68 Must-See Games of 2011-12: #51-35
Posted by zhayes9 on October 19th, 2011
Zach Hayes is an editor, contributor and bracketologist for Rush the Court.
Note: Check out games #68-52 on the list here.
51. February 25: Memphis at Marshall (4:00, FSN)- The most likely candidate to knock off powerhouse Memphis isn’t a usual suspect like UAB, UTEP or Tulsa. Instead, it’s Tom Herrion and Marshall, a team loaded with reigning C-USA freshman of the year DeAndre Kane, point guard standout Damier Pitts and Justin Coleman, a former Louisville commit with huge upside. The problem is that Memphis is overflowing with talent up and down the roster. Will Barton could lead the league in scoring, Adonis Thomas is a superb athlete and Tarik Black is the Tigers most indispensable player. Whether Pitts can fluster Memphis’ young point guard Joe Jackson, who averaged more turnovers than assists as a freshman, is a storyline to watch when these two clash in late February, possibly for a conference crown.
Josh Pastner and Memphis aim to hold off upstart Marshall this season
50. February 4: Xavier at Memphis (1:00, FSN)- As per usual, Memphis loaded up on their non-conference schedule to make up for a weaker Conference USA slate. The Tigers travel to Louisville, but their toughest home date next season could very well be Xavier, another premiere non-BCS school who’s not afraid to challenge themselves outside of conference play. The Musketeers boast a loaded backcourt spearheaded by Tu Holloway, a legitimate sleeper for the Wooden Award, and he’ll likely be matching buckets with Memphis’ Will Barton. But it’s Antonio Barton, the often overshadowed brother, who made rapid defensive improvements last season and could draw the assignment of containing Holloway.
49. February 1: Connecticut at Georgetown (7:00, ESPN2)- The Hoyas lost their core in Chris Wright and Austin Freeman, but it was a duo that only led the program to a 27-27 record over the last three seasons in Big East play. They’ll need Jason Clark, who had a much quieter junior season than expected, to grab hold of a leadership role and become an all-Big East performer. He’ll need help from his friends Henry Sims and Nate Lubick or Connecticut’s intimidating duo of Alex Oriakhi and Andre Drummond will have their way in the paint.
48. February 7: Purdue at Ohio State (9:00, ESPN)- These two schools have had some memorable meetings recently, from Evan Turner’s coming out party in West Lafayette to E’Twaun Moore’s 38-point effort last season. Any opponent that hopes to knock off the Sullinger-Craft-Buford led Buckeyes in Columbus this season will need to play a near-perfect 40 minutes. A disciplined Purdue team coached by Matt Painter and led by a healthy Robbie Hummel is capable.
47. December 27: Pittsburgh at Notre Dame (7:00, ESPN2)- The first Big East conference game with implications is Pitt’s visit to the Joyce Center just before the new year. Carleton Scott’s surprising early departure knocked the Irish down a few pegs to the jumbled middle of the conference. Tim Abromaitis is woefully underrated, Scott Martin is a solid role player and Eric Atkins is up-and-coming at the point, but Mike Brey’s squads have never been elite defensively and they lack explosiveness on the offensive end. An upset win over Pitt before they settle into Big East play would look awfully impressive on Selection Sunday.
46. November 28: Xavier at Vanderbilt (7:00, ESPN2)- Give Chris Mack a ton of credit for challenging his elite team with contenders Memphis, Gonzaga, Purdue, Butler, Georgia and Cincinnati. Vanderbilt is the most daunting of them all, though. Xavier’s Brad Redford and Vandy’s John Jenkins are both career 45% shooters from deep, but Jenkins is a much more complete scorer, fully capable of dribble penetration for easy layups or to draw fouls where he’s automatic from the charity stripe. Jenkins and Tu Holloway could break out into their own personal game of H.O.R.S.E. with about five minutes left in the second half. Don’t miss this one.
45. February 11: California at UCLA (4:00, FSN)- I don’t think many folks around the country noticed just how well Allen Crabbe played during his first season at Berkeley. The underrated freshman averaged 13.4 PPG and scored in double-digits in all but two conference games. He ranked near the top of the league in offensive rating and effective FG%. His turnover rate was minuscule. He even shot a praiseworthy 40% from three in 155 attempts. The deciding factor in this important conference matchup: the defense of senior Jerime Anderson or sophomore Tyler Lamb on the talented Cal standout.
44. January 19: Vanderbilt at Alabama (7:00, ESPN2)- Speaking of overlooked players, the Alabama frontcourt duo of JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell deserve some love. If the Tide take the next step forward and win the SEC West, more praise will surely head in their direction. Green against Vandy’s Festus Ezeli in the post is one of those made-for-TV matchups you dream of as a fan. Both big men ranked in the top-100 in the nation in offensive rebound percentage, block percentage and fouls drawn per 40 minutes. The ‘Dores hold a major edge in guard play with John Jenkins and Brad Tinsley, so it’s essential that Green outplay Ezeli, who only played 58% of available minutes for Kevin Stallings as a junior due to repetitive foul trouble. It’s imperative that he give the Commodores 28-31 minutes per game this season.
43. December 17: Arizona vs. Gonzaga (4:00, CBS)- This year’s Battle in Seattle is a fascinating clash between the two best teams on the West Coast. Kevin Parrom’s status is up on the air, but the Wildcats are still in a tremendous position to replicate the success of last season behind the likes of Solomon Hill, Kyle Fogg, an abundance of depth and freshman point guard Josiah Turner. Guard uncertainty also lingers for the Zags, who will be relying on sophomore David Stockton, former JC transfer Marquise Carter and untested freshman Gary Bell and Kevin Pangos. Their strength lies up front with Elias Harris, Robert Sacre and breakout candidate Sam Dower.
42. November 15: Kansas vs. Kentucky (9:00, ESPN)- The second of two at the Champions Classic pits two programs with a rich history and proud tradition. During most seasons over the last half decade, this matchup would be 30 spots higher. Most still expect Kansas to contend for a Big 12 title and preserve a spot in the rankings all year long, but they’re going through a bit of a transition year. Kentucky, on the other hand, is as loaded as ever with the return of Terrence Jones coupled with a typical Calipari recruiting class and solid role players like Darius Miller and Doron Lamb.
41. February 25: Mississippi State at Alabama (6:00, ESPN)- Mississippi State and Alabama are the two prohibitive favorites to claim the SEC West title mostly due to high expectations for each respective frontcourt—the Sidney/Moultrie duo in Starkville and the Green/Mitchell tandem in Tuscaloosa. But, as is so often the case in college basketball, it’s the point guard position that could determine the division winner. Most everyone knows Dee Bost (15.3 PPG, 6.2 APG), but what about Alabama’s Trevor Releford? He dished out 125 assists, chipped in with 11 PPG and shot 48% from the field as a freshman.
40. February 23: Louisville at Cincinnati (9:00, ESPN)- For the first time in the mentor-protégé battle between Rick Pitino and Mick Cronin, their two teams are extremely close to even. Cincinnati could be very dangerous in 2011-12 if Yancy Gates stays motivated, Cashmere Wright stays healthy and Sean Kilpatrick continues his efficient ways. The point guard battle between Wright and the emerging Peyton Siva is one to keep an eye on. Both floor generals finished in the top 70 in assist rate nationally last season.
39. February 24: Fairfield at Iona (7:00, TBA)- A bit surprised to see two MAAC teams this high on the list? Keep a constant eye on this race because Fairfield and Iona are immensely talented and potential bracket busters in March. The Gaels will be especially loaded if Arizona transfer MoMo Jones is granted a hardship waiver to play immediately for Tim Cluess. Regardless of his status, the return of seniors Michael Glover and Scott Machado to an offensive attack that ranked 28th in the nation in efficiency is potent enough. Glover averaged a double-double on an absurd 61% FG and Machado is one of the premiere assist men in America. Sydney Johnson saw so much potential at Fairfield he bolted his alma mater and reigning Ivy champ Princeton to coach the Stags. Fairfield is elite defensively and also boasts three studs in guard Derek Needham, forward Ryan Olander and BC transfer Rakim Sanders.
38. February 20: Connecticut at Villanova (7:00, ESPN)- Much like the Georgetown game, this could either be a laugher or a grinder for the Huskies depending on the strength of Villanova. The Wildcats collapsed the last two seasons down the stretch, so maybe a roster cleansing is a blessing in disguise for Jay Wright. This team will be all about Maalik Wayns scoring from the point, Dominic Cheek at the wing and Mouph Yarou reaching his ceiling in the post. Wright will need all three players to post major numbers to stay in the top half of a loaded Big East.
37. January 12: Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s (11:00, ESPN2)- We can hype BYU as the dangerous new kid on the block in the WCC, but St. Mary’s is still the perennial threat to Gonzaga’s throne. If Randy Bennett thinks this is the year his team can finally claim an outright WCC title, he’ll need to extinguish the Zags in Moraga. Bennett is still bullish about his team despite the loss of Mickey McConnell because every other key contributor returns, including tough-minded point guard Matthew Dellavedova, efficient wing Rob Jones and two-way rebounder Mitchell Young. Like every other year, the Gaels will put up a fight against a Gonzaga team stacked up front.
36. December 29: Vanderbilt at Marquette (9:00, ESPN2)- Last season, John Jenkins shot 2-15 against Marquette and somehow Vanderbilt won anyway. The Dores won’t be so fortunate on the road this time around. The Golden Eagles lost do-everything senior Jimmy Butler, but Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder are back, joined by potential impact transfer Jamil Wilson. The good news for Vandy is that Jeff Taylor went 8-12 from the floor in last year’s game. He’s also back for part two.
35. December 7: Arizona at Florida (7:00, ESPN2)- The Gators are loaded in the backcourt…almost too loaded. They have four players – Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton, Mike Rosario and Brad Beal – absolutely oozing with talent. The problem is that they all love to shoot and none embrace the role of facilitator. Billy Donovan hopes this is a good problem to have. In early December, Arizona might be able to steal a big road win while lineups, rotations and minutes are still being solved in Gainesville.
