Tip-Off Marathon Preview 2015
Tip-Off Marathon ScheduleMonday, Nov. 16
5:30 p.m. UConn at Ohio State (women), ESPN2 7:30 p.m. Virginia at George Washington, ESPN2 9 p.m. Kennesaw State at LSU, ESPNU 9:30 p.m. San Diego State at Utah, ESPN2 11:30 p.m. Baylor at Oregon Tuesday, Nov. 17 1:45 a.m. BYU at Long Beach State, ESPN2 4 a.m. Nevada at Hawaii, ESPN2 6 a.m. Green Bay at East Tennessee State, ESPN2 8 a.m. Stephen F. Austin at Northern Iowa, ESPN2 10 a.m. Valparaiso at Rhode Island, ESPN2 1 p.m. Alabama at Dayton, ESPN 3 p.m. Colorado at Auburn, ESPN 5 p.m. Oklahoma at Memphis, ESPN 7:30 p.m. Kentucky vs. Duke, ESPN 9 p.m. Georgetown at Maryland, ESPN2 10 p.m. Kansas vs. Michigan State, ESPN |
Tip-Off Marathon Game Rankings1. Duke vs. Kentucky
2. Kansas vs. Michigan State 3. Georgetown at Maryland 4. San Diego State at Utah 5. Oklahoma at Memphis 6. Virginia at George Washington 7. Stephen F. Austin at Northern Iowa 8. Valparaiso at Rhode Island 9. Baylor at Oregon 10. Alabama at Dayton 11. Colorado at Auburn 12. Kennesaw State at LSU 13. BYU at Long Beach State 14. UConn at Ohio State (womens) 15. Green Bay at ETSU 16. Nevada at Hawaii |
Tip-Off Marathon Predictions 2015
UConn at Ohio State
The back to back to back national title winners UConn Huskies get things started in Columbus. For the Huskies it will be Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson leading the charge to another title. The Buckeyes have a special player in Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell and the Buckeyes are 0-1 after a loss to number 2 South Carolina.
UConn wins 76-60
Virginia at George Washington
Last season George Washington gave Virginia a little scare but the Cavilers prevailed. GW will need to slow down 7 footer Mike Tobey and keep the rebounding margin close to win this game. Kevin Larsen and Kyle Cavanaugh will be the go to guys for the Colonials.
Virginia wins 62-52
Kennesaw State at LSU
The Tiger freshman trio is a must see on the slate. Ben Simmons, Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson combined for 51 points in game one together. One player to keep your eye on for the Owls is guard Yonel Brown who tallied 34 points vs. Alabama.
LSU wins 82-54
San Diego State at Utah
Big matchup, featuring two of the best teams in the West. San Diego State will have problems with one of the best centers in college basketball, Jakob Poeltl. The Aztecs have won the last six meetings. If Utah can handle the Aztecs defensive pressure they should be able to pull out a W.
San Diego State 64-58
Baylor at Oregon
Tyler Dorsey showed out in his first game as a Duck, scoring 20 points. Rico Gathers should have his way with the Ducks as the big man really gets after it on the boards. The Bears have a long travel to Eugene and will be starting at an odd time which could play a factor in this game.
Oregon wins 61-58
BYU at Long Beach State
Dave Rose and BYU will head to the Pyramid to take on Long Beach State at 1;45 ET. The long Beach crowd will be at it from the start and will hope that the Beach can hold down the walking tripe-double, Kyle Collinsworth. Long Beach lost all five starters but per usual they reload with transfers. Keep an eye on Nick Faust in this game
BYU wins 72-58
Nevada at Hawaii
It is not a tip-off Marathon without, Hawaii. Lindsey Drew is a game time decision for the Pack and they will need him to offset Hawaii's guard Aaron Valdes.
Hawaii wins 62-54
Green Bay at East Tennessee State
The Phoenix have started life without Kiefer Sykes. So far, So good. The Phoenix did come up short vs. Stanford but Carrington Love exploded for 32 points. Steve Forbes and his Buccaneers squad are embracing the early 6 am start. Look for Cincinnati transfer, Ge'lawn Guyn to shine for ETSU.
