Preview Roundups
November 14, 2014
Presbyterian at Duke 6:00 PM ET
Highly ballyhooed freshman Jahlil Okafor makes his Duke debut when the third-ranked Blue Devils open the season against visiting Presbyterian. Okafor, a 6-11, 270-pound center from Chicago, is expected to immediately be one of the top players in the nation, similar to Jabari Parker last season. “We have a lot of team goals for the season so I am just focused on working hard each day and helping the team reach our goals,” Okafor told reporters.
William & Mary at Florida 6:00 PM ET
Florida's attempt at a national championship ended in heartbreak last season as Billy Donovan's team was dismissed by eventual tournament-winner Connecticut in the Final Four, but the seventh-ranked Gators are back in action this Friday with William and Mary stopping in for a visit. The Gators lost three of their top four scorers over the summer, including SEC Player of the Year Scottie Wilbekin, who led the team in minutes played per game last season with an average of 34.
Tennessee at VCU 6:30 PM ET
Shaka Smart begins his sixth and perhaps most promising season at VCU when his 16th-ranked Rams take on Tennessee in the inaugural Veterans Classic at the Naval Academy on Friday. Behind seniors Briante Weber and Treveon Graham, both named to the Atlantic-10 preseason first team, VCU is a unanimous choice to win the conference after finishing second last season. However, the Rams will be without the services of Weber, who is suspended for the opener due to a violation of team rules.
Western Carolina at Mississippi St. 6:30 PM ET
The status of guard Craig Sword is in question as Mississippi State opens the season against visiting Western Carolina on Friday. Sword underwent back surgery last month to repair issues caused by a bulging disk and a decision on whether he plays might not be made until close to game time. “He needs his athleticism and explosiveness in order to be an effective basketball player,” coach Ricky Ray told reporters.
N.C. Asheville at Wake Forest 7:00 PM ET
Wake Forest has not appeared in the NCAA tournament since 2010, but the Demon Deacons hope a head coach who knows what it is like to win a championship can return the program to the postseason. Danny Manning, who won a NCAA title as a player and an assistant coach at Kansas, takes over as the Demon Deacons host UNC Asheville on Friday in the season opener. Manning takes over a team that finished above .500 in 2013-14 after three consecutive losing seasons, and features 12 returning players.
Northern Arizona at Xavier 7:00 PM ET
Xavier had more trouble than expected during its first year in the rebuilt Big East in 2013-14 and is hoping for a better finish this season. The Musketeers will kick off the campaign by hosting Northern Arizona on Friday. Xavier lost leading scorer Semaj Christon and second-leading scorer Justin Martin but returns standout center Matt Stainbrook and added 6-10 freshman Sean O’Mara to give the Musketeers a strong interior.
Samford at Purdue 7:00 PM ET
Purdue looks to bounce back from a disappointing season when it opens up the new campaign at home to Samford in the 'mainland' round of the Maui Invitational tournament. The Boilermakers finished last in the Big Ten and 15-17 overall as they missed the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. Things went from bad to worse when starting point guard Ronnie Johnson transferred to Houston and four other players exhausted their eligibility, leaving Purdue with only two returning seniors.
Charleston Southern at Mississippi 7:00 PM ET
With one of the biggest distractions in school history finally out of the picture, the Mississippi Rebels are ready to focus on basketball. They're also looking to make a repeat trip to the NCAA tournament - a quest they'll kick off Friday against the visiting Charleston Southern Buccaneers. Ole Miss posted an ordinary 9-9 record in Southeastern Conference play last year, and were felled 57-46 by Wisconsin in its opening game of the NCAA tournament.
Maryland - E. Shore at Virginia Tech 7:00 PM ET
The Buzz Williams era starts Friday when the Hokies host Maryland Eastern Shore in the season opener for both teams. Williams, formerly of Marquette, is hoping to turn around a struggling team that will have only nine scholarship players available this year, with five of them in their first year collegiately. Williams does have a solid player running the show at the point in sophomore Devin Wilson (9.2 points, 4.8 assists), who was an All-ACC freshman pick a year ago.
