Non Conference Tournament Previews

Coaches vs. Cancer Classic- The likely semifinal matchups in the kickoff season tournament will pit Oklahoma against Memphis and Connecticut against Kentucky at the Garden. The latter game is more intriguing- pitting youth against youth with a ton of athleticism mixed in. Kentucky has a real chance to shock the SEC and take the crown if Patrick Patterson lives up to the hype that caused a major recruiting buzz and Ramel Bradley is able to take control from the point guard slot. The Huskies are led by Brookline’s own Jeff Adrien along with athletic guard Craig Austrie and blooming big man Hasheem Thabeet. I’ll still be shocked if Memphis doesn’t walk away with the crown.
Prediction: Memphis over Kentucky

CBE Classic- Only a miracle will keep Michigan State-Missouri and UCLA-Maryland meeting up in the semifinals in Kansas City. Missouri is a team a lot of experts secretly believe can sneak up on the Big 12, returning double-digit scoring guards Stefhon Hannah and Matt Lawrence. They’ll still be no match for the returning and the incoming talent of Michigan State. UCLA has the most deep and complete starting five in college basketball this season, while Maryland is attempting to make the leap behind Grievis Vasquez and James Gist.
Prediction: UCLA over Michigan State

NIT Season Tip-Off- The semifinals in this annually hyped tournament will include premier games like Syracuse vs. Ohio State and Washington vs. Texas A&M, although look out for UW-Green Bay, Utah, St. Joseph’s, Siena and Oral Roberts to pull off shockers. If the semis go as predicted you’ll see Eric Devendorf lead the Orange against the inside-outside combo of the Buckeyes David Lighty and Kosta Koufos. The winner will face either Joseph Jones and Josh Carter from Aggieville or Jon Brockman and Ryan Appleby from sleeper Washington.
Prediction: Syracuse over Washington

Legends Classic- The featured programs in the Legends Classic are Texas, West Virginia, New Mexico State and clear favorite Tennessee. The preseason SEC champs will be looking to avoid an upset at all costs led by Chris Lofton and transfer Tyler Smith from Iowa. Watch out for the Longhorns if D.J. Augustin can carry the scoring load.
Prediction: Tennessee over Texas

Maui Invitational- The final of the Maui is more predictable than past years in a less intriguing field overall. Still, crazier things have happened in Maui. Look for Marquette to squeeze past Oklahoma State and Duke over Illinois to pit us an exciting title game of Top 15 teams in a re-match of the CBE Classic final in 2006. Duke will attack with a boatload of talented freshmen like Kyle Singler and Taylor King along with Paulus and Scheyer. Marquette features all of their returning starters led by Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews.
Prediction: Marquette over Duke

Paradise Jam- Last year’s field was a bit more deep with Alabama, Xavier, Iowa, Villanova and Co. but this year features sleeper Notre Dame, talented Georgia Tech and the always scary Winthrop. The Irish bring back key pieces such as Luke Harangody, who is nursing a lingering injury that will keep him out of action for a few games, Luke Zeller, Rob Kurz and Kyle McAlarney. Georgia Tech could have been a preseason top five if Crittenton and Young stuck around, but instead they’ll have to settle for middle-of-the-pack ACC.
Prediction: Notre Dame over Georgia Tech

ACC/Big 10 Challenge- I love this year’s field in the challenge. You’ll see Bo Ryan and his solid Badgers travel to Cameron to take on a loaded Duke squad. Another young Georgia Tech team will face a daunting task in Bloomington against Gordon, White and the Hoosiers. Watch out for NC State going into Izzo territory and coming out with a victory. To top it off, preseason favorite North Carolina looks to avoid upset city when going to Columbus to play Matta’s Buckeyes.

Old Spice Classic- NC State, Kansas State, George Mason headline
Anaheim Classic- USC vs. Southern Illinois is a potentially exciting final
Great Alaska Shootout- Power mid-majors anyone? Butler vs. Gonzaga
Hall of Fame Challenge- Gonzaga will be facing a tough crowd here in Boston vs. UConn