Preview Roundups
November 17, 2014
Texas Southern at Indiana 6:00 PM ET
Mike Davis had the unenviable task of replacing a legend when Indiana fired coach Bobby Knight 14 years ago so he is well aware of what awaits when he brings Texas Southern into Assembly Hall for Monday's matchup with the Hoosiers. Davis and the Tigers will be a decided underdog against Indiana, which advanced to the national title game in the second of Davis' six seasons as its head coach. “I’m looking forward to it, excited about it,” Davis said. “I have some unbelievable memories there.”
Northwestern at Brown 7:00 PM ET
Northwestern fans were excited to get a first-hand look at the best recruiting class in school history Friday, one they hope can eventually take the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament. However, the 65-58 win against lowly Houston Baptist showed the fans and second-year coach Chris Collins that a lot of work remains before this group can reach its goal. The young Wildcats look to continue their development at Brown on Monday.
Hofstra at N.C. State 7:00 PM ET
T.J. Warren’s departure to the NBA left a gaping hole in North Carolina State’s offense, but two Wolfpack players – one returning, one new – showed the capacity to shoulder the scoring load in Friday’s season-opening rout of Jackson State. N.C. State hosts Hofstra on Monday, three days after Anthony Barber scored a season-high 25 points and Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey added 22 points in a 93-58 victory. “They feed off each other,” coach Mark Gottfried said.
Miami-Florida at Florida 7:00 PM ET
In-state rivals collide Monday as Miami (Fla.) takes a trip to Gainesville to take on No. 7 Florida. Each team won its season opener Friday against modest opponents, with the Hurricanes making quick work of Howard and the Gators knocking off William & Mary. Florida’s coaching staff was left unimpressed with their team’s defense in particular, with assistant coach John Pelphrey telling Gatorzone.com: “Don’t be deceived. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Louisiana Tech at Temple 7:00 PM ET
Fresh off an ugly effort in its season opener, Temple hopes to show a bit more offensive upside when it hosts Louisiana Tech on Monday. The Owls secured a 40-37 victory over American on Friday despite shooting 22.9 percent from the field and committing 15 turnovers. Will Cummings, the team's top returning scorer, scuffled to the tune of seven points on 1-of-13 shooting.
Winthrop at Clemson 7:00 PM ET
Clemson’s Brad Brownell has earned a reputation for building strong defensive teams in his 13-year coaching career and did nothing to dispel that with a convincing win against an overmatched opponent in his team’s season opener. The Tigers look to begin a season with back-to-back wins for the 14th straight year on Monday when they host Winthrop. Each of Brownell’s first 12 teams – including four each at UNC Wilmington and Wright State – finished among the top 50 in scoring defense.
Jacksonville St. at Louisville 7:00 PM ET
With a much-hyped father-versus-son matchup behind him, Rick Pitino can go about the business of making a run for a national championship when No. 9 Louisville hosts Jacksonville State in Monday's home opener. The Cardinals kicked off the season by dispatching of Minnesota - coached by Richard Pitino - in the Armed Forces Classic inside a hangar in Puerto Rico. "So for all the exposure, it was great until the end of the game," the elder Pitino said.
Maryland - E. Shore at Villanova 7:00 PM ET
The senior campaign didn’t start strongly for Darrun Hilliard, and the 6-6 guard who averaged 14.3 points per game last season strives for a better showing when No. 12 Villanova hosts Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday. Hilliard made just 4-of-18 shots while scoring 10 points as the Wildcats opened with a 77-66 victory over Lehigh on Friday. “If you look at the numbers, you could say I had an off-game,” Hilliard told reporters. “I was trying to do what the game plan called for.”
Central Conn. St. at Maryland 7:30 PM ET
Maryland’s new motion offense was quite impressive in the team’s 82-48 season-opening victory over Wagner and the Terrapins want to carry that momentum into Monday’s game against visiting Central Connecticut State. Maryland was methodical in its ball movement while spacing the floor which resulted in numerous layups and 28 points in the paint.
Franklin Pierce College at St. John's 7:30 PM ET
St. John's coach Steve Lavin had already set high expectations for Chris Obekpa this season, but when fellow big men Keith Thomas and Adonis DeLaRosa were declared academically ineligible to start the season, the pressure mounted even more on the sophomore center. That said, as long as he plays the way he did in the season opener versus NJIT, St. John’s should be just fine. Obekpa takes aim at another strong outing Monday when the Red Storm face Franklin Pierce in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
UMKC at Kansas St. 8:00 PM ET
Kansas State was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the Big 12 a year ago, but showed off its firepower in an impressive season-opening win. Coming off their best offensive performance under third-year coach Bruce Weber, the Wildcats hope for a repeat effort on Monday when they host UMKC. Kansas State averaged 69.7 points in 2013-14 – good for eighth in the 10-team conference – often relying on then-freshman Marcus Foster to help the team through its offensive struggles.
Washington St. at Texas Christian 8:00 PM ET
Washington State struggled against a bigger team in its season opener and the Cougars will face a similar challenge Monday night when they visit TCU. The Horned Frogs have a starting front line consisting of 6-10 Karviar Shepherd, 6-8 Chris Washburn and 6-6 Brandon Parrish, all sophomores, with 6-7 junior Kenrich Williams coming off the bench. Washington State was stung Friday by a UTEP front line that stood 6-11, 6-10 and 6-8.