Massachusetts Lowell at Ohio St. 7:00 PM ET
Ohio State will have some holes to fill when the No. 20 Buckeyes open the season Friday against visiting UMass Lowell. Ohio State is replacing three starters from last season’s team - LaQuinton Ross, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Aaron Craft - who were also the top three scorers. Sam Thompson, a 6-7 forward, and Amir Williams, a 6-11 center, are the two returning starters for the Buckeyes and they both averaged just under eight points last season.
New Hampshire at Boston College 7:00 PM ET
Aside from hiring Jim Christian to be its new coach, the most important off-season move for Boston College, which opens its season Friday against visiting New Hampshire, is the one that didn't happen. Christian, formerly of Ohio, was able to convince Olivier Hanlan that it was in his best interest to remain with the Eagles, who were a dismal 33-63 over the last three seasons.
Morgan St. at Penn St. 7:00 PM ET
Penn State returns four starters from last year's team that made it to the second round of the College Basketball Invitational, including top-scorer D.J. Newbill, who is expected to lead the Nittany Lions to victory in their home-opener against Morgan State on Friday. Newbill, who averaged 17.8 points last season, could be asked to run point in a backcourt that lost the program's career assists leader in Tim Frazier over the summer.
Kennesaw St. at Syracuse 7:00 PM ET
At Syracuse, there really is no such thing as rebuilding, especially in the mind of coach Jim Boeheim, even as he prepares to replace three starters for a third consecutive season. With a lot of new faces on the court, the 24th-ranked Orange open their season Friday against visiting Kennesaw State. "It's not rebuilding," insisted Boeheim, who is entering his 39th season at Syracuse. "We've lost a lot, and everybody loses a lot. That's just the way it is in college basketball."
Florida A&M at Clemson 7:00 PM ET
Clemson's offense was hardly a thing of beauty in 2013-14 and early indications are things won't get much better this season. The Tigers hope to prove the doubters wrong over the next several months, starting with Friday's home game against Florida A&M. The biggest hole for the Tigers is clearly the absence of K.J. McDaniels, who led the team in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and 3-pointers last year but skipped his senior season to join the NBA.
New Jersey Tech at St. John's 7:00 PM ET
St. John's coach Steve Lavin thought he had some answers to the Red Storm's frontcourt problems as he built up his 2014-15 roster. But injuries and ineligible players has Lavin scrambling to fill holes as his team prepares to open the season versus visiting NJIT on Friday. What he thought was a deep enough group to get a proud Red Storm program back to the NCAA Tournament is now dwindling before his eyes.
Monmouth-NJ at West Virginia 7:00 PM ET
West Virginia will have a lot of new faces when the new season tips off Friday against visiting Monmouth. The Mountaineers lost Eron Harris (17.2 points last year, transferred to Michigan State), Terry Henderson (11.7 points, transferred to North Carolina State) and Remi Dibo (7.3 points, playing professionally in the British Basketball League) from last year's rotation. Big 12 preseason player of the year Juwan Staten returns to lead a deep roster looking to get on the same page.
Bryant at Connecticut 7:00 PM ET
Fresh off a stunning run to an NCAA championship, No. 15 Connecticut has some major holes to fill as it prepares to open defense of its title against visiting Bryant University on Friday. The Huskies lost four of their top five scorers, including do-everything point guard Shabazz Napier, who averaged a team-high 18.0 points and seemingly hit every clutch shot in the NCAA tournament. Connecticut has had a bumpy preseason with single-digit wins against a pair of Division II foes.
Niagara at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
Pittsburgh’s inaugural campaign as a member of the ACC went much like most of its previous years under coach Jamie Dixon: a successful regular season followed by a fairly quick exit from the NCAA tournament. The Panthers try to write a new narrative beginning Friday when they host Niagara. Dixon has guided his team to 20 or more wins in each of his 11 years, but last season’s third-round loss to Florida marked the 10th time in as many trips that Dixon’s team could not make it past the Sweet 16.
Howard at Miami-Florida 7:00 PM ET
Talented transfers Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan step directly into leadership roles after sitting out last season when Miami (Fla.) hosts Howard to open the season Friday. Rodriguez comes over from Kansas State where he averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists as a junior and McClellan arrives from Texas after scoring 13.5 as a sophomore to key a deep backcourt. McClellan scored 24 points and Rodriguez added 11 as the Hurricanes beat Eckerd in an exhibition on Nov. 6.
