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Road to Selection Sunday: Pitino Era Begins, Predictions, Tid-Bits & Much More
By SelectionSunday
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/307445?referrer_id=388419
STADIUM VILLAGE, MINN. -- There's something special going on with the Gopher football team, so college basketball junkies consider yourself excused to set aside 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Saturday's gridiron tilt vs. Penn State at TCF Bank Stadium. That said, before and after (mostly before) the Kill/Claeys Gophers continue their quest to remain in the Legends Division race, don't forget to mix in some college hoops. Here's a thumbnail look/viewer's guide to college basketball's Opening Weekend '13-14, as well as a few predictions and odds and ends. TVs not required, but strongly encouraged.
Friday/Pitino Era Begins
The Gophers open their season vs. Lehigh at 7 p.m. at Williams Arena. If C.J. McCollum still played for the Mountain Hawks, this opener would have some intrigue, aside from it being head coach Richard Pitino's Gopher debut. But instead, McCollum now wears a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, so this should be a nice, feel-good start to the Pitino era. The call? I'll go with the same score as the Gophers' exhibition opener vs. Cardinal Stritch. ... Gophers 79, Lehigh 57.
TV Slate
So you're wondering what college basketball games you'll find on the boob tube opening weekend? Well, let me help you with that. With the guidance of my Comcast on-screen guide, here's what I found:
Friday
Noon -- Air Force vs. Army (ESPNU)
2 p.m. -- The Citadel vs. VMI (ESPNU)
4 p.m. -- Alabama vs. Oklahoma (FSN)
5 p.m. -- Boston College vs. Providence (FS1)
5:30 p.m. -- Connecticut vs. Maryland (ESPN2)
6 p.m. -- Saint John's vs. Wisconsin (BTN) -- Badgers diving into season head first, host Florida next
6 p.m. -- Davidson vs. Duke (ESPNU)
6:30 p.m. -- Georgetown vs. Oregon (ESPN)
7 p.m. -- Houston Baptist vs. Texas Tech (FCSC) -- Tubby's debut in Lubbock
7 p.m. -- Alcorn State vs. Creighton (FSN+) -- Bluejays' first game as a Big East program
7 p.m. -- Mississippi Valley State vs. Oklahoma State (FCSP) -- a chance to see Marcus Smart
8 p.m. -- Florida Gulf Coast vs. Nebraska (BTN) -- Pinnacle Bank Arena's grand opening has intrigue
8 p.m. -- USC vs. Utah State (CBSSN) -- will Andy Enfield's wife be in the stands?
9 p.m. -- Baylor vs. Colorado (FSN+) -- Opening Night's best matchup
Saturday
7:30 p.m. -- Eastern Illinois vs. Northwestern (BTN) -- Chris Collins' NU debut
Sunday
3 p.m. -- Northern Kentucky vs. Kentucky (FSN+) -- a tune-up before Slick Cal's 'Cats play Sparty in Chicago
Who Ya' Got?
Here's a look at who the Gophers' nonconference opponents play this weekend. Every little bit can help the Gophers' strength of schedule. For RPI purposes, we here at GopherHole always pass along well wishes to those who'll face the Gophers, except, of course, when they play the Maroon & Gold.
Coastal Carolina -- @ Akron (Friday)
Florida State -- host Jacksonville (Friday)
Lehigh -- @ Gophers (Friday)
Omaha -- @ Northern Illinois (Friday)
Omaha -- @ Iowa (Sunday)
Richmond -- host Delaware (Friday)
South Dakota State -- @ San Diego (Friday)
South Dakota State -- vs. Loyola Marymount (Saturday)
Syracuse -- host Cornell (Friday)
Wofford -- @ Georgia (Friday)
Where They Gonna' Finish?
Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook projects the Gophers' nonconference foes to finish (fill in the blank) in their conference/division:
Lehigh -- 5th in the Patriot League
Montana -- 2nd in the Big Sky
Richmond -- 5th in the A-10
Coastal Carolina -- 4th in the Big South North
Wofford -- 6th in the Southern
Syracuse -- 2nd in the ACC
Arkansas/Cal -- 6th in the SEC/5th in the Pac 12
Baylor/Dayton/Gonzaga -- 3rd in the Big XII/8th in the A-10/1st in the WCC
Florida State -- 8th in the ACC
New Orleans -- 12th in the Southland
South Dakota State -- 3rd in the Summit League
Omaha -- 4th in the Summit League
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -- 7th in the Southland
So Says Blue Ribbon on the Big Ten
1. Michigan State
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Iowa
5. Wisconsin
6. Indiana
7. Illinois
8. Purdue
9. GOPHERS
10. Northwestern
11. Penn State
12. Nebraska
Odds 'N Ends
(1) It stings me to miss the Gophers' opener, but a "bucket list" opportunity afforded by my better half (so glad she likes Keith Urban, who performs in KC this weekend) and her brother (a Kansas season-ticket holder) will enable me to witness Andrew Wiggins' Jayhawk debut Friday night vs. Louisiana-Monroe at Phog Allen Fieldhouse. The Phog -- along with Philadelphia's The Palestra -- is one of two arenas I've always wanted to experience first-hand. It'll be a "KU" weekend in more ways than one. Rock, chalk, Jayhawk, KKKKKKKKKKKKK UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
(2) Unless a last-minute decision is made to hop in my car and drive to Milwaukee for some second- and/or third-round games, a streak of seeing at least one NCAA Tournament game in person will end at 22 years. So far my NCAA journeys (dating back to 1986) have taken me to 20 different venues/cities: Albuquerque twice; Boston; Chicago/Rosemont Horizon; Chicago/United Center; Dallas; Greensboro; Indianapolis; Kansas City/Kemper Arena; Kansas City/Sprint Center; Milwaukee; Minneapolis on nine occasions; Phoenix; Providence; Saint Louis; Salt Lake City; San Antonio three times; San Jose; Tampa; Wichita; and Worcester; and
Allowed me to see 138 NCAA tourney games. ... Round of 64 (56); Round of 32: (28); Regional Semifinals (32); Regional Finals (16); Final 4 Semifinals (4); and NCAA Title Games (2); and
Allowed me to see 100 different college basketball programs (alphabetically, that's Akron to Wisconsin), including Kansas eight times, UConn five times, and one glorious occasion (1997) for Minnesota. KU should thank me for my services. The Jayhawks are 12-3 when I'm in attendance.
For the record, San Antonio has been my favorite venue. Everything you need on the River Walk, walking distance to the Alamodome, and some excellent golf venues, including La Cantera Golf Club.
(3) An update on my yearly "circa-turn-of-the-century" lists. Thankfully, last season the Gophers excused themselves from list (C).
(A) NCAA Tournament Every Year since 2000
1. Duke
2. Gonzaga
3. Kansas
4. Michigan State
5. Wisconsin
(B) BCS Programs with No NCAA Appearances since 2000
1. Nebraska
2. Northwestern
3. Oregon State
4. Rutgers
(C) BCS Programs with No NCAA Wins since 2000
1. Nebraska
2. Northwestern
3. Oregon State
4. Providence
5. Rutgers
6. South Carolina
16 Sweet Predictions
Can't produce a final preseason column without a few predictions. ...
(1) Reid Travis commits to the Gophers, but not surprisingly Tyus Jones (Kansas) and Rashad Vaughn (UNLV) go elsewhere. That's OK. My expectation with the coaching change was the Gophers wouldn't get any of the Big 3, so even getting one should be considered house money.
(2) Best Conference -- Big Ten (but again shut out of national championship) by a whisker over ACC.
(3) Conference on the Rise -- Pac 12.
(4) Conference on the Decline -- Big 12.
(5) Best Non-Big Six Conference -- American.
(6) Big Ten Player of the Year -- Aaron Craft, Ohio State (coaches), Gary Harris, Michigan State (media).
(7) Big Ten Coach of the Year -- Fran McCaffery, Iowa.
(8) Big Ten Teams in the NCAA (7) -- Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue (Last 4 in), Wisconsin.
(9) Big Ten Teams in the NIT (2) -- Illinois (First 4 out of NCAA), GOPHERS.
(10) Gophers -- 19-14 overall (through Big Ten Tournament); 7-11 Big Ten; 9th seed in BTT; knock off #8 seed Illinois in quarterfinals; lose to top seed MSU in quarterfinals; go 2-1 in NIT.
(11) Coach Most Likely to Get Fired -- Ken Bone (Washington State).
(12) The Glass Slipper Awaits in March -- Towson (tip of the cap to GopherWarrior on this one).
(13) Sweet 16 -- Arizona, Duke, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Wichita State.
(14) Elite 8 -- Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse.
(15) Final 4 -- Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State (Tom Izzo's streak of having every 4-year player reach at least one Final 4 will continue with Keith Appling and Adreian Payne getting it done in their senior seasons).
(16) One Shining Moment -- Kentucky over Duke.
