Category: College Basketball

Image Courtesy: WAKA

AP Top 10
1.Tennessee 10-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: West Carolina (3-6) (Tuesday, 7 PM ET, ESPN+/SECN+)
2.Auburn 9-1 (0-0) SEC Next Up: Georgia State (4-6) (Tuesday, 8 PM ET, ESPN+/SECN+)
3.Iowa State 9-1 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: Morgan State (6-8) (Sunday, 1 PM ET, ESPN+)
4.Kentucky 10-1 (0-0) SEC Next Up: Ohio State (6-4) (New York City; CBS Sports Classic) (Saturday, 6:30 PM ET, CBS)
5.Duke 8-2 (1-0) ACC Next Up: Ge0rge Mason (7-3) (Tuesday, 7 PM ET, ACCN)
6.Alabama 8-2 (0-0) SEC Next Up: @ North Dakota (4-8) (Wednesday, 8:30 PM ET, CBSSN)
7.Florida 10-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: North Carolina (6-4) (Charlotte; Jumpman Invitational) (Tuesday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Kansas 8-2 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: Brown (7-3) (Sunday, 3 PM ET, ESPN)
9.Marquette 9-2 (0-0) Big East Next Up: Butler (7-4) (Wednesday, 9 PM ET, FS1)
10.Oregon 10-1 (1-1) Big Ten Next Up: Stanford (8-2) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, BTN)

Tuesday, December 17
7.Florida (10-0) vs. North Carolina (6-4) (Charlotte; Jumpman Invitational)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Todd Golden’s Gators have raced out to a 10-0 record with key wins over Florida State, Wake Forest, Wichita State, Virginia, and Arizona State most recently on Saturday entering the Jumpman Invitational. Veteran guard Walter Clayton Jr. has been terrific this season, scoring over 18 points and pass out almost 4 assists per game. In addition, Florida Atlantic transfer Alijah Martin (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) continues be the playmaker he was in Boca Raton as a Florida Gator. They face a North Carolina team that has underachieved in Hubert Davis’ fourth season in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels defeated Georgia Tech the weekend before last to open ACC play before taking down La Salle. The defense has regressed and the paint presence has been missing since Armando Bacot’s eligibility ended in March. Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block per game) and Jalen Washington (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block per game) are not the bigs that Carolina needs to win games now in nonconference play, during ACC play, or when March comes around. RJ Davis has not been playing at the national player of the year level that he was last season but has still been scoring an average of 18 points a game. Davis’ backcourt mates Seth Trimble (16 points per game) and Elliot Cadeau (12 points a game) have both improved tremendously this season. It will be up to them to supply Davis in scoring against a Florida team that can do a lot of it. Projected Score: Florida 87, North Carolina 75

Wednesday, December 18
24.Michigan (8-2) vs. 14.Oklahoma (10-0) (Charlotte; Jumpman Invitational)
9 PM ET, ESPN
To end things in Charlotte, Michigan faces Oklahoma in a top fourteen match up. Dusty May’s Wolverines have been much better than expected through a month of the season. Michigan seven footers Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin’s two-man game is awesome to watch every game. Wolf, a point center, uses Goldin’s screens to set up the Michigan offense and pass the ball in the paint to get easy layups. Michigan fell to Arkansas in the Jimmy V Classic a week ago but are given another shot to take down an SEC team. Porter Moser’s Sooners is the team the Wolverines will face. After being picked to finish far down in the SEC by the media, Oklahoma has won the Battle 4 Atlantis, defeated Georgia Tech in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and took down their instate rival Oklahoma State on Saturday. They rely on forward Jalon Moore and guard Jeremiah Fears for much of their scoring. If Moore and Fears can continue their great play against Michigan, the Sooners will continue the SEC’s dominance in nonconference play. Projected Score: Oklahoma 84, Michigan 80

Friday, December 20
22.Dayton (9-2) @ 19.Cincinnati (8-1)
8:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Cincinnati has been one of the pleasant surprises in a Big 12 that will be full of NCAA Tournament teams in March. The Bearcats have slipped up just once this season, against Villanova in the Big 12-Big East Battle. Guards Simus Lukosius, Jizzle James, and forward Dillon Mitchell lead the way on a balanced team for Wes Miller. They get another shot to get a quality win against an instate opponent in Dayton, who placed seventh place in the Maui Invitational. Former Ohio State forward Zed Key is joined by guard Enoch Cheeks and forward Nate Santos lead Anthony Grant’s team. Their up and down pace makes them tough to beat. But, they will be challenged against a Cincinnati team that has the capability to finish in the top third of the Big 12. It should be a back and forth game between the Flyers and the Bearcats. However, Cincinnati should protect their home floor and win this game. Projected Score: Cincinnati 76, Dayton 70

Saturday, December 21
North Carolina (6-4) vs. 18.UCLA (10-0) (New York City; CBS Sports Classic)
3 PM ET, CBS
After traveling just a few hours to Charlotte to play in the Jumpman Invitational, the Tar Heels will head to New York City for the CBS Sports Classic against UCLA. Mick Cronin’s team is 9-1, coming off of a win over old Pac-12 rival Arizona and their only slip up early in the season against New Mexico. Cronin’s roster is balanced as they play through three main guys. Forward Tyler Bilodeau scores over 13 points and grabs almost 6 rebounds a game while Eric Daily (12 points) and Sebastian Mack (11 points) serve as a strong backcourt for UCLA. The talented Bilodeau will serve as an important match up this season for the aforementioned Jalen Washington and Ven-Allen Lubin as the Tar Heels’ bigs look to improve. For Daily and Mack, defending North Carolina guards RJ Davis, Seth Trimble, Elliot Cadeau, and freshman Ian Jackson will be a chore in itself. If Carolina falls to Florida on Tuesday, another loss versus UCLA would mean six defeats on the season. For the Tar Heels to avoid that, they will need Washington and Lubin to play good minutes for them inside and hope that RJ Davis and one of his mates in the backcourt have a quality game beside him. I don’t know if the Tar Heels put it all together in this one but I think they will get closer as they beat the Bruins. Projected Score: North Carolina 77, UCLA 72

16.Purdue (8-3) vs. 2.Auburn (9-1) (Birmingham)
4:30 PM ET, ESPN
In what is the match up of the day on Saturday, Purdue will head to Birmingham to face Auburn in a neutral site game that will bring a lot of Tiger fans. The Boilermakers will look to sweep their contests against teams from Alabama after defeating the Crimson Tide the first week of the season by beating Auburn on Saturday night. They lost by eighteen points to Marquette following their win over the Crimson Tide but bounced back with wins over NC State in a Final Four semifinal rematch from last March and a win over another SEC team Ole Miss. Last Saturday, they lost to Texas A&M in Indianapolis but they can make up for that loss with a win in essentially a road environment in Birmingham with it being so close to Auburn’s campus. After losing back to back national player of the year Zach Edey to the pros, his replacement in the paint Trey Kaufman-Renn has been impressive, scoring almost 19 points and 7 rebounds per game. It is crazy to think guards Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith are in their third year in Matt Painter’s program, both scoring 13 points a game. Both are terrific players that will be challenged by Bruce Pearl’s athletic guards, Chad Baker-Mazara (13.1 points per game), Tahaad Pettiford (11.3 points), and Miles Kelly (11 points). Those three look to get the ball inside to Johni Broome (19.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks), who leads the national player of the year race. The Tigers have been impressive this season with wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina, Memphis, and Ohio State. Their one slip up was against Duke on the road at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The match up between Broome and Kaufam-Renn will determine this game and Broome should win it. Projected Score: Auburn 87, Purdue 82

4.Kentucky (10-1) vs. Ohio State (6-4) (New York City; CBS Sports Classic)
6:30 PM ET, CBS
The second game in the CBS Sports Classic features an AP top five Kentucky team that has surprised many people in Mark Pope’s first season on the job and a solid Ohio State team, who also has a first year head coach in Jake Diebler. Pope’s team does not have a true number one scoring option but that means that the Wildcats have six guys that average over ten points a game. Guards Otega Oweh (15.6), Lamont Butler (12.9), Jaxson Robinson (12.5), forward Andrew Carr (11), and center Amari Williams (10.6) make the Wildcats hard to beat because you never know who will be playing their best basketball ever night. They have beaten then number six ranked Duke and then number seven ranked Gonzaga so far. For the Buckeyes, guards Bruce Thornton (16 points and 5 assists per game) and John Mobley Jr. (13 points) and forward Devin Royal (14 points and 7 rebounds) power their team. In addition, Diebler brought in two former SEC players including former South Carolina guard Meechie Johnson (10 points), in his second stint with the Buckeyes, and forward Aaron Bradshaw (8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game) who will face his former Wildcats on Saturday night. I think this game may be close for thirty to thirty five minutes until Kentucky will break away at the end and win. Projected Score: Kentucky 85, Ohio State 77

