College Basketball Preview 2013-14: Top Games To Watch On Nov. 8 Opening Night
By Nathan Giese
Georgetown takes on Oregon in the most anticipated opening day game in the nation. (photo: sports-logos-screensavers.com)
With the NBA set to kick off Tuesday night, college basketball isn’t far behind. The highly anticipated season set to unofficially kick off on Friday, Nov. 8 (there are minor games on the Nov. 6 and 7) and it’s only fitting to look at who will be playing and what games you should be watching to continue the HoopsHabit 2013-14 college basketball preview.
The biggest early season games are mostly slated for the 24-hour marathon on ESPN’s family of networks on the night of Nov. 11 through Nov. 12, but there are still games to look forward to next Friday.
Davidson Wildcats at Duke Blue Devils, 7:00 ESPNU
Duke comes into the season one of the favorites to win the national championship next April with the addition of super frosh Jabari Parker. Quinn Cook, Andre Dawkins, Amile Jefferson, Josh Hairston, Rasheed Sulaimon and Tyler Thornton return as the Blue Devils’ leading minutes gainers and playing experience from last season. Duke also brings in Rodney Hood from Mississippi State. Mike Kryzewski may have the deepest team he’s had in years.
On the other side, Davidson is trying to maintain their success and popularity that Stephen Curry brought to the Wildcats. Davidson has been a mid-major staple ever since, always overcoming the odds and having successful seasons. DeMar Brooks will help lead the Wildcats into the season in hopes to return to the NCAA tournament. It will be a tough game for Davidson, but it should be a fun one to kick off the season nonetheless.
Georgetown Hoyas vs. Oregon Ducks, 7:30 ESPN
Two NCAA tournament teams from a season ago that have new looks to them, Georgetown and Oregon will battle in South Korea to open up the season.
Oregon will have an easier time transitioning after the losses of Arsala Kazemi, E.J. Singler, Carlos Emory and Tony Woods with the transfers of Joseph Young and Mike Moser to join Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson.
Georgetown will also hope to fill a void with a transfer. Otto Porter Jr., Big East Player of the Year last season, is now in the NBA. The Hoyas got great news last week when the NCAA announced UCLA transfer Josh Smith is eligible to play immediately and gained a full year back (a different topic for another time). Greg Whittington’s torn ACL is also something the Hoyas will have to overcome but they return point guard Markel Starks, whom John Thompson III thinks is ready for a star role.
Both teams are not currently ranked in the HoopsHabit preseason Top 25, but a win for either team will be a huge momentum booster going forward.
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles at Nebraska Cornhuskers, 9:00 Big Ten Network
The Nebraska Cornhuskers aren’t exactly an elite basketball program (projected to finish dead last in the Big Ten this season), but they open their season at home, christening the brand new, beautiful Pinnacle Bank Arena against a mid-major with major hopes in Florida Gulf Coast.
The Eagles will have a new coach after Andy Enfield took the success from last season’s NCAA tournament run to USC. Joe Dooley, former Kansas Jayhawks assistant, has high expectations for the team returning. Brett Comer and Chase Fieler come back as the highlights of Dunk City. Comer’s a great point guard who, if he can cut down on his turnovers, will have a fantastic season.
It may not be a headliner, but FGCU is on a mission to prove they aren’t a one-hit wonder and Nebraska is determined to not let somebody ruin the opening of their brand new arena. This one will be interesting.
Colorado Buffaloes at Baylor Bears, 10:00 p.m. Likely locally televised
Baylor is going to have to replace their leading scorer and floor general from the past two seasons in point guard Pierre Jackson. Scott Drew is hoping that another JUCO transfer can replace the previous JUCO transfer. Kenny Cherry comes in expecting to get most of the minutes are point guard this season. Luckily he’ll have a frontcourt of Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson to make his job easier.
Colorado is looking to build off its momentum from NCAA tournament appearances the past two seasons.. Mr. Double-Double, Andre Roberson, is no longer in Boulder but Spencer Dinwiddle returns, as does Askia Booker. The backcourt will not be the issue for Colorado this season. What will be a problem is how Colorado plans on incorporating their sophomores and freshmen into the rotation. The Buffaloes are going to have a young rotation of players but the talent is there to challenge for the Pac-12 Championship this season.
There are plenty of games on the schedule for Nov. 8 and it all begins at noon. Yes, noon on a Friday, and the action doesn’t stop until the New Mexico State against Western Michigan at 1:30 a.m. Grab your popcorn because it’s going to be a great opening day.
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