This week, as part of my preseason coverage, I’m going to take a look at some key games coming up in 2011-12. It just so happens that there are five months in the college basketball calendar, so this works out perfectly. While there are plenty awesome games in November at Madison Square Garden – the Champions Classic Nov. 15 and the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer on Nov. 17, here are some local mid-major games worth checking out.
5. St. Francis (NY) at NJIT on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. – This Saturday afternoon game is a rare one in non-conference for the Highlanders, because it’s a home game. NJIT is playing only two non-conference home games against Division I opponents before Great West play kicks off. (The Highlanders do have home games against Colgate and independents Longwood and Cal State Bakersfield later in the season as well.)
4. Robert Morris at St. Peter’s on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. – The Peacocks went to the NCAA tournament last season and the Colonials appear to be a challenger in the NEC this season. This is RMU’s first road game of the season and should be a worthy test for determining if the offense has improved.
3. Wagner at Princeton on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. – The second day of the season the Tigers and Seahawks will clash at Jadwin Gymnasium. It’s easy enough to get to Jadwin that Dan Hurley’s squad might have some fans there as well. This will also be Mitch Henderson’s debut on the bench for the Tigers.
2. Long Island at Hofstra on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. – The season opener for both the Blackbirds and Pride, this game will provide some initial answers to the questions that both of these teams had during the offseason. Who will replace Charles Jenkins? Can LIU repeat as NEC champions? What’s next? This game sets up as the perfect opportunity for both schools to seize some early momentum.
1. Long Island at Iona on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. – This Monday night tilt could be the best game around all of New York City during non-conference play. Both teams like to run-and-gun and have the weapons to do it. Last season Iona went to Brooklyn and won 88-82 in 84 possessions. Can the Gaels do it again now that the stakes are even higher for both teams?
Are there games I’m missing? What will you be watching come November and the start of college basketball season?
NYC Buckets Archive 