Sunday, December 22
Illinois (7-3) vs. Missouri (9-1) (St. Louis; McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights)
1 PM ET, ESPN
A rivalry that is sometimes forgotten about because it is a game that is rarely played in football. Illinois and Missouri are two teams that had opposite results to end their seasons last April. The Fighting Illini made it all the way to the Elite 8 while Missouri lost all nineteen opportunities against SEC competition last winter and spring. This season has been different so far for Dennis Gates’ team. After losing their opener by just eight points against an improved Memphis team, Missouri has rattled off ten consecutive wins, most notably against border rival and then number one ranked Kansas in Columbia. This game against the Illini will be the Tigers’ last shot to improve their resumé before SEC play before they face the nation’s number two ranked Auburn Tigers on “The Plains”. Missouri must hope their guard trio of Tamar Bates (14 points a game), Caleb Grill (13.6 points), and Mark Mitchell (12.8 points and 5 rebounds) are up for the challenge against Brad Underwoods’ skilled roster. The Illini may just be 1-1 in the Big Ten and have just lost to top ranked Tennessee but they also have wins over then number 19.Arkansas and then number 20.Wisconsin. The perimeter shooting of the entire Illinois team is terrific but they love to play through guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who scores over 15 points, grabs 6 rebounds, and dishes out over six assists per game. The Lithuanian has turned into an NBA draft prospect quickly as has Tomislav Ivisic, the brother of Arkansas center Zvonimir Ivisic. Tomislav has put together a quality freshman season, matching Jakucionis scoring per game with 15 points, bringing down over 9 rebounds, blocking a shot per game, and shooting the ball from deep well. Missouri will have to get out on Illinois’ shooters if they want to win this game. The Tigers may do just that but the Fighting Illini’s percentage will make them hard to beat. Projected Score: Illinois 84, Missouri 77

Image Courtesy: timesdaily.com

AP Top 10
1.Kansas 7-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: @ Creighton (5-3) (Big East/Big 12 Battle) (Wednesday, 8:30 PM ET, FS1)
2.Auburn 7-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: @ 9.Duke (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge) (Wednesday, 9:15 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Tennessee 7-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: Syracuse (4-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge) (Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN)
4.Kentucky 7-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: @ Clemson (7-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge) (Tuesday, 9:30 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Marquette 8-0 (0-0) Big East Next Up: @ 6.Iowa State (5-1) (Big East/Big 12 Battle) (Wednesday, 8 PM ET, ESPN+)
6.Iowa State 5-1 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 5.Marquette (8-0) (Big East/Big 12 Battle) (Wednesday, 8 PM ET, ESPN+)
7.Gonzaga 7-1 (0-0) WCC Next Up: 4.Kentucky (7-0) (Seattle; Battle in Seattle) (Saturday, 10 PM ET, ESPN2)
8.Purdue 7-1 (0-0) Big Ten Next Up: @ Penn State (7-1) (Thursday, 6:30 PM ET, FS1)
9.Duke 5-2 (0-0) ACC Next Up: 2.Auburn (7-0) (Wednesday, 9:15 PM ET, ESPN)
10.Alabama 6-2 (0-0) SEC Next Up: @ 20.North Carolina (4-3) (ACC/SEC Challenge) (Wednesday, 7:15 PM ET, ESPN)

Here is my video previewing the upcoming week in college hoops.

Tuesday, December 3
23.Ole Miss (6-1) @ Louisville (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9 PM ET, ACCN
Projected Score: Ole Miss 77, Louisville 72

4.Kentucky (7-0) @ Clemson (7-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Kentucky 85, Clemson 81

Wednesday, December 4
15.Baylor (5-2) @ 25.Connecticut (5-3) (Big East/Big 12 Battle)
6:30 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Baylor 81, Connecticut 77

10.Alabama (6-2) @ 20.North Carolina (4-3) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:15 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Alabama 88, North Carolina 77

5.Marquette (8-0) @ 6.Iowa State (5-1) (Big East/Big 12 Battle)
8 PM ET, ESPN+
Projected Score: Iowa State 79, Marquette 78

1.Kansas (7-0) @ Creighton (5-3) (Big East/Big 12 Battle)
8:30 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Kansas 88, Creighton 80

18.Pittsburgh (7-1) @ Mississippi State (6-1) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:15 PM ET, SECN
Projected Score: Pittsburgh 74, Mississippi State 71

Texas (6-1) @ NC State (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:15 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Texas 78, NC State 74

2.Auburn (7-0) @ 9.Duke (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:15 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Auburn 85, Duke 81

Saturday, December 7
11.Wisconsin (8-0) @ 5.Marquette (8-0)
1:30 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: Marquette 82, Wisconsin 79

4.Kentucky (7-0) vs. 7.Gonzaga (7-1) (Seattle; Battle in Seattle)
10 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Gonzaga 83, Kentucky 81

Sunday, December 8
1.Kansas (7-0) @ Missouri (6-1)
1 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Kansas 89, Missouri 77

Texas Tech (6-1) vs. 22.Texas A&M (6-2) (Fort Worth)
3 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Texas A&M 77, Texas Tech 75

25.Connecticut (5-3) @ Texas (6-1)
5 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Connecticut 82, Texas 80

Image Courtesy: Maui Now

AP Top 10 (Will be updated on 11/25 when the new poll comes out)
1.Kansas 5-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 11.Duke (4-1) (Las Vegas; Vegas Showdown) (Tuesday, 9 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Connecticut 4-0 (0-0) Big East Next Up: Memphis (4-0) (Lahaina; Maui Jim Maui Invitational) (Monday, 2:30 PM ET, ESPN2)
3.Gonzaga 5-0 (0-0) WCC Next Up: West Virginia (3-1) (Nassau; Battle 4 Atlantis) (Wednesday, 2:30 PM ET, ESPN/2)
4.Auburn 4-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: 5.Iowa State (3-0) (Lahaina; Maui Jim Maui Invitational) (Monday, 8 PM ET, ESPNU)
5.Iowa State 3-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 4.Auburn (4-0) (Lahaina; Maui Jim Maui Invitational) (Monday, 8 PM ET, ESPNU)
6.Houston 3-1 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 9.Alabama (4-1) (Las Vegas; Players Era Festival) (Tuesday, 8 PM ET, TBS)
7.Tennessee 6-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: UT-Martin (2-4) (Wednesday, 4 PM ET, ESPN+/SECN+)
8.Kentucky 5-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: Western Kentucky (3-2) (Tuesday, 6:30 PM ET, ESPNU)
9.Alabama 4-1 (0-0) SEC Next Up: 6.Houston (3-1) (Las Vegas; Players Era Festival) (Tuesday, 8 PM ET, TBS)
10.Marquette 6-0 (0-0) Big East Next Up: Stonehill (3-4)

Here is my video preview of college basketball’s Feast Week.

Maui Jim Maui Invitational (Lahaina, HI)
November 25-27
Teams Participating: Auburn, Colorado, Connecticut, Dayton, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina

Quarterfinals

Monday, November 25
2.Connecticut (4-0) vs. Memphis (4-0)
2:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Connecticut 77, Memphis 71

Colorado (4-0) vs. Michigan State (4-1)
5 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Michigan State 74, Colorado 68

4.Auburn (4-0) vs. 5.Iowa State (3-0)
8 PM ET, ESPNU
Projected Score: Auburn 84, Iowa State 83

Dayton (5-0) vs. 12.North Carolina (3-1)
1:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: North Carolina 75, Dayton 70

Semifinals

Tuesday, November 26
2.Connecticut vs. Michigan State
6 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Connecticut 80, Michigan State 70

12.North Carolina vs. 4.Auburn
11 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Auburn 86, North Carolina 83

Third Place Game

Wednesday, November 27
Michigan State vs. 12.North Carolina
9:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: North Carolina 82, Michigan State 75

Final

Wednesday, November 27
2.Connecticut vs. 4.Auburn
5 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Auburn 88, Connecticut 86

Players Era Festival (Las Vegas, NV)
November 26-27, 30
Teams Participating: Alabama, Creighton, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State, Texas A&M

Impact Division

Tuesday, November 26
9.Alabama (4-1) vs. 6.Houston (3-1)
8 PM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Alabama 85, Houston 83

Notre Dame (4-1) vs. Rutgers (4-0)
10:30 PM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Rutgers 81, Notre Dame 79

