Mid-Major Men’s Basketball Game Breakdowns 11/18-11/20
Buffalo at Princeton, Saturday November 19th, 12:30 ET
Princeton is supposed to battle Harvard for the top spot in the Ivy League, but their season has gotten off to a slow start. New coach and former Princeton star, Mitch Henderson lost his opener at home to Wagner. It was just one game, but it was not a good way to get the Coach Henderson era started. The Tigers then traveled to North Carolina State on Wednesday and nearly knocked off the Wolfpack, losing by a score of 60-58. On Saturday they face a 2-0 Buffalo team that has wins against St. Peter’s and Cornell. If Princeton wants to start looking like a team that can beat Harvard, they need to start winning at home against teams like Buffalo.
Towson vs. Belmont, Saturday November 19th, 3:30 ET
This game is taking place in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, home of Middle Tennessee State, as part of the Maui Invitational. Unfortunately for the participating teams, this is the part of the Maui Invitational that is nowhere near Maui. But for Belmont it is an opportunity to play somebody besides Duke and Memphis. The Bruins could start a long winning streak, and we’re talking very long, if they can get past a Towson team that has played at Kansas and Michigan thus far this year.
Long Beach State at San Diego State, Saturday November 19th, 4:30 ET
During the week we warned that Long Beach State is a very good team that could give Pittsburgh some trouble. They did a lot more than give the Panthers trouble. LBSU beat Pitt on the road 86-76. A few days later it is time to see if the 49ers can consistently beat some good teams. San Diego State does not have a good win on the schedule, with all due respect to USC, and this could be their biggest test of the young season. If Coach Dan Monson and company can win again on the road against a quality opponent, they will start garnering the attention they deserve. And in a few weeks we will see how the 49ers can fare against Louisville, Kansas, North Carolina and Xavier.
Robert Morris at Penn, Saturday November 19th, 7:00 ET
This game may not garner too much national attention, but some of the folks in Pennsylvania will be eagerly watching this in-state battle. Both Robert Morris and Penn have gotten off to solid starts. The Colonials have knocked off Rider and St. Peter’s with little trouble and Penn held in there against Temple, which has been their only loss of the season. Robert Morris should be right in the mix for an NEC title and Penn, if they keep playing this well, could overtake Princeton as the team that could put a blemish on Harvard’s record.
Weber State at UC Irvine, Saturday November 17th, 7:30 ET
Weber State had a huge home win over Utah State on Tuesday. Beating Utah State is never easy and it means a lot to a team like Weber State. Already among the favorites in the Big Sky, the Wildcats now hit the road and need to prove that they can win away from the friendly confines of the Dee Events Center. UC Irvine on the other hand, will welcome a home game after travelling to California and San Jose State to start the year. The Anteaters had a nice game, in a losing effort, against SJSU and this group should be better at home.
