With Villanova in a bit of a lull in their schedule and no game until Wednesday, Nova Nation finds itself with a wide-open weekend. While many may elect to use the free time taking care of holiday preparations or to spend some time with family and friends, there is still plenty of college basketball for those needing their hoops fix. Here we will highlight some of the games that hold some interest for Nova fans.
Butler vs. Indiana
This game offers an in-state rivalry and a clash of top 25 teams. Butler will look to add to its list of defeated ranked opponents and build on an already solid resume. The Bulldogs have already defeated No. 8 Arizona and No. 22 Cincinnati. They also have decent wins over Northwestern and Utah. A victory over 9th ranked Indiana would look good, not only for Butler but for the Big East.
Butler has relied heavily on a pair of 6-7 forwards in Kelan Martin and Andrew Chrabascz. They must find a way to contain Indiana’s 6-10 Thomas Bryant, who is nearly averaging a double-double. Meanwhile, Butler guards Avery Woodson, Tyler Lewis, and Kamar Baldwin will be tasked with slowing down James Blackmon Jr., who is averaging nearly 17 points and 7 rebounds per game. Indiana is also expecting OG Anunoby to return after missing three games with an ankle injury.
The Bulldogs will need to control the tempo as they attempt to slow down an Indiana offense that is averaging nearly 88 points per game. Holding their own on the boards will also be key for Butler, as Indiana is averaging 14 more rebounds per game than the Bulldogs.
This game presents a tough test for Butler, but they’ve been rising to the occasion so far this season. It will be interesting to see if they can get the win and add to the Big East’s impressive early season performance.
Xavier vs. Wake Forest
This one is interesting for a couple of reasons. Most notably, Wake presents a common opponent, as Nova throttled them 96-77 earlier this season. It will be interesting to see how Xavier performs against a Wake Forest team that has looked pretty good outside of the Villanova game.
Wake is 8-2, with its only two losses coming to Villanova and Northwestern. They lack a signature win, and Xavier provides an opportunity to get one. Xavier, on the other hand, has had a bit of a stumble after an impressive run to start the season. A disastrous second half led to a loss at Baylor, and the Musketeers followed that up with a loss at Colorado. They steadied themselves with a win against Utah in their last game.
Xavier gets most of their production from the trio of Trevon Bluiett, J.P. Macura, and Edmond Sumner, who are all in the 6-5 to 6-6 range. Meanwhile, Wake’s 6-10 John Collins is averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10.7 rebounds. It will be interesting to see if RaShid Gaston and Sean O’Mara can slow Collins and allow the backcourt to win the game.
Georgetown vs. Syracuse
Here we have a classic rivalry game. While not everyone was buying into the hype of a Georgetown resurgence, the Hoyas have been a major disappointment this season. At 6-3, Syracuse isn’t where they want or expect to be either. Both teams will be hungry to get a win as they look to build momentum before heading into tough conference schedules.
Despite the disappointing start for the Hoyas, Rodney Pryor and L.J. Peak have been stellar for Georgetown. Pryor is averaging 20.6 points per game, while Peak is putting up 16.4. They will look to carry the Hoyas against a Syracuse team who is scoring by committee. The Orange have just one double-figure scorer, Andrew White, who is averaging 16.9 points. But beyond White, Syracuse has seven players averaging 6.8 points per game or better.
A rivalry game between two teams desperate for a win as they try to salvage their seasons could make for a solid basketball game. It will be interesting to see if Georgetown can keep its slim NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Purdue vs. Notre Dame
Obviously, there are no direct Big East implications in this one. But Villanova fans are aware that both teams are very good this year, as Nova has defeated each of them after being tested. It will be interesting to see these two teams square off with reference to how each of their games against Nova went. Plus, this should be a very good basketball game.
The matchup of double-double machines in Caleb Swanigan and Bonzie Colson jumps out. Swanigan is powerful at 6-9, but also possesses a nice outside touch. Meanwhile Colson plays much bigger than his 6-5 stature, showing an impressive ability to play around the basket.
Beyond that matchup, each team presents a trio of intriguing players. The Irish have Steve Vasturia, V.J. Beachem, and Matt Farrell. Purdue will counter with Isaac Haas, Vince Edwards, and Dakota Mathias. Carsen Edwards looks to get involved for the Boilermakers as well.
Again, this should be an excellent basketball game, and it will be interesting to compare and contrast it with the efforts against Villanova.
Kentucky vs. North Carolina
This game really has no relation to Villanvoa other than the fact that both teams are in the top 10 and one of them will suffer their second defeat. But it’s Kentucky vs. North Carolina and a top 10 matchup, so it’s worth the attention of college basketball fans. Plus, maybe Nova ends up seeing one of or both teams somewhere down the road.
