Monday, December 29, 2008

A Six Pack For Monday

A look at the six most notable games on Monday's schedule:

Georgetown at Connecticut
The Big East is going to be full of Top 25 battles this season, so it's only fitting that the second-ranked Huskies and ninth-ranked Hoyas kick off the conference schedule in Hartford. The UConn frontcourt was dominant last time out, and if they can come close to that performance against DaJuan Summers and Greg Monroe, the Huskies should stay unbeaten.

Cincinnati at Memphis
The Bearcats have been the most surprising Big East team not named Georgetown this season, and now they get another chance to add to their impressive start. The Tigers, meanwhile, are seeded where they are in our latest bracket based on reputation alone - they haven't beaten anyone and if they lose this one, they will tumble dangerously close to the bubble.

Portland State at Baylor
The underrated Vikings already have one huge road win on their resume, and they probably like their chances in this one, too. The Bears have been less than impressive in recent wins over Texas-Arlington and Hartford (Curtis Jerrells excluded), which could be bad timing against a Portland State team whose three losses have been by a combined 10 points.

Temple at Villanova
The Wildcats go for a Big Five sweep against the up-and-down Owls, who haven't won since they stunned Tennessee two weeks ago. 'Nova opens up its Big East season after this one; they start with two straight road games at Marquette and at Seton Hall.

Davidson at Charleston
Nobody in the Southern Conference could beat Davidson a year ago. If the Wildcats are going to lose a conference game this year, it might very well be this roadie against a Charleston team that has already beaten South Carolina and has clearly established itself as the league's second best squad.

Weber State at Arizona
Fresh off their blowout of Kansas, the Wildcats get one final tune-up before Pac-10 play starts. Jordan Hill (an All-American candidate?) already has eight double-doubles this season, and he looks like a lock to get another against a Weber State team that only has one player averaging over five boards per game.

Also receiving votes: Central Connecticut State at Arizona State, James Madison at UTEP (at Santa Clara, CA)

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