15 A Week: Volume I — Week of 11.3
An opening night special features two top-ten ranked teams and perennial conference powerhouses at the mid-major level.
Have you ever wanted to watch a season-long competition unfold between two friends picking the most obscure college basketball games every week to avoid doing a milk mile in the middle of summer? No? Well, here’s your original experience.
Welcome to the very first edition of 15 A Week, a weekly letter highlighting 15 of the most important college basketball games across the country and who we predict to win. Attached will be our full predictions, insights, and brief analysis.
THE LOSER OF THIS SERIES MUST COMPLETE A MILK MILE AT OUR LOCAL TRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER.
Western Kentucky @ Witchita State — 8:00 PM
Storyline to know: The Hilltoppers’ rim-running style got them to the NCAAT last year, can they do it again?
Matt’s Pick: Witchita State
Jake’s Pick: Witchita State
Vermont @ UAB— 7:30 PM
Storyline to know: Two conference favorites square off on opening night as UAB plays host to the powerhouse Catamounts.
Matt’s Pick: UAB
Jake’s Pick: Vermont
McNeese State vs. South Dakota State — 6:00 PM
Storyline to know: A pair of conference frontrunners square off in Sioux Falls in a primetime matchup between two Tournament teams from last season.
Matt’s Pick: McNeese State
Jake’s Pick: McNeese State
Kent State @ Louisiana — 8:00 PM
Storyline to know: The uber-consistent Ragin’ Cajuns play host to a retooled Golden Flash team eager to make a statement early.
Matt’s Pick: Louisiana
Jake’s Pick: Louisiana
North Dakota @ Colorado State — 9:30 PM
Storyline to know: The upset-minded Falcons take flight against a regrouping Rams squad in Fort Collins.
Matt’s Pick: Colorado State
Jake’s Pick: Colorado State
Iona @ Princeton — 7:00 PM
Storyline to know: Reloaded Tiger team takes on Tobin Anderson and the tough out Gaels.
Matt’s Pick: Princeton
Jake’s Pick: Princeton
No. 8 Baylor @ No. 6 Gonzaga — 11:30 PM
Storyline to know: A rematch of the 2021 National Championship. Both programs failed to make the Elite Eight last season and have retooled their rosters with proven playmakers at every level.
Matt’s Pick: Baylor
Jake’s Pick: Baylor
No. 19 Texas vs. Ohio State — 10:00 PM
Storyline to know: The Longhorns prepare for its maiden voyage through the SEC with a salty opponent to open things up. Ohio State comes in with a bevy of backcourt weapons.
Matt’s Pick: Texas
Jake’s Pick: Ohio State
No. 13 Texas A&M @ UCF — 7:00 PM
Storyline to know: A rebuilt UCF roster lurks in the shadows of a crowded Big-XII while the Aggies come into the opener as a top-15 ranked team.
Matt’s Pick: UCF
Jake’s Pick: Texas A&M
USF vs. No. 21 Florida — 8:30 PM
Storyline to know: South Florida mourns the tragic loss of coach Amir Abdur-Rahim ahead of a pivotal opening game showdown against the Gators.
Matt’s Pick: Florida
Jake’s Pick: Florida
Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara — 3:00 PM
Storyline to know: The Billikens rebuilt the entire roster while Santa Clara welcomes back a bevy of returning experience.
Matt’s Pick: Santa Clara
Jake’s Pick: Santa Clara
Toledo @ Troy — 8:00 PM
Storyline to know: Two rebuilt rosters sitting atop their conference preseason polls showdown in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
Matt’s Pick: Toledo
Jake’s Pick: Troy
Southeast Missouri @ Bradley
Storyline to know: An inexperienced but talented team clashes with a grizzlied veteran squad in primetime.
Matt’s Pick: Bradley
Jake’s Pick: Bradley
Charleston vs. Southern Illinois — 12:00 PM
Storyline to know: Conference juggernaut takes on former conference juggernaut as both teams look to start 2024 on a good note.
Matt’s Pick: Charleston
Jake’s Pick: Charleston
WHO’S WON EACH WEEK:
NOT AVAILABLE