The Sports Truth

Watching every and any college basketball game is pure joy, here are some of the best games of the 07-08 season you won’t want to miss.

Maui Invitational (Nov. 19–21): If rooting for tiny Chaminade to repeat their magical upset of #1 Virginia in the 1987 Maui Tourney isn’t enough for you, then performances like the Adam Morrison/Maurice Ager slugfest in 2005 should be. Morrison set a tourney record with 43 points and Ager wasn’t far behind with 36 of his own as Gonzaga took home a thriller 109-106. This tourney is filled with moments just like that and the 2007 version should be no different. A potential final of Marquette vs. Duke is one filled with lightning quick athletes. Dominic James is back at Marquette and, coupled with Jerel McNeal, they could pose a serious challenge for the young Blue Devils. Greg Paulus seems to be controlling the rock much better in his junior season and the talent around him just keeps getting better.

You may not have heard of him, but Jerel McNeal can light it up for the Golden Eagles.

NIT Preseason Tip – Off (Nov. 21-23): Johnny Flynn. If you haven’t seen this kid play, you’re missing out. Couple him with Donte Green and Arinze Onuaku (who I’m pretty sure is playing D-Line for the Jets on Sundays), and the Syracuse “worst mascot ever” Orange should be fun to watch.

Davidson @ Duke (Dec 1): Stephen Curry & Co. almost knocked off Hansbrough and the Tar Heels and are fully capable of playing with any team in the country. This game is slated to be televised on ESPN so you should probably clear your Saturday schedule (let’s be honest, you had nothing going on anyway), and tune in to the 2007-2008 Cinderella story.

UNC @ Duke: You could point to the February 6th match up between these 2 powerhouses, but playing at UNC just doesn’t have the same atmosphere as Cameron. They stuff 5,000+ rowdy, hammered, and obnoxious students/townies into one tiny building and scream their heads off for 40 minutes. Not to mention there’s a phenomenal chance that these 2 teams could both be ranked in the top 5 for this match up.

Memphis v. Gonzaga (Jan 26): Cincinnati, Marquette, and Louisville did us, the fans, a big favor when they 1) made the Big East incredibly competitive and fun to watch, and 2) forced national powerhouse Memphis to play in a weak conference, and subsequently be forced to schedule the most ridiculous non–conference schedule year in and year out. I don’t care what the rankings say, Memphis is the best team in the country. When they’re on, they could beat the Sonics, and probably the Knicks. Gonzaga will have their hands full, but figures to have freshman phenom Austin Daye, and drug rehabber Josh Heytvelt to provide America’s “Cinderella” with a dress to take down Memphis. If you don’t watch this game, you’re not American. I said it.

Josh may have some difficulty staying away from illicit substances, but the boy can play some basketball.

Posted in College Basketball