Preview Roundups
December 28, 2015
Nicholls State at Houston 2:00 PM ET
Although it lacks the star power of Phi Slama Jama, this year's Houston squad currently boasts an offense that would make the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler proud. The Cougars will put the school's most prolific offense since the 1977-78 season on display once again Monday when they close out the non-conference portion of their schedule against Nicholls.
NC-Greensboro at North Carolina 6:00 PM ET
North Carolina ends its non-conference schedule and kicks off a busy eight-day stretch Monday by hosting UNCG, and the seventh-ranked Tar Heels do so while in the familiar position of not being at full strength. Forward Kennedy Meeks is out for what the team terms as “several weeks” with a bone bruise in his left knee, taking 12.3 points and 7.4 rebounds out of the lineup as the Tar Heels eye the opener of ACC play Wednesday against Clemson.
Indiana - Purdue at Butler 7:00 PM ET
No. 12 Butler looks to continue its winning ways when it hosts IUPUI in its non-conference finale on Monday. The Bulldogs have won seven consecutive games, including victories against No. 21 Cincinnati and 13th-ranked Purdue, and are coming off a convincing 88-52 triumph over Southern Utah to push their record to 10-1 for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
Massachusetts Lowell at Rutgers 7:00 PM ET
With Big Ten play on deck, Rutgers limps into its final tuneup in perilous shape. The Scarlet Knights have lost six of their last eight and are without three of their top inside players as they prepare to host UMass Lowell on Monday
Pennsylvania at Villanova 7:00 PM ET
With its non-conference slate nearly complete, Villanova still has yet to experience a tight game down the stretch. The 17th-ranked Wildcats, who have had all 11 of their games decided by double figures, take aim at Big 5 rival Pennsylvania when the Quakers visit on Monday.
Elon University at Duke 8:00 PM ET
Duke knew that without its best veteran big man, the team was vulnerable against a talented opponent. After losing to Utah at Madison Square Garden their last time out, the 10th-ranked Blue Devils hope to bounce back against visiting Elon on Monday evening.
Delaware State at Texas Christian 8:00 PM ET
Seeking its first four-game winning streak since opening the 2014-15 campaign with 13 consecutive wins, TCU closes out non-conference play against winless Delaware State on Monday. The Horned Frogs open Big 12 play on Saturday at Oklahoma State.
Cal. State - Bakersfield at Arizona State 9:00 PM ET
Arizona State expects to have second-leading scorer Savon Goodman back in the lineup Monday when the Sun Devils close their nonconference schedule against visiting Cal State Bakersfield. The Sun Devils won three in a row while Goodman was out due to personal reasons, including an impressive 10-point victory at UNLV.
Davidson at California 9:00 PM ET
California looks to build on its best showing of the season Monday as the Golden Bears close out their nonconference schedule against visiting Davidson. The Golden Bears are playing for the first time since visiting Virginia on Dec. 22, when they led for most of the game before losing 63-62 in overtime.
College of Idaho at Utah 9:00 PM ET
Utah gets in one final non-conference tune-up before starting Pac-12 Conference play when it continues its annual ritual of playing an NAIA team when it hosts College of Idaho on Tuesday. The Utes are 21-1 all-time against NAIA teams -- including the last 18 in a row -- with the lone loss coming back in 1957 against Oklahoma City.
Coppin St. at Creighton 9:15 PM ET
Creighton
bounced back from a hard-fought loss to No. 3 Oklahoma and headed into the
holiday break on a high note after beating North Texas State on Dec. 21. After
a couple of days off, the Bluejays went back to practice in preparation for
Monday night's game at home against Coppin State before they start Big East play on Thursday.
UC Santa Barbara at Washington 11:00 PM ET
Washington wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a Monday night game against visiting UC Santa Barbara before beginning Pac-12 play on Friday. The Huskies defeated crosstown rival Seattle 79-68 on Tuesday behind 18 points from Andrew Andrews and 16 from Marquese Chriss.