Wednesday, November 27
9.Alabama vs. Rutgers
10 AM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Alabama 87, Rutgers 80

6.Houston vs. Notre Dame
12:30 PM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Houston 80, Notre Dame 69

Power Division

Tuesday, November 26
San Diego State (2-1) vs. 21.Creighton (4-1)
2 PM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Creighton 78, San Diego State 72

20.Texas A&M (4-1) vs. Oregon (5-0)
4:30 PM ET, TBS
Projected Score: Oregon 84, Texas A&M 82

Wednesday, November 27
Oregon vs. San Diego State
4 PM ET, Max
Projected Score: Oregon 83, San Diego State 74

21.Creighton vs. 20.Texas A&M
6:30 PM ET, Max
Projected Score: Creighton 80, Texas A&M 76

Third Place Game

7 PM ET, TNT
Projected Score:

Saturday, November 30

Final

Saturday, November 30

9:30 PM ET, TNT
Projected Score:

Battle 4 Atlantis (Nassau, BS)
November 27-29
Teams Participating: Arizona, Davidson, Gonzaga, Indiana, Louisville, Oklahoma, Providence, West Virginia

Quarterfinals

Wednesday, November 27
14.Indiana (4-0) vs. Louisville (3-1)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Indiana 75, Louisville 73

3.Gonzaga (5-0) vs. West Virginia (3-1)
2:30 PM ET, ESPN/2
Projected Score: Gonzaga 86, West Virginia 72

Oklahoma (4-0) vs. Providence (5-0)
5 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Providence 81, Oklahoma 70

24.Arizona (2-2) vs. Davidson (4-0)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Arizona 84, Davidson 72

Semifinals

Thursday, November 28
14.Indiana vs. 3.Gonzaga
12 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Gonzaga 80, Indiana 72

Providence vs. 24.Arizona
5 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Arizona 85, Providence 75

Third Place Game

Friday, November 29
14.Indiana vs. Providence
3 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Indiana 73, Providence 70

Final

Friday, November 29
24.Arizona vs. 3.Gonzaga
5:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Gonzaga 85, Arizona 80

ESPN Events Invitational (Kissimmee, FL)
November 28-29
Teams Participating: Florida, Minnesota, Wake Forest, Wichita State

Semifinals

Thursday, November 28
Minnesota (4-1) vs. Wichita State (5-0)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Minnesota 81, Wichita State 79

18.Florida (6-0) vs. Wake Forest (6-1)
1:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Florida 86, Wake Forest 85

Third Place Game

Friday, November 29
Wake Forest vs. Wichita State
1 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Wake Forest 88, Wichita State 75

Final

Friday, November 29
18.Florida vs. Minnesota
3:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Florida 88, Minnesota 70

Acrisure Classic (Palm Springs, CA)
November 28-29
Teams Participating: Arizona State, New Mexico, Saint Mary’s, USC

Semifinals

Thursday, November 28
Saint Mary’s (6-0) vs. USC (4-1)
9 PM ET, truTV
Projected Score: Saint Mary’s 75, USC 72

Arizona State (5-1) vs. New Mexico (4-1)
11:30 PM ET, truTV
Projected Score: Arizona State 80, New Mexico 78

Third Place Game

Friday, November 29
New Mexico vs. USC
Projected Score: USC 77, New Mexico 76

Final

Friday, November 29
Arizona State vs. Saint Mary’s
Projected Score: Arizona State 80, Saint Mary’s 71

Rady Children’s Invitational (San Diego, CA)
November 28-29
Teams Participating: BYU, NC State, Ole Miss, Purdue

Semifinals

Thursday, November 28
NC State (5-0) vs. 13.Purdue (5-1)
2 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Purdue 84, NC State 79

BYU (4-0) vs. 23.Ole Miss (5-0)
4:30 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Ole Miss 78, BYU 76

Third Place Game

Friday, November 29
BYU vs. NC State
2:30 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: BYU 77, NC State 74

Final

Friday, November 29
23.Ole Miss vs. 13.Purdue
5 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: Purdue 79, Ole Miss 70

Single Games

Sunday, November 24
Georgia (5-1) vs. St. John’s (5-1) (Bahamas)
11 AM ET, CBSSN
Projected Score: Georgia 78, St. John’s 74

Tuesday, November 26
11.Duke (4-1) vs. 1.Kansas (5-0) (Las Vegas; Vegas Showdown)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Duke 85, Kansas 83

Thursday, November 28
Illinois (4-1) vs. 19.Arkansas (4-1) (Kansas City; Thanksgiving Day Showdown)
4 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: Illinois 82, Arkansas 78

Friday, November 29
Pittsburgh (6-0) @ Ohio State (4-1)
2:30 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Pittsburgh 79, Ohio State 77

Image Courtesy: Kansas City Star

AP Top 10
1.Kansas 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 9.North Carolina (1-0) (Friday, 7 PM ET, ESPN2)
2.Alabama 1-0 (0-0) SEC Next Up: Arkansas State (1-0) (Friday, 8 PM ET, SECN+)
3.Connecticut 1-0 (0-0) Big East Next Up: New Hampshire (0-1) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FS2)
4.Houston 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 11.Auburn (1-0) (Saturday, 9:30 PM ET, ESPNU)
5.Iowa State 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: Kansas City (1-0) (Monday, 8 PM ET, ESPN+)
6.Gonzaga 1-0 (0-0) WCC Next Up: Arizona State (1-0) (Sunday, 5 PM ET, ESPN)
7.Duke 1-0 (0-0) ACC Next Up: Army (1-0) (Friday, 6 PM ET, ACCN)
8.Baylor 0-1 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: 16.Arkansas (1-0) (Dallas) (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ESPNU)
9.North Carolina 1-0 (0-0) ACC Next Up: @ 1.Kansas (1-0) (Friday, 7 PM ET, ESPN2)
10.Arizona 1-0 (0-0) Big 12 Next Up: Old Dominion (0-1) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN+)

Friday, November 8
9.North Carolina (1-0) @ 1.Kansas (1-0)
7 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Kansas 85, North Carolina 81

Saturday, November 9
12.Tennessee (1-0) @ Louisville (1-0)
12 PM ET, ACCN
Projected Score: Tennessee 71, Louisville 65

16.Arkansas (1-0) vs. 8.Baylor (0-1) (Dallas)
7:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Projected Score: Arkansas 79, Baylor 77

11.Auburn (1-0) @ 4.Houston (1-0) (Toyota Center)
9:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Projected Score: Auburn 79, Houston 75

Sunday, November 10
Arizona State (1-0) @ 6.Gonzaga (1-0)
5 PM ET, ESPNU
Projected Score: Gonzaga 85, Arizona State 69

Tuesday, November 12
1.Kansas (1-0) vs. Michigan State (2-0) (Atlanta; Champions Classic)
6:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Kansas 82, Michigan State 70

7.Duke (1-0) vs. 23.Kentucky (1-0) (Atlanta; Champions Classic)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Duke 87, Kentucky 75

Friday, November 15
Ohio State (1-0) @ 13.Texas A&M (0-1)
8 PM ET, SECN
Projected Score: Texas A&M 75, Ohio State 73

18.Marquette (1-0) @ Maryland (1-0)
8 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Maryland 80, Marquette 77

2.Alabama (1-0) @ 14.Purdue (1-0)
7 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Alabama 88, Purdue 80

Saturday, November 16
South Carolina (0-1) @ 17.Indiana ()
3 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Indiana 72, South Carolina 70

Tuesday, November 19
14.Purdue (1-0) @ 18.Marquette (1-0)
9 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Purdue 81, Marquette 79

Wednesday, November 20
Illinois (1-0) vs. 2.Alabama (1-0) (Birmingham; CM Newton Classic)
9 PM ET, SECN
Projected Score: Alabama 85, Illinois 80

Friday, November 22
7.Duke (1-0) @ 10.Arizona (1-0)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Duke 77, Arizona 72

Image Courtesy: Whole Hog Sports

Projected Starters
Boogie Fland, Guard (Freshman)
DJ Wagner, Guard (Sophomore)
Johnell Davis, Guard (Senior)
Adou Thiero, Forward (Junior)
Jonas Aidoo, Forward/Center (Senior)

Projected Bench
Trevon Brazile, Forward (Senior)
Melo Sanchez, Guard (Junior)
Zvonimir Ivisic, Center (Sophomore)
Karter Knox, Forward (Freshman)
Billy Richmond, Forward (Freshman)
Jaden Karuletwa, Guard/Forward (Freshman)
Ayden Kelley, Guard (Freshman)

