The Bears are 3-0 with two early upsets.
The Mercer Bears opened some eyes with a win at Alabama the other night but followed that victory with another upset at Auburn. Both of these teams are expected to contend in the SEC West, so it wasnt two easy wins. The road doesnt get any easier for the Bears as they host Georgia Tech on saturday and then head to Dayton. They also play Oklahoma State, UCLA and Iowa State in the non-conference.
Some interesting basketball throughout the nation today and it kicks off with Xavier and Missouri in Puerto Rico. Xavier is obviously a favorite in the A-10 again, while Missouri feels like they could be playing basketball in March. Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carroll have both opened the season scorching averaging over 20 ppg.
Duke collides with Southern Illinois in New York in the 2K Sports Classic. Southern Illinois is looking to return to the Dance and an early season win over Duke can get them on the right track. I personally am interested to see what type of Duke team shows up, the one who was pushed to the limit by URI or the one who smoked its first two opponents. I think this one is decided by 10 or less.
Duke 75 Southern Illinois 71
UCLA visits John Beileins Wolverines in hat could be a showcase win for Michigan. Michigan is led by Manny Harris who has poured in 28 ppg in their first two contests, while UCLA counters with Darren Collison at 17.5 ppg and Josh Shipp at 12.5 ppg. This game should be a great measuring stick for Beileins team who realistically wont contend for an NCAA bid this season.
UCLA 68 Michigan 54
Seton Hall squares off with the USC Trojans in Puerto Rico in a huge game for the program. A win tonight could take some heat off of Bobby Gonzalez and give them a vaunted match-up with Memphis. Nothing will be easy for the Pirates as they must slow down the four headed monster of Taj Gibson, Dwight Lewis, DeMar Derozan and Daniel Hackt, all of whom are averaging over 10 ppg. Derozan creates a huge matchup problem for the Hall who are without their stud Stix Mitchell. The key offensively for the Hall will be for Jeremy Hazell to continue his scorched earth policy as he has dominated the Pirates first two opponents. It is key for him to go for at least 20 tonight and then receive an unexpected outburst from someone else. Could this be the night that Eugene Harvey lights up the scoreboard or will a young wild-card like Jordan Theodore step up. I for-see a close game because USC should be tired from traveling and in early season tournaments anything can happen,
USC 73 Seton Hall 64
