ralphieralph@netscape.net
November 30th, 2005
College Basketball: Best Games in December
After the month of
November, which was headlined by outstanding play in preseason tournaments,
it’s easy to think that things can’t get much better. However,
intersectional showdowns accompany some traditional rivalries in headlining
the month of December. From the 1st to New Year’s Eve there are
contests that will help tie college sports fans over before the annual
smorgasbord of bowl games known as “Capital One Bowl Week”, but without
those corporate logos at center court. Below are the top ten games of 2005’s
ultimate month, along with some honorable mention choices (choices listed in
ascending order).
10. Louisville @ Kentucky (December 17th)
In
the annual battle of the Bluegrass State, the Cardinals and Wildcats will be
hard-pressed to put together a game as exciting as last season’s contest.
Sharpshooter Patrick Sparks won the game for Kentucky by hitting three foul
shots after time expired, thanks to a foul call while attempting a
three-pointer. Now the setting moves from Freedom Hall to Rupp Arena, so
expect a hearty welcome for Louisville head coach and former UK leader Rick
Pitino. Louisville, in their first major non-conference game as a member of
the Big East, is lead by the duo of guard Taquan Dean and forward Juan Diego
Palacios. However, they may be without the services of Kansas transfer David
Padgett, who is a handful in the paint. Kentucky counters with Sparks,
backcourt partner Rajon Rondo, and junior college transfer Rekalin Sims.
Expect another tight contest from these two teams.
9. Arizona @ Washington (December 31st)
In the opening rotation
of the Pac-10 schedule, basketball fans will be treated to a track meet
involving two of America’s most athletic teams. Both teams show up with
athletic swingmen (Hassan Adams for Arizona, Brandon Roy for Washington),
excellent outside shooters (Chris Rodgers and Ryan Appleby, respectively),
and excellent coaches (Lute Olson and Lorenzo Romar). This one will come
down to the play in the paint; more specifically, do the Wildcats have and
answer to Bobby Jones and Jamaal Williams? Someone other than Kirk Walters
had better step up for Arizona. But don’t forget to watch the freshmen in
this one, from Marcus Williams and J.P. Prince for the Cats to Jon Brockman
for the Huskies. And it’s during the day so there’s no excuse for you to
miss it if you live on the East Coast.
8. Temple vs. Villanova
(December 31st)
The famed Palestra is the
setting for this Philadelphia Big 5 contest, and the dueling styles should
make this game a must-see. Villanova shows up with one of the best
backcourts in America, consisting of guards Mike Nardi, Allan Ray, Randy
Foye, and Kyle Lowry. The Wildcats also have Will Sheridan and Jason Fraser
on the interior, which should help make up some of what is lost in the
absence of Curtis Sumpter. But Nova is used to playing without their
do-it-all forward, given the fact that they finished off a win over Florida
and nearly knocked off eventual champ North Carolina last year without him.
Temple counters with and outstanding guard of their own in senior Mardy
Collins. Whether or not the Owls win this game will be dependent on two
factors: the effectiveness of their matchup zone, and the ability of other
scoring options to step up.
7. Iowa @ Northern Iowa
(December 6th)
The Panthers get their
chance to knock off the Hawkeyes in this in-state battle between two of
America more underrated teams. While people talk about the exploits of Iowa
State guards Curtis Stinson and Will Blalock, they consistently overlook Ben
Jacobsen of the Panthers. But he and his teammates will have their hands
full with the likes of guards Adam Haluska and Jeff Horner, not to mention
forward Greg Brunner. Both teams are experienced, and expected to do some
things this season. Many major conference teams look to avoid these matchups,
but give credit to Iowa for playing an in-state foe that has the ability to
knock them off.
