPG.
-Hawkinson is the Cougars' best rebounder as he has seven more rebounds than the second leading rebounder on his team.
-Has the capability to hit threes but does most of his work in the post or just outside of it.
-Very accurate shooter inside the arc as he shoots 53.1% from the field.
---#0 Ike Iroegbu (SO)
-8.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, & 2.8 APG.
-Iroegbu's production has increased greatly from last season in PPG, RPG, & APG.
-He has a very balanced offensive game and can shoot from the outside as well as inside the arc. 48.8% FG%.
-Good free throw shooter when sent to the line as he 81.0%.
8-3 Stanford
Solid Wins:
-UNLV 89-60 in Semi-Final of the Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic.
-#9 Texas 74-71 (Road)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-DePaul 87-72 (Home)
Key Players:
---#5 Chasson Randle (SR)
-18.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, & 2.6 APG.
-2014-2015 Preseason First Team All-Pac-12.
-Four-year starter and four-year double-digit scorer with the opportunity to score 2,000 points in his career this season.
-Star player for Stanford that has a very well-rounded game.
-High volume shooter that can get to the free throw line and make free throws (93.8%).
-This season his field goal (41.5%) and three point percentage (36.1%) has took a dip compared to last but he is still one of the best point guards West of the Mississippi River.
---#4 Stefan Nastic (SR)
-14.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 BPG.
-Two year starter for Stanford.
-During his Freshman and Sophomore season, Nastic played less than ten minutes per game, but recevied big playing time his Junior and Senior seasons.
-Very aggresive shooter that shoots about eleven times a game, which is about six more attempts than last season.
-Stanford's leading rebounder and shot blocker. He is the rim protector for the Cardinal.
-Nastic scores most of his points in the post and a few feet outside of the paint and is not really considered an outside threat.
---#21 Anthony Brown (SR)
-14.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, & 2.5 APG.
-Four-year starter for Stanford.
-Second best free throw shooter besides Randle.
-His stats have improved compared from last season.
-Brown is a very good three-point shooter that averages about four attempts from downtown a game at 46.5%. He also posses a very good mid-range and off the dribble game.
Prediction:
It is do or die for Stanford this season. Yes, they made it to the Sweet Sixteen last year but if they want to make it to the Final Four, this is their last chance since Chasson Randle is a Senior. Personally, as a person that watches the PAC-12, I cannot wait for another Lacy versus Randle matchup. Both guards are great scorers but Stanford will win because they have a third scorer in Anthony Brown. Another matchup to watch is Washington State's Josh Hawkinson versus Stanford's Stefan Nastic. Normally Hawkinson's doesn't face big men with scoring ability and I am curious to see if he can dominate both sides of the floor and get a double-double. Nevertheless it will take more than a Hawkinson double-double for the Cougars to start conference play 1-0.
---Stanford 75, Washington State 63
7:00 PM EST
5-7 (2-0) Monmouth
at 7-4 (2-0) Canisius
Team Resumés
5-7 (2-0) Monmouth
Conference Wins:
-Marist 57-50 (Road)
-Iona 92-89 (Home)
Non-Power Six Losses:
-Towson 79-75 in Overtime (Home)
-Fordham 68-58 in Overtime (Road)
-Saint Francis 71-46 (Home)
Key Players:
---#5 Deon Jones (JR)
-12.8 PPG & 4.7 RPG.
---#12 Justin Robinson (SO)
-10.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 3.6 APG.
---#1 Brice Kofane (SR)
-7.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, & 2.4 BPG.
7-4 (2-0) Canisus
Solid & Conference Wins:
-Vermont 64-60 (Home Opener)
-Saint Peter's 60-57 (Road)
-Niagara 77-64 (Road)
-Stony Brook 60-59 in Overtime (Home)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-Cornell 67-60 (Road)
Key Players:
---#1 Zach Lewis (SO)
-13.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, & 2.3 APG.
---#22 Phil Valenti (SO)
-10.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, & 2.5 APG.
---#23 Jamal Reynolds (JR)
-7.5 PPG & 7.4 RPG.
Prediction:
There are three undefeated teams in conference play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and tonight two face off in Buffalo tonight. Unlike most conferences, the MAAC schedules teams to play a pair of conference games early in December, when most teams are still in non-conference play before entering back into the flow of a non-conference competition. This means that both teams playing are not coming in on a two game win streak. In fact, Canisus is the only team that is heading into this game on a win streak (three games) while Monmouth is on a two game losing streak. So what should we expect tonight? I feel like tonight will be like most conference games around the country, which is a close game that will come down to which team plays better in the second half with home-court playing a factor as well. Personally, I feel like the trio (listed above for each team) that scores the most will bring their team the victory.
