Game of the Day: Davidson vs. No. 13 UNC
Talk about a test for Davidson. The Wildcats take on the defending National Champions at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Davidson has shown flashes of excellence this season, but enter with just a record of 3-2. As for the Tarheels, they stand at 6-1 with their only loss coming to No. 4 Michigan State.
This Wildcats team has struggled to find consistency so far in the 2017-18 campaign. Their backcourt of Kellan Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson has looked phenomenal so far, but they will have their hands full tonight going up against Joel Berry and Kenny Williams. Of course, Davidson will need Peyton Aldridge to do as he does and put up significant offensive numbers as well. I’m a massive fan of this Davidson team, but they don’t have a great track record against UNC. The Tarheels lead the all time series 65-11, and will pull out another win tonight.
Prediction: UNC 74, Davidson 62
City Game: Pitt vs. Duquesne
By far the most interesting non-conference game on Duquesne’s schedule, the annual City Game. Duquesne is coming off another bad loss at home to Cornell, but look to bounce back win a second consecutive win over their crosstown rival. Pitt has had there fair share of ugly losses as well, including losing to Montana at home and getting taken down by Navy in the Panthers’ season opener.
Duquesne is dealing with a battered roster right now and their lack of depth, especially below the basketball, is really beginning to get exposed. For that reason only I’m going to go with Kevin Stallings and the Panthers in this one. Stallings may not have a roster of stars, but he’ll be able to sub in and out and he pleases. I think it will be a close one, but that will be the difference maker.
Prediction: Pitt 62, Duquesne 55
La Salle vs. Towson
La Salle taking on a potential top CAA squad in Ireland? Sounds good to me! The Explorers are coming off a 87-83 win over a very good Temple team and look to keep the momentum going with a win today. Towson is no slouch, as they enter with a 6-1 record on the season and sit at 105 in KenPom’s national rankings.
Par usual, the Explorers will need the dynamic duo of Pookie Powell and B.J. Johnson to carry the weight in order to grab a win today. Towson is actually a 2.5 point favorite in this one, but I could see La Salle pulling out another great non-conference win today.
Prediction: La Salle 70, Towson 59
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