Mid-Major Games of the Week 11/21-11/24
Presbyterian at Davidson, Monday November 21st, 8:15 ET
Fresh off their shocking win at Cincinnati, the Blue Hose travel to Davidson to take on the Wildcats. Presbyterian guard Khalid Mutakabbir scored 25 of the Blue Hose’s 56 points against the Bearcats and this team is riding high and will head to Davidson thinking they can win. If the Blue Hose can maintain some sort of consistency, they could be a force in the Big South. Meanwhile, Davidson has beaten Richmond this season and hung around against Duke for a while. These two teams may not be favorites in their conference yet, but both are developing into contenders.
East Tennessee State at Charlotte, Tuesday November 22nd, 7:30 ET
Belmont is the team to beat in the Atlantic Sun, but can anybody compete with them? Thus far East Tennessee State appears to be a worthy adversary. Guards Marcus Dubose, Tommy Hubbard and Adam Sollazzo have led the Buccaneers to victories over Appalachian State and Troy. Earlier they lost at Virginia Tech by a score of 64-53. Eight of their next nine games, starting on Tuesday with Charlotte, are on the road and if Coach Murry Bartow can keep his team together during that brutal stretch, this is a team with the talent to make the A-Sun a more interesting battle then most expected.
Portland at UCSB, Tuesday November 22nd, 10:00 ET
Long Beach State has gotten all of the attention out of the Big West, but do not sleep on Orlando Johnson and UCSB. The Gauchos have not really been tested yet this year, but Portland will give them a good game. UCSB already beat another West Coast Conference member in Santa Clara and now they will try to make it two in a week. Like LBSU, the Gauchos have a tough schedule, but they have some good early games at home before they have to hit the road and get challenged by teams like Washington, California and BYU.
St. Mary’s at Denver, Wednesday November 23rd, 7:00 ET
Is Denver a legitimate contender in the Sun Belt? Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee and North Texas are all quality teams, but the Pioneers could be right in the mix if their first three games are any indication. Chris Udofia has led Denver to wins over Portland State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Southern Miss. Obviously St. Mary’s is the toughest game to date, but the Gaels are coming to Magness Arena and that should keep this game close.
Men's Basketball Games of the Week and Tournament Breakdowns