---Canisus 59, Monmouth 52
8:00 PM EST-ESPNU
8-5 Florida State
at 6-6 Mississippi State
Team Resumés
8-5 Florida State
Solid Wins:
-Florida 65-63 (Home)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-Northeastern 76-73 (Home)
Key Players:
---#32 Montay Brandon (JR)
-14.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, & 1.8 APG.
---#22 Xavier Rathan-Mayes (FR)
-11.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, & 4.9 APG.
---#1 Devon Bookert (JR)
-8.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, & 2.6 APG.
6-6 Mississippi State
Solid Wins:
-Saint Louis 75-50 in Semi-Final of Corpus-Christi Coast Challenge.
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-Arkansas State 69-55 (Home)
-USC Upstate 53-51 (in Jackson)
-McNeese State 66-47 (Home)
Key Players:
---#1 Fred Thomas (JR)
-11.3 PPG & 4.8 RPG.
---#25 Roquez Johnson (SR)
-11.2 PPG & 5.8 RPG.
---#23 Travis Daniels (JR)
-7.2 PPG, & 5.4 RPG.
Prediction:
Alright, great quarterback matchup tonight in Starkville between Jamis Winston and Dak Prescott. Is everyone pumped! I am! Uh, Florida State and Mississippi State are playing a basketball game? Well...that is disappointing. Florida State received a little help from their opponents in their last game last Friday as Florida forward, Jacob Kurtz (JR) accidently tipped in an air ball that gave Florida State the 65-63 win, but can the Seminoles muster enough without assistance from the other team to prevail victorious tonight. Florida State's NCAA Tournament chances took a hit about halfway through non-conference schedule when leading scorer Aaron Thomas (JR) was declared ineligble for the rest of the season by the NCAA. Tonight is a key game for FSU because a victory tonight would continue the momentum for the team going into ACC conference play and the Seminoles really need a win to erase last night's Rose Bowl blowout against Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff fROM their fans' mind. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are having an awful season in my opinion as have losses to Arkansas State, USC Upstate, and McNeese State. In their last game against McNeese State, Junior center Gavin Ware missed the game as he was dealing with an ankle injury. So far tonight, I have heard no word on Ware's status but if Ware cannot go tonight, the Bulldogs will need a step up in performance from Roquez Johnson and Fred Thomas to steal a win before heading into SEC action.
---Florida State 53, Mississippi State 48
10:00 PM EST-ESPNU
8-4 USC
at 10-2 10. Utah
Team Resumés
8-4 USC
Solid Wins:
-New Mexico 66-54 (Road)
-Boston College 75-71 (Road)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-Portland State 76-68 (Home Opener)
-Akron 66-46 in Quarterfinal of Charleston Classic.
-Army 85-77 in Overtime (Home)
Key Players:
---#11 Jordan McLaughlin (FR)
-13.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, & 5.2 APG.
---#32 Nikola Jovanovic (SO)
-11.8 PPG & 8.6 RPG.
---#1 Katin Reinhardt (SO)
-10.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, & 2.3 APG.
10-2 10. Utah
Solid Wins:
-#8 Wichita State 69-68 in Overtime (Home)
-BYU 65-61
-UNLV 59-46 (in Las Vegas)
Only Losses:
-#16 San Diego State 53-49 (Road)
-#10 Kansas 63-60 (in Kansas City)
Key Players:
---#55 Delon Wright (SR)
-15.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, & 5.3 APG.
---#21 Jordan Loveridge (JR)
-12.0 PPG & 2.6 RPG.
---#42 Jakob Poeltl (FR)
-10.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, & 2.3 BPG.
Prediction:
Utah has a good basketball team. Scratch that-Utah has a GREAT basketball team. The Utes are led by Delon Wright who in my opinion is the front runner for PAC-12 Player of the Year. Wright does it all for Utah and plays around 37 minutes or more per game when games require his presence in crunch time. Also, Utah only allows 57.6 points per game meaning that if opponents like BYU and Wichita State's offenses can be limited on offense, Jordan McLaughlin's USC Trojans do not even stand a chance to score more than the Utes tonight in Salt Lake City.
---Utah 67, USC 48
10:00 PM EST
11-1 21. Wahington
at 10-3 California
Team Resumés
11-1 21. Washington
Solid Wins:
-UTEP 68-65 in Championship of Wooden Legacy.
