Preview Roundups
November 19, 2014
Liberty at Virginia Tech 7:00 PM ET
The hoopla over Buzz Williams’ debut has died down, and now Virginia Tech’s new coach can focus squarely on rebuilding the downtrodden ACC. The next step comes Wednesday when the Hokies host Liberty. “There were a lot of decisions, a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of emotion that led up to Nov. 14,” the former Marquette coach told reporters following his team’s 71-46 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Friday. “When it’s your first one, it means a lot to a lot of different people.”
Morehead St. at Cincinnati 7:00 PM ET
The biggest worry entering the season for Cincinnati was generating enough points, particularly since the top three scorers from last season's offensively challenged squad were gone. The Bearcats did little to allay those fears in a season-opening victory over St. Francis (Pa.), mustering only 52 points. Shaquille Thomas and Jermaine Sanders, the top two returning scorers, were scoreless in the opener and hope to get untracked in Wednesday's matchup against visiting Morehead State.
Coppin St. at Notre Dame 7:00 PM ET
Tabbed as having one of the best backcourts in the nation heading into the season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have lived up to the billing through their first two games. They'll look to keep the offense rolling Wednesday night as they host winless Coppin State at Purcell Pavilion. The Fighting Irish opened the campaign with back-to-back routs behind the efficient three-pronged attack of Zach Auguste, Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton.
Fairleigh Dickinson at Rutgers 7:30 PM ET
Rutgers was the preseason selection to finish last in the Big Ten,, so hard times are indeed expected for the Scarlet Knights in their first campaign in the conference. What many didn’t expect was for Rutgers to struggle mightily before league play begins. But like it or not, that’s the cloud hovering over coach Eddie Jordan’s head as his scuffling, short-handed Scarlet Knights prepare to host Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday.
LIU Brooklyn at St. John's 7:30 PM ET
St. John's plays its third game in six days Wednesday when the Red Storm host LIU Brooklyn as part of the 2014 NIT Season Tip-Off. It's the season opener for the Blackbirds, who are the final Division I team to start their 2014-15 campaign. All other 351 Division I schools will have played at least once prior to Wednesday.
Oral Roberts at Missouri 8:00 PM ET
It hasn't been the start to the season the Missouri Tigers had hoped for - and even with a showdown against the Arizona Wildcats looming, they can't take Wednesday's game against visiting Oral Roberts for granted. Missouri dropped a stunning 69-61 decision to the UMKC Kangaroos in their season opener, then overcame a rough shooting performance from deep in a 56-41 win over Valparaiso. The Golden Eagles opened with a 77-68 win over Tulsa.
Oklahoma at Creighton 8:00 PM ET
The NCAA took six months before deciding TaShawn Thomas could play at Oklahoma this season after transferring from Houston, but he'll probably need much less time to make an impact. The 6-8 forward gets to know his teammates a bit better when the No. 18 Sooners visit unbeaten Creighton on Wednesday. Thomas, who averaged 15.4 points in 2013-14, recorded four points and three rebounds in 23 minutes as a starter in Oklahoma's 78-53 season-opening victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday.
Abilene Christian at Tulsa 8:05 PM ET
Tulsa isn’t wasting any time this season with Wednesday night’s date with visiting Abilene Christian serving as the team’s third game in five days. The Golden Hurricane tipped off the season – and the Frank Haith era – Saturday with a 77-68 loss at Oral Roberts and then returned home two nights later to beat Louisiana-Lafayette 64-53.
Wake Forest at Arkansas 9:00 PM ET
An intriguing matchup at the forward position should take center stage when Arkansas hosts Wake Forest on Wednesday night. The Razorbacks are led by 6-11 sophomore forward Bobby Portis, a preseason first-team all-SEC selection who scored 24 points in the season opener against Alabama State. The Demon Deacons will likely lean on 6-9 forward Devin Thomas, who has produced double-doubles in Wake Forest’s first two victories.
Green Bay at Wisconsin 9:00 PM ET
Wisconsin has rolled to a pair of victories to open the season and the fourth-ranked Badgers will get their first big test when state-rival Green Bay visits Wednesday. Wisconsin was forced to rally for a 69-66 victory at Green Bay last season and the Phoenix should present a challenge again with senior guard Keifer Sykes leading the way after scoring 32 against the Badgers last November. Green Bay faces a team ranked in the top five for the first time since taking on Kentucky in 1996.
UC Irvine at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
Second-ranked Arizona has yet to receive a serious test this season as it looks for its 24th consecutive home win entering Wednesday's contest against UC Irvine. The Wildcats dispatched of Mount St. Mary’s and Cal State Northridge in their first two games and didn’t get a stern challenge from either opponent. The Anteaters are a step up in caliber from Arizona’s first two foes and also rolled to easy wins in both of their first two outings.
St. Joseph's at Gonzaga 11:00 PM ET
With a healthy Kevin Pangos and a couple of impressive transfers, No. 11 Gonzaga appears poised for another big season. Already 2-0, the Zags will put their 27-game home-winning streak on the line Wednesday when they host Saint Joseph in the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament. Gonzaga drilled No. 23 SMU 72-56 on Monday and could be better than last year's squad which posted 29 wins.
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