2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer
Valparaiso Crusaders (0-0) vs. #16 Arizona Wildcats (0-0) 9:00 PM ET at McKale Center.
The college basketball season starts when Arizona hosts Valparaiso as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.
Valparaiso has the potential to dominate Horizon League opponents if they manage to gel as a productive unit. Legendary head coach Homer Drew retired and now his son Bryce will take over the sidelines. Bryce Drew used to play for the Crusaders and even made it to the NBA and his presence alone will reinvigorate the team and their fan base.
Valpo lost Brandon Wood, their leading scorer from last season as he transferred to Michigan State. In his two seasons with the Crusaders Wood averaged 17.2 points per game, which took the pressure off some of the younger talent on the team. Junior guard Ryan Broekhoff, a native of Australia, will become the team's primary option offensively, he is their leading returning scorer.
Arizona made it to the Elite Eight last season but they lost to eventual-champion Connecticut. The Wildcats lost Derrick Williams, who was the second overall pick in the NBA Draft and Lamont Jones, who transferred to Iona but they added one of the top point guards in the 2011 recruiting class in Josiah Turner.
Williams was a force to be reckoned with for this team and Jones was their second-leading scorer. Look for Senior guard Kyle Fogg to step up and become the new go-to guy on the offensive end.
Arizona is 8-1 all-time against Horizon League teams, including 2-0 against Valparaiso. The last time these two teams met was in 2001 and Arizona won 74-70.
Valparaiso has lost their last 33 games against top 25 teams. Their last win against a ranked opponent came in 1998, when their new head coach Bryce Drew hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in a 70-69 win over fourth-seeded Mississippi in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Arizona has more talent than Valparaiso and I just don't see them having any problem at home.
Oddsbay Premium Selection: Arizona -13 1/2 (-110)
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