Green Bay wins 71-64
Stephen F. Austin at Northern Iowa
Two of the better Mid Major programs the past few years and this season is no different. Both teams are coming off losses. Thomas Walkup has been a staple for the program for years, averaging double digits in scoring the past two seasons. Northern Iowa played well vs. Colorado State until late and the Rams scored a win. Guard Wes Washpun is the one that gets it started for the Panthers, if he plays well, the Panthers should win.
Northern Iowa wins 74-70
Valparaiso at Rhode Island
The Crusaders are coming off a big win vs. Iona and come into the game 2-0. Keith Carter and Alec Peters are some of the best players in the Horizon League. Rhode Island however lost A10 Player of the year candidate E.C Matthews. The roster is still talented but it will be a blow to the Rams.
Valparaiso wins 68-66
Alabama at Dayton
The Flyers will be without their star player Dyshawn Pierre until December. Filling in well in his first game, was Ryan Mikesell, who scored 21 points vs. SE Missouri. Alabama is under new a staff that is lead be Avery Johnson. Johnson oculd get things turned around at Alabama but it likely won't be this season.
Dayton wins 65-54
Colorado at Auburn
The Buffaloes played one of the top teams in the country, Iowa State, to a six point loss. Domique Collier looks to have a big year for the Buffs. Auburn comes into the game with a quality win over UAB. former Marshall guard Kareem Canty went off for 20 in that game.
Auburn wins 72-70
Oklahoma at Memphis
Oklahoma comes into the season ranked in the top ten. They return a lot of key players including big 12 player of the year Buddy Hield. Memphis always brings in top talent and they will need some of their freshman to have monster games.
Oklahoma wins 78-64
Kentucky vs. Duke
My top game to watch during the 24 hour madness! Duke reloaded with top freshman talent and they bring back Grayson Allen. Allen has already made it known that last April was no fluke. Kentucky brings back Tyler Ullis, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee and Derek Willis to go with their star studded class.
Kentucky wins 71-69
Georgetown at Maryland
We get our first look at the number one team in the land, Maryland. You gotta check out freshman big man Diamond Stone in this one. We all know about Melo Trimble and his greatness. But we figured that Georgetown would come into this game undefeated and well they got beat by Radford. Were they looking ahead? Probably. Still the Hoyas have the talent to take down Maryland in this big early season matchup.
Maryland wins 74-62
Michigan State vs. Kansas
Kansas is the favorite once again in the Big 12. Ellis and Selden Jr. are back for Kansas and a slew of talent around them. Michigan State will always be a threat in the Big Ten but this might be a late bloomer of a team. Denzel Valentine is back and the leader of this team.
Kansas 77-64
The back to back to back national title winners UConn Huskies get things started in Columbus. For the Huskies it will be Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson leading the charge to another title. The Buckeyes have a special player in Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell and the Buckeyes are 0-1 after a loss to number 2 South Carolina.
UConn wins 76-60
Virginia at George Washington
Last season George Washington gave Virginia a little scare but the Cavilers prevailed. GW will need to slow down 7 footer Mike Tobey and keep the rebounding margin close to win this game. Kevin Larsen and Kyle Cavanaugh will be the go to guys for the Colonials.
Virginia wins 62-52
Kennesaw State at LSU
The Tiger freshman trio is a must see on the slate. Ben Simmons, Antonio Blakeney and Brandon Sampson combined for 51 points in game one together. One player to keep your eye on for the Owls is guard Yonel Brown who tallied 34 points vs. Alabama.
LSU wins 82-54
San Diego State at Utah
Big matchup, featuring two of the best teams in the West. San Diego State will have problems with one of the best centers in college basketball, Jakob Poeltl. The Aztecs have won the last six meetings. If Utah can handle the Aztecs defensive pressure they should be able to pull out a W.