Butler vs. Indiana
This game offers an in-state rivalry and a clash of top 25 teams. Butler will look to add to its list of defeated ranked opponents and build on an already solid resume. The Bulldogs have already defeated No. 8 Arizona and No. 22 Cincinnati. They also have decent wins over Northwestern and Utah. A victory over 9th ranked Indiana would look good, not only for Butler but for the Big East.
Butler has relied heavily on a pair of 6-7 forwards in Kelan Martin and Andrew Chrabascz. They must find a way to contain Indiana’s 6-10 Thomas Bryant, who is nearly averaging a double-double. Meanwhile, Butler guards Avery Woodson, Tyler Lewis, and Kamar Baldwin will be tasked with slowing down James Blackmon Jr., who is averaging nearly 17 points and 7 rebounds per game. Indiana is also expecting OG Anunoby to return after missing three games with an ankle injury.
The Bulldogs will need to control the tempo as they attempt to slow down an Indiana offense that is averaging nearly 88 points per game. Holding their own on the boards will also be key for Butler, as Indiana is averaging 14 more rebounds per game than the Bulldogs.
This game presents a tough test for Butler, but they’ve been rising to the occasion so far this season. It will be interesting to see if they can get the win and add to the Big East’s impressive early season performance.
Xavier vs. Wake Forest
This one is interesting for a couple of reasons. Most notably, Wake presents a common opponent, as Nova throttled them 96-77 earlier this season. It will be interesting to see how Xavier performs against a Wake Forest team that has looked pretty good outside of the Villanova game.
Wake is 8-2, with its only two losses coming to Villanova and Northwestern. They lack a signature win, and Xavier provides an opportunity to get one. Xavier, on the other hand, has had a bit of a stumble after an impressive run to start the season. A disastrous second half led to a loss at Baylor, and the Musketeers followed that up with a loss at Colorado. They steadied themselves with a win against Utah in their last game.
Xavier gets most of their production from the trio of Trevon Bluiett, J.P. Macura, and Edmond Sumner, who are all in the 6-5 to 6-6 range. Meanwhile, Wake’s 6-10 John Collins is averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10.7 rebounds. It will be interesting to see if RaShid Gaston and Sean O’Mara can slow Collins and allow the backcourt to win the game.
Georgetown vs. Syracuse
Here we have a classic rivalry game. While not everyone was buying into the hype of a Georgetown resurgence, the Hoyas have been a major disappointment this season. At 6-3, Syracuse isn’t where they want or expect to be either. Both teams will be hungry to get a win as they look to build momentum before heading into tough conference schedules.
Despite the disappointing start for the Hoyas, Rodney Pryor and L.J. Peak have been stellar for Georgetown. Pryor is averaging 20.6 points per game, while Peak is putting up 16.4. They will look to carry the Hoyas against a Syracuse team who is scoring by committee. The Orange have just one double-figure scorer, Andrew White, who is averaging 16.9 points. But beyond White, Syracuse has seven players averaging 6.8 points per game or better.
A rivalry game between two teams desperate for a win as they try to salvage their seasons could make for a solid basketball game. It will be interesting to see if Georgetown can keep its slim NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Purdue vs. Notre Dame
Obviously, there are no direct Big East implications in this one. But Villanova fans are aware that both teams are very good this year, as Nova has defeated each of them after being tested. It will be interesting to see these two teams square off with reference to how each of their games against Nova went. Plus, this should be a very good basketball game.
The matchup of double-double machines in Caleb Swanigan and Bonzie Colson jumps out. Swanigan is powerful at 6-9, but also possesses a nice outside touch. Meanwhile Colson plays much bigger than his 6-5 stature, showing an impressive ability to play around the basket.
Beyond that matchup, each team presents a trio of intriguing players. The Irish have Steve Vasturia, V.J. Beachem, and Matt Farrell. Purdue will counter with Isaac Haas, Vince Edwards, and Dakota Mathias. Carsen Edwards looks to get involved for the Boilermakers as well.
Again, this should be an excellent basketball game, and it will be interesting to compare and contrast it with the efforts against Villanova.
Kentucky vs. North Carolina
This game really has no relation to Villanvoa other than the fact that both teams are in the top 10 and one of them will suffer their second defeat. But it’s Kentucky vs. North Carolina and a top 10 matchup, so it’s worth the attention of college basketball fans. Plus, maybe Nova ends up seeing one of or both teams somewhere down the road.