By SelectionSunday
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/307445?referrer_id=388419
STADIUM VILLAGE, MINN. -- There's something special going on with the Gopher football team, so college basketball junkies consider yourself excused to set aside 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Saturday's gridiron tilt vs. Penn State at TCF Bank Stadium. That said, before and after (mostly before) the Kill/Claeys Gophers continue their quest to remain in the Legends Division race, don't forget to mix in some college hoops. Here's a thumbnail look/viewer's guide to college basketball's Opening Weekend '13-14, as well as a few predictions and odds and ends. TVs not required, but strongly encouraged.
Friday/Pitino Era Begins
The Gophers open their season vs. Lehigh at 7 p.m. at Williams Arena. If C.J. McCollum still played for the Mountain Hawks, this opener would have some intrigue, aside from it being head coach Richard Pitino's Gopher debut. But instead, McCollum now wears a Portland Trail Blazers uniform, so this should be a nice, feel-good start to the Pitino era. The call? I'll go with the same score as the Gophers' exhibition opener vs. Cardinal Stritch. ... Gophers 79, Lehigh 57.
TV Slate
So you're wondering what college basketball games you'll find on the boob tube opening weekend? Well, let me help you with that. With the guidance of my Comcast on-screen guide, here's what I found:
Friday
Noon -- Air Force vs. Army (ESPNU)
2 p.m. -- The Citadel vs. VMI (ESPNU)
4 p.m. -- Alabama vs. Oklahoma (FSN)
5 p.m. -- Boston College vs. Providence (FS1)
5:30 p.m. -- Connecticut vs. Maryland (ESPN2)
6 p.m. -- Saint John's vs. Wisconsin (BTN) -- Badgers diving into season head first, host Florida next
6 p.m. -- Davidson vs. Duke (ESPNU)
6:30 p.m. -- Georgetown vs. Oregon (ESPN)
7 p.m. -- Houston Baptist vs. Texas Tech (FCSC) -- Tubby's debut in Lubbock
7 p.m. -- Alcorn State vs. Creighton (FSN+) -- Bluejays' first game as a Big East program
7 p.m. -- Mississippi Valley State vs. Oklahoma State (FCSP) -- a chance to see Marcus Smart
8 p.m. -- Florida Gulf Coast vs. Nebraska (BTN) -- Pinnacle Bank Arena's grand opening has intrigue
8 p.m. -- USC vs. Utah State (CBSSN) -- will Andy Enfield's wife be in the stands?
9 p.m. -- Baylor vs. Colorado (FSN+) -- Opening Night's best matchup
Saturday
7:30 p.m. -- Eastern Illinois vs. Northwestern (BTN) -- Chris Collins' NU debut
Sunday
3 p.m. -- Northern Kentucky vs. Kentucky (FSN+) -- a tune-up before Slick Cal's 'Cats play Sparty in Chicago
Who Ya' Got?
Here's a look at who the Gophers' nonconference opponents play this weekend. Every little bit can help the Gophers' strength of schedule. For RPI purposes, we here at GopherHole always pass along well wishes to those who'll face the Gophers, except, of course, when they play the Maroon & Gold.
Coastal Carolina -- @ Akron (Friday)
Florida State -- host Jacksonville (Friday)
Lehigh -- @ Gophers (Friday)
Omaha -- @ Northern Illinois (Friday)
Omaha -- @ Iowa (Sunday)
Richmond -- host Delaware (Friday)
South Dakota State -- @ San Diego (Friday)
South Dakota State -- vs. Loyola Marymount (Saturday)
Syracuse -- host Cornell (Friday)
Wofford -- @ Georgia (Friday)
Where They Gonna' Finish?
Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook projects the Gophers' nonconference foes to finish (fill in the blank) in their conference/division:
Lehigh -- 5th in the Patriot League
Montana -- 2nd in the Big Sky
Richmond -- 5th in the A-10
Coastal Carolina -- 4th in the Big South North
Wofford -- 6th in the Southern
Syracuse -- 2nd in the ACC
Arkansas/Cal -- 6th in the SEC/5th in the Pac 12
Baylor/Dayton/Gonzaga -- 3rd in the Big XII/8th in the A-10/1st in the WCC
Florida State -- 8th in the ACC
New Orleans -- 12th in the Southland
South Dakota State -- 3rd in the Summit League
Omaha -- 4th in the Summit League
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -- 7th in the Southland
So Says Blue Ribbon on the Big Ten
1. Michigan State
2. Michigan
3. Ohio State
4. Iowa
5. Wisconsin
6. Indiana
7. Illinois
8. Purdue
9. GOPHERS
10. Northwestern
11. Penn State
12. Nebraska
Odds 'N Ends
(1) It stings me to miss the Gophers' opener, but a "bucket list" opportunity afforded by my better half (so glad she likes Keith Urban, who performs in KC this weekend) and her brother (a Kansas season-ticket holder) will enable me to witness Andrew Wiggins' Jayhawk debut Friday night vs. Louisiana-Monroe at Phog Allen Fieldhouse. The Phog -- along with Philadelphia's The Palestra -- is one of two arenas I've always wanted to experience first-hand. It'll be a "KU" weekend in more ways than one. Rock, chalk, Jayhawk, KKKKKKKKKKKKK UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
(2) Unless a last-minute decision is made to hop in my car and drive to Milwaukee for some second- and/or third-round games, a streak of seeing at least one NCAA Tournament game in person will end at 22 years. So far my NCAA journeys (dating back to 1986) have taken me to 20 different venues/cities: Albuquerque twice; Boston; Chicago/Rosemont Horizon; Chicago/United Center; Dallas; Greensboro; Indianapolis; Kansas City/Kemper Arena; Kansas City/Sprint Center; Milwaukee; Minneapolis on nine occasions; Phoenix; Providence; Saint Louis; Salt Lake City; San Antonio three times; San Jose; Tampa; Wichita; and Worcester; and
Allowed me to see 138 NCAA tourney games. ... Round of 64 (56); Round of 32: (28); Regional Semifinals (32); Regional Finals (16); Final 4 Semifinals (4); and NCAA Title Games (2); and
Allowed me to see 100 different college basketball programs (alphabetically, that's Akron to Wisconsin), including Kansas eight times, UConn five times, and one glorious occasion (1997) for Minnesota. KU should thank me for my services. The Jayhawks are 12-3 when I'm in attendance.
For the record, San Antonio has been my favorite venue. Everything you need on the River Walk, walking distance to the Alamodome, and some excellent golf venues, including La Cantera Golf Club.
(3) An update on my yearly "circa-turn-of-the-century" lists. Thankfully, last season the Gophers excused themselves from list (C).
(A) NCAA Tournament Every Year since 2000
1. Duke
2. Gonzaga
3. Kansas
4. Michigan State
5. Wisconsin
(B) BCS Programs with No NCAA Appearances since 2000
1. Nebraska
2. Northwestern
3. Oregon State
4. Rutgers
(C) BCS Programs with No NCAA Wins since 2000
1. Nebraska
2. Northwestern
3. Oregon State
4. Providence
5. Rutgers
6. South Carolina
16 Sweet Predictions
Can't produce a final preseason column without a few predictions. ...
(1) Reid Travis commits to the Gophers, but not surprisingly Tyus Jones (Kansas) and Rashad Vaughn (UNLV) go elsewhere. That's OK. My expectation with the coaching change was the Gophers wouldn't get any of the Big 3, so even getting one should be considered house money.
(2) Best Conference -- Big Ten (but again shut out of national championship) by a whisker over ACC.
(3) Conference on the Rise -- Pac 12.
(4) Conference on the Decline -- Big 12.
(5) Best Non-Big Six Conference -- American.
(6) Big Ten Player of the Year -- Aaron Craft, Ohio State (coaches), Gary Harris, Michigan State (media).
(7) Big Ten Coach of the Year -- Fran McCaffery, Iowa.
(8) Big Ten Teams in the NCAA (7) -- Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue (Last 4 in), Wisconsin.
(9) Big Ten Teams in the NIT (2) -- Illinois (First 4 out of NCAA), GOPHERS.
(10) Gophers -- 19-14 overall (through Big Ten Tournament); 7-11 Big Ten; 9th seed in BTT; knock off #8 seed Illinois in quarterfinals; lose to top seed MSU in quarterfinals; go 2-1 in NIT.
(11) Coach Most Likely to Get Fired -- Ken Bone (Washington State).
(12) The Glass Slipper Awaits in March -- Towson (tip of the cap to GopherWarrior on this one).
(13) Sweet 16 -- Arizona, Duke, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Marquette, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Wichita State.
(14) Elite 8 -- Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse.
(15) Final 4 -- Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State (Tom Izzo's streak of having every 4-year player reach at least one Final 4 will continue with Keith Appling and Adreian Payne getting it done in their senior seasons).
(16) One Shining Moment -- Kentucky over Duke.
You know, Matt Costello is starting for Michigan State (still probably not a particularly good player) and Keith Appling is still an SG playing out of position at PG and doesn't defend the position particularly well. I don't think the officiating changes will be good for MSU, either as when they've been at their best they have been a physical defensive team, and the whistles might take them off their game. 