This is certainly a night to fire up the popcorn machine and further impression your couch cushions. Let’s get to some quick-hit anticipation on what I’m watching for, and what can be extrapolated from four intriguing games in Hawaii and K.C.
Michigan State. vs. UConn: 7 ET, ESPN
UConn fans really hated what I had to say about how important Kemba Walker is. But it’s the truth: He is so vital to the team’s viability as a Tournament team. Now, tonight, the Huskies are in a rough spot. Michigan State played poorly against Chaminade, and they’ll likely attack like caged animals. Tom Izzo rarely sees his team play two flat games in a row. UConn will be challenged in just about every way: the coaching, the size, the depth, the talent, the mental and physical adversity of going against a top-five team.
Huskies can make me look dumb (not hard, hello) by making a game out of this, and doing it without Walker wearing an “S” on his chest.
Love the Kalin Lucas vs. Kemba Walker matchup, of course. Lucas appears to be all healthy from that Achilles tear, but Walker’s got a sixth gear that will test him like he’s not been tested since the injury.
The pick: Michigan State 79, Connecticut 70.
Gonzaga vs. Marquette: 7:45 ET, ESPNU
The least marquee-worthy of the four, but what if Gonzaga loses this? It will take a lot for us to buy back in, I think. The Bulldogs have smelled of fraud early on. (Love the way they schedule, but it’s OK to admit Gonzaga isn’t a Top 25 team every year.) Marquette’s so guard-oriented, I wonder if they adjust quickly to how Gonzaga plays. It’s certainly a different technique than what Duke did last night.
Jimmy Butler’s going to need to have a big night for Buzz Williams, and Gonzaga will likely have to shoot less than 50 percent in effective field goal percentage to give the Golden Eagles a chance. Robert Sacre: This is when you’re supposed to prove your worth.
The pick: Gonzaga 73, Marquette 70.
Kentucky vs. Washington: approx. 9:30 ET, ESPN
To me, the most intriguing game, only because of the drama that surrounds it. If UK wins easily, Kentucky fans will be somewhat insufferable in the immediate aftermath. Washington guard Isaiah Thomas has done plenty of trash-talking about this matchup, so he really needs to show up in a big way. There’s a 25 percent chance (maybe that’s too kind) Thomas will take to Twitter and sound off if they lose. There’s a 100 percent chance he does it if they win.
And the Huskies can win this game convincingly, by the way. Matching up against Terrence Jones is going to be trouble for just about any team, but let’s see Lorenzo Romar really make the Wildcats run against his team. Pac-10 could really use a big win like this on the national stage. Calipari, deep down, wouldn’t mind the loss because he loves keeping his kids down in a hole in November and December.
The pick: Washington 87, Kentucky 82.
Duke vs. (@) Kansas State: 10 ET, ESPN2
National media has flooded Kansas City for the CBE Classic championship. A de facto home game for Frank Martin and Co., this is more fun than anything, really. If Duke wins, it’s a terrific, terrific W in a hostile environment — but being the No. 1 team, it’s not going to boost our view of them that much higher.
Kansas State winning also would look great, but the home crowd will smudge the win just a bit. Either way, whoever wins, it’s going to be good for the Tourney resúmé down the road. Unless one of these two teams just show up flat (not going to happen), there’s not too much to take from this game. Watch some elite college basketball talent go at it, store it in the brain for later and enjoy. A game of this caliber comes along in the regular season about three times per year. Tonight’s one of those nights. Incredibly stoked we have this as the main act.
The pick: Duke 80, Kansas State 67.
