Apparently hoops fans have been good this year. Instead of just Georgetown-Memphis tonight, Santa brought us two must-see games in the Diamond Head Classic semifinals.
Say thank you, then tune in starting at 6:30 ET.
No. 10 Georgetown at No. 16 Memphis: If the winner fails to score at least 80 points, I’ll be sorely disappointed. The Hoys lead D-I schools in eFG% -- they make 42.7 percent of their 3s and 58.1 of their 2s – and have three fabulous guards in Austin Freeman, Chris Wright and Jason Clark. Memphis isn’t as polished (the perils of playing freshmen), but has a bevy of players the Hoyas will have trouble guarding (the benefits of freshmen).
No. 15 Baylor vs. Washington State: The secret’s out – Wazzu can play. They’ve beaten Gonzaga, gave K-State all it could handle and thumped Miss State on Wednesday. If we’re lucky, Klay Thompson and Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn will take turns toping each other with their shooting.
Florida State vs. Butler: One for fans of defense. The Seminoles are among the nation’s most efficient defensive teams (kudes to Chris Singleton). Butler isn’t at their level, but the Bulldogs don’t commit any turnovers and will make the ‘Noles work on every defensive possession. This one will come down to the final minute.
Belmont at Tennessee: The Vols have lost three straight, but get a chance to rebound against a familiar foe. They’ve already beaten the Bruins once this season – but nearly blew a 17-point lead in the process.
South Dakota State at Minnesota: Notable for Al Nolen’s return to the Gophers. Will he ultimately make the difference in the Gophers’ quest for Big Ten respectability?
UMKC at No. 11 Kansas State: Odds of the Kangaroos winning? Slim. Odds of Wildcats coach Frank Martin intimidating reporters afterward? High.
(All times ET)
EAST
Virginia Tech vs. St. Bonaventure at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, N.Y., 7 p.m.
St. Peter’s at Rutgers, 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH
Tulane at Southern U., 3 p.m.
Georgia at Mercer, 7 p.m.
Presbyterian at Old Dominion, 7 p.m.
Belmont at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.
Georgetown at Memphis, 8 p.m.
MIDWEST
Mount St. Mary’s, Md. at Northwestern, 3 p.m.
Chicago St. at Drake, 3:05 p.m.
Bryant at Michigan, 6 p.m.
St. Francis, Pa. at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
UMKC at Kansas St., 8 p.m.
S. Dakota St. at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Oakland, Mich. at Ohio St., 8 p.m.
Coppin St. at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Norfolk St. at Evansville, 8:05 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
UTSA at Tulsa, 8 p.m.
FAR WEST
N. Carolina A&T at Arizona St., 2 p.m.
Akron vs. Miami at South Point Arena, Las Vegas, 3 p.m.
Oral Roberts vs. Rice at South Point Arena, Las Vegas, 5:15 p.m.
Stetson vs. Ark.-Little Rock at South Point Arena, Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m.
Idaho St. vs. W. Michigan at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Ogden, Utah, 7:30 p.m.
Lehigh at Southern Cal, 8:30 p.m.
UTEP at BYU, 9 p.m.
Saint Mary’s, Calif. at New Mexico St., 9 p.m.
IUPUI vs. San Francisco at South Point Arena, Las Vegas, 10 p.m.
Utah Valley at Portland St., 10:05 p.m.
Troy at Utah St., 10:05 p.m.
UC Irvine at UCLA, 10:30 p.m.
TOURNAMENTS
Cancun Governor’s Cup
At Cancun, Mexico
Semifinals
Saint Louis vs. Southern Miss, 2:30 p.m.
Mississippi vs. Colorado St., 9:30 p.m.
Consolation Bracket
Northeastern vs. ETSU, Noon
Texas St. vs. Appalachian St., 7 p.m.
Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic
At Honolulu
SemifinalsWashington St. vs. Baylor, 6:30 p.m.
Butler Florida St., 10 p.m.
Consolation Bracket
Mississippi St. vs. San Diego, 4:30 p.m.
Utah vs. Hawaii, 12:30 a.m..
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