While ACC/Big Ten Challenge gets considerable more coverage, there is another challenge that is going on this week. It involves the Big East Conference and the SEC. This will be 6th year that the two conferences face off but only the second where there will be 12 games played as the first three years there were only four games played between the conferences. This challenge will get a considerable makeover in the coming years as the Big East is in state of realignment. As for now, I am going to be looking at the five games that will be the most interesting.
1.) Kentucky at Notre Dame (Thursday November 29)
Under John Calipari, Kentucky has put a higher emphasis on playing neutral court games in the non-conference schedule as opposed to away games. This year he has no choice but to go into the Joyce Center and face the Fighting Irish. There should be rocking crowd as Notre Dame will look to pull off the upset. Archie Goodwin has been the Wildcats top player this season with Alex Poythress not too far behind. It will be interesting to see how these 2 handle the pressure in playing their first true road game. For the Irish, they will need big games from Eric Atkins, Jerian Grant, and Pat Connaughton. These three make a three headed monster in the back court, and when they are at their best, it is near impossible to stop the Irish. Expect a game at lighting speed as both teams like to push the ball and score fast.
Predicted winner Notre Dame
2.) Marquette at Florida (Thursday November 29)
If there is team to challenge Kentucky for the SEC title this year, it is going to be Florida. Led by Kenny Boynton, Florida has talent and experience at every position. Billy Donovan’s team will look to stay undefeated against Buzz William’s Marquette team. Florida can hurt a team in so many ways as Boynton and Mike Rosario can go off for 20 points each in a given night. Eric Murphy and Patric Young are two front court players who can also score the basketball. Murphy has an outside inside game while Young will use his strength and power down low. Marquette has a bunch of capable wing scorers in Vander Blue, Jamil Wilson & Trent Lockett. The biggest key will be Davante Gardner. He is Marquette’s leading scorer at 14 ppg and will match up with Patric Young. Which ever big man has wins this one on one battle will most likely lead his team victory.
Predicted winner Florida
3.) Tennessee at Georgetown (Friday November 30)
Both of these teams are teams you do not want to face in February/March. Tennessee is growing at a rapid pace under Cuonzo Martin. The second year head coach has the Volunteers poised for the run as top four team in the SEC. Jarnell Stokes is the anchor down low who keeps on improving game by game. With Jordan McRae and Trae Golden in the backcourt, The Volunteers have the inside/outside combo that give teams headaches. Georgetown counters with one of the most versatile players in the country in Otto Porter. This team can never be taken lightly as it shows when they took Indiana to overtime in the final of the Legends Classic.
Predicted winner Georgetown
4.) Syracuse at Arkansas (Friday November 30)
This is one of the few times where Syracuse is leaving the state of New York for a non conference game. Jim Boeheim has young but extremely talented Syracuse team. This team has length and size to make their famous 2-3 zone even more vaunted. Michael Carter Williams is an emerging player for the Orange as the 6-foot, 6-inch guard can score and dish the rock with ease. Brandon Triche is the Orange most experience player. Forwards James Southerland and CJ Fair are two athletic players that can score inside and outside. This Syracuse team will challenge Louisville for a Big East Title. The Razorbacks are in their second year under Mike Anderson. They have one of most explosive guards in America in sophomore BJ Young. He is currently averaging 20.5 ppg and will need all of that and then some for the Razorbacks to have a chance in this game.
Predicted winner Syracuse
5.) Alabama at Cincinnati (Saturday December 1)
If you like good guard play then this is the game to watch. Both these teams come with outstanding backcourts that will carry their respective teams throughout the season. Trevor Lacey and Trevor Releford were last seen torching the nets of Madison Square Garden leading the Crimson Tide to the title of the 2K Sports Classic. They look to continue their hot shooting on Saturday against the Bearcats. An x-factor for the Tide would be five-star freshman forward Devonta Pollard. He has yet to have a breakout game, but he has the talent to be an impact player for a team desperately seeking a front court option. The Bearcats are led by their backcourt in Sean Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright. Kilpatrick is lighting it up at 21 ppg is one of the most dangerous scorers in the Big East. He has size and strength to score on anyone. Alabama will need to limit how touches and keep a constant watch on him at all times. Wright has steadily improved his scoring over his career is 16.5 ppg this year up from 10.9 from his junior year. Like the Crimson Tide, the Bearcats are looking for a consistent scoring threat in the front court. Which ever team has the most production in the front court will win this game.
Predicted winner Alabama
Photo Credits: Georgetown