6. Indiana vs. Kentucky
(December 10th in Indianapolis)
Nap
Town will be wide awake for this one, as the state universities of these
border states get together in the RCA Dome. Mike Davis bring his most
talented team into town, bolstered by the arrival of Auburn transfer Marco
Killingsworth. Whether or not the Wildcats can handle Killingsworth in the
paint will tell the story of this one. The Hoosiers may be a little more
athletic on the perimeter, but never count out Tubby Smith and the Cats. If
Rajon Rondo can cause havoc in the backcourt, look for Kentucky to win a
close one.
5. Gonzaga @ Washington
(December 4th)
No disrespect to
Washington State or Eastern Washington, but this is the game that will
decide the king of hoops in the state. The matchup between Adam Morrison and
Brandon Roy would make me want to buy a ticket to a one-on-one game if it
were played. But don’t leave out forwards J.P. Batista and Sean Mallon for
the Zags, while the Huskies will counter with the aforementioned trio of
Jones, Williams, and Brockman (sounds like a law firm if you ask me). Expect
a lot of points, similar to last season’s 99-87 Gonzaga victory at The
Kennel. But this year the Huskies have the Bulldogs on their turf in
Seattle, and it should be memorable nonetheless.
4. George Washington vs.
Maryland (December 5th in Washington, D.C.)
Beltway powers collide in
the BB & T Classic, and the Terrapins will be looking for revenge after last
season’s 101-92 defeat at the hands of the Colonials. Pops Mensah-Bonsu will
be back from his three-game suspension for GW, joining the likes of J.R.
Pinnock and Mike Hall among others. The Terps counter with Chris McCray, Nik
Caner-Medley, and D.J. Strawberry. Also look for Mike Jones to add some
spark to the Maryland attack, getting more shots now that John Gilchrist is
no longer in the program. Along with the resurgence of Georgetown,
basketball in the D.C. metro area is on the way up.
3. Boston College vs.
Michigan State (December 6th in the Jimmy V Classic)
A worthy cause brings
together these two powers as the Eagles and Spartans battle at Madison
Square Garden. Paul Davis will have his hands full in dealing with Craig
Smith and Jared Dudley, but he has help in the form of athletic swingmen
Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown. But don’t think that Al Skinner will show up
with an empty cupboard when it comes to guard play. Louis Hinnant, Sean
Marshall and freshman Tyrese Rice will be more than up to the challenge that
comes with playing Tom Izzo’s charges. Expect the second half of this
double-header to be one worthy of a Broadway marquee.
2. Oklahoma @ Villanova
(December 3rd)
The last time Oklahoma
made the trip east to play a Big East school, eventual national champion
UConn flat-out whipped the Sooners in Storrs. This time, OU heads to
Philadelphia to play the Wildcats. Kelvin Sampson will rely on bigs Taj Gray
and Kevin Bookout to bruise Villanova in the paint. However, how guards
Terrell Everett and David Godbold handle the Wildcats backcourt will tell
the story of whether or not this one is a reprise of the Slaughter in
Storrs.
1. Duke vs. Texas
(December 10th in East Rutherford, N.J.)
Two of the three teams
that won preseason tournaments in November also happen to be the top two
teams in the polls at this point in the season. And provided both teams win
their next couple of games between now and the 10th, they will
meet with these labels in the Meadowlands. Duke, winners of the NIT Season
Tipoff, brings to the table seniors J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams, along
with an outstanding freshman class boasting the likes of Josh McRoberts and
Greg Paulus. Two pleasant surprises to this point for the Blue Devils are
senior Sean Dockery and freshman Martynas Pocius. The Longhorns, who won the
Guardians Classic, bring the inside-out tandem of Daniel Gibson and LaMarcus
Aldridge along with forwards P.J. Tucker and Brad Buckman. Look for these
two teams to stage an epic battle, one that could be revisited come April.
Honorable Mention (in
order by date):
Nevada @ Kansas (December
1st)
Georgetown @ Oregon
(December 3rd)
Wichita St. @ Michigan
St. (December 10th)
UCLA @ Michigan (December
17th)
Iona @ Kentucky (December
23rd)
Ohio @ Kentucky (December
30th)