2024 Class (via 247sports composite)
19.Boogie Fland (#2CG) White Plains, NY (Archbishop Stepinac)
21.Karter Knox (#7SF) Atlanta, GA (Overtime Elite)
26.Billy Richmond (#8SF) Camden, NJ (Camden)
Jaden Karuletwa (SG) Sun Valley, CA (Valley Christian)
Ayden Kelley (PG) South Haven, MS (North Christian)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
3.Johnell Davis, Guard (Senior) Former School: Florida Atlantic
18.Jonas Aidoo, Forward/Center (Senior) Former School: Tennessee
30.Adou Thiero, Forward (Junior) Former School: Kentucky
36.DJ Wagner, Guard (Sophomore) Former School: Kentucky
52.Zvonimir Ivisic, Center (Sophomore) Former School: Kentucky

2024-2025 Schedule Predictions
10/25 Kansas (Charity Exhibition Sponsored by CareSource)
8 PM CT, SECN
Result: Won 85-69
11/1 @ TCU (Texas Tussle; Charity Exhibition)
7 PM CT
Result:
11/6 Lipscomb
7 PM CT, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
11/9 Baylor (Dallas; Lonestar Showdown) 
6:30 PM CT, ESPNU
Projected Result: Loss
11/13 Troy
7 PM, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
11/18 Pacific
7 PM, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
11/22 Little Rock (Turkey Throwdown)
8 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Win
11/25 Maryland Eastern Shore (Turkey Throwdown)
7 PM CT, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
11/28 Illinois (Kansas City; CBS Thanksgiving Day Game; Thanksgiving Day Showdown; Turkey Throwdown)
3 PM CT, CBS
Projected Result: Win
12/3 @ Miami (ACC/SEC Challenge)
6/6:30 PM CT, ESPN/2
Projected Result: Win
12/7 UTSA
TBA, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
12/10 Michigan (New York City; Jimmy V Classic)
8 PM CT, ESPN
Projected Result: Win
12/14 Central Arkansas (North Little Rock)
3 PM CT, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
12/21 North Carolina A&T
1:30 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Win
12/30 Oakland
7 PM CT, SECN+
Projected Result: Win
1/4 @ Tennessee
12 PM CT, ESPN
Projected Result: Loss
1/8 Ole Miss
6 PM CT, ESPN2/U
Projected Result: Win
1/11 Florida
3 PM CT, ESPN/2
Projected Result: Win
1/14 @ LSU
8 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Loss
1/18 @ Missouri
5 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Win
1/22 Georgia
8 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Win
1/25 Oklahoma
7:30 PM CT, ESPN/2/U
Projected Result: Win
2/1 @ Kentucky
8 PM CT, ESPN
Projected Result: Win
2/5 @ Texas
8 PM CT, ESPN2
Projected Result: Loss
2/8 Alabama
7 PM CT, ESPN
Projected Result: Win
2/12 LSU
8 PM CT, ESPN/2
Projected Result: Win
2/15 @ Texas A&M
11 AM CT, ESPN/2
Projected Result: Loss
2/19 @ Auburn
8 PM CT, ESPN2/U
Projected Result: Loss
2/22 Missouri
7 PM CT, ESPN/2
Projected Result: Win
2/26 Texas
8 PM CT, ESPN2/U
Projected Result: Win
3/1 @ South Carolina
12 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Loss
3/4 @ Vanderbilt
9 PM CT, SECN
Projected Result: Win
3/8 Mississippi State (Senior Day)
11 AM CT, ESPN/SECN
Projected Result: Win
Projected Record: 24-7 (12-6) SEC

2024-2025 Schedule Thoughts:

Image Courtesy: On3.com

ACC
1.Duke
2.North Carolina
3.Wake Forest
4.Clemson
5.Virginia
6.Louisville
7.NC State
8.Miami
9.Pittsburgh
10.Georgia Tech
11.Notre Dame
12.Syracuse
13.Florida State
14.Boston College
15.SMU
16.Virginia Tech
17.California
18.Stanford

Best Non-Conference Games
1.North Carolina @ Kansas (November 8)
2.Duke vs. Kansas (November 26; Las Vegas; Vegas Showdown)
3.Alabama @ North Carolina (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
4.Auburn @ Duke (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
5.Duke @ Arizona (November 21)
6.Duke vs. Kentucky (November 12; Atlanta; Champions Classic)
7.North Carolina State vs. Purdue (November 28; San Diego; Rady Children’s Invitational)
8.North Carolina vs. UCLA (December 21; New York City; CBS Sports Classic)
9.Virginia @ Florida (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge) 
10.NC State @ Kansas (December 14)

Best Conference Games
1.Duke vs. North Carolina (February 1, March 8)
2.Duke vs. Wake Forest (January 25, March 3)
3.North Carolina at. Clemson (February 10)
4.North Carolina at. Wake Forest (January 21)
5.Wake Forest at. Clemson (December 21)
6.Duke at. Virginia (February 17)
7.North Carolina at. Virginia (March 4)
8.North Carolina at. North Carolina State (January 11, February 19)
9.Duke at. NC State (January 27)
10.Louisville at. NC State (February 12)

Awards
MVP: RJ Davis, Guard, North Carolina
2023-2024 Stats:
Defensive Player of the Year:
2023-2024 Stats:
Most Improved Player:
2023-2024 Stats:
Coach of the Year:

Conference Tournament Champ: Duke Blue Devils

Big 12
1.Kansas
2.Houston
3.Baylor
4.Iowa State
5.Arizona
6.Texas Tech
7.Cincinnati
8.West Virginia
9.BYU
10.Kansas State
12.TCU
13.UCF
14.Arizona State
15.West Virginia
16.Oklahoma State
17.Colorado
18.Utah

Best Non-Conference Games
1.North Carolina @ Kansas (November 8)
2.Duke vs. Kansas (November 26; Las Vegas; Vegas Showdown)
3.Alabama vs. Houston (November 25; Las Vegas; Players Era Festival)
4.Auburn vs. Houston (November 9; Toyota Center)
5.Baylor @ Gonzaga (November 4)
6.Duke @ Arizona (November 21)
7.Baylor @ Connecticut (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
8.Arkansas vs. Baylor (November 9; Dallas; Lonestar Showdown) 
9.Kansas @ Creighton (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
10.Marquette @ Iowa State (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)

Best Conference Games
1.Houston vs. Kansas (January 25, March 3)
2.Baylor vs. Houston (February 10, March 8)
3.Iowa State vs. Kansas (January 15, February 3)
4.Kansas @ Baylor (February 8)
5.Baylor @ Iowa State (January 4)
6.Arizona @ Kansas (March 8)
7.Iowa State @ Houston (February 22)
8.Arizona vs. Baylor (January 14, February 17)
9.Arizona vs. Iowa State (January 27, March 1)
10.Houston vs. Texas Tech (February 1, February 24)

Awards
MVP:
2023-2024 Stats:
Defensive Player of the Year:
2023-2024 Stats:
Most Improved Player:
2023-2024 Stats:
Coach of the Year:

Conference Tournament Champ: Baylor Bears

Big East
1.Connecticut
2.Creighton
3.Marquette
4.Xavier
5.St. John’s
6.Providence
7.Butler
8.Seton Hall
9.Villanova
10.Georgetown
11.DePaul

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Baylor @ Connecticut (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
2.Gonzaga vs. Connecticut (December 14; New York City)
3.Kansas @ Creighton (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
4.Marquette @ Iowa State (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
5.Creighton @ Alabama (December 14)
6.Connecticut @ Texas (December 8)
7.Xavier @ TCU (December 5; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
8.Wisconsin @ Marquette (December 7)
9.Kansas State @ St. John’s (December 7; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
10.Butler @ Houston (December 7; Big East/Big 12 Battle)

Best Conference Games
1.Connecticut vs. Creighton (January 18, February 11)
2.Connecticut vs. Marquette (February 1, March 4)
3.Creighton vs. Marquette (January 3, February 8)
4.Connecticut vs. Xavier (December 18, January 25)
5.Creighton vs. Xavier (January 29, March 1)
6.Connecticut vs. St. John’s (February 7, February 23)
7.Marquette vs. Xavier (December 21, January 18)
8.Creighton vs. Providence (January 14, February 5)
9.Connecticut vs. Providence (January 5, March 1)
10.Seton Hall vs. St. John’s (January 18, March 1)

Awards
MVP:
2023-2024 Stats:
Defensive Player of the Year: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Center, Creighton
2023-2024 Stats:
Most Improved Player:
2023-2024 Stats:
Coach of the Year:

Conference Tournament Champ: Connecticut Huskies

Big Ten
1.Illinois
2.Purdue
3.Indiana
4.UCLA
5.Rutgers
6.Oregon
7.Maryland
8.USC
9.Michigan State
10.Iowa
11.Ohio State
12.Michigan
13.Wisconsin
14.Washington
15.Nebraska
16.Nebraska
17.Penn State
18.Minnesota

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Alabama @ Purdue (November 15)
2.Purdue vs. Auburn (December 21; Birmingham)
3.Arkansas vs. Illinois (Kansas City; CBS Thanksgiving Day Game; Thanksgiving Day Showdown; Turkey Throwdown)
4.Gonzaga vs. UCLA (December 28; Inglewood; Intuit Dome)
5.North Carolina vs. UCLA (December 21; New York City; CBS Sports Classic)
6.North Carolina State vs. Purdue (November 28; San Diego; Rady Children’s Invitational)
7.Iowa State @ Iowa (December 12)
8.Arkansas vs. Michigan (December 10; New York City; Jimmy V Classic)
9.Ohio State vs. Auburn (December 14; Atlanta)
10.Illinois vs. Missouri (December 22; St. Louis)

Best Conference Games
1.Purdue @ Illinois (March 7)
2.Indiana vs. Purdue (January 31, February 23)
3.Illinois @ Indiana (January 14)
4.Illinois @ Rutgers (February 5)
5.Oregon vs. UCLA (December 8, January 30)
6.Purdue vs. Rutgers (January 9, March 4)
7.UCLA @ Purdue (February 28)
8.UCLA @ Indiana (February 14)
9.UCLA vs. USC (January 27, March 8)
10.Michigan @ Ohio State (February 16)

Awards
MVP:
2023-2024 Stats:
Defensive Player of the Year:
2023-2024 Stats:
Most Improved Player:
2023-2024 Stats:
Coach of the Year:

Conference Tournament Champ: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

SEC
1.Alabama
2.Auburn
3.Arkansas
4.Tennessee
5.Florida
6.Texas A&M
7.Texas
8.Kentucky
9.Ole Miss
10.Missouri
11.South Carolina
12.Mississippi State
13.Georgia
14.Vanderbilt
15.LSU
16.Oklahoma

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Alabama @ North Carolina (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
2.Alabama vs. Houston (November 25; Las Vegas; Players Era Festival)
3.Auburn @ Duke (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
4.Auburn vs. Houston (November 9; Toyota Center)
5.Auburn vs. Iowa State (November 25; Lahaina; Maui Invitational)
6.Arkansas vs. Baylor (November 9; Dallas)
7.Illinois vs. Alabama (November 20; Birmingham; C.M. Newton Classic)
8.Illinois vs. Arkansas (November 28; Kansas City; Thanksgiving Day Showdown)
9.Alabama @ Purdue (November 15)
10.Duke vs. Kentucky (November 12; Atlanta; Champions Classic)

Best Conference Games
1.Alabama vs. Auburn (February 15, March 8)
2.Alabama @ Tennessee (March 1)
3.Alabama @ Arkansas (February 8)
4.Tennessee @ Auburn (January 25)
5.Arkansas @ Auburn (February 19)
6.Arkansas @ Kentucky (February 1)
7.Arkansas @ Tennessee (January 4)
8.Florida vs. Tennessee (January 7, February 1)
9.Texas vs. Texas A&M (January 4, January 25)
10.Florida @ Alabama (March 5)

Awards
MVP: Mark Sears
2023-2024 Stats:
Defensive Player of the Year:
2023-2024 Stats:
Most Improved Player:
2023-2024 Stats:
Coach of the Year:

Conference Tournament Champ: Arkansas Razorbacks

National Preview:

Best Non-Conference Games
1.North Carolina @ Kansas (November 8)
2.Duke vs. Kansas (November 26; Las Vegas; Vegas Showdown)
3.Alabama vs. Houston (November 25; Las Vegas; Players Era Festival)
4.Alabama @ North Carolina (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
5.Baylor @ Connecticut (December 4; Big East/Big 12 Battle)
6.Gonzaga vs. Connecticut (December 14; New York City)
7.Auburn @ Duke (December 4; ACC/SEC Challenge)
8.Auburn vs. Houston (November 9; Toyota Center)
9.Auburn vs. Iowa State (November 25; Lahaina; Maui Invitational)
10.Baylor @ Gonzaga (November 4)

Best Conference Games
1.Duke vs. North Carolina (February 1, March 8)
2.Alabama vs. Auburn (February 15, March 8)
3.Houston vs. Kansas (January 25, March 3)
4.Baylor vs. Houston (February 10, March 8)
5.Iowa State vs. Kansas (January 15, February 3)
6.Kansas @ Baylor (February 8)
7.Baylor @ Iowa State (January 4)
8.Connecticut vs. Creighton (January 18, February 11)
9.Arizona @ Kansas (March 8)
10.Purdue @ Illinois (March 7)

National Player of the Year: Mark Sears, Guard, Alabama

Bracketology:

Midwest (Indianapolis)
1.Kansas
2.Auburn
3.North Carolina
4.Arkansas

West (San Francisco)
1.Houston
2.Gonzaga
3.Creighton
4.Purdue

South (Atlanta)
1.Alabama
2.Iowa State
3.Baylor
4.Texas Tech

East (Newark)
1.Duke
2.Connecticut
3.Arizona
4.Tennessee

Final Four Picks: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Iowa State

National Champion: Alabama Crimson Tide

Image Courtesy: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

An incredible five year period of basketball in Fayetteville, Arkansas ended on April 4, when Eric Musselman left the Razorbacks for his home state of California and the USC job. Musselman left the Razorbacks after leading them to three NCAA tournament appearances, one Sweet 16 (2023), and back to back Elite 8s (2021 and 2022). In his first season, he was poised to lead Arkansas to the tournament with a 20-12 record before COVID-19 cancelled the rest of the season. Just six days later, Kentucky’s John Calipari was named the new head coach in Fayetteville. A long time Razorback rival came to the Hill and hit the ground running. Arkansas fans are now very excited for another season. Without Coach Musselman, athletic director Hunter Yurachek and the athletic department would not be able to hire a name like Coach Calipari without the support from donor John Tyson. Before I update everyone on everything Razorback basketball, I just want to thank him for everything Coach Musselman did for the program. Now, enjoy this update!!

Projected Starters
DJ Wagner, Guard (Sophomore)
Johnell Davis, Guard (Senior)
Adou Thiero, Forward (Junior)
Trevon Brazile, Forward (Senior)
Jonas Aidoo, Forward/Center (Senior)

Projected Bench
Karter Knox, Forward (Freshman)
Boogie Fland, Guard (Freshman)
Zvonimir Ivisic, Center (Sophomore)
Billy Richmond, Forward (Freshman)
Melo Sanchez, Guard (Junior)
Kareem Watkins, Guard (Grad Senior)
Jaden Karuletwa, Guard/Forward (Freshman)
Lawson Blake, Forward (Senior) (Walk-On; Out for Season)
Ayden Kelley, Guard (Freshman) (Walk-On)

2024 Class (via 247sports composite)
19.Boogie Fland (#2CG) White Plains, NY (Archbishop Stepinac)
21.Karter Knox (#7SF) Atlanta, GA (Overtime Elite)
26.Billy Richmond (#8SF) Camden, NJ (Camden)
Jaden Karuletwa (SG) Sun Valley, CA (Valley Christian)
Ayden Kelley (PG) South Haven, MS (North Christian) (Walk-On)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
3.Johnell Davis, Guard (Senior) Former School: Florida Atlantic
18.Jonas Aidoo, Forward/Center (Senior) Former School: Tennessee
30.Adou Thiero, Forward (Junior) Former School: Kentucky
36.DJ Wagner, Guard (Sophomore) Former School: Kentucky
52.Zvonimir Ivisic, Center (Sophomore) Former School: Kentucky
Kareem Watkins, Guard (Grad Senior) Former School: Kentucky
Melo Sanchez, Guard (Junior) Former School: Hawaii Pacific

Transfers Out
Denijay Harris, Forward (Senior) New School: Southern Miss
Joseph Pinion, Guard (Sophomore) New School: Arkansas State
Keyon Menifield, Guard (Sophomore) New School: TBD
Davonte “Devo” Davis, Guard (Senior) New School: Oklahoma State
Layden Blocker, Guard (Freshman) New School: DePaul
Khalif Battle, Guard (Junior) New School: Gonzaga
Tramon Mark, Guard (Senior) New School: Texas

Graduated or Going Pro
Jalen Graham, Forward
Makhi Mitchell, Forward/Center
Jeremiah Davenport, Guard/Forward
El Ellis, Guard
Chandler Lawson, Forward