San Diego State 64-58
Baylor at Oregon
Tyler Dorsey showed out in his first game as a Duck, scoring 20 points. Rico Gathers should have his way with the Ducks as the big man really gets after it on the boards. The Bears have a long travel to Eugene and will be starting at an odd time which could play a factor in this game.
Oregon wins 61-58
BYU at Long Beach State
Dave Rose and BYU will head to the Pyramid to take on Long Beach State at 1;45 ET. The long Beach crowd will be at it from the start and will hope that the Beach can hold down the walking tripe-double, Kyle Collinsworth. Long Beach lost all five starters but per usual they reload with transfers. Keep an eye on Nick Faust in this game
BYU wins 72-58
Nevada at Hawaii
It is not a tip-off Marathon without, Hawaii. Lindsey Drew is a game time decision for the Pack and they will need him to offset Hawaii's guard Aaron Valdes.
Hawaii wins 62-54
Green Bay at East Tennessee State
The Phoenix have started life without Kiefer Sykes. So far, So good. The Phoenix did come up short vs. Stanford but Carrington Love exploded for 32 points. Steve Forbes and his Buccaneers squad are embracing the early 6 am start. Look for Cincinnati transfer, Ge'lawn Guyn to shine for ETSU.
Green Bay wins 71-64
Stephen F. Austin at Northern Iowa
Two of the better Mid Major programs the past few years and this season is no different. Both teams are coming off losses. Thomas Walkup has been a staple for the program for years, averaging double digits in scoring the past two seasons. Northern Iowa played well vs. Colorado State until late and the Rams scored a win. Guard Wes Washpun is the one that gets it started for the Panthers, if he plays well, the Panthers should win.
Northern Iowa wins 74-70
Valparaiso at Rhode Island
The Crusaders are coming off a big win vs. Iona and come into the game 2-0. Keith Carter and Alec Peters are some of the best players in the Horizon League. Rhode Island however lost A10 Player of the year candidate E.C Matthews. The roster is still talented but it will be a blow to the Rams.
Valparaiso wins 68-66
Alabama at Dayton
The Flyers will be without their star player Dyshawn Pierre until December. Filling in well in his first game, was Ryan Mikesell, who scored 21 points vs. SE Missouri. Alabama is under new a staff that is lead be Avery Johnson. Johnson oculd get things turned around at Alabama but it likely won't be this season.
Dayton wins 65-54
Colorado at Auburn
The Buffaloes played one of the top teams in the country, Iowa State, to a six point loss. Domique Collier looks to have a big year for the Buffs. Auburn comes into the game with a quality win over UAB. former Marshall guard Kareem Canty went off for 20 in that game.
Auburn wins 72-70
Oklahoma at Memphis
Oklahoma comes into the season ranked in the top ten. They return a lot of key players including big 12 player of the year Buddy Hield. Memphis always brings in top talent and they will need some of their freshman to have monster games.
Oklahoma wins 78-64
Kentucky vs. Duke
My top game to watch during the 24 hour madness! Duke reloaded with top freshman talent and they bring back Grayson Allen. Allen has already made it known that last April was no fluke. Kentucky brings back Tyler Ullis, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee and Derek Willis to go with their star studded class.
Kentucky wins 71-69
Georgetown at Maryland
We get our first look at the number one team in the land, Maryland. You gotta check out freshman big man Diamond Stone in this one. We all know about Melo Trimble and his greatness. But we figured that Georgetown would come into this game undefeated and well they got beat by Radford. Were they looking ahead? Probably. Still the Hoyas have the talent to take down Maryland in this big early season matchup.
Maryland wins 74-62
Michigan State vs. Kansas
Kansas is the favorite once again in the Big 12. Ellis and Selden Jr. are back for Kansas and a slew of talent around them. Michigan State will always be a threat in the Big Ten but this might be a late bloomer of a team. Denzel Valentine is back and the leader of this team.
Kansas 77-64