11-29-19 College Basketball Games to Watch

Headliner Games

#5 Maryland (-9 ½) vs. Harvard (Orlando Invitational-Winner’s Bracket; Lake Buena Vista, FL) at 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)

#11 Oregon (-2) vs. #6 North Carolina (Battle 4 Atlantis-3rd Place Game; Paradise Island, Bahamas) at 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Michigan vs. #8 Gonzaga (-4) (Battle 4 Atlantis-Championship Game; Paradise Island, Bahamas) at 2 p.m. (ESPN2)

FSU (-1 ½) vs. #17 Tennessee (Emerald Coast Classic; Niceville, FL) at 7 p.m. (CBSSN)

#15 Utah St. at St. Mary’s (-3) at 11:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

We do get two ranked teams going at it today in the third-place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis when UNC and Oregon tangle. One team is heading home with a 1-2 showing in what was the best field of quality teams in an early season tournament. The Battle 4 Atlantis championship game features surprising Michigan (who upset the Tar Heels yesterday) and Gonzaga. The late game tonight features Utah State getting a test from formerly-ranked St. Mary’s; the Gaels should shoot back into the rankings with a win (despite that home loss to Winthrop earlier this month). Maryland tries to stake a claim for #1 if they can win the Orlando Invitational (formerly the Old Spice Classic). They have to go through pesky Harvard first to make the championship game. Last but not least, my alma mater FSU plays a Tennessee team that has looked really good despite all the losses off their great team from last year. My picks to win are as follows: Maryland, Oregon, Gonzaga, Tennessee, and St. Mary’s.

Upset Watch Games

Long Beach St. vs. Wake Forest (-8) (Wooden Legacy-Winner’s Bracket; Fullerton, CA) at 2 p.m. (ESPN2)

Providence (-9 ½) vs. College of Charleston (Wooden Legacy; Fullerton, CA) at 4:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

W. Kentucky vs. #2 Louisville (-11 ½) (Nashville, TN) at 5 p.m. (CBS Sports on Facebook Watch)

Winthrop at #1 Duke (-23 ½) at 7 p.m. (ACCN)

Missouri St. at LSU (-13) at 8 p.m. (SECN+)

Penn vs. Arizona (-12) (Wooden Legacy-Winner’s Bracket; Fullerton, CA) at 11:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

These six games form the most likely suspects to pull a shocker today. It is unlikely that Duke will lose again after Stephen effing Austin just got them, but Winthrop did beat St. Mary’s on the road, so who knows. Western Kentucky can push Louisville, but the Cards have their sights on being the new #1 Monday and probably just want to wait to get upset until AFTER they get that ranking (which no one wants so far this season). Charles Bassey and Jordan Nwora should put on a show. Penn can take out Arizona after the Wildcats nearly lost to Pepperdine last night. Missouri State may be the team on this list that I think has the best odds to get an inconsistent but talented LSU team.

Other Games to Watch

DePaul at Minnesota (-4) at 3 p.m. (FS1)

USC vs. Marquette (-4) (Orlando Invitational-Winner’s Bracket; Lake Buena Vista, FL) at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

#13 Seton Hall (-3) vs. Iowa St. (Battle 4 Atlantis-Fifth Place Game; Paradise Island, Bahamas) at 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

Penn St. (-2) vs. Syracuse (NIT Season Tip-Off-Third Place Game; Brooklyn, NY) at 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

San Diego St. (-3) vs. Iowa (Las Vegas Invitational-Championship Game; Orleans Arena) at 8 p.m. (FS1)

Ole Miss (-1) vs. Oklahoma St. (NIT Season Tip-Off-Championship Game; Brooklyn, NY) at 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

#20 VCU vs. Purdue (-2 ½) (Emerald Coast Classic; Niceville, FL) at 9:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

#12 Texas Tech (-6) vs. Creighton (Las Vegas Invitational-Third Place Game; Orleans Arena) at 10:30 p.m. (FS1)

Vegas thinks most of these games will be really close; so do I. It’s a strong day of title games and place games in these early season tourneys. Enjoy!