Ranking the 12 best games in next year’s Tip-Off Marathon
Instead of sprinkling the most intriguing games throughout its 24-hour Tip-Off Marathon, ESPN jammed the three best into the same four-hour window.
The primetime time slot of the marathon will feature three of the best non-conference matchups of the season: the revival of the Maryland-Georgetown rivalry and the Champions Classic pitting Duke against Kentucky and Kansas against Michigan State.
Those are by far the three most high-profile games of the Tip-Off Marathon, but there are a handful of other games worth watching. Here’s a look at which games are worth chugging energy drinks or espressos to watch and which are nap-worthy:
1. Kentucky vs. Duke (Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. EST): Duke and Kentucky lost a combined 10 underclassmen to the professional ranks, but both the Blue Devils and Wildcats figure to remain factors in this year’s title chase. The reason is that right now these programs are recruiting at a level no other schools can match. Duke reloaded with a top-ranked class highlighted by forward Brandon Ingram and point guard Derryck Thornton. Kentucky will build around forward Skal Labissiere and a three point guard attack featuring Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray.
2. Georgetown at Maryland (Nov. 17, 9 p.m. EST): It’s a shame ESPN chose to schedule this game at the same time as the Champions Classic because it deserves its own platform for a national audience. In-state foes Maryland and Georgetown haven’t scheduled one another in a regular season game since 1993, a 22-year hiatus caused by bickering over where the next game should be played. The timing of the revival of the rivalry is fortuitous, however, with the Terps a contender for preseason No. 1 and the Hoyas likely to begin the season in the Top 25.
3. Kansas vs. Michigan State (Nov. 17, 10 p.m. EST): The Champions Classic undercard still pits two teams who could begin the season in the Top 10 in the polls. Eleven-time reigning Big 12 champion Kansas is loaded with veteran talent once again including point guard Frank Mason, wing Wayne Selden and and all-conference forward Perry Ellis. Michigan State has a chance to enjoy a better regular season than its surprise Final Four team did a year ago if West Virginia transfer Eron Harris and a loaded freshman class can help ease the loss of Travis Trice and Branden Dawson.
4. Baylor at Oregon (Nov. 16, 11:30 p.m. EST): One of the nation’s most underrated teams may be Oregon, which has the firepower to replace high-scoring Joseph Young if freshman Tyler Dorsey and returning star Dillon Brooks meet expectations. The perimeter-oriented Ducks are an intriguing matchup for a mammoth Baylor team with a frontcourt highlighted by rebounding machine Rico Gathers.
5. San Diego State at Utah (Nov. 16, 9:30 p.m. EST): One year after San Diego State edged visiting Utah in a hard-fought defensive struggle, the two teams will stage a rematch in Salt Lake City. The Utes appear capable of contending in the Pac-12 once again thanks to the return of potential lottery pick Jakob Poeltl and a host of promising perimeter players. Defensive-oriented San Diego State will be one of the favorites in the Mountain West if sophomore Malik Pope enjoys a breakout season and gives the Aztecs the scoring punch they lacked a year ago.
6. Oklahoma at Memphis (Nov. 17, 5 p.m. EST): This would be a far bigger test for Buddy Hield and Big 12 contender Oklahoma had Austin Nichols not transferred from Memphis earlier this summer. The Tigers add Alabama transfer Ricky Tarrant and incoming freshmen Dedrick and K.J. Lawson, yet it’s unclear if there’s enough talent to get them into NCAA tournament contention or to ease the pressure on embattled coach Josh Pastner.
7. Virginia at George Washington (Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. EST): Two-time reigning ACC champion Virginia returns every key player besides high-scoring wing Justin Anderson and defensive ace Darion Atkins, but this road test will be more than just a speed bump for the Cavaliers. Veteran-laden George Washington has a chance to contend for an NCAA bid again next season thanks to the return of Kevin Larsen, Joe McDonald and Patrico Garino and the arrival of Wake Forest transfer Tyler Cavanaugh.
8. Valparaiso at Rhode Island (Nov. 17, 10 a.m. EST): The under-the-radar gem of this year’s Tip-Off marathon pits one of the nation’s premier mid-majors against an Atlantic 10 squad poised for a breakout season. Valparaiso returns every key player from a team that went 28-6 and pushed Maryland in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, but the Crusaders will be challenged on the road against a Rhode Island team led by Atlantic 10 player of the year candidate E.C. Matthews.
9. Alabama at Dayton (Nov. 17, 1 p.m. EST): Avery Johnson will probably elevate the Alabama program before too long, but the youthful Crimson Tide aren’t ready to make that leap next season. In fact, they will be hard-pressed to remain competitive on the road against a Dayton team that loses leading scorer Jordan Sibert yet will be bigger and deeper than it was last year when it won 27 games despite having only six scholarship players.
10. Stephen F. Austin at Northern Iowa (Nov. 17, 8 a.m. EST): Can Northern Iowa remain nationally relevant despite the graduation of star Seth Tuttle and several other key players from last year’s dream season? This will be a good litmus test. The Panthers face a Stephen F. Austin team that won 32 games last year and has plenty of talent returning including standout Thomas Walkup and quality point guard Ty Charles.
11. BYU at Long Beach State (Nov. 17, 1:45 p.m. EST): Don’t expect BYU to take a step backward despite the loss of all-time leading scorer Tyler Haws. Versatile Kyle Collinsworth is ready to be the Cougars’ top scoring threat, Chase Fischer and freshman Nick Emery are elite shooters and some additions to the frontcourt ought to help solidify one of the nation’s most porous defenses. Nonetheless, Long Beach State will pose a test on its own home floor. The 49ers lose five seniors from last year, but reload behind ex-Maryland wing Nick Faust and several other transfers.
12. Colorado at Auburn (Nov. 17, 3 p.m. EST): Auburn appears to be a year away from making an NCAA tournament push under Bruce Pearl. Colorado appeared headed for a middling season even before wing Xavier Johnson tore an Achilles tendon earlier this summer. This looks like a good opportunity to get some work done or grab a power nap unless you’re an ardent Tigers or Buffs fan.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