Georgia at Georgia Tech 7:00 PM ET
Georgia emerged as the surprise of the SEC last season, winning 10 of its final 14 games in reaching the second round of the NIT, and with 11 returners from that 20-win squad the Bulldogs carry high hopes into Friday’s season opener at Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs bring back four of their top five scorers but face a Yellow Jackets’ squad counting on several transfers. Georgia Tech looks for newcomers Demarco Cox, Charles Mitchell and Robert Sampson to team with a solid backcourt.
Mississippi Valley State at Indiana 7:00 PM ET
Indiana takes its first step toward leaving a turbulent offseason behind when it hosts Mississippi Valley State on Friday in the season opener. The departure of Noah Vonteh to the NBA after one year was enough of a hurdle for the Hoosiers, who in the past two weeks have also had to deal with the suspensions of three players and a severe head injury to another. "Our team is hurting big time," Indiana coach Tom Crean said after the spate or recent incidents. "We know mistakes are made."
Jackson State at N.C. State 7:00 PM ET
North Carolina State advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and is looking to do some damage in the ACC in 2014-15. The Wolfpack will get started on that quest when they host Jackson State on Friday. Leading scorer and reigning ACC Player of the Year T.J. Warren is off to the NBA but coach Mark Gottfried still has a stable full of capable scorers, including Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey.
North Florida at South Carolina 7:00 PM ET
Frank Martin's rebuilding project at South Carolina hits Year 3 when the Gamecocks host North Florida on Friday. Martin's teams have gone 28-38 over his first two seasons at South Carolina, but the former Kansas State coach returns four starters and 11 letterwinners from a squad that unexpectedly won two games in the SEC Tournament last March. North Florida is a team on the rise in the Atlantic Sun and could turn heads with an early road win against a power-conference opponent.
Virginia at James Madison 7:00 PM ET
Junior guard Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia’s top scorer last season, leads the Cavaliers as they make the one-hour trip to Harrisonburg, Va., to open the season with in-state rival James Madison on Friday. Although Virginia starts the season ranked No. 8 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the defending ACC champion was picked to finish fourth in the conference - a testament to the ACC's depth as Duke, the preseason favorite, is No. 3, North Carolina is No. 6 and Louisville is No. 9.
NC-Wesleyan at East Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The roster may say East Carolina has four returning starters and eight lettermen back overall, but coach Jeff Lebo knows he has some team- and rotation-building work to do early this season. It all starts Friday night when the Pirates tip off the new campaign against North Carolina Wesleyan, an in-state Division III program from the USA South Athletic Conference. The game is part of the non-bracketed portion of the Gulf Coast Showcase.
Flagler College at South Florida 7:00 PM ET
Orlando Antigua makes his head coaching debut Friday as USF hosts Flagler in the season opener for both teams. After six seasons as an assistant under John Calipari at Kentucky, Antigua has spent the offseason instilling an up-tempo offense into a Bulls squad that struggled mightily in its final season under former coach Stan Heath. "We want to score in the high 70s, 80s, if we can," Antigua told the Tampa Bay Times.
Louisville at Minnesota 7:30 PM ET
The No. 9 Louisville Cardinals will open their season in one of the most unique ways imaginable - facing off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers inside of a Puerto Rican military hangar. And that isn't the only intriguing storyline as Louisville and Minnesota prepare to do battle Friday in the third edition of the Armed Forces Classic. The game also features a father-son showdown as Louisville head coach Rick Pitino faces off against son Richard and the Gophers.
Wagner at Maryland 7:30 PM ET
Maryland unveils its new motion-oriented offense, sporting a reshaped roster after an unusual offseason, when it hosts Wagner to open the campaign on Friday. The Terrapins saw five players transfer, including talented point guard Seth Allen, and forward Evan Smotrycz is out for a few more weeks after undergoing foot surgery. Swingmen Dez Wells and Jake Layman are the only starters returning in the opener to lead a promising group of Maryland newcomers for its first season in the Big Ten.
American U. at Temple 7:30 PM ET
A new season generally brings hope and that’s certainly the case for Temple as the Owls prepare for their season opener at home Friday against American. Last year’s 9-22 record marked the end of an impressive run by Temple where it was one of eight programs to reach the NCAA tournament in six straight seasons.
