As people around the world prepare to ring in the New Year, the college basketball season is nearing its halfway point. There have been many exciting games up to this point and even more await us in 2014 leading up to the always edge-of-your-seat action in March. Don’t go dismissing 2013 just yet because there are a few games remaining that may have you yelling at your newly purchased televisions.
The biggest game left in 2013 is a match-up between two undefeated teams, the Villanova Wildcats and Syracuse Orange. Both teams enter the game 11-0 and the winner will certainly make a jump in the standings on Monday. Eighth ranked Villanova has the ability to move the most as the Orange have a very talented and also undefeated Arizona ahead of it. A win against the Wildcats might give them the bump they need to enter the New Year as the top ranked team.
Both are talented and both have defeated great teams on their journey to this point. Villanova has had bigger games and more important wins. The Wildcats have defeated both the Kansas Jayhawks and the Iowa Hawkeyes, though both of those wins were in a neutral location at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Clearly they have an edge against “Hawks”. Oranges may be a different story for the Wildcats.
The Orange only have one true road game, which some may disqualify seeing as it was in state and merely four hours away against St. Johns. Regardless, they snuck away with a 5-point victory. The only ranked team Syracuse has beaten thus far is the Baylor Bears. Though a victory over the Indiana Hoosiers can’t be overlooked either.
This one could come down to home court advantage. Neither team has played many games on the road – this will be Nova’s second road game – both have deep benches and both have veteran leadership. The Wildcats have proven they have what it takes to knock off top dogs, look for an “upset” here.
Another doozy of a game on tap for Saturday is one I have touched on previously, one that could provide some excitement or could be a complete dud.
The 11-1 Louisville Cardinals will make the short bus trip down Interstate 64 to take on the 9-3 Kentucky Wildcats in what could be an extremely interesting match-up. Louisville will be most people’s choice to win this rivalry game, and though I don’t disagree with that pick, Kentucky has the tools to get the upset.
A lot of people may be surprised to see the Wildcats already have three losses; I know I am. When you look at the team’s schedule, those three losses were to very good teams – Michigan State, Baylor and North Carolina. Though most of their wins were against teams that are mediocre at best, they did get wins against Boise St and Providence, both talented teams. Kentucky also has one of the top forwards in the country in Julius Randle. Randle, expected to go in the top five in next years NBA draft, is fifth in the country in rebounds per game which helps his team sit seventh in the country in that category. With that said, Louisville sits near the top of all major team categories in the country.
One of the more shocking differences is how deep the Cardinals are. They have had 11 players play in at least 11 of the team’s 12 games; the other three players on the roster have played in seven or more. That is outstanding when you compare that to some of the other top teams in the country. Arizona has only had nine players play in at least half of the team’s games; Ohio State has nine; Syracuse has eight; Wisconsin has eight. That depth will go a long way not only in this game but also all the way through March.
The Cardinals are a NCAA championship caliber team that is led by veterans. The Kentucky Wildcats are an NIT championship caliber team led by freshmen. This game shouldn’t be close and likely won’t be.
Even though the two games above highlight a great day in college basketball, there are two more games could provide some exciting viewing on a chilly (or hot depending where you are) Saturday evening.
The 10-2 Providence Friars travel to take on the 10-1 Massachusetts Minutemen. UMass is coming off of a close loss to surging Florida State and is looking to get back in the win column against a talented Friars team. UMass has some good wins over Clemson, BYU and New Mexico and have a Top-25 ranking to show for it. The Friars don’t have any big wins and look to notch their first one.
UMass spreads the ball around and are hard on the boards. They are in the upper echelon in all major team categories, which will continue to help them win. Cady Lalanne leads the team, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. Expect him to help the Minutemen to power through Providence.
Another featured game will be the #25 Missouri Tigers travelling east to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Tigers will be looking to get back into the win column while the Wolfpack will be looking for their first quality win.
NC State is led by sophomore standout T.J. Warren who is averaging just under 24 PPG, good for sixth in the country. Missouri has juniors Jordan Clarkson and Jabari Brown, both averaging over 18 PPG.
A win by NC State will go a long way towards proving they can contend in the tough ACC. A win for Missouri will put them back on track as the favorites for the SEC title. Both teams need this win but I think the Tigers are a superior team and it will show in this close game.
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