By Riley Saxon
Getting Back in the Groove
The big pause for Christmas and the numerous Covid cancellations have really dampened the college basketball spirit – but there is still hope. College basketball was the only sport to have its season ended by Covid in 2020, and as evidenced by last year, there is a precedent for completing the season during this pandemic. Add those facts in with the fact that conferences are reevaluating forfeit rules and trying to get the season in, and there is strong hope to play a complete season. Luckily for fans, the conference play is kicking off, and the best way to get through a holiday break and cancellations is an awesome set of games.
Tuesday December 28
Fresno State @ Boise State (6pm)
This could set the trajectory for one of these teams’ pursuits of at-large bids. Boise State has better wins than the Bulldogs, but also worse losses. The conference pursuit begins for both squads Tuesday, but the loser undoubtedly faces a steeper, if not impossible, climb to an at-large bid.
Wednesday, December 29
The buildup from Monday’s light slate and Tuesday’s snack explodes with Wednesday’s schedule. The afternoon kicks off with a series of strong appetizers, but the SEC Double Header serves as a wonderful main course
DePaul @ Butler (FS1; 2pm)
Florida State & Boston College (ESPNU; 2pm)
Florida & Ole Miss (SECN; 2pm)
These games probably looked a little more enticing 10 years ago, but if you’re in the mood for do-or-die, the Wednesday games at 2pm Pacific have you covered. While nothing spectacular, it’s these types of games that can break a team’s at-large hopes. Around 4pm Wednesday, we should know if we should start paying more attention to DePaul, if Florida State can turn it around and how hot Mike White’s seat will be.
LSU @ Auburn (ESPNU; 4pm)
Tennessean @ Alabama (ESPN2; 6pm)
These games will be the focal point of the week until Saturday, and together likely serve as the best games for end-of-the-year viewing. LSU’s defense has been amazing and Auburn’s only loss came in double overtime to UConn. Tennessee is coming off a big victory over Arizona, while Alabama has struggled since its big win over Gonzaga. Each team can lay a solid claim as to why they are the favorite in the SEC, and the winners Wednesday will have a leg up in proving their potential.
Saturday January 1
Baylor @ Iowa State (ESPNU; 11am)
An awesome kickoff to the new year features the defending national champion with perhaps the surprise of the year. Northwestern State (Tuesday @ Baylor) is all that stands between this being a matchup of undefeated teams, but it’ll be a top 10 matchup regardless.
Villanova @ Seton Hall (11am)
Villanova’s weaknesses have opened up the door in the Big East, and this game likely will serve as foreshadowing for the fate of the conference championship: a Nova win will re-establish their place on the top of the perch, while a loss will blow the door off in the Big East race.
Duke @ Notre Dame (3pm; ACCN)
Duke struggled at the start against Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame has already taken down one blue blood this year. Notre Dame is probably not on the bubble right now, but a victory here will at least begin the conversation
The Bruin Bias
What an awful December.
It started with promise – a dominant (except for letting the Buffalo hang around a bit too much) win over Colorado to start conference play – and then the first harbinger hit: the next game, against Washington, was canceled. Like good foreshadowing, the UW cancellation was quickly forgotten after the Bruins impressive win at Marquette, but that was the last fun moment of UCLA Basketball in December (which came two weeks before Christmas). Since then, Coach Cronin tested positive, the Alabama State game was canceled, and then the games against UNC, Cal Poly, Arizona and ASU followed.
To make matters worse, Stanford, UCLA’s next un-postponed opponent (scheduled for January 6), shut down their program before the Diamond Head Classic Championship game. UCLA’s game against Stanford comes 12 days after the Cardinal’s initial stoppage, so there is a chance the game gets played, but we won’t be betting on it. Stanford’s next game, January 2 at California, has not officially been postponed, but that could come in the next few days.
That means that the Bruins’ next potential game would be January 8th at California, nearly a month after their previous game, barring any rescheduling happening between then.
The good news? The pause will force the Bruins to get back into playing shape, and there are not many better teams to do that against than Cal. Additionally, the Golden Bears are in the midst of a scheduled 10 day break, and their next two opponents, Stanford and USC, are currently on Covid pauses. That could result in a two-and-a-half-week break between games.
So, it’s possible we see another 50-40 rock fight. And at this point of Covid pauses and cancellations, we’ll take it.
College Hoops Breakdown appears twice a month at JoeTorosian.com
Riley Saxon can be reached at:
Email: rileymsaxon@gmail.com
Twitter: @CHoopsBreakdown
