Game of the Day: Saint Louis vs. Virginia Tech
Both teams enter this one with a record of 2-0, but the Billikens enter the underdog. Saint Louis is coming off a 74-50 win over DII Rockwell but now face quite the tall task in Virginia Tech. SLU needs a big night out of Javon Bess, who is leading the way for Saint Louis offensively so far, averaging 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds through the season’s first two games. Additionally, if freshman Jordan Goodwin can knock down some jumpers, that would give Saint Louis a huge offensive boost. Overall, Goodwin has looked solid so far but he is shooting just 0.56% from the field.
Virginia Tech has cruised through their first two games. Their offense racked up 111 points in the season opener against Detroit Mercy, and followed that up with a 132-93 win over The Citadel. The Hokies return 8 members of last season’s 22 win squad. Despite all of the returning talent, freshman Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads VT in scoring (28.5 ppg).
I’m excited to see how Saint Louis is going to look this season, but I’m going with Virginia Tech. The Hokies are hot right now, and they bring back a lot of experience. While it would be a big win for the young Saint Louis team and the A-10 if the Billikens could pull out a win, I’d be pretty surprised if they did.
Prediction: SLU 71, Virginia Tech 83
Binghamton at George Mason
George Mason is coming off a well fought 72-61 loss to Louisville last Sunday. Yes, they had a close call in the season opener in the win over Lafayette, but it appears that Mason has settled in and should have no issue with this Binghamton team.
Binghamton came into the season with an RPI ranked 312 in the nation. They dropped their last contest at Cornell 94-84. Otis Livingston II has been quiet through the first two games, but I have a feeling he’ll find success against the Bearcats,
Prediction: Binghamton 65, George Mason 83
South Alabama at La Salle
How La Salle will end up this year is a bit of a mystery, but whatever success they see will likely come from B.J. Johnson. He put up 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in La Salle’s 2OT win over Penn at the Palestra on Monday.
As for South Alabama, they stand with a 1-1 record following their win over Mobile on Monday. The Jaguars represent the Sun Belt, and won just 14 games last season. I don’t expect that Johnson and the Explorers will see much of a challenge in this one.
Prediction: South Alabama 57, La Salle 72
Dayton vs. Hofstra
This is a matchup that could be dangerous for Anthony Grant. Dayton is coming off the 78-77 buzzer beater win over Ball State. As for Hofstra, they enter with a record of 2-0 and are ranked 121 in the nation by Kenpom.
In previous years, this would’ve been a breeze for the Flyers, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this Hofstra team managed to pull out a win in this one. Xeyrius Williams shot just 2-10 from the field and 2-6 from three in the opener. Williams shot 41.5% from downtown last year, and Dayton will need him to find his stroke to take down the Pride. I want to pick Hofstra in this one to say I called the upset if it happens, but I’m going to go with Dayton in another nail-biter.
Prediction: Dayton 74, Hofstra 71
3 Comments
Man, you just hate the Flyers…
I think this is a very fair prediction after UD won by 1 at home to Ball St… Now, the Flyers are playing an arguably better team on a neutral court. Most people would agree this is nearly a pick ‘em game…
ESPN is saying Hofstra has a 56.7% chance to win this game —- I'm not the only one that thinks it'll be close.