Grand Canyon at Kentucky 8:00 PM ET
John Calipari again has the market cornered on elite young basketball talent in the country, so much so that the Kentucky coach felt compelled to dismiss remarks by an opposing coach that the Wildcats can hold their own against some NBA teams. While Calipari disputed that notion, there's little argument that the No. 1-ranked Wildcats will make a strong run at a national championship after losing in the title game to Connecticut last season. Kentucky hosts overmatched Grand Canyon on Friday.
Southeastern Louisiana at Oklahoma St. 8:00 PM ET
Anthony Hickey will face the unenviable task of trying to replace Marcus Smart when Oklahoma State embarks on a new season Friday against visiting Southeastern Louisiana. The senior, who spent the last three seasons as the starting point guard at LSU, will be eligible to play this season for the Cowboys after receiving a waiver from the NCAA.
Northwestern St. at Texas A&M 8:00 PM ET
With four returning starters, Texas A&M looks to start fast when it hosts Northwestern State on Friday. Guard Alex Caruso, who enters the season on the Cousy Award list following a campaign in which he led the SEC with 4.8 assists per game, leads the way for the Aggies, who have added an impact transfer in Jalen Jones from SMU. Jones led the Mustangs in scoring in 2012-13 at 14 points per game and Texas A&M hopes he will help fill the void left by departed leading scorer Jamal Jones (13.4).
Oakland at Iowa St. 8:00 PM ET
No. 14 Iowa State looks to build off last season's success when it kicks off the new campaign at home to Oakland in the opening round of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic on Friday. The Cyclones won the Big 12 tournament to advance to their third consecutive NCAA tourney before losing in the Sweet 16 to eventual champions Connecticut. Iowa State hopes to make the Final Four this year, but must replace the production of seniors DeAndre Kane and 2013-14 Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim.
Houston Baptist at Northwestern 8:00 PM ET
Four returning starters - led by guard JerShon Cobb - take to the court in Northwestern coach Chris Collins’ second season when the Wildcats host Houston Baptist on Friday. Cobb (12.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game) is the Wildcats’ top returning scorer for a team that relies on tough defense. The four returning starters are joined by one of the best sixth men in the country in guard Tre Demps (11 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and one of the nation’s better recruiting classes.
Houston at Murray St. 8:00 PM ET
Kelvin Sampson wanted a rebuilding project and he found one in Houston. His tenure with the Cougars begins Friday at Murray State, which was picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference. Sampson will have a tough job helping a program that has been to one NCAA Tournament since 1992 and returns just two starters.
St. Francis (PA) at Cincinnati 8:00 PM ET
Despite a sometimes-inept offense, Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin managed to guide his team to a share of the American Athletic Conference regular-season title last season. With much of the Bearcats’ scoring punch gone, Cronin hopes to reinvent his team’s offensive attack starting Friday when it hosts St. Francis (Pa). Cincinnati posted 27 victories in the first year of the AAC – its highest win total since 2001-02 – before bowing out to Harvard in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
UC Santa Barbara at Kansas 8:00 PM ET
Most teams would need to rebuild after losing stars such as Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid to the NBA, but Kansas isn’t like most teams. The fifth-ranked Jayhawks, who host UC Santa Barbara from the Big West in Friday's season opener, might be even stronger than last year’s squad that lost to Stanford in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Bill Self has brought in another highly touted recruiting class, led by forwards Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre.
Prairie View A&M at Texas Christian 8:00 PM ET
The Big 12 has been a big problem for TCU, but head coach Trent Johnson believes this season will be different. Johnson will have to wait a while to get a crack at one of the toughest conferences in the nation, but he's eager to get off to a good start as the Horned Frogs host Prairie View A&M on Friday night. TCU had the worst conference showing possible in 2013-14, losing all 18 of its Big 12 matchups en route to a 9-22 overall mark.
Drexel at Colorado 8:00 PM ET
The signs posted all over Colorado's basketball facilities simply state "Pittsburgh 77, Colorado 48,'' but there is nothing subtle about the message coach Tad Boyle is trying to get across. "We're not just a happy-to-be-there program anymore," Boyle told USA Today about the first-round loss in the 2014 NCAA Tournament as the Buffaloes prepare to open their season by hosting Drexel on Friday.