-#13 San Diego State 49-36 (Home)
-#15 Oklahoma 69-67 (in Las Vegas)
"Never Should Have Happened" and Only Loss:
-Stony Brook 62-57 (Home)
Key Players:
---#5 Nigel Williams-Goss (SO)
-13.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, & 6.7 APG.
---#12 Andrew Andrews (JR)
-12.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, & 2.2 APG.
---#24 Robert Upshaw (JR)
-10.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, & 4.6 BPG.
---#40 Shawn Kemp Jr. (SR)
-10.3 PPG & 4.2 RPG.
10-3 California
Solid Wins:
-#23 Syracuse 73-59 in Semi-Final of 2K Classic.
-Wyoming 45-42 (Home)
-Eastern Washington 78-67 (Home)
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses Against Unranked Opposition:
-Cal State Bakersfield 55-52 (Home)
Key Players:
---#3 Tyrone Williams (JR)
-19.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, & 4.1 APG.
---#24 Jordan Matthews (SO)
-12.8 PPG, & 3.5 RPG.
---#45 David Kravish (SR)
-10.6 PPG & 5.9 RPG.
Prediction:
Here is a good reason to stay up on the East Coast. Both teams coming into Berkley are coming off horid losses against small schools that even the most diehard college hoops fan may not have heard of. In Washington's case, their loss cost them a chance at an undefeated non-conference season but a win tonight against Cal would take away some of the pain from the defeat. From my perspective, the California Golden Bears would have won this game hands down if Sophomore Jabari Bird was playing but the school from Berkley will have to do without as he will be sidelined for another two weeks with a foot injury. This game could go either way but I think California's home court will play a factor in the outcome. Also, the Golden Bears will need every bit of Tyrone Williams 19 point scoring average to put away Williams-Goss and the Washington Huskies.
---California 63, Washington 61
10:00 PM EST-FOX SPORTS 1
8-5 UCLA
at 7-5 Colorado
Team Resumés
8-5 UCLA
Solid Wins:
-Coastal Carolina 84-71 (Home)
-Long Beach State 77-63 (Home)
-San Diego 75-68
Losses Against Unranked Opponents:
-Oklahoma 75-65 in Quarterfinal of Battle 4 Atlantis.
-Alabama 56-50 (Road)
Key Players:
---#20 Bryce Alford (SO)
-17.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 6.1 APG.
---#4 Norman Powell (SR)
-15.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, & 2.0 APG.
---#5 Kevon Looney (FR)
-12.8 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.2 BPG.
---#10 Issac Hamilton (SO)
-12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, & 2.3 APG.
---#23 Tony Parker (JR)
-10.1 PPG & 7.6 RPG.
7-5 Colorado
Solid Wins:
-Auburn 90-59 (Home)
-Air Force 68-53 (Home)
-DePaul 82-68 in Quarterfinal of Diamond Head Classic.
"Never Should Have Happened" Losses:
-Wyoming 56-33 (Road)
-Georgia 64-57 (Road)
-Colorado State 62-60 (Home)
-Hawaii 69-66 (Road) in 5th Place Game of Diamond Head Classic.
Key Players:
---#0 Askia Booker (SR)
-15.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, & 3.1 APG.
---#40 Josh Scott (JR)
-14.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, & 2.0 APG.
---#2 Xavier Johnson (JR)
-13.5 PPG & 5.7 RPG.
Prediction:
If you are like me and are more of a Southern California boy that lives on the East Coast but does not have the PAC-12 Network, this is your reason to stay up late and not wake up until noon on Saturday. The UCLA Bruins are a great offensive team and no defense. In fact, all of UCLA's starters average double-digit points. A downside on the offensive end for the Bruins is that they have no good scorers and one of the weakest benches in the country. Their opponent, the Colorado Buffalos, is a defensive-first team that has the capability to score led by the trio of Booker, Scott, and Johnson. As of late, the offense has been trouble for Colorado as they have struggled supporting their defense with points on the board in game against Colorado State, George Washington, and Hawaii. In my opinion, if the Bruins score more than 60 points (Colorado's scoring average allowed to opponents), UCLA wins, if the Buffalos can hold the Bruins to fewer than 60 points, Colorado wins. Lastly, can I really trust Colorado to win after losing in games I picked them to win against George Washington and Hawaii in the Diamond Head Classic,? I can trust them but not tonight against a UCLA team with five different players that can score easily.
---UCLA 64, Colorado 61
PW's Prediction Record so far: 38-20 (3-2 in the MVC)
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