Some nights just sneak up on you. Wednesday night’s stellar slate featured 60 games and nearly a dozen intriguing matchups. There are only eight games between D-I teams on Thursday, but nearly every one of ‘em is noteworthy.
But let’s focus on three, shall we?
Perfectly dangerous: Georgetown’s one of 17 unbeaten D-I teams remaining. If the No. 9 Hoyas get past Temple, they’ll be 9-0 for the first time under John Thompson III. And they’ll have earned it. Wins against ODU, Wofford, Missouri and Utah State are an impressive blend of BCS and mid-major powers. The Owls aren’t going to go quietly, though. If Chris Wright and Austin Freeman see an open shot on the perimeter, it’ll be a small surprise.
There can be only one! When it comes to mid-major hoops powers, there’s Xavier, Butler and Gonzaga. (Well, and Memphs.) That’s it. It’s fitting that the Musketeers and Bulldogs are set to match skills for the third straight season. Last season’s showdown was an instant classic – and somewhat infamous. Let’s hope for another.
The Sooners? They stink. Oklahoma’s lost five in a row. All of ‘em were to BCS schools (Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas and Arizona), which should be a surprise, but a 68-64 stunner to Chaminade’s in the middle of that. Jeff Capel’s squad dearly misses anyone who can play defense. That might hurt against Gardner-Webb, which is coming off a silly shooting night against Elon. Anyone else smell a RLU?
All times ET
EAST
La Salle at Boston U., 7 p.m.
Army at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.
Georgetown at Temple, 9 p.m.
SOUTH
Kent St. at Florida, 7 p.m.
Md.-Eastern Shore at Old Dominion, 7 p.m.
Jarvis Christian at McNeese St., 8 p.m.
MIDWEST
IUPUI at Ohio St., 7 p.m.
Butler at Xavier, 9 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Gardner-Webb at Oklahoma, 8 p.m.
FAR WEST
Redlands at Pepperdine, 10 p.m.
George Fox at Portland St., 10:05 p.m.
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