Here is your guide to the best college basketball on Saturday, November 20th.
Villanova Wildcats vs Tennessee Volunteers 1:00
This should be a fun game for a couple of different reasons. Villanova has struggled a little bit on the defensive end of the floor while the Vols have put up 90 and 94 points in their first two games.
On the flip side, Tennessee has been excellent on defense and Villanova has been equally impressive on offense. The Vols have a bit more depth than the Wildcats but Jay Wright has more talent.
Villanova player to watch: Jermaine Samuels. This guy does everything well and receives too little recognition. As he goes, so goes Villanova.
Tennessee player to watch: Kennedy Chandler. I love shiny new things and Chandler is very sparkly. The freshman is averaging 18 points and five assists per game while shooting 13-19 from the floor.
Purdue Boilermakers vs North Carolina Tar Heels 4:00
You’ll have an hour to kill from when the Nova/Tennesee game ends and this begins so I would fill that void with the second half of Louisville vs Detroit Mercy. That’s just me though.
In the 4 p.m. slot you’re going to see one of the best teams in the nation in Purdue take on a team that thinks they are one of the best teams in the nation in North Carolina. The Boilermakers are absolutely loads this season which is evident by the fact that Trevion Williams is now coming off of the bench.
Guarding Zach Edey is going to be a tall order for Carolina center Armando Bacot. Edey is every bit of 7’4 and is averaging a double double thus far at 18 and 10 per game. Bacot is no slouch at 18 and 9 per game but it will most likely be the first time that Bacot is defending a player six inches taller than him.
UNC player to Watch: Caleb Love is on somewhat of a redemption tour and hes making the most of it. Love is shooting more efficiently and is logging more assists and fewer turnovers.
Purdue player to watch: Jaden Ivey is a guy that doesn’t shoot it particularly well from distance but he is shooting much more efficiently from two this season. He fills the stat sheet.
San Jose State Spartans vs Texas Longhorns 6:00
Look, it is pretty slim pickings on Saturday slates until college football ends. However, this game is worth watching for one reason: Tim Miles is coaching again. San Jose State has been one of the worst programs in the nation for the last few year but Miles can coach.
Chris Beard and the Longhorns are favored at home by 27 points and will most likely cover but if Miles ever gets on camera it will be worth it.
San Jose State player to watch: Can it still just be Miles? Let’s go with Ibrahima Diallo. Does that name sound familiar? It shouldn’t, he rarely played at Ohio State but he was there for two years. He is averaging eight points and nine rebounds per game and will have his hands full with the Texas front court.
Texas player to watch: Marcus Carr might score 100 points in this game. San Jose State is currently 332nd in adjusted defensive efficiency, 262nd in opponents turnover percentage and 292nd in opponents two point field goal percentage. Carr is going to feast.
