Top 5: The best upcoming college hoops games
- Christmas comes early for college hoops fans on Saturday. Here's our top five games on deck for Dec. 6-12
- Can Long Beach State upset No. 7 Ohio State? Can Colorado knock off No. 9 Kansas? Can Temple size up with No. 2 Duke?
- No. 14 Illinois travels to face No. 10 Gonzaga in a premier matchup of two undefeated teams
Christmas comes early for college hoops fans on Saturday. Here's our top five games on deck for Dec. 6-12.
Long Beach State at No. 7 Ohio State | Saturday, noon, Big Ten Network
About the 49ers (3-5): Based on its record, Long Beach State doesn't come off as a dangerous team. However, when considering losses to Southern California, North Carolina, Arizona, and Syracuse, the Big West favorite shouldn't be overlooked. Returners Mike Caffey (11.4 ppg, 4.1 apg) and James Ennis (16.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg) are still meshing with transfers and freshmen. Former Arizona State leading scorer Keala King's midseason eligibility can't come soon enough.
About the Buckeyes (5-1): The loss came in a game at Duke, but the Buckeyes don't play on the road again until Jan. 5. Ohio State plays well at home, and teams have a tough time handling Deshaun Thomas (21 ppg, 6.5 rpg) in any building. Aaron Craft (12 ppg, 4.3 apg) has been productive, as he was last season directing Thad Matta's offense, though he shot 3-for-15 vs. Duke and 2-for-9 in a win against Northern Kentucky.
The matchup: If Long Beach State can dictate the tempo, the 49ers will have a chance. But that will be difficult in Columbus. Still, Long Beach State is used to strong competition on the road with one of the more grueling non-conference schedules in the country. An upset would be huge.
Our pick: Ohio State
Colorado at No. 9 Kansas | Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN
About the Buffaloes (7-1): Colorado won its first six games, including the Charleston Classic title and a double-overtime victory against Texas Southern, for its best start since 1989-90. But a 76-69 upset loss at Wyoming was a setback. The Buffaloes shot a season-low 41.4% and committed 17 turnovers. Colorado has proved to be difficult to guard with four players averaging in double figures. With UCLA struggling and Arizona beatable, Colorado is a legit Pac-12 contender. A road win vs. Kansas is a tough task for any team, though.
About the Jayhawks (6-1): Senior center Jeff Withey (14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) has developed into Kansas' main weapon, while freshman Ben McLemore (14.9 ppg) has been the top newcomer on Bill Self's gifted roster after being ineligible last season. Travis Releford has stepped up his offense (13.1 ppg) and remains a defensive specialist. Kansas has won five consecutive games after losing to Michigan State and is coming off an 84-78 win against Oregon State.
The matchup: Colorado proved it could play with a Big 12 opponent when it upset Baylor, but beating a tough Kansas squad on its home floor is a much bigger challenge. Withey's size will be difficult to handle.
Our pick: Kansas
No. 2 Duke at Temple | Saturday, 3:15 p.m., ESPN
About the Blue Devils (8-0): Duke's November was everything it could have wished for and more with wins vs. Ohio State, Louisville, Virginia Commonwealth and Kentucky. December isn't time for a letdown. The Blue Devils will need to continue to play defense to keep winning, because there will come a time when their offense gets cold. But Duke has been scary good, with five players scoring in double figures. Quinn Cook is shining in his sophomore campaign, averaging 10.5 points and 5.9 assists.
About the Owls (6-0): Temple missed Scootie Randall last season, but he appears to be back to his usual explosive self — going for 31 points in a win against Kent State and 12 assists in a game against Rice. The Owls are contenders to win the Atlantic 10, but VCU's and Butler's arrivals have overshadowed the team's solid play.
The matchup: Temple has started off strong — the Owls are 6-0 for the first time since the 1987-88 season. That team would achieve the No. 1 ranking and make the Elite Eight. But Duke has started off stronger. Stopping double-double machine Mason Plumlee will not come easy for Temple. It doesn't for any team.
Our pick: Duke
No. 14 Illinois at No. 10 Gonzaga | Saturday, 10 p.m., ESPN2
About the Illini (9-0): John Groce took over the program looking to change its culture, and that's what he's done, guiding Illinois to the Maui Invitational title during an 9-0 start. While that's admirable, it's only the non-conference season and the Big Ten is no walk in the park. The Illini need every non-conference win they can get. Brandon Paul (17.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4 apg) is the full package and the main reason for an undefeated record. Illinois' issue has never been talent, it's been chemistry, and now six players average three or more assists a game.
About the Bulldogs (9-0): Gonzaga has looked top-10 good early on but has played only one true road game, so it's difficult to gauge just how good this team is. If numbers tell us anything, the nation's second best field goal percentage (.531) should say something. And so do six players averaging nine points or more. The Bulldogs' 9-0 start equals the best in school history, and they are 110-7 at the McCarthey Athletic Center since it opened in the 2004-05 season. This is Gonzaga's chance to get a high-quality win and prove itself worthy as a top-10 team.
The matchup: The Illini started off hot, but they haven't played a ranked team and the Bulldogs are one of the most underestimated teams in the country. As many weapons as Gonzaga has, though, a balanced offensive effort won't matter if no one can stop Illinois' Paul.
Our pick: Gonzaga
No. 21 Minnesota at Southern California | Saturday, 10:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network
About the Golden Gophers (9-1): Minnesota's 18-point loss to Duke made the Gophers seem a lot worse than they actually are. Now that we know how good the Blue Devils are, it's obvious Minnesota has a strong squad. The return of Trevor Mbakwe (8.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg) from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee hasn't yet given the Gophers the force they need in the paint, but leading scorer Rodney Williams Jr. (12.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins make Minnesota tough to defend.
About the Trojans (3-5): It's too early to tell, but it looks like Southern California's sluggish start has been caused by an influx of new faces on its roster. The Trojans' top two players are transfers. Leading scorer J.T. Terrell (12.5 ppg) is a transfer from Wake Forest, and Eric Wise (10.9 ppg) is a transfer from UC-Irvine. USC has looked horrible one night (losing 94-64 to Illinois) and decent the next (a 59-53 win against Texas). The game will cap a potentially tough week for the Trojans after losing road games at Nebraska and New Mexico.
The matchup: A win on the road against Florida State showed Minnesota can beat a strong team away from home, and Southern California is vulnerable at home, too. USC's biggest issue has been woeful shooting percentages. If the Trojans can find a shooting touch on their home court, the Gophers could be in trouble.
Our pick: Minnesota