Preview Roundups
December 27, 2014
Maine at Seton Hall 12:00 PM ET
Seton Hall plays its final tuneup for Big East play when it hosts Maine on Saturday, though the Pirates are going to be dealing with a big loss in their lineup. Star freshman Isaiah Whitehead was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot and is out indefinitely, forcing coach Kevin Willard to juggle his lineup. Whitehead is the Pirates' second-leading scorer at 11.9 points per game and the leader in assists (3.4), so there will be production for the rest of the team to pick up.
Indiana at Georgetown 12:00 PM ET
Winners of two straight, Georgetown has one more non-conference test before it begins play in the Big East next week. The Hoyas, who have yet to play a true road game this season, face Indiana as part of the Indeed Invitational at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. Georgetown trimmed Charlotte last time 81-78 while continuing its trend of balanced scoring.
NC-Wilmington at Minnesota 1:00 PM ET
Minnesota has heard plenty about the number of upsets sprung on power conference teams this season. As the Golden Gophers prepare to host UNC Wilmington on Saturday, the cautionary tale emphasized by head coach Richard Pitino -- and reinforced by Minnesota's struggle in Tuesday's 86-76 victory over Furman -- have the Golden Gophers on guard. "Getting a good punch from Furman was a good test for our character," Joey King said after scoring 19 points against the Paladins.
Kentucky at Louisville 2:00 PM ET
Given their recent history, Kentucky or Louisville can be assured of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament with a regular-season win over its bitter rival. Two of college basketball’s eight undefeated teams face off for the 48th time on Saturday when the fourth-ranked Cardinals host the top-ranked Wildcats. The winner of the “Battle for the Bluegrass” has ended up in the national championship game three straight seasons, with Kentucky winning it all in 2012 and Louisville doing the same in 2013.
Northern Kentucky at Northwestern 3:00 PM ET
Northwestern coach Chris Collins hopes to see continued improvement from his Northwestern team when it hosts Northern Kentucky on Saturday for its final tune-up before Big Ten play. Collins made some changes to the Wildcats' pre-game routine that have produced back-to-back wins and more energy on the court. "I'm not one to just stand pat," Collins told the media after Monday's win against UIC. "We're trying to be more rah-rah (in pre-game) versus locked into strategy just to get some life."
UAB at North Carolina 4:00 PM ET
Looking for its third straight win, No. 21 North Carolina hosts UAB on Saturday in a rematch of one of last year's biggest upsets. The Tar Heels are coming off a big win over No. 18 Ohio State last time out, but coach Roy Williams is focused on his team's lack of a killer instinct after going 15-of-25 from the free-throw line in the second half. "I don't hear the happy song in my ears right now," Williams told reporters. "We stunk it up down the stretch and we've got to be better there."
Oakland at Maryland 5:00 PM ET
The good news for No. 15 Maryland, which completes its non-conference slate by hosting Oakland on Saturday, is how freshman Melo Trimble and junior Jake Layman have emerged during Dez Wells' injury. The better news for the Terrapins is Wells could be back on the court as soon as Saturday. Coach Mark Turgeon told CBS earlier this month that he expected Wells (wrist) to be cleared for practice before the Oakland game.
Mercer at Georgia 6:00 PM ET
Georgia will look to extend its winning streak to a season-high four games when it hosts Mercer on Saturday. The Bulldogs appear to be hitting their stride, coming off a 65-47 decision over Seton Hall last Saturday, and will have to guard against an emotional letdown against a Bears team looking to pull the upset. "I'm glad we played a really good team (after a two-week break) because it forces our guys to be on point," coach Mark Fox told reporters.
Gonzaga at Brigham Young 6:00 PM ET
Gonzaga begins defense of its West Coast Conference title when it visits BYU on Saturday. "I'm really happy with where these guys are at, but you've got to keep moving forward and where we're going to be is probably the most important thing," Bulldogs coach Mark Few, who is 15-0 in WCC openers, told reporters. Eighth-ranked Gonzaga has won 13 of the last 14 WCC regular-season crowns - 11 straight from 2001-11 - and is the two-time defending WCC tournament champion.
Wright St. at Ohio St. 7:00 PM ET
No. 18 Ohio State hopes to end non-conference play on a high note when it hosts Wright State on Saturday. Ohio State has been off since Monday’s 93-55 win against Miami (Ohio), which helped it get over a loss two days earlier to then-No. 24 North Carolina, one that dropped it six spots in the coaches’ poll. The Buckeyes have won 22 straight non-conference home games, but Wright State is 4-2 on the road this season.
Presbyterian at Virginia Tech 7:00 PM ET
Virginia Tech is taking a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s non-conference home finale against Presbyterian, but first-year coach Buzz Williams is anything but pleased with the team’s 7-4 start. “I’m really, really disappointed,” Williams said on the team’s website. “We should have lost once. Virginia Tech spent more money on guarantee games than in the history of the program, partly because I’m new and partly because they’re tired of losing."
Tennessee St. at Tennessee 8:30 PM ET
Tennessee’s frontcourt remains a concern, but Devon Baulkman is doing his best to help restore calm. The junior college transfer has made a strong case for extra playing time heading into Saturday’s game against visiting Tennessee State, which has lost nine straight. Baulkman, a versatile 6-5 guard, scored a career-high 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in a breakout performance Monday as the Volunteers rolled to a 64-54 win over Mercer.
Kennesaw St. at Illinois 9:00 PM ET
The Big Ten begins conference play Tuesday, but until then, Illinois has one more non-conference opponent remaining on the schedule. The Fighting Illini host Kennesaw State on Saturday, hoping to make it 36 straight non-conference victories at State Farm Center. A week ago, Rayvonte Rice delivered an early Christmas present to Illinois fans with a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Illini a 62-59 victory over Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights game.
Colorado St. at New Mexico St. 9:00 PM ET
Colorado State tries to extend its school-record winning streak and best start to a season when it visits New Mexico State on Saturday. "We just want to win. We gel together, we hang out together," senior guard Daniel Bejarano told reporters after the No. 25 Rams improved to 12-0 with Monday's 75-54 victory over Charleston Southern. "On the court we just try to stick together. We don't care who scores; we're just trying to get the win. Just having that winning mentality, it goes a long way."
San Diego Christian at San Diego St. 10:00 PM ET
No. 23 San Diego State closes its non-conference schedule on Saturday against visiting San Diego Christian, but it would be understandable if it appears distracted. The team is awaiting more news about senior forward Dwayne Polee II, who was alert and responsive after collapsing during Monday’s 61-33 victory over UC Riverside. “We just pray that the tests can be run and determine what the cause of it might be and move forward from there," Aztecs coach Steve Fisher told reporters.