Schedule updated on August 17 per Jon Rothstein on X

2024-2025 Schedule (As it looks right now)
TBA @ TCU (Exhibition)
TBA Kansas (Exhibition)
TBA TBA (Dallas)
TBA Maryland Eastern Shore
TBA Pacific
11/13 Troy
11/22 Little Rock
11/28 Illinois (Kansas City; Thanksgiving Day Showdown)
12/3 @ Miami (ACC/SEC Challenge)
12/10 Michigan (New York City; Jimmy V Classic)
12/14 Central Arkansas (North Little Rock)
12/21 North Carolina A&T
12/30 Oakland
TBA Alabama
TBA Florida
TBA Georgia
TBA LSU
TBA Ole Miss
TBA Mississippi State
TBA Missouri
TBA Oklahoma
TBA Texas
TBA @ Auburn
TBA @ Kentucky
TBA @ LSU
TBA @ Missouri
TBA @ South Carolina
TBA @ Tennessee
TBA @ Texas
TBA @ Texas A&M
TBA @ Vanderbilt

Back in February, it was announced Arkansas basketball will return to the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center in November of 2027. The Razorbacks are joined by Chaminade, the local Hawaiian D2 host school so far. The other six participants are yet to be announced. The games will be played in Maui from November 22-24, 2027. The Razorbacks last appeared in the event in 2022, winning third place after defeating Louisville in the quarterfinals, losing to Creighton in the semifinals, and making an impressive comeback against San Diego State to beat the Aztecs in the third place game.

In mid-May, the SEC announced Arkansas’ opponents for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Most notably, the SEC did not give Arkansas a game both home and away against Kentucky, John Calipari’s old team. Instead, the Razorbacks will play LSU, Missouri, and Texas both at home and on the road. The Longhorns, led by former Razorback guard Tramon Mark, replace Texas A&M as third home and away opponents for the Arkansas on the hardwood. The Razorbacks will host single games against Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma. They will play single road games against Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. The road slate is much harder than the one at home, with the Razorbacks having to travel to Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina, all of whom finished in the top four in the league standings last season in addition to rival Texas A&M (7th). While at home they play a much easier slate. However, Alabama, another team that finished in the SEC’s top four last season, a 2024 Final Four team, and a likely pre-season top five team in the country, will be the only notable team facing the hogs in a single game Bud Walton. It will be just the second time (in eight games) that the Crimson Tide will face the Razorbacks in Fayetteville in six seasons. The other SEC opponents Arkansas will face at home in Bud Walton include Florida (6th in the SEC in 2023-2024), Oklahoma (9th in the Big 12), Mississippi State (10th), Ole Miss (11th), and Georgia (tied for 12th). So, not many marquee games will be played at home in Coach Calipari’s first season as head coach but LSU (8th), Missouri (14th), and Texas (7th in the Big 12) are always fun games to have both home and away so we will just have to wait and see!! Arkansas will face Oklahoma for the fourth consecutive season after playing the Sooners in Tulsa the previous three seasons. It will be fun to see that rivalry develop at least once this season when they face the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. The official SEC basketball schedule is traditionally released at the end of August.

When addressing the media in Destin at the 2024 SEC Spring Meetings, John Calipari announced that the Razorbacks will play games in (North) Little Rock, Dallas, and New York City (at Madison Square Garden), and a finalized home and home series for this upcoming season. Opponents are to be announced at this point. I would anticipate the game in North Little Rock to be played two Saturdays before Christmas, December 14th, like Arkansas traditionally does. Just a day later, CBS college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein reported that Arkansas would head to New York City to face Michigan in the 2024 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 11, per the official Jimmy V Classic website.

On June 5, college basketball reporter Rocco Miller reported that Arkansas will host Oakland as part of its 2024-2025 nonconference slate on December 30th. The fourteen seeded Grizzlies upset John Calipari’s third seeded Kentucky Wildcats in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament led by Jack Gohlke’s 10 three pointers, 80-76. The contract to play the game was officially signed by both teams on July 2.

In mid-June, the second annual 2024 ACC/SEC Challenge match ups were announced. After beating Duke 80-75 in the 2023 ACC/SEC Challenge at Bud Walton Arena, the Razorbacks will head to Coral Gables, Florida on December 3 to face Miami on the road, looking to stay undefeated in the challenge. Last November, Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats dominated Miami at Rupp Arena in Lexington, 95-73 in their 2023 ACC/SEC Challenge match up. Around the same time, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman confirmed that the Illini will travel to Kansas City to face Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day on CBS after Bears-Lions wraps up.

On June 21st, it was confirmed that Arkansas will face Central Arkansas in North Little Rock, with a date to be determined per CBS College Basketball reporter Jon Rothstein. Traditionally, the Razorbacks play in the central part of Arkansas annually the Saturday before Christmas, so if that is the case, the game will be played December 21st.

Other News
The NBA is full of former Razorbacks. Before Coach Musselman arrived in Fayettevile, Bucks guard Patrick Beverley, Bucks forward Bobby Portis, Mavericks forward Daniel Gafford, and Thunder guard Isaiah Joe made their way into the league. During Musselman’s tenure, Kings guard Mason Jones, Warriors guard Moses Moody, Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, Bucks guard/forward Stanley Umude, Magic guard Anthony Black, Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr., and Celtics forward Jordan Walsh are succeeding in their professional careers following their careers as Razorbacks. There were no Razorbacks drafted from Eric Musselman’s 2023-2024 roster. Now with John Calipari as the head coach, he will look to add more names to that list in 2025 and beyond. Calipari has coached and developed many draft picks during his fifteen year tenure in Lexington at Kentucky. Many of those players are playing great basketball in the NBA including Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Miami forward Bam Adebayo, and many others as well. Calipari’s first coaching staff will be associate head coach Kenny Payne, associate head coach Chin Coleman, assistant coach Chuck Martin, assistant coach Nick Bradford, and assistant coach Tyler Ulis, who played for Calipari at Kentucky, and director of student athlete development Ronnie Brewer Jr.. Payne previously coached at Kentucky and was one of the nation’s best recruiters coaching with Cal, landing future NBA All-Stars Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Bam Adebayo. Brewer played for Arkansas as a player before his success as an assistant under Eric Musselman over the last few seasons. Also on Calipari’s staff is video coordinator Kevin Betty, assistant video coordinator Kevin Gallagher, associate athletics director and general manager Chris Woolard, special assistant to the head coach Bruiser Flint, chief of staff Lunetha Pryor, director of operations Riley Hall, and John’s son Brad Calipari, who is an assistant coach and the director of on-court player development.

Image Courtesy: Yahoo

In late June, SBNation and many other sources reported that the annual men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament will expand from the current 68 team model to a future 72 or 76 team format as soon as the 2025-2026 season for the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Leaders met and potential expansion was presented. The NCAA last expanded the “Big Dance” in 2011, adding the “First Four” in Dayton with games between a couple of 11 or 12 seeds and 16 seeds. Per the report, “the reason for hopeful expansion is to avoid taking out the automatic bid but also add in more talented programs and give them a shot”. 2024 NC State is a great example of what leaders want more of as the Wolfpack advanced to the Final Four as an eleven seed this past March and April. The media and fans are against it but the “NCAA is ready to take [expansion of the tournament] on” despite all of the disapproval. The women’s tournament could follow suit with expansion per CBS.

Image Courtesy: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Arkansas officially announced John Calipari as its new head basketball coach on Tuesday. After Eric Musselman left Fayetteville for USC, the Razorbacks’ first basketball coaching search in five years took longer than expected after Ole Miss’ Chris Beard said no to Razorback athletic director Hunter Yurachek. Many people close the program expected Musselman, a San Diego native, to leave if a job opened up in California at some point during his tenure, they just did not know when. Musselman led the Razorbacks to three second weekend appearances in the NCAA Tournament which included back to back Elite 8 appearances in 2021 and 2022 before a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023 during. Three straight second weekend appearances in the NCAA Tournament made Razorback fans very happy and when Musselman took the USC job last week, Razorback fans were disappointed. 2021 was the first year the Razorbacks were back in the second weekend since Nolan Richardson took them to the Sweet 16 in 1996.