Mount St. Mary's at Arizona 8:00 PM ET
It will be tough to top last season's 33 wins and numerous accolades, but Arizona coach Sean Miller and his deep roster will certainly give it a shot, starting with Friday's home date versus Mount St. Mary's. The No. 2 Wildcats lost Aaron Gordon, an athletic, do-it-all forward, to the NBA, but gained an impressive recruiting class, not to mention the return of heart-and-soul forward Brandon Ashley. The Wildcats are deep, dangerous and the easy choice as the preseason favorite to win the Pac-12.
North Carolina Central at North Carolina 8:00 PM ET
North Carolina hosts North Carolina Central in the season opener Friday, in a matchup of two teams from the Tar Heel State whose seasons ended to Iowa State in the NCAA tournament last spring. But that is where the similarities end as the sixth-ranked Tar Heels aim for a deep postseason run behind national player-of-the-year candidate Marcus Paige. The junior guard averaged 17.5 points last season and is the key to North Carolina advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in four seasons.
Villanova at Lehigh 8:00 PM ET
Villanova authored a surprising season in 2013-14 but fell victim to an even bigger surprise in the NCAA Tournament, falling to eventual champion Connecticut in the Round of 32. The Wildcats were a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and, while they lost leading scorer James Bell to graduation, they return each of their next seven top scorers. The 12th-ranked Wildcats take on Lehigh at the newly built PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., in both teams' season opener Friday night.
North Dakota State at Texas 8:30 PM ET
In 6-11 post player Myles Turner, Texas landed one of the nation’s top recruits, one who was courted heavily by the likes of Kansas and Duke. But it’s the freshman’s team-first approach that has coach Rick Barnes and the 10th-ranked Longhorns excited heading into Friday night’s season opener against visiting North Dakota State.
Michigan St at Navy 9:00 PM ET
No. 18 Michigan State looks to answer some early-season questions when it hits the road to face Navy in the Veterans Classic on Friday. The Spartans lost three starters from the squad that won the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight where they fell to eventual NCAA champions Connecticut. Tom Izzo begins his 20th year in charge of Michigan State with the unenviable task of replacing Gary Harris and Adreian Payne, who were both selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft.
Georgia Southern at Illinois 9:00 PM ET
Illinois will rely on strong defense and an infusion of backcourt talent to try and return to the NCAA tournament this season, but faces the challenge of doing so without senior point guard Tracy Abrams. The Illini open the season at home Friday against Georgia Southern without Abrams, who tore the right anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in September and will miss the season. Illinois finished second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (62.2) last season.
Central Arkansas at Creighton 9:00 PM ET
With Doug McDermott now in the NBA, Creighton will take the court without the greatest player in school history when it faces visiting Central Arkansas in its season opener Friday night. McDermott, who finished his career fifth in Division I history with 3,150 points and was the consensus national player of the year last season, is one of four starters from 2013-14 who are not back with the Bluejays this season.
Towson at Alabama 9:00 PM ET
After a disappointing campaign in 2013-14, Alabama looks for a fast start to the new season when it hosts Towson on Friday. The Crimson Tide return four starters this year, including seniors Levi Randolph and Rodney Cooper to lead the back court. Forward Shannon Hale, named to the All-SEC Freshman Team last season after averaging 8.8 points and 3.6 rebounds, is a budding force for Alabama and is expected to take on an expanded role.
Southern Utah at Kansas St. 9:00 PM ET
There were times last season when Marcus Foster felt like a solo act, but Kansas State should display more offensive balance on Friday when it hosts Southern Utah. Bruce Weber and his staff added some much-needed depth in transfers Justin Edwards and Brandon Bolden and another from the junior college ranks in Stephen Hurt, the former Atlantic Sun freshman of the year at Lipscomb.
Northern Kentucky at Wisconsin 9:00 PM ET
Wisconsin begins its quest for a return trip the Final Four with a talented veteran lineup when it hosts Northern Kentucky on Friday. Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker will lead the fourth-ranked Badgers, who return seven of their top eight scorers from a team that produced the school’s first 30-win season since 2007-08. “They’re trying to get better,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said at Big Ten media day. “They know there are weaknesses to shore up, and we’re trying to accentuate our strengths.”
