College basketball on today. Like…almost too much basketball?
Wha’ happen?
So…Michigan might be really, really, really good.
Bonesaw Invitational Players’ Era Festival, Brought to You by PIF
#7 Michigan Wolverines 101, #12 Gonzaga Bulldogs 61
Genuinely, just…terrifying. Yaxel Lendeborg and the Wolverines crumpled up Graham Ike and the Bulldogs and shoved them in a locker. This was something else, and I would not be surprised in the slightest to see Michigan as a Top 2 team in the country next week.
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide 105, Maryland Terrapins 72
Maui Invitational — Championship
USC Trojans 88, Arizona State
75
Hey, the Trojans did it. Chad Baker-Mazara finger-gunned his way to the title, dropping 23 on the Sun Devils in a game that the Trojans dominated on the glass. It was finally a complete performance from USC, and a deserved trophy.
Acrisure Classic — Championship
Iowa Hawkeyes 59, Grand Canyon Lopes 46
Neither win here was earth-shattering, but Iowa’s playing itself into the NCAA Tournament—we’ll see how things change when the rubber meets the road for the Hawks in Big Ten play.
On TV today?
Bonesaw Invitational
Oregon Ducks vs. Creighton Bluejays
1pm | truTV | Creighton -1.5 | O/U 152.5 | Michelob Ultra Arena
UNLV Rebels vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
3:30pm | truTV | UNLV -3.5 | O/U 153.5 | Michelob Ultra Arena
Imagine going to this B1G doubleheader in the Players Era Festival, midday, in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving Day. My goodness.
Fort Myers Tip-Off
#11 Michigan State Spartans vs. #16 North Carolina Tar Heels
3:30pm | FOX | MSU -1.5 | O/U 152.5 | Suncoast Credit Union Arena (Fort Myers, FL)
If Sparty put Arkansas in a trash can, they should be able to do the same to the Tar Heels, right? Same vibe, at least.
Acrisure-Related Tournaments
Washington Huskies vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
3:30pm | CBSSN | UW -3.5 | O/U 145.5 | Acrisure Arena (Palm Springs, CA)
Winner gets the winner of Colorado and San Francisco. Enjoy Steve Alford, everyone.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Stanford Cardinal
8:30pm | CBSSN | Stan -2.5 | O/U 142.5 | Acrisure Arena (Palm Springs, CA)
Winner gets the winner of Saint Louis and Santa Clara—a game I am actually really excited to watch. Sure. Gophers looking like the fourth-best team here, though I might be over-estimating Stanford’s competence.
Rady Children’s Invitational
Providence Friars vs. wisconsin badgers
4:30pm | FS1 | wisc -6.5 | O/U 166.5 | Jenny Craig Pavilion (San Diego, CA)
Winner plays the winner of #10 Florida and TCU. Actually an interesting tournament!
Prov isn’t a world-beating team; wisconsin should win this one.
CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Northwestern Wildcats
9:30pm | BTN | NU -3.5 | O/U 160.5 | United Center (Chicago, IL)
Why this game in the CBS Sports Classic is being played on BTN, well…
…let’s just accept it.
I’m curious to see the ‘Cats against a team that wants to play with some pace—Okie Lite is one of the fastest teams in hoops, and they’ve got the length to really trouble the ‘Cats on defense and in transition.
What they don’t do, though, is shoot well from outside. Can the ‘Cats pack it in, get Arrinten Page and Nick Martinelli the ball in good situations close to the basket, and grind one out? What do I know, you’re not reading this.
Here’s a hoops thread for the day. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving.