Kansas State’s Jerome Tang, Mississippi State’s Chris Jans, and Little Rock’s (and Razorback basketball legend) Darrell Walker were involved in the search. Razorback fans all around the state were so mad. They said things like “Yurachek can’t close a deal and he needs to be fired” and “Our NIL stinks”, but then the AD delivered. Sunday night, FOX16’s Wess Moore was the first to announce that Arkansas had “zeroed in” on polarizing figure in college basketball, John Calipari. Calipari’s success dates back many years, first with UMass, then with Memphis, and most recently in the last fifteen seasons at Kentucky. Calipari led the minutemen to a Final Four in 1996, the tigers to one in 2008 before taking Kentucky four times in 2011, 2012 (won his only national championship), 2014, and 2015. After his last Final Four appearance with the wildcats, his team only appeared in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament twice, when they made the Elite 8 in both 2017 and 2019. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the “One and Done” era that Calipari first created when he arrived in Lexington has not worked with the transfer portal and NIL making college basketball rosters better overall throughout the country. During that time, Kentucky has only made it to the Round of 32 once, in 2023, when they lost to Kansas State and lost opening round games to fifteen seed Saint Peter’s (2022) and Oakland (2024).

Now that his hiring is finally official, will the new opportunity in Fayetteville allow Coach Calipari to reinvent himself with the big NIL package he is getting from his old friend John Tyson? Will he begin to make transfers in his program like Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves become more of a mainstay in his program, this time at a different program in the SEC at Arkansas? We will sure find out the answer to all of these questions as he fills out his roster this off-season and when basketball gets going again in November.

Image Courtesy: Chattanooga Times Free Press

April 6
1.Purdue (33-4) vs. 11.North Carolina State (26-14)
State Farm Stadium (Glendale)
6:09 PM ET, TBS
After becoming the second one seed upset to be upset by a sixteen seed (Fairleigh Dickinson), Purdue is now on the road repeat the run Virginia made in 2019 after suffering the first loss to a sixteen seed in the 2018 Round of 64 to 16.UMBC. Two more wins are required for the Boilermakers to match what the Cavaliers did just five short years ago. The Boilermakers were able to rely on their reigning national player of the year, Zach Edey (40 points, 16 rebounds, and 1 block) to defeat 2.Tennessee in the Midwest Regional final in Detroit. Purdue guards Fletcher Loyer (14 points and 4 assists), Braden Smith (9 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds) and Lance Jones (7 points and 4 rebounds) helped their head coach Matt Painter appear in his first Final Four in his career. Their opponent will be NC State, the eleven seed that has won nine elimination games since finishing the regular season at a mediocre 17-14 record. The Wolfpack will appear in their first Final Four since 1983, when they ended up cutting down the nets with the late, great Jim Valvano as head coach. The Wolfpack won the ACC tournament in Washington DC after beating Louisville in the first round, Syracuse in the second round, Duke in the quarterfinals, Virginia in the semifinals, and North Carolina in the finals to lock up the automatic bid out of the ACC into the NCAA Tournament, a bid they would not have received without winning five consecutive games. NC State head coach Kevin Keatts was on the hot seat before his team’s run but because of winning the ACC tournament title, he received a two year extension. Following this high for Keatts’ and his team, the Wolfpack then defeated six seed Texas Tech to open the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Sweet 16 by defeating tournament Cinderella 14.Oakland who had just upset Kentucky. NC State’s defense helped them upset 2.Marquette in the South Regional Semifinals. The win over the Golden Eagles helped set up a rubber match with instate rival, 4.Duke, in the Elite Eight. Wolfpack star DJ Burns continued his terrific run in the NCAA Tournament, dropping 29 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win over the Blue Devils. Burns gets some help from Wolfpack guard DJ Horne, who scored 20 points in their second win over the Blue Devils this season. The match up between Zach Edey and DJ Burns will be must see TV in the first Final Four match up of 2024 in Glendale. Tennessee allowed Zach Edey to play one on one and that did not work. Will Kevin Keatts’ team use a different strategy? Will they throw forward Mohamed Diarra in addition to Burns at Edey or help with guards like Horne, Michael O’Connell, and Casey Morsell? How NC State defends Edey will determine this game. If they cannot limit him, the Boilermakers will definitely come out victorious. The Wolfpack cannot have any offensive lapses if Edey gets going offensively. I think Purdue wins but NC State will keep it close. Projected Score: Purdue 84, NC State 76

1.Connecticut (35-3) vs. 4.Alabama (25-11)
State Farm Stadium (Glendale)
8:49 PM ET, TBS
Alabama was not expected to get to Glendale. Nate Oats’ lost all three of his assistants to head coaching jobs following last season, which included being the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament and a Sweet 16 appearance, the farthest he had led the Crimson Tide up to that point. Oats retooled his team with returnees, including All-SEC First Team point guard Mark Sears (23 points against 6.Clemson in the Elite Eight) and Nick Pringle (16 points), transfers like Grant Nelson (24 points, 12 points, and 5 blocks in Sweet 16 win over 1.North Carolina) and Aaron Estrada (10 points against Clemson), and freshmen Rylan Griffen (19 points against North Carolina) and Jarin Stevenson (19 points against Clemson) among others. Not much was expected from Alabama during the 2023-2024 season but they were in position to win the SEC regular season title in early March before falling to the eventual champions, Tennessee who joined the Crimson Tide as SEC teams in the Elite Eight. The Crimson Tide avoided upsets against 13.Charleston in the Round of 64 and 12.James Madison in the Round of 32 before upsetting 1.North Carolina in the first West Regional Semifinal. Then, Alabama avenged a loss to Clemson they took in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge back in the first half of the season. The Crimson Tide started out 1/13 shooting the three before exploding like they did against North Carolina in the previous round, finishing 16-36 from range. 1.Connecticut has been one of the three best teams in the country all season long as they look to become the first back to back national champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007. The Huskies have only lost two games since December 20 (Seton Hall in their Big East opener on 12/20 and Creighton three months later on 2/20 on the road in Omaha). Point guard Tristen Newton (17 points and 4 assists against 5.San Diego State in the Sweet 16), wing Cam Spencer (18 points), and guard Stephon Castle (16 points), wing Alex Karaban (8 points and 7 rebounds), and big man Donovan Clingan (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks against 3.Illinois in the Elite Eight) make up a balanced roster in Storrs. They have been the most dominant team in this tournament for the second consecutive postseason, leading against all four opponents they have faced in the NCAA Tournament so far by at least thirty points. The Huskies dominated every opponent they have faced in the tournament including 16.Stetson (Round of 64), 9.Northwestern (Round of 32), 5.San Diego State (Sweet 16, National Championship rematch), and 3.Illinois (Elite Eight). The Huskies went on a 30-0 run against the Fighting Illini, who have one of the best offenses in the country. The respect I have for head coach Dan Hurley to put together a defense that can stop an offensive like Illinois to sustain a 30-0 run is as impressive as anything this UConn team has done during their impressive two year run. The Huskies have won every tournament game they have played in the last two years by double digits. That will not change on Saturday night. Alabama’s defense has been better in the tournament but this UConn team is a buzzsaw. The Huskies will move a step closer to back to back national championships. Projected Score: Connecticut 85, Alabama 71

Image Courtesy: North Carolina Tar Heel Athletics

Round of 64

Charlotte (March 21)
1.North Carolina 27-7 (17-3) ACC
16.Howard 18-16 (9-5) MEAC/16.Wagner 16-15 (7-9) NEC
Tar Heels will roll into the Round of 32. They bounce back after losing in the ACC tournament title.

8.Mississippi State 21-13 (8-10) SEC
9.Michigan State 19-14 (10-10) Big Ten
In one of the toughest Round of 64 match ups to pick, NCAA tournament mainstay Michigan State should not have been a nine seed. The Spartans have fourteen losses compared to only nineteen wins and their offense is so up and down. Mississippi State wins a close one in Charlotte.

Spokane (March 22)
5.Saint Mary’s 26-7 (15-1) WCC
12.Grand Canyon 29-4 (17-3) WAC
Grand Canyon speeds this game up and they upset the Gaels, an overseeded team in Spokane.

4.Alabama 21-11 (13-5) SEC
13.College of Charleston 27-7 (15-3) CAA
Charleston gets the best of a struggling Alabama team that was once in the two seed conversation.

Memphis (March 22)
6.Clemson 21-11 (11-9) ACC
11.New Mexico 26-9 (10-8) Mountain West
In what should be another phenomenal game, PJ Hall leads Clemson to the Round of 32.

3.Baylor 23-10 (11-7) Big 12 
14.Colgate 25-9 (16-2) Patriot League
Baylor’s great offense helps them avoid the upset against Colgate.

Salt Lake City (March 21)
7.Dayton 24-7 (14-4) Atlantic-10
10.Nevada 26-7 (13-5) Mountain West
Another underseeded Mountain West team gets the best of their opponent in the Round of 64. Give me Nevada to advance.

2.Arizona 25-8 (15-5) Pac-12
15.Long Beach State 21-14 (10-10) Big West
Arizona wins easily against Long Beach State.

