Feast Week
The week of Thanksgiving is upon us which means one thing for college hoops fans: it’s Feast Week.
Over the next 11 days we’ll see awesome regular season tournaments played across America featuring many of the best teams in the country. So sit down, grab some turkey and try to enjoy a third or fourth plate of some great games. Besides, it ain’t like there’s anything to look forward to on the football field.
Monday November 22
Belmont vs. LSU, 7:00 P.M., SECN+/ESPN+
Obviously everything starts and stops with LSU. Belmont, like last week’s opponent Liberty, is a solid program and the kind of Mid-Major you’d get some bonus points for beating come Selection Sunday.
UConn vs. South Carolina, 10:00 A.M., ESPN
Let’s show some love to the women’s game as we’ve got an early season 1 vs. 2 matchup. You want to be excited about the Kim Mulkey era in Baton Rouge? Watch the Huskies and Gamecocks—this is who you need to aspire to be.
Butler vs. Houston, 3:30 P.,M., ESPN2
So far so good for the Cougars who are top-15 in the AP Poll and top-five in the NET. They’re looking every bit the part of a top-four seed.
Arkansas vs. Kansas State, 8:00 P.M., ESPNN
Maybe not the most thrilling SEC/Big 12 game you could get but K-State is by far and away the best program the Hogs have played to date. It’ll be a good measuring stick for the Muss Bus.
Tuesday November 23
Gonzaga vs. UCLA, 9:00 P.M., ESPN2
It’s No. 1 vs. No. 2 what more could you want?
Wednesday November 24
Loyola Chicago vs. Michigan State, 11:00 A.M., ESPN
UConn vs. Auburn, 1:30 P.M., ESPN
An early double header as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. You’ve got a little bit of everything: a traditional power in Michigan State going up against a Mid Major you never want to play in Loyola; and after that a mid-afternoon Top-25 matchup with the Huskies and War Eagles.
Thursday November 25
Alabama vs. Iona, 4:00 P.M., ESPN
This is in the same vain as LSU-Belmont in that it’s a sneaky good OOC game and Alabama could have a nice win on its resumé come Selection Sunday.
Louisville vs. Mississippi State, 8:30 P.M., CBS Sports
Ah yes, the biggest and most meaningful game Mississippi State will be playing on Thanksgiving night.
Friday November 26
Penn State vs. LSU, 6:00 P.M., CBS Sports
LSU will finally take its show on the road and head to Niceville, Florida for the Emerald Coast Classic. The winner plays the winner of Wake Forest-Oregon State the next day, and the losers draw each other.
Duke vs. Gonzaga, 9:30 P.M., ESPN
Two (at the time of this writing) undefeated, top-10 opponents. Again, what more could you want?