Sacramento State at Gonzaga 9:00 PM ET
A deep roster has No. 13 Gonzaga back in the mix as one of the nation’s better teams as it opens the season against visiting Sacramento State on Friday. The Bulldogs return starting guards Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. and center Przemek Karnowski but also will receive a boost from transfers Kyle Wiltjer (Kentucky) and Byron Wesley (USC). “We want to make it to the Final Four,” Wiltjer told reporters. “That has to be our mindset.”
UMKC at Missouri 9:00 PM ET
Upon his hire in April, Missouri’s Kim Anderson called landing the head-coaching job at his alma mater “his dream job”. The 18th coach in school history will get his first chance to live out that dream Friday when the Tigers host UMKC. Anderson, who was named Big Eight Co-Player of the Year in 1977 and is a former assistant of Hall of Fame coach Norm Stewart, was tabbed by the school to replace Frank Haith after guiding Central Missouri to a Division II title last season.
Loyola-Maryland at Texas Tech 9:00 PM ET
Texas Tech's season opener Friday against visiting Loyola Maryland will also be a family reunion for second-year coach Tubby Smith, as Smith's oldest son G.G. Smith is in his second year as the Greyhounds' head coach. Tubby Smith coached G.G. at Georgia and then against him when he took over Kentucky in 1997. Smith's middle son Saul played under him at Kentucky and is on the Red Raiders support staff as the director of video production.
Binghamton at Notre Dame 9:00 PM ET
Notre Dame did not fare well in its first season in the ACC but returns plenty of talent to kick off the 2014-15 campaign. The Fighting Irish will try to get off to a strong start when they host Binghamton in the season opener on Friday as part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. Notre Dame really missed Jerian Grant during ACC play but will have the senior guard back to lead the team in 2014-15.
New Mexico St. at Wichita St. 9:00 PM ET
With the Wichita State Shockers starting last season with 35 straight wins before falling to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA tournament, what does coach Gregg Marshall's team do for an encore? That question will begin to be answered Friday night, when the Shockers play host to New Mexico State for their regular-season opener. With five key contributors returning, the Shockers should be a solid team from the start of the season.
Tenn-Martin at Marquette 9:30 PM ET
The coaching lineage that emanates from Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has had its share of hits and misses over the years, but his assistants traditionally have varied success when they jump to their own programs. Marquette hopes to stay in line with that as the Golden Eagles have turned to former Blue Devils guard Steve Wojciechowski to reshape and restructure a proud program, beginning with Friday's opener versus visiting UT Martin.
Hampton at Iowa 9:30 PM ET
The Iowa Hawkeyes and coach Fran McCaffery will begin answering several questions Friday when they open their 2014-15 season against visiting Hampton. The Hawkeyes crept into the top 10 last midseason with aspirations of a Big Ten title and a deep postseason run before imploding with losses in seven of their final eight games, including an overtime loss against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament play-in round.
McNeese St. at Baylor 9:30 PM ET
Baylor is either rebuilding or reloading after losing three starters, 56 percent of its points and 52 percent of its rebounds from last season’s Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament team. Coach Scott Drew, naturally, prefers the latter outlook heading into Friday night’s season opener against visiting McNeese State. “I think with our team this year, the great thing is we have a lot of versatility and a lot of depth,” Drew said last month at Big 12 Media Days.
Lamar at Southern Methodist 9:30 PM ET
Hall of Famer Larry Brown is the only coach to win NBA and NCAA championships, but the work he is doing at SMU could prove to be his biggest masterpiece. Brown and the No. 22 Mustangs take the first step toward what they hope will be their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993 when they host Lamar on Friday. After a three-game losing streak sunk its NCAA hopes in Brown's second season, SMU stayed positive and reached the NIT Final before losing to Minnesota 65-63.
Rice at Oregon St. 10:00 PM ET
Former VCU assistant coach Mike Rhoades will make his Division I head coaching debut Friday when his Rice Owls face host Oregon State and its new coach Wayne Tinkle. Tinkle, who led Montana to three NCAA Tournaments in eight years, is trying to rebuild a team depleted by offseason departures. Three graduates, two early exits and one transfer have left junior guard Langston Morris-Walker as the leading returning scorer at 4 points per game.
Alcorn St. at California 10:00 PM ET
Tyrone Wallace and David Kravish lead California in its first game under coach Cuonzo Martin when the Golden Bears host Alcorn State on Friday in the 2K Classic. Martin was hired in April after three years as coach at Tennessee, where he led the Volunteers to the Sweet 16 last season. Martin replaces Mike Montgomery, who retired after 32 years - the last six at Cal.
