Picking Every Early Season Tournament Champion
Thanksgiving week is one of the best times of the year to be a college sports fan. The push for college football's bowl season is in full swing and college basketball has games all day everyday for their early season tournaments. Michigan has already been crowned the 2K Classic champions, but all the other tournaments are up for grabs.
Tire Pros Invitational
Remaining Field: Xavier vs Northern Iowa
Championship Date: 11/20, 7:30 (approx.) ESPN2
Xavier Struggled early in the tournament, barely escaping Missouri in overtime by one point, but they are the most talented team in the tournament, I expect the Musketeers to win this one by 7 to 10 points. Xavier 78, UNI 69
Gildan Charleston Classic
Remaining Field: 3 Villanova vs UCF
Championship Date: 11/20, 9:30 (approx.), ESPN2
Villanova allowed Western Michigan to stay close in the first round before finishing the game strong and winning by double digits before cruising against Wake Forest, UCF lead by 7'6 center Tacko Fall cruised to the championship beating Mississippi State and Charleston easily. Villanova's guard play along with Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins will be too much for the Knights, but it may not be as wide open as expected. Nova 81, UCF 75
Hall Of Fame Tipoff
Remaining Field: 1 Duke vs 21 Rhode Island
Championship Date: 11/20, 1 pm, ESPN
Duke continues to lack front court depth as three of their 5 star recruits, Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, and Marques Bolden remain out and lost Chase Jeter early in their 10 point win over Penn State. Rhode Island is a sneaky good team led by guard EC Matthews, who struggled vs the one defense Cincinnati played yesterday, but should get back to form against Duke. The play of Duke guard Frank Jackson will be key as Grayson Allen is don't 100%. Duke 74, RI 72 in a thriller
Virgin Islands Paradise Jam
Remaining Field: Ole Miss vs Saint Joseph's, NC State vs 22 Creighton
Championship Date: 11/21, 8:30 (approx.), CBSSN
Early in the season I was not a Creighton believer, but then they beat Wisconsin and I am fully on board with them being a top 20 team. I still love NC State guard Dennis Smith Jr, but I don't think the Wolfpack have the talent to upset the Jays and reach the tournament finals. Saint Joes was a an 8 seed last year and should still be enough to beat Ole Miss. Creighton is just too good for any team in this field to beat them. Creighton 71, Saint Joes 68
Maui Jim Maui Invitational
The Field: Tennessee vs 9 Wisconsin, Georgetown vs 4 Oregon, Oklahoma State vs UConn, 5 UNC vs Chaminade
Championship Date: 11/23, 10 pm (approx.) ESPN2
The semifinals of this event had the possibility of being all ranked teams until the Huskies of Connecticut stumbled out of the gate, falling to Wagner and Northeastern. UNC should easily advance to the semis as they were the lucky team who gets to face Division 2 Chaminade. I can't see Oregon losing to Georgetown despite already losing to Baylor, the Hoyas are having yet another down year so far losing to Arkansas State and blowing a 7 point lead to Maryland in the final minute. The best game in the first round will be Juwan Evans and OSU vs Jalen Adams and UConn. I think all the ranked teams advance and OK State beats Connecticut but then loses to UNC. Dillon Brooks is still a toss up whether he plays or not, but either way I'm picking the Ducks and the Heels to meet in the title game. If Brooks returns the Ducks will win, but if not lock it up for Roy Williams and the Tar Heels.
Legends Classic
The Field: Notre Dame vs Colorado, Texas vs Northwestern
Championship Date: 11/22, 6:30 pm (approx.), ESPN2
Texas led by Tevin Mack and coach Shaka Smart should cruise past Northwestern while Mike Brey and Notre Dame lose a lot from last years team, but should be able to beat the Buffaloes. Texas is the most talented team in this tournament and should win. Texas, 73, Notre Dame 61
MGM Grand Main Event
The Field: St. Louis vs BYU, Alabama vs Valparaiso
Championship Date: 11/24, 12 am (not a typo), ESPN2
BYU is a very good team led by Eric Mika who has been a double double machine, while St Louis isn't the same team who used to win big time A10 games so the Cougars should cruise to the championship where they should probably meet Valpo led by superstar Alec Peters who should beat Alabama in the first round, as the Tide are a year away from being great. I think Peters can lead Valpo back to the NCAA Tournament, starting with a win over BYU. Valpo 73, BYU 70
CBE Hall Of Fame Classic
The Field: Kansas vs UAB, George Washington vs Georgia
Championship Date: 11/22, 10 pm, ESPN2
Here's what you need to know; Kansas will win with ease.
Cancun Challenge
The Field: Texas Tech vs Auburn, Purdue vs Utah State
Championship Date: 11/23, 8:30, CBSSN
Purdue 68, Auburn 65
Battle 4 Atlantis
The Field: VCU vs Baylor, Michigan State vs St Johns, Wichita State vs LSU, Louisville vs Old Dominion
Championship Prediction: Louisville over Michigan State
Advocare Invitational
The Field: Indiana State vs Iowa State, Stanford vs Miami FL, Gonzaga vs Quinnipiac, Seton Hall vs Florida
Championship Prediction: Gonzaga over Iowa State
NIT Season Tipoff
The Field: Temple vs Florida State, West Virginia vs Illinois
Championship Prediction: WVU over Florida State
Wooden Legacy
The Field: Texas A&M vs CSUN, New Mexico vs Virginia Tech, Dayton vs Nebraska, Portland vs UCLA
Championship Prediction: UCLA over Texas A&M
Emerald Classic
The Field: Virginia vs Iowa, Memphis vs Providence
Championship Prediction: Virginia over Memphis
Barclays Center Classic
The Field: Maryland vs Richmond, Kansas State vs Boston College
Championship Prediction: Maryland over Kansas State
Very sorry for trailing off towards the end but I don't want to send this out too late.