Round of 32

Charlotte (March 23)
1.North Carolina
8.Mississippi State
It is close for a half, but Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram lead the Tar Heels past Mississippi State to theSweet 16.

Spokane (March 24)
12.Grand Canyon
13.College of Charleston
Grand Canyon advances to the Sweet 16 with a win over Charleston.

Memphis (March 24)
3.Baylor
6.Clemson
Clemson upsets Baylor with a dominant defensive performance.

Salt Lake City (March 23)
2.Arizona
10.Nevada
Arizona moves closer to the Final Four with a win over Nevada.

Sweet 16

Los Angeles (March 28)
1.North Carolina
12.Grand Canyon
North Carolina is one step closer to avenging their loss in the title game in 2022. They beat Grand Canyon.

2.Arizona
6.Clemson
Clemson’s run is finally over. The Wildcats set up a match up between Caleb Love and his former team.

Elite 8

Los Angeles (March 30)
1.North Carolina
2.Arizona
In the Caleb Love game, Love plays well but the Tar Heels send him and Arizona home with a legendary performance from his former teammate, RJ Davis.

2024 West Regional Champion: 1.North Carolina

Image Courtesy: Journal & Courier

Round of 64

Indianapolis (March 22)
1.Purdue 29-4 (17-3) Big Ten
16.Grambling State 18-14 (14-4) SWAC/16.Montana State 17-17 (9-9) Big Sky
Purdue will not lose in the Round of 64 after last year’s debacle. No one is beating Zach Edey in Round 1 again.

8.Utah State 27-6 (14-4) Mountain West
9.TCU 21-12 (9-9) Big 12
The Mountain West was vastly underseeded in this bracket including Utah State. It should be a back and forth game but I believe the Aggies will advance.

Salt Lake City (March 21)
5.Gonzaga 25-7 (14-2) West Coast
12.McNeese State 30-3 (17-1) Southland
Will Wade led LSU to the NCAA Tournament multiple times. Now, he has McNeese in the tournament. Gonzaga has made eight consecutive Sweet 16s but are overseeded at a five. The Cowboys prevent the Bulldogs from going on another run.

4.Kansas 22-10 (10-8) Big 12
13.Samford 29-5 (15-3) Southern
Kansas only made the Round of 32 in 2023 and this season they rely on just four players with limited depth. They are without star wing Kevin McCullar and star center Hunter Dickinson. Samford wins after forcing many turnovers.

Pittsburgh (March 21)
6.South Carolina 26-7 (13-5) SEC 
11.Oregon 23-11 (12-8) Pac-12
Oregon is red hot following winning the final Pac-12 tournament. N’Faly Dante has been great since returning from injury. But, I believe South Carolina was underseeded as a six. They should’ve been a five and as such, the Gamecocks will advance to the Round of 32.

3.Creighton 23-9 (14-6) Big East
14.Akron 24-10 (13-5) MAC
Creighton was a shot away from the Final Four in 2023. The Blue Jays outshoot Akron to advance.

Charlotte (March 21)
7.Texas 20-12 (9-9) Big 12
10.Colorado State 24-10 (10-8) Mountain West/10.Virginia 23-10 (13-7) ACC
Colorado State will beat Virginia in the First Four. Then, they will upset the Longhorns.

2.Tennessee 24-8 (14-4) SEC
15.Saint Peter’s 19-13 (12-8) MAAC
Led by Dalton Knecht, Tennessee will advance past 2022 Cinderella Saint Peter’s.

Round of 32

Indianapolis (March 24)
1.Purdue
8.Utah State
Utah State will beat Purdue and prevent the Boilermakers of making their first second weekend in the NCAA Tournament since 2019.

Salt Lake City (March 23)
12.McNeese State
13.Samford
Will Wade’s Cowboys run will continue after beating Samford.

Pittsburgh (March 23)
3.Creighton
6.South Carolina
Creighton’s up tempo offense outlasts a South Carolina team full of tough finishers. It will be close but the Blue Jays win.

Charlotte (March 23)
2.Tennessee
10.Colorado State
Like Purdue, Tennessee’s March struggles continue when they lose to Colorado State. The Vols’ cannot find any scoring options outside of Knecht and are eliminated.

Sweet 16

Detroit (March 29)
8.Utah State
12.McNeese State
McNeese’s cinderella run continues after they beat Utah State.

3.Creighton
10.Colorado State
Creighton continues on the Elite 8 after ending Colorado State’s run. The Blue Jays are led by Ryan Kalkbrenner inside the paint.

Elite 8

Detroit (March 31)
3.Creighton
12.McNeese State
Greg McDermott finally gets his chance at a Final Four. The Blue Jays end McNeese’s great run and advance to Phoenix.

2024 Midwest Regional Champion: 3.Creighton

Image Courtesy: New York Post

Round of 64

Memphis (March 22)
1.Houston 30-4 (15-3) Big 12
16.Longwood 21-13 (6-10) Big South
Houston was crushed in the Big 12 tournament title by Iowa State. It was an off night for the Cougars. If Jamal Shead and LJ Cryer are on their game again, it should be no problem for Houston to advance.

8.Nebraska 23-10 (12-8) Big Ten
9.Texas A&M 20-14 (9-9) SEC
The Aggies have been so inconsistent this season. In addition, Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams has struggled in the NCAA Tournament. Nebraska wins but it will be close.

Brooklyn (March 22)
5.Wisconsin 22-13 (11-9) Big Ten
12.James Madison 31-3 (15-3) Sun Belt
James Madison beat Michigan State back in November and have since won 30 more basketball games. They have been dominant outside of their losses to Appalachian State. Give me the Dukes to advance.

4.Duke 24-8 (15-5) ACC
13.Vermont 28-6 (15-1) America East
Vermont, like Duke is a mainstay in the NCAA Tournament. But, I believe Duke won’t end their season on three consecutive losses. The Blue Devils move onto the Round of 32.

Pittsburgh (March 21)
6.Texas Tech 23-10 (11-7) Big 12
11.NC State 22-14 (9-11) ACC
NC State will upset Texas Tech and extend their win streak to six. DJ Burns has been a different player for the Wolfpack. The difficult thing for them to do will be stopping Pop Isaacs. If they do that, NC State should continue their win streak.

3.Kentucky 23-9 (13-5) SEC
14.Oakland 23-11 (15-5) Horizon
Kentucky will roll past Oakland with their terrific offense. Many thought the wildcats would be a four seed with Auburn winning the SEC tournament title, but John Calipari’s team was gifted a fairly easy bracket.

Indianapolis (March 22)
7.Florida 24-10 (11-7) SEC
10.Colorado 24-10 (13-7) Pac-12/10.Boise State 22-10 (13-5) Mountain West
Facing either Colorado or Boise State could mean trouble for a Florida team that struggles on defense. All three of these teams can get their’s on offense but I believe Florida

2.Marquette 25-9 (14-6) Big East
15.Western Kentucky 22-11 (8-8) Conference USA
Injury concerns for Marquette star guard Tyler Kolek are happening at the same time they did last year when the Golden Eagles fell to Michigan State in the two versus seven seed game. Marquette should beat Western Kentucky but they must watch out in the next round.

Round of 32

Memphis (March 24)
1.Houston
8.Nebraska
Houston will take Nebraska’s offense away and easily make it to the Round of 32.

Brooklyn (March 24)
4.Duke
12.James Madison
James Madison will take Kyle Filipowski out of the game with their defense and the Dukes will prevent Duke from appearing in the Sweet 16 again. Jon Scheyer will be looking for answers from his incoming 2024 recruiting class.

Pittsburgh (March 23)
3.Kentucky
11.NC State
NC State’s six game run will end at the hands of Kentucky’s offense. The Wildcats’ Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard will end Kevin Keatts team’s season.

Indianapolis (March 24)
2.Marquette
7.Florida
Florida upsets Marquette with Tyler Kolek’s injury concerns. Walter Clayton and Zyon Pullin make the Gators go.

Sweet 16

Dallas (March 29)
1.Houston
12.James Madison
Houston will return to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2022, ending James Madison’s run. Jamal Shead will lead the way.

3.Kentucky
7.Florida
The SEC rivals have already met twice this season. Kentucky won on the road in Gainesville and Florida won on the road in Lexington. I don’t know which way to go on this game. In what would be Kentucky’s first game in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since before COVID-19, Kentucky advances to the Elite 8.

Elite 8

Dallas (March 31)
1.Houston
3.Kentucky
Kentucky is a popular upset pick to beat the Cougars. But, Houston will join UConn in the Final Four as the top two overall seeds.

2024 South Regional Champion: 1.Houston