Ball St. at Utah 10:00 PM ET
Utah appears ready to contend for the Pac-12 championship and step up among the nation’s top teams with its first test coming Friday at home against Ball State. The Utes were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason media poll behind second-ranked Arizona primarily because of the leadership of point guard Delon Wright, who could be an NBA first-round pick with a good senior year.
Illinois-Chicago at DePaul 10:00 PM ET
Oliver Purnell earned a reputation for being able to turn around programs prior to signing a seven-year contract in 2010 with DePaul, but time may be running out for him to work his magic in his latest stop. The 61-year-old hopes to reverse his team’s losing ways in his fifth season starting Friday when the Blue Demons host UIC. After opening the year with a 5-6 mark, UIC endured a 17-game losing streak and dropped 19 of its last 20 contests overall.
Chicago St. at Arizona St. 10:00 PM ET
The campus is fired up about the football team’s chances at a Pac-12 title and a spot in the National Championship playoff, but the basketball team deserves some notice at Arizona State as well. The Sun Devils will try to live up to the standards being set in the athletic department when they open the 2014-15 season by hosting Chicago State on Friday. Arizona State lost its top three scorers from last season’s NCAA Tournament team.
South Carolina State at Washington 10:00 PM ET
Washington missed the postseason for the first time since 2007 last year, and the Huskies are hoping to take the first step toward making sure they don't repeat that feat when they host South Carolina State on Friday night. Washington brings back three starters from last year's club, including point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, the leading returning scorer at 13.4 points a game. He'll be joined in the backcourt by Andrew Andrews (12.3 points), giving coach Lorenzo Romar a potent guard duo.
Washington St. at Texas-El Paso 10:00 PM ET
Washington State tips off the Ernie Kent era Friday when the Cougars host UTEP, which returns nine of its top 10 scorers from last season’s 23-win team. Kent is known for his optimism, and he’ll need plenty of it as he works to rebuild a program that has reached the NCAA Tournament five times in the past 73 years. The Cougars ranked last in the Pac-12 in most offensive categories last season, but senior guard DaVonté Lacy returns as one of the top shooters in the league.
Wis.-Milwaukee at Auburn 10:00 PM ET
After three years away, Bruce Pearl returns to the sidelines as Auburn head coach when his Tigers host Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday night in the season opener for both teams. Pearl, who guided Tennessee to six straight NCAA Tournament berths, has created a huge buzz on the campus. The Tigers hope to parlay that excitement into a huge home-court advantage as they have completely sold out its allotment of season tickets and expect standing-room-only crowds the entire season.
CSU Northridge at San Diego St. 10:00 PM ET
San Diego State has reached the NCAA tournament five straight years and the 17th-ranked Aztecs don’t expect the run to end as they host Cal State Northridge on Friday to open the season. Winston Shepard is the lone double-figure scorer returning, although hard-working San Diego State was second in the nation in scoring defense last season. “You can’t control if the ball goes in the basket,” forward J.J. O’Brien told reporters. “But no matter what, our defense will be on point.”
Wofford at Stanford 11:59 PM ET
Stanford begins life without Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell on Friday when the Cardinal host Wofford from the Southern Conference in the season opener for both teams. The two forwards headed to the NBA after leading the Cardinal to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 last season, but coach Johnny Dawkins’ squad is primed to make another run behind point guard Chasson Randle. The senior sharpshooter averaged 18.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season.
Coppin St. at Oregon 11:59 PM ET
After a tumultuous season, Dana Altman has the chore of rebuilding an Oregon program that was racked by criminal issues a year ago. The Ducks, picked eighth in the preseason Pac-12 Conference poll, begin their program's overhaul when they host Coppin State on Friday. Coppin State is a veteran team and hopes to play spoiler as the curtain rises in Eugene.
Montana St. at UCLA 11:59 PM ET
Having three players taken in the first round of the same NBA Draft is a nice feather in the cap of any program, but now UCLA must begin the task of rebuilding. The Bruins will take the first step Friday night when they host Montana State in the season opener. Norman Powell, Tony Parker and Bryce Alford will try to replace what UCLA lost when Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine went to the NBA, though it will be a mighty steep challenge.