One of the perks of Christmas break is that games tip off at all hours between now and the New Year’s. You’ve probably been keeping tabs on Seton Hall-Dayton and Loyola Marymount-Morgan State the last few hours. Or at least I hope you have.
Well, grab a snack, but don’t make any big dinner plans. There are a few games to watch.
(All times ET; TV info courtesy of HDSportsGuide.com)
Texas at North Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
The idea that J’Covan Brown would make losing Jordan Hamilton, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph early to the NBA would’ve been slightly absurd last season. Brown, the 6-1 junior, could always score, but he was just as good at gobbling up possessions by dribbling too much and taking bad shots. This season, he’s still gobbling up possessions and jacking even more shots, but the difference is he’s making them (53.3 eFG%), he’s cut down his turnovers significantly and has nearly doubled his assist rate. He’ll have his hands full against the Tar Heels (and probably have Dexter Strickland on his hop all night), but it should be a delight to watch.
Oklahoma State at Alabama, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Tide have lost three of their last four games. The offense stinks (24 percent from beyond the arc?!) and the defense isn’t shutting down team as Anthony Grant would expect or like. That’ll be an issue against the Cowboys. Maybe. LeBryan Nash is a supremely talented scorer, but he’s also a bit of a ball hog. He can carry a team and make an opponent look bad doing it. Or he can sink ‘em.
Middle Tennessee vs. Mississippi, 9 p.m. (SEC CSS, CST, YES, Comcast Philly)
Andy Kennedy’s Rebels may not know what hit ‘em. Middle Tennessee is shaping up to a team who could ruin your bracket come March. And it may ruin Ole Miss’ night. The Blue Raiders will test the Rebels defense with their shooting (their 57.9 eFG% is fifth best in D-I) and probably notch another win against a BCS school on Wednesday. Ask UCLA.
Belmont at Austin Peay, 8:30 p.m.
Once again, the Bruins aren’t on TV. And anyone who didn’t track down a link to watch online missed Marshall hold on Monday for a thrilling win. Austin Peay isn’t as good, but why take that chance? Click this link and enjoy.
EAST
Dartmouth at Army, 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart at Boston College, 7 p.m.
Vermont at Fairleigh Dickinson, 7 p.m.
E. Illinois at Maine, 7 p.m.
Hartford at Marist, 7 p.m.
Coppin St. at Saint Joseph’s, 7 p.m.
Texas-Pan American at St. John’s, 7 p.m.
Cornell at Penn St., 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH
Hiwassee at Chattanooga, Noon
North Florida at Florida A&M, 7 p.m.
Duquesne at George Mason, 7 p.m.
Wofford at High Point, 7 p.m.
WVU Tech at Marshall, 7 p.m.
Loyola Marymount at Morgan St., 7 p.m.
Texas at North Carolina, 7 p.m.
SE Louisiana at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Charleston Southern at Stetson, 7 p.m.
UNC Wilmington at Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
Iona at William & Mary, 7 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at NC Central, 7:30 p.m.
UT-Martin at Murray St., 8 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Tennessee St., 8 p.m.
Lafayette at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m.
UCF at Louisiana-Lafayette, 8:05 p.m.
Belmont at Austin Peay, 8:30 p.m.
Oklahoma St. at Alabama, 9 p.m.
Mississippi at Middle Tennessee, 9 p.m.
MIDWEST
NC A&T at Akron, 7 p.m.
Ark.-Pine Bluff at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
Seton Hall at Dayton, 7 p.m. |
Louisiana-Monroe at Indiana St., 7:05 p.m.
Lipscomb at Iowa St., 8 p.m.
Peru St. at South Dakota, 8 p.m.
Oregon St. at Chicago St., 8:05 p.m.
Cent. Arkansas at Drake, 8:05 p.m.
Cal Poly at DePaul, 8:30 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Kent St. at Texas-Arlington, 7:30 p.m.
SC State at Oklahoma, 8 p.m.
Santa Clara at Houston Baptist, 8:05 p.m.
FAR WEST
Fresno St. at Arizona St., 6 p.m.
McNeese St. at New Mexico St., 9 p.m.
Prairie View at Oregon, 10 p.m.
St. Peter’s at Utah St., 10:05 p.m.
Virginia at Seattle, 10:10 p.m.
You also can follow me on Twitter @MikeMillerNBC.