Wake Forest at Tulane 8:00 PM ET
Wake Forest coach Danny Manning used a bit of humor to describe the Demon Deacons’ turnover-filled performance in Friday’s season-opening victory over UNC Asheville, telling reporters, “I think if you are a fan, you enjoyed sitting in the front row because you got to touch the game ball.” Manning seeks a more disciplined performance when Wake Forest travels Monday to Tulane, after the Demon Deacons committed 24 turnovers in an 80-69 win in his first game as coach.
Mississippi Valley State at Mississippi St. 8:00 PM ET
After taking care of business it in its season opener on Friday, Mississippi State looks to build some early season momentum when Mississippi Valley State visits on Monday. The Bulldogs got past Western Carolina to start the season as five players made their debut for the program. "I thought our freshmen came in and made some big threes, especially Maurice Dunlap," coach Rick Ray told reporters.
Mississippi at Troy 8:00 PM ET
Ole Miss looks to bounce back from a stunning season-opening loss when the Rebels host Troy from the Sun Belt Conference on Monday. The Rebels rallied Friday from a double-digit deficit in the second half against Charleston Southern before losing 66-65 when the Buccaneers’ Cedrick Bowen scored on a dunk with 0.1 seconds left in overtime. “I’ve been doing this for 10 years,” Rebels coach Andy Kennedy told reporters. “I’ve never had one like this.”
Bucknell at Michigan 8:00 PM ET
No. 23 Michigan won its season opener by 24 points, but that doesn't mean that coach John Beilein was satisfied. "We have to learn," said Beilein, whose team hosts Bucknell on Monday, two days after defeating Hillsdale. "We're still trying to find out who we are defensively, what are our patterns of switching, and they exposed a lot of that today."
North Dakota State at Iowa 8:02 PM ET
Despite a great performance from star Alex White in an opening-season rout Friday, Hawkeye nation is still stinging over last season's late collapse after creeping into the top-10 in midseason. Iowa lost seven of its final eight games, including an overtime loss against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament play-in round. The Hawkeyes' second chance to rebuild fans' faith takes place Monday when North Dakota State visits in a 2K Classic regional round game.
Binghamton at Providence 9:00 PM ET
Providence was forced to battle into the final minute for a season-opening victory and the Friars look to make it easier on themselves when Binghamton visits on Monday night. Tyler Harris scored 23 points, including two key free throws late, as Providence held off Albany 64-60 on Saturday and it faces another America East opponent two days later. “We’re a work in progress,” Friars coach Ed Cooley told reporters. “We have a long way to go. Hopefully we’ll improve as we continue to play.”
Georgia St at Iowa St. 9:00 PM ET
Iowa State looked a bit out of sorts in its season opening victory against Oakland but as the Cyclones prepare for Monday’s game against Georgia State, one player who appeared to be in mid-season form was Georges Niang. Niang scored a personal-best 30 points, pulled down nine rebounds and handed out five assists.
Western Carolina at Alabama 9:00 PM ET
Alabama, trying to prove last season's 13-19 finish was a fluke, will try to get off to a 2-0 start when its hosts Western Carolina on Monday. It's the second home game in four nights for the Crimson Tide, who defeated Towson 82-54 on Friday. That was the 100th coaching win at Alabama for sixth-year head coach Anthony Grant, who improved to 100-71 with the Crimson Tide.
Bethune-Cookman at Arizona St. 9:00 PM ET
Arizona State has been tough on its home floor lately and the Sun Devils will try to maintain that trend when they host Bethune-Cookman on Monday night as part of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. Arizona State has won 35 of its last 40 home games, the latest an 86-50 drubbing of Chicago State in Friday’s season opener. The Sun Devils lost their top three scorers from last season but are hopeful Shaquielle McKissic and a cast of newcomers can pick up the slack.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Tulsa 9:30 PM ET
Two teams looking to improve on their season-opening performances meet Monday when Louisiana visits Tulsa, which began the Frank Haith era with a 77-68 loss at Oral Roberts. The Golden Hurricane shot 33.9 percent from the field and were 2-of-19 from 3-point range in Friday’s opener, while Louisiana overcame 21 turnovers in an 85-57 win over Division III-member Louisiana College. Haith takes over a Tulsa squad that was picked to finish fifth in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll.
Detroit at Oregon 11:00 PM ET
If Joseph Young has anything to say about it, this season won't be as big a rebuilding task as it appears for Oregon. Young scored 32 points in the Ducks' opener as Oregon routed Coppin State. Young and the Ducks look to sustain that momentum when they host Detroit on Monday.
Tennessee Tech at Southern California 11:00 PM ET
Turnovers doomed USC in its season opener and the Trojans will look to take better care of the ball when they host Tennessee Tech on Monday. USC shot 53.2 percent from the field and won the boards 43-25 but couldn’t overcome 23 turnovers in a season-opening loss to Portland State on Saturday. “You’re not going to beat any team with 23 turnovers,” USC Coach Andy Enfield told the Los Angeles Register.
Southern Methodist at Gonzaga 11:00 PM ET
Two teams with Sweet 16 potential -- and maybe more -- square off Monday when No. 22 SMU vists No. 13 Gonzaga as part of ESPN's Tip-Off Marathon. Both teams won their openers in convincing fashion on Friday: SMU defeated Lamar 93-54 at home while Gonzaga ran over visiting Sacramento State 104-58. It's the first meeting between the schools.
Auburn at Colorado 11:59 PM ET
When Auburn walks into its locker room prior to Monday's game at Colorado, the Tigers will be greeted by a sign that reads: "Elevation: 5,345 feet.'' The Buffaloes decided to turn up the tempo a notch or two on offense this season in an effort to wear out its sea-level opponents, and the decision already reaped a reward with a 65-48 season-opening victory over Drexel on Friday.