SEC Set Your TiVo will take a look ahead at each week’s key games. See bottom of the post for the Official RTC Star System.
The SEC got the Internets goin’ nuts this weekend. You’ll have to hook up your laptop to your TV if you want to catch nearly every game not involving Mississippi State, Mississippi or South Carolina. Check out our evaluations below for the games that’ll make you want to change television service providers to get The Tres.
#15 Arizona vs. Mississippi State (2K Classic Championship Game) – Friday, Nov. 18, 6:30PM EST on ESPN2 (***)
Renardo Sidney is available for basketball AND all your stamp-licking needs.
Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury finally found some redemption for an embarrassing loss at home to Akron last week. In Thursday night’s 2KSports CvC Classic Semifinals, the Bulldogs sprinted to a 31-9 lead in the first half and held off #18 Texas A&M’s comeback to win 69-60. MSU’s eight-man rotation forced 16 turnovers and committed just 16 fouls, limiting A&M’s free-throw attempts (10-14). Another tough defensive assignment awaits in Arizona, who defeated St. John’s in the other semifinal, 81-72.
Arizona is an experienced squad that features size (6’11” junior center Kyryl Natyazhko) balance (18 assists) and depth: Nine players played nine minutes or more and seven players scored six points or more against the Johnnies Thursday night. Mississippi State will need to match Arizona stride-for-stride through the game. When Arizona plays a big lineup, the Bulldogs’ Renardo Sidney must be more productive. When the Wildcats play their small three-guard lineup, Mississippi State’s guard tandem of Dee Bost and Rodney Hood will need keep U of A off-balance with the right combination of drives and jump-shooting. MSU’s Arnett Moultrie (16.3 PPG, 12.7 RPG) will be an entertaining matchup against Arizona’s Solomon Hill (10.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG) in the paint.
Drake vs. Ole Miss (at Paradise Jam in U.S. Virgin Islands) – Friday, Nov. 18, 3:30PM EST on streaming video (**)
Drake made headlines when it defeated Iowa State 74-65 on Tuesday. The Cyclones were buried alive by allowing the Bulldogs to shoot 50% from the field. Lord knows Drake will present a tougher challenge for Ole Miss. Andy Kennedy’s team will be doing it wrong if they can’t hold the Bulldogs to 45% shooting or less. If the Rebels’ forwards Murphy Holloway and Reginald Buckner receive better offensive production from their backcourt teammates, they’ll say to each other “we’ll be fine.”
Houston vs. Arkansas (North Little Rock, Ark.) – Friday, Nov. 18, 8PM on ESPN3, ESPN Full Court & Fox Sports Net (**)
Houston has a nationally-ranked signing class in forwards Danuel House and Danrad “Chicken” Knowles. Unfortunately for the Cougars on Friday, House and Knowles are 2012-13 recruits and cannot help against the Razorbacks. Mike Anderson has turned up the tempo, using “The Fastest 40 Minutes In College Basketball” to force turnovers and score fast break points. Against Oakland on Wednesday, the Hogs forced 18 turnovers and scored 23 points on the break. Houston lacks the talent to run with Arkansas. Next year, Cougars.
Penn State vs. Kentucky (Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off in Uncasville, Conn.) – Saturday, Nov. 19, 12PM on ESPN3 (*)
The Anthony Davis dunk highlights will be on YouTube as soon as the game is over. Just wait until then.
#18 Vanderbilt vs. NC State (TicketCity Legends Classic in East Rutherford, N.J.) – Saturday, Nov. 19, 6:30PM on ESPN3 (**)
As a team, NC State is allowing opponents to make an average of nine three-pointers per game. If Vanderbilt’s senior guard Brad Tinsley and freshman guard Kendren Johnson can limit turnovers and knock down the open three, Vanderbilt should be able to manage. It would help if senior guard John Jenkins is healthy enough to play; he is currently listed as questionable.
Tennessee State @ South Carolina – Sunday, Nov. 20th, 6PM on ESPN3, ESPN Full Court & Fox College Sports (*)
Tennessee State averages just 35.9% field goal shooting; South Carolina averages 40.7%. The horror. The horror.
Winthrop or #21 Marquette vs. Ole Miss (at Paradise Jam in U.S. Virgin Islands) – Sunday, Nov. 20th, 7PM or 9:30PM on Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Network (***)
Winthrop has yet to win a game this season; more than likely Mississippi will face Marquette. As a team the Golden Eagles have averaged 95 PPG on 54.8% shooting. Senior guard Darius Johnson-Odom (20 PPG, five assists per game) and sophomore guard Vander Blue (12 PPG) will be a tough matchup for Ole Miss’ guards Nick Williams and Dundrecous Nelson.
The Official RTC Star System
***** – quit your job and divorce your wife if that’s what it takes to watch this game live
**** – best watched live, but if you must, tivo and watch it tonight as soon as you get home
*** – set your tivo but make sure you watch it later
** – set your tivo but we’ll forgive you if it stays in the queue until 2014
* – don’t waste bandwidth (yours or the tivo’